News

Church Street News (see Past Issues)
The Newsletter of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church
Issue No. 3, Volume 98
March 2006

Dear Friends:
“For more than thirty years, prophetic religious voices have been naming this as an era of rapid change and calling for a major shift in how the age old message is communicated. We live in a global village with electronic communication tools accessible to millions or even billions of people. Television, computers and cell phones have changed our experience of time and distance.” So begins an article by Ann Walker and Elizabeth Waters in the current issue of ReVisions,the voice of the Interim Ministry Network.

Massive change is also taking place in the sciences and in culture. Philosophers speak of the shift from the modern to the post modern age. Keeping up with the sweep of all this change and growth is demanding much of us all. Some folks just check out or excuse themselves from these realities. The rise of fundamentalism is one obvious escape tactic.

But what if change is God calling humanity to break into a new level of existence marked by cooperation, diversity and collaboration. As St. Paul tells us throughout his writing and especially in the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Church is the Body of Christ. It belongs to God, it is shaped by the desires and goals of God’s kingdom, not our own ideas, wants, needs or expectations. The truth is that we own nothing in this world at all, it is all a gift. This is especially true of the community built through the power of the Spirit in Christ --- the Church.

At St. Lawrence parish we have delegated leadership to many of our members so that we can answer God’s Will for us and all people. I want to thank them for agreeing to serve on the numerous ministry teams and continue to develop a parish program that can maximize our ministry.

The Episcopal Church national headquarters developed an acronym to help us become a healthy congregation. The word S.W.E.E.P. may be a good measure of what we are doing with our resources here as we seek a new rector and growth.

Stewardship - of Time Talent and Treasure
Worship - corporate and individual spiritual development
Education - Christian formation at all levels
Evangelism - bringing others to God, Christ and the Church
Pastoral Care - tending the needs of people at all stages of life

As the weeks of Lent progress can we hold before us these things? When asked to participate can we agree? With God’s help we can be a place of care and concern, guidance and growth for the times that are unfolding.

Peace and Grace.
Tom+

FROM THE WARDENS
New Beginnings. . . The Bible is filled with examples of renewal and transformation. The last stanza of the Hymn, Morning Has Broken provides:

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation; praise ev'ry morning
God's recreation of the new day!

As the sun rises every morning in accordance with God’s command, our season of renewal at St. Lawrence is now under way. We elected a Search Committee at our Annual Meeting. This Committee has already begun faithfully by distributing the Parish Survey and holding Parish Meetings. Information garnered from these meetings will form the basis of our Parish Profile - a resume which informs potential candidates about our parish and the type of person we are seeking. We thank the Search Committee for their dedication. It is our hope to call a Rector, God willing, by the end of this year.

We elected new members to the Vestry full of energy and zeal for our Lord. We thank these new members for their commitment and look forward to working with them in their ministries at St. Lawrence.

Father Tom has likewise been instrumental in forming the foundation of our re-creation. Father Tom has challenged us to look at ourselves in different ways. Having built our new facility under the guidance of Father Jed, Father Tom is challenging us to making our new house a home, dressing up not only our walls and facilities, but our hearts and spirits. We look forward to continuing to work with Father Tom to prepare us for our new Rector.

These changes have been punctuated by all of the newcomers to our parish. Within the last few months we have welcomed many new persons into our parish. The Invitational Ministry team over the past four months has hosted two newcomer brunches, and many of our new parishioners are already becoming active members of our parish. For example, among those parishioners who graciously prepared dinner for the Vestry Retreat (a fantastic meal), some were new to our parish.

We are heading in the right direction and we must continue our efforts to spread the Gospel and grow our parish. Entering into the Lenten season, a time to initiate disciplines of self denial, we ask each of you to give up just one thing - any reluctance we have to share our parish and Jesus with those in our communities. Won’t you invite another family or friend to share our worship during Lent? God Bless You All!

Senior Warden Jeanne Murphy can be reached at
valentinejam@sbcglobal.net

Junior Warden Frank Top can be reached at
thetops@comcast.net

PADS - PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER
St. Lawrence, along with other churches in Lake County, agreed to join the PADS program and provide food and shelter to 60 people in need each evening, in a rotating location provided by one church or another.

We continue our commitment to this compassionate program: to provide food to feed men, women and children, on the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Wildwood Presbyterian Church. They come to us for an evening meal, to socialize with us and each other, and then to settle down for the evening. They are provided foam pads, blankets, sheets and pillows for their sleeping comfort.

For more information, contact Don Craig at 847 362-9443.

SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
Well? We are off and running! We have finished our small group discussions and have had the surveys returned. We had 49 people participate in the small groups and over 100 surveys returned! We are very excited about the response from the congregation. We have asked the youth groups to be part of this process and they have agreed to have their own small discussion groups. We will be tackling the task of tallying all the participants' responses to get a picture of how the congregation views itself now, what their hopes are for the future and what qualities they value most in a new Rector.  We plan to present the survey results on March 19, after the 7:30 service and at the Adult Forum. We will also use this information to compose a Parish Profile which is used as a recruiting tool to hire the new Rector. The Parish Profile will be posted on the web site for anyone to view once it is completed in early April.
 
Bob Keefer, who was originally on the Search Committee, has resigned and was replaced by Brian Bowers.  The Search Committee now consists of the following people: Brian Bowers, Mike Chickey, Bobbie Ellington, Liz Halbert, Jan Hartshorne, Carol Keating, Andrea Larson, Julie Quandt, Dave Secor, Todd Seiler, Sarah Simpson, Mell Wishau and Tony Wolff.  Also giving us valuable direction is our specially trained consultant from the Diocese, Susan Czolgosz. The members are, as always, open and available for questions, but please understand that we may not be able to answer all your questions due to confidentiality. We will have an update in the newsletter every month and regular announcements in the bulletin and at the services to track our progress. On the web site we have a link to a Search Committee page that will be updated on a regular basis based upon our meetings. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers as we work to discern the best candidate to lead us in the years to come.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HOLY WEEK
April 9 Palm Sunday — We will have one service for the day at 9:30 am. Prior to the service we will gather outside (weather permitting) or in the Narthex for the blessing of the palms and then procession. We will have the reading of the Passion According to Mark. Look for sign-up sheets.

April 13 Maundy Thursday — Service at 7:00 pm. On this night we will begin with the Lord’s Supper, when the feet of the disciples were washed and a new commandment to love one another was mandated. We will share a simple supper the “Agape Meal” at which Holy Communion was instituted. Then we return to the Sanctuary for the stripping on the altar. A watch-vigil before the reserved sacrament echoes Jesus’ agony in the garden.

April 14 Good Friday: Services at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The liturgy of solemn prayers, veneration of the cross and communion from the reserved sacrament. 

April 15 The Great Vigil of Easter — Service at 7:30 pm. We begin in the darkness with the lighting of the new fire. A history of salvation from the Biblical record will be read, with Holy Baptism and the first Eucharist of Easter. A feast follows in the Narthex.

April 16 Easter Day — Services at 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am. There will be music, flowers and celebration.

Next month’s Church Street Newsletter, will have the details about all of the activities here at St. Lawrence during Holy Week and sign-up sheets will be posted.

A RULE FOR LENT
The following is offered as an aid in developing a Lenten discipline. Take on no more than you can realistically accomplish, but do not fail to ask what it is you hope to get out of this year’s observance. Pick one or two things from this list. Then commit yourself to your choice(s) and post it at home.

______ I will attend the Wednesday Lenten Study Program at 12:00 pm or 7:30 pm for five weeks during Lent. (For information look on page 7 of the newsletter.)

______ I will participate in the Adult Confirmation Inquirer’s Class on Sundays, from March 5 to April 29. (For information look on page 7 of the newsletter.)

______ I will participate in the Adult Forum on Sundays during Lent.

______ I will attend the Thursday Morning Eucharist at 8:30 am each week during Lent.

______ I will join the Choir (rehearsals on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.)

______ I will attend the Prayer Shawl Ministry Gatherings. (For information look on page 7 of the newsletter)

______ I will participate in PADS on March 28. (For information look on page 4 of the newsletter.)

______ I will attend the Taizé Prayer Service, on Sunday March 12th, at 5:00 pm. (For information look on page 8 of the newsletter.)

______ I will participate in the Stations of the Cross, on March 19th, (For information look on page 8 of the newsletter.)

______ I will set aside 20/30 minutes _____ day(s) each week for prayer and/or reading from Scripture during Lent.

______ I will abstain from ____________________ (specify meat/alcohol/other) from Ash Wednesday to Easter (savings to go to Episcopal Relief and Development, or to ____________________).

______ Other (be specific) __________________________________________

THE MISSION TRIP
At the end of March, about a dozen parishioners are heading to Mississippi to help with relief from Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to donate funds to underwrite the cost of the trip, please be sure to put ‘KATRINA TRIP’ in the memo field of your check, or put a donation in the Narthex bucket labeled Mission Trip.

Katrina Relief: Funds that are not explicitly labeled TRIP will go to our host facility. Camp Coast Care, or to Episcopal Relief and Development for general hurricane relief. Gift Cards from Home Depot or WalMart may also be donated to the relief effort. Since they prefer gift cards for $50 or more, you may want to go in with friends, or donate money through the church, so we can consolidate to larger gift cards. . Please note that clothing donations are no longer being accepted.

WEDNESDAY’S LENTEN STUDY PROGRAM
We will be featuring a new Lenten study program here at St. Lawrence. For five weeks, beginning Wednesday, March 8th at 12:10-12:50 pm. Fr. Tom will lead a discussion after viewing a short program. This program will be repeated in the evening from 7:30 - 8:30 pm. So whether you can have lunch or dinner with us , this will sure to be enlightening and uplifting.

“Keeping Up Lent with Hyacinth Bucket”

We will view episodes of a hilarious BBC comedy and have a short discussion of the dangers of self-absorbing behavior that goes against Christ’s teaching to ”love you neighbor as yourself”. Soup and Bread will be served during the viewing

ADULT CONFIRMATION AND REAFFIRMATION
This Adult Study is open to everyone, but especially those who are thinking of making a formal commitment to the Episcopal Church. Seven sessions that begin at 12:30 and run for one hour, following the 11:00 am Eucharist.

Classes are led by clergy and parish leaders. Light refreshments will be served .

March 5 Session 1: Ancient and Modern Episcopal Church History
March 12 Session 2: The Book of Common Prayer
March 19 Session 3: The Bible: Interpretation and Devotion
March 26 Session 4: Institutional Organization: Mission and
Outreach Ministry near and far
April 2 Session 5: Personal Prayer and Sacraments
April 9 Session 6: Ethical and Moral Living
April 19 Easter Day Recess
April 26 Session 7: Parish Life and Ministry Opportunities.
April 29 Saturday Morning time with the Bishop and then Confirmation

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Last year during Lent we began our Prayer Shawl Ministry. Throughout the year we have created beautiful shawls and lap covers. From those creations dozens of people were wrapped in the love and prayers from all of us at St. Lawrence.

We will come together in prayer and love to create a gift for those in need. Besides the obvious reasons of comfort during illness or grief, the shawls can be given in times of joy and celebration.

Anyone who can knit or would like to learn, is welcome. We will provide instruction for our beginners. If you are ready to begin a shawl you will need:

• Size 11 or 13 needles
• Three skeins of yarn that are six ounces net weight and 185 yards each
  (it is suggested that it be washable)

Gatherings are on the 1st and 3rd Mondays, from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Sanctuary and every Thursday morning from 9:30-11:00 am in the Fireside Room. Join us for a warm gathering to share knitting and friendship. A wonderful Lenten devotion.
If you would like more information about the book selections, con tact Julia Karnstedt at 847 549-7024.

“In a society...where relationships and the sense of community are fragmented, it may be time to place some emphasis on the blessing of receiving.”
— Patricia Loring

THE GREAT LITANY — SUNDAY, MARCH 5  
On Sunday March 5 during all three services, we will join together in The Great Litany. Composed in the 16th century, this form of prayer offers a series of intercessions and petitions for all sorts of conditions in human life with a short, repetitive responses from the entire congregation.

TAIZE SERVICE SUNDAY MARCH 12
Nearly 60 years the monks of Taize, France, called upon the youth of Europe to come pray and sing together for the whole world.  Plaintive and haunting melodies were devised to aid in the powerful bonding that was achieved. St. Augustine had said, “anyone who sings, prays twice” is clearly seen in this worship experience.
We will turn down the lights and center into prayer, being led by beautiful voices.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS — SUNDAY, MARCH 19
Pilgrims to the Holy Land from earliest times retraced the steps of Jesus’Passion and paused at sites along the way to meditate on biblical and  traditional moments as he was lead to the Cross on Calvary.  A pattern of a versicle and response, meditation and prayers and the singing of the “Stabat Mater”  as they visited each station developed. This parish has a unique set of 14 original artwork pictures that will be set up in the Church for the season of Lent. Members are encouraged to walk the way of the cross privately during the entire season of Lent.  

THE LABYRINTH— SUNDAY APRIL 2—SATURDAY APRIL 8
The Chartres Cathedral in France contains a circular and weaving pathway on its floor to aid pilgrims in experiencing a profound encounter with God.  Walking slowly towards the center, one unburdens the soul, in the center meditating upon God’s presence, and walking back out one listens to what God may charge you to do about these burdens and so many other things.  Our Labyrinth this year will be set up in the Narthex, and replicates the Labyrinth of Chartres. It is generously loaned to us from the United Methodist Church of Libertyville. (Available during regular church hours or by appointment.)

PALM CROSSES — THURSDAY APRIL 6
The Episcopalian Church Women (ECW) sponsors an evening of fellowship as we assemble palm crosses for distribution on for Palm Sunday. This is part of our liturgical history and an art to share with all generations. There will be some experienced weavers as well as beginnings. If this is part of your Lenten rituals or would like to learn, join us. We will start with a Soup & Salad potluck supper at 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

DEANERY CONFIRMATION HOSTED BY ST. LAWRENCE
On Saturday April 29th, at 10:30 am, St. Lawrence will be hosting the Waukegan Deanery confirmation service. It is our great honor, that Bishop Purcell and Bishop Scantelbury will be present. We need your help. Following the service we will host a reception for the confirmands, their families and our guests . There are many important roles including, set-up, food and beverage, clean-up, and more. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support this celebration.

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK GROUP NEWS
We would LOVE to have some new people join us for our book discussions. The only requirement is to have read (or attempted to read) the book being discussed. (Or if available, you can even listen to it on tape!) We begin at 7:30 and usually end promptly at 9:00.

On Monday, March 13 we will meet in the Fireside Room to discuss A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. This historical novel is set in Italy towards the end of WWII.

Our April book selection is The Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht. Lebrecht, a cultural commentator for the BBC, won the 2002 Whitbread Prize for this, his first novel. According to Booklist, “Lebrecht brings to life an intriguing tale about music and betrayal. Dovidl Rappoport is a violin prodigy and a Polish refugee whose family perished in the Holocaust. He now lives with a wealthy Jewish family in London and befriends their socially awkward son, Martin Simmonds. Martin's father, a musical impresario, trains Dovidl for the biggest debut on the London stage, and Martin is commandeered to act as caretaker. The two become close friends, forming a sybaritic relationship. Dovidl, however, slowly begins to slink into London's seamier nightlife and eventually disappears on the day of his much-anticipated debut, wreaking havoc on the family and its business. Forty years later, Martin discovers a trace of the vanished prodigy and eventually ekes out a plan to avenge the betrayal all those years ago. Lebrecht's story delves into the horrors of the Holocaust and the Blitz, as well as the quiet communities of Hasidic Judaism that developed in Britain after the flight of so many refugees. What emerges is a vivid and outstanding story that sings about artistry, genius, music, love, envy, friendship, and revenge.” Please consider joining us for one or both of these book discussions.

PROGRESSIVE DINNER PLANNING IN THE WORKS
The Progressive Dinner is not far off and we need to know who the interested parties may be for planning this one-of-a-kind event. The DINING EXTRAVAGANZA will be this spring and the planning takes time, interest in food and it’s accompaniments, as well as a discriminate palate (or in my case, just a huge appetite for anything yummy to my tummy). The Progressive Dinner is a fun and casual way to meet members of St. Lawrence and to be treated to a well-designed menu prepared by God-loving Christians. Also, please keep the event in mind as you are doing your spring cleaning “Boy, things look great around here after a good spring cleaning! Maybe I should host an appetizer or entree course for the St. Lawrence Progressive Dinner”. Or, maybe you are feeling really bold and thinking to yourself “Boy, things not only look great around here, but when clean, this place looks twice as big and I should host the Appetizer/Silent Auction/Dessert portion of the dinner” Pick up your phones or turn on your computers and contact Jennifer Kanches.

If you love to cook or plan dinner parties join this fun committee, contact Jennifer Kanches 847 548-0084

HAVE YOU MET?
Scott Greta, Maddy, Rachel & Eliza Wilson
The Wilson's moved to the Buffalo Grove/Lincolnshire area from Austin, Texas in 2004 and started attending St. Lawrence in September 2005. They have enjoyed meeting many new people and have already gotten involved in acolytes, coffee hour hosting and special projects at St. Lawrence.

Scott grew up in the Midwest in Fort Wayne, Indiana; while Greta hails from the Northeast, outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Scott & Greta met in West Lafayette, Indiana while they were studying at Purdue University. (In a “small world moment,” on their first Sunday at St. Lawrence, Scott and BJ Seagrist recognized each other from their days in the Sigma Nu House at Purdue.) Scott & Greta were married in 1992. Since being married, they have lived in various parts of the United States, each location bringing a new addition to the family. Indiana, where Maddy was born, Florida where Rachel was born and Texas which brought them Eliza. Now in Illinois they say their only addition will be their puppy, Jack. Their 3 years in Florida made them experts at Disney World, so if you need any advice for an upcoming trip, talk to the Wilsons!

Scott is a Vice President for APAC Customer Services, Inc in Deerfield and Greta is a stay at home mom. The Wilsons enjoy training and competing in Sprint (Mini) Triathlons. Scott is currently training for his first half marathon coming up in March. They also enjoy camping and are planning a week long trip to Staved Rock State Park this summer. Greta enjoys volunteering at school, coaching Soccer and Basketball and scrapbooking when she gets a free moment.

Maddy is 10 and in the fourth grade at Half Day School, Rachel is 7 and in first grade at Sprague School and Eliza is 4 and in Pre-school in Lincolnshire. Please make a point to introduce yourself to this fine family.

FORE! THE GREENS ARE GETTING GREEN
Are you are interested in golf, or are just looking for a way to get involved and meet fellow parishioners, please assist with the planning of this year’s Golf Outing. This year’s committee chairs are Bob and Jean Ostroga. Parish Life is now seeking committee members to assist the Ostroga’s with next fall’s outing. Assistance is needed in the menu and food preparation, outing plans and donation solicitation for fundraising efforts. This is a wonderful way to open your home to fellow parishioners.

Parish Life is still developing a long term committee to both oversee annual events and plan new and exciting ones. If you are interested in becoming a member of this fun committee, please let me know.

As always, many thanks to those that keep the events at St. Lawrence running smoothly. Your silent efforts don’t go unnoticed. Fellowship, in whatever form, is a wonderful way for us all to gather, in the name of God, to share, love, welcome and even reunite in one way or another.

Summer Schedule
Sunday Services:
7:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite I Liturgy
10 :00am - Holy Eucharist Rite II Liturgy
Thursday Service:
8:30am - Holy Eucharist