News

Church Street News (see Past Issues)
The Newsletter of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church
Issue No. 4, Volume 98
April 2006

Dear Friends,
The observance of Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Day) is the central event of the Christian Church for the faithful followers of Christ Jesus. The final days of His life were to forever change the hearts of those who came to believe in Him.
By the third century, what we call Holy Week had been identified as a time to reflect on the events associated with Christ’s Passion.

I once read an article asking, “Did Jesus Keep Lent?” Of course not. It came into being as preparation for a more profound experience of the Feast of His Resurrection. But He certainly kept Holy Week. He lived it!

Holy Week takes us into a liturgical reenactment of those events in the last days. The first day of the week on which he arose was almost immediately a day for followers of Jesus to gather together to celebrate the Resurrection (Sunday). Eventually, it was extended to the events of the Last Supper (Thursday) and the Crucifixion (Friday) The acts of our salvation are remember each year on their anniversary and are rich with ceremonies, stories, rites, and devotions which renew the faithful and deepen commitments.

Our congregation seeks to make full use of this rich and challenging season, enabling people to grow in love and obedience as they reflect on the mysteries of faith. Opportunities for Bible study are provided along with classes in theology, church history, worship and mission. We focus on the sacrificial ministry of our Savior.

We are making big plans to make this year’s Holy week all it can be during this time of transition. I thank the many people who have stepped forward to serve the parish with their time and talents. Do keep track of these opportunities listed elsewhere in our newsletter. Whenever the church gathers, the Holy Spirit increases in us the abilities we possess to Serve, Worship, Evangelize, Educate and Pastor with Care one another and those around us.

Once Bishop Persell gives approval to the Parish Profile, we will begin receiving applications from those who are interested in coming to St. Lawrence Church as the next rector.

Things are moving along quite well towards our goal of having a call issued in the fall of this year. Your prayers, suggestions and continued presence and support of the parish at this time is a great comfort and necessity. Come and experience the joy of Eternal Life given in Christ Jesus.

Peace and Grace,
Fr. Tom, your interim priest

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. Following the service we will host a reception for the confirmands, their families and our guests. Look for further information on how you can be involved.

FROM THE WARDENS
And the Survey says . . . We’d like to take the time to thank all parishioners who took time to complete the parish survey. The Search Committee is tabulating and analyzing the results to complete the process. The parish survey represents the résumé for St. Lawrence Church and will be used by potential candidates for Rector to determine their interest in our open position. If the current timeline is kept, the parish profile will be reviewed by the Wardens at a meeting of the Search Committee on April 4, 2006, and if approved will be posted for review by interested clergy on the diocese website. Both the survey results and parish profile will be posted on our website. Thanks also must go to the Search Committee for all of their efforts to date. Please keep the Search Committee in your prayers as they continue to move forward with the search process.

Mississippi Building . . . Thanks to all who have been supportive of the Parish Mission Trip to Camp Coast Care in Long Beach, Mississippi. Camp Coast Care is a relief center for survivors of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. It is a mission point for Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (LESM) and under the direction of the Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Mississippi. Twelve members of our parish left for Mississippi to help rebuild from the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Another example of St. Lawrence going beyond its walls to help those in need.

More Outreach . . . please read the article in this month’s newsletter on all of the groups St. Lawrence supports through its donation of meeting space. The variety of groups and the number of persons served are staggering.

A single service will be held on Palm Sunday, April 9th, at 9:30 am. Like the Annual Meeting Sunday, this will be a special opportunity for all members of the St. Lawrence family to worship together. We hope the kickoff to Holy Week will be just as special an opportunity for parishioners as well.

A special thank you to our clergy, Fr. Tom, Fr. Marc, Deacon Mary-Jane and our able administrative assistant, Sue Montgomery, during this very busy period of time during the life of our parish. With all of the activities surrounding the search, and the preparations of the parish for a new Rector, these folks haven’t missed a beat. Please take the time to personally thank them for their efforts, and please be mindful and considerate of their very busy schedules and responsibilities during this time of change.

Finally, there are quite a number of new faces in our parish over the past few months. A special welcome to all of those who have recently joined our parish family. We pray that you find St. Lawrence to be a welcoming and special place to worship. Please do not hesitate to contact the wardens with any questions or concerns you may have. Also we welcome your participation in our ministries and in our search process.

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

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

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Daylight Saving Time begins for most of the United States at 2:00 am in the first Sunday of April. Clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Before you go to bed on Saturday, April 1, make sure to change your clocks. Also a quick note, there will not be Sunday School on April 2nd.

SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Search Committee presented the results of the Parish Survey on March 19 after the 7:30 and 9:00 services. The raw data was presented in Power Point complete with bar graphs, tables and pie charts to help us visualize the results. These will be posted on the website as well as on the bulletin board outside of the church office for those who were unable to attend one of the forums.

The committee will be further analyzing the results and preparing the Parish Profile. The Parish Profile describes our parish and community, our vision and hopes for the future and the most important qualities we are seeking in a new Rector. This document will be used as a marketing tool in our search and will be posted on our website. At this time we are still on target with our goal of submitting all necessary paperwork and posting the job by early April.

We were thrilled with the response to the survey and feel the support of the parish and excitement about what is to come. The next stage will be reviewing and analyzing the applications as they come in. Please keep the Search Committee in your prayers as we begin to make these critical decisions.

HOW ARE YOU SUPPORTING THE SEARCH?
We all know that only a few people can serve on the search committee. We appreciate that they are spending many hours in the search process. We know that in the coming months they will make difficult choices, both for the parish and in their own lives, in order to fulfill that responsibility. Consider what it may mean for each member of the search committee to know how much he or she is supported in regular prayer. Consider the new Rector. What life changes or challenges might he or she be facing now?

How will you support them in prayer? Will you let them know how may people are praying? Look for the flyer in the narthex. It is a chance to let them know that someone is praying regularly. Encourage them with your prayer commitment.

Collects For The Search
Almighty God, protector and provider, we pray especially for the members of the search committee: for Andrea Larson, Bobbie Ellington, Brian Bowers, Carol Keating, David Secor, Jan Hartshorne, Julie Quandt, Liz Halbert, Mell Wishau, Mike Chickey, Sarah Simpson, Todd Seiler, Tony Wolff and for the new Rector of St. Lawrence.
Protect them and their loved ones, and sustain them O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them inquiring minds and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

“Almighty God, giver of every good gift: look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Rector for St. Lawrence, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Christ Jesus, you go before and behind us, you are our light and our shield; guide our path, be our clear sight, lift us up in your gospel joy, and bless the work we do in your name and honor, for you are our beloved, and our life made new. AMEN

THE LABYRINTH AT ST. LAWRENCE, APRIL 2—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 contact the church office.)

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!

HOLY WEEK AT ST. LAWRENCE
The services of Holy Week and Easter are the most significant to our faith. The experiences from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday are dramatically enhanced by immersing yourself in all that comes between.

Palm Sunday, April 9: One Service at 9:30 am
On “The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday,” we celebrate, with triumphant joy, the day Jesus was hailed as “King of Kings” and remember with horror his betrayal and death on a cross.

Prior to the service, we’ll gather outside (weather permitting) or in the Narthex for the blessing of the palms. As we enter the church we will continue with the dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel. (There will be no Sunday School or Adult Education on Palm Sunday)

Maundy Thursday, April 13: Service at 7:00 pm
The Proper Liturgy for Maundy Thursday recalls Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist as the “Last Supper” and his commandment that we love one another. On this night, we share a simple supper in remembrance of the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples as part of the liturgy itself, retiring to the Narthex to enjoy a simple meal together.

Following the meal, the congregation returns to the sanctuary for the stripping of the altar. The sanctuary will stand undecorated and empty until Easter, symbolic of the desolation felt by Jesus’ disciples during the days from Jesus betrayal until Easter.

All-night watch begins at 9:00 pm
Jesus asked his disciples to be in wait with him in prayer on the night before his death. In remembrance of that night in the Garden of Gethsemane, an all-night prayer watch will be kept at an “altar of repose” in the lower vestibule. The watch begins immediately after the stripping of the altar and continues through to the noon service on Good Friday.

Good Friday, April 14: Services at 12:00 and 7:00 pm
“Behold this your family, for whom our Lord was willing to be betrayed.” These words, from the liturgy for Good Friday express the theme of this day’s service. It is a day for us to commemorate the crucifixion and to consider the enormity of God’s love for us. this service connect us with the hour of Jesus’ crucifixion, featuring the reading of John’s account of the Passion. Communion from sacrament reserved the night before is administered.

Easter Vigil, April 15: Service at 7:30 pm
After sunset on Holy Saturday, we will celebrate the Great Vigil of Easter. We begin in the darkness with the lighting of the new fire. From that fire, the Paschal Candle will be lit. The light then passes from candle to candle as we sing “The Light Of Christ.” By the light of the Paschal Candle, the Exsultet is sung reminding us of what makes this night so central to our faith.

This service marks the beginning of the Easter season, so we will hear Matthew’s account of the resurrection and share the joy of new life by celebrating Baptism (four baptisms are tentatively scheduled) and the first Eucharist of Easter.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

And then, having celebrated the Feast of Easter, we can rejoice in the end of our Lenten deprivations with a party to celebrate the resurrection! We’ll gather in the Narthex immediately following the Great Vigil, encouraging members to bring any of those goodies they gave up for Lent!

Easter Sunday, April 16: Services at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am
There will be our usual three services on Easter Sunday, but nothing ordinary about any of them. There will be music and congregational singing at our first service of the morning, our Rite I service at 7:30 am. The later two services will each feature our choir. And, of course everything will be stunningly decorated with flowers.

OFFERING ENVELOPES, EASTER FLOWER AND MUSIC
An envelope for Easter flowers, decorations and music has been included in this issue of the Church Street News. A list of all donors will be included in the Easter bulletins.

In order to be included, please write your intentions of the envelope very legibly (including your name and any specific information you’d like printed in our bulletins) and return them in the offering plate or to the church office by March 20

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE AUCTION AT THE PROGRESSIVE DINNER!
We will once again be featuring a small, but powerful, silent auction. While at the main hosts’ home for appetizers and desserts, please enjoy bidding on exclusive items like weekend getaways, personal home services, local gift certificates, home and garden accessories and much more. If you have items to be featured in this growing auction, please contact Jennifer Kanches. Please keep our auction in mind while visiting your regular vendors. You can get a donation request form from the upcoming Parish Life bulletin board in the Narthex. Keep your eyes out for this upcoming informational bulletin board outlining the many ways to get involved at St. Lawrence
If you have room request contact the office for information 847 362-2110. For further details on special events contact Julia Karnstedt 847 549-7024. Julia is the vestry member leading up the Ministry Team of Special Projects.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY TEAM
The mission of the Pastoral Care Ministry Team is to provide special care and support of members of our parish in their times of special need. This support is both spiritual and emotional, offered through prayer and counseling. There are four main components of the team:

• Prayer and Spiritual Support — which lifts up in prayer the needs and concerns of afflicted individuals and families (Prayers and Centering Prayer)
• Written Correspondence — offering notes of encouragemen
• Prayer Shawls — which are offered to help wrap individuals in love and support
• Intake and Counseling — (At Home Support), which is divided into two groups – Meals and other services.

In order to best determine what kind of support is required, requests should be made to Father Tom or Deacon MJ who will then determine how to proceed. The Pastoral Care continues to explore the establishment and means of funding for a lay caring ministry, such as Stephen Ministry.

If you have any questions or know of someone in need of support, let Father Tom or Deacon MJ know. If you know of someone who could use lifting up in prayer, there are forms available in the Narthex as well as inside and outside the office. If you know someone who could use a note of encouragement there is a box in the Narthex where requests may be dropped. Prayer shawl requests may be made to Sue Montgomery or Deacon MJ. And please remember that nobody needs permission to minister to another.

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK GROUP NEWS
Please join us on Monday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for the Norman Lebrecht book The Song of Names which tells of story of two men who became friends as children during World War II and reunite after 40 years.

In May we will meet to discuss The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. According to Amazon.com “Sue Monk Kidd's The Mermaid Chair is the soulful tale of Jessie Sullivan, a middle-aged woman whose stifled dreams and desires take shape during an extended stay on Egret Island, where she is caring for her troubled mother, Nelle. Like Kidd's stunning debut novel, The Secret Life of Bees, her highly anticipated follow up evokes the same magical sense of whimsy and poignancy. Please join us on Monday, May 8th to discuss this much anticipated second novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

HELP WANTED IN PARISH LIFE
Are you a great one for jumping into help at the last minute and soliciting help when needed? Parish Life is looking for a willing and able person to facilitate set-up and clean-up of parish events. The responsibilities will include calling for volunteers, facilitating set up for the event and arranging for a clean up crews before and after parish events. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours per month – a great way to get involved slowly.

ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH – HOPPING WITH ACTIVITY!!!
Due to the increasing use of our space by inside and outside groups, and the need to be flexible, you will soon notice a new room numbering system. The room numbers and maps should be in place by the end of April. This will help us provide better directions to visitors aw well as a safety measure to assist anyone responding to an emergency.

Whether it is in the daytime or evening, St. Lawrence is bustling with activity. Approximately 350 people use the church during the week, from Monday to Saturday. There are not only church meetings such as Altar Guild, ECW, Invitational Ministry, YES, Bible Study, and Prayer Shawls, just to name a few, but there are many outside groups who use our facilities. Not only does our church provide a safe haven for these groups to meet, but just like a home, a building is always happier when there are people using it. Throughout the week groups such as AA, Alanon/Alateen, ALCOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), LaLeche League, and NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) use our facilities. Our welcoming them into our home is part of our outreach ministry.

Another exciting development is the expansion of the Village Green Montessori School in the fall. What can be better than providing an enriching, learning environment for children? Beginning in April, the school will be using one more room for an office and in the fall will be using an additional classroom downstairs. (The two rooms directly across from their current space). These rooms are still available for use by St. Lawrence for our programs such as Sunday school, committee meetings, etc.

With all of this activity, it is important when requiring a room for a meeting to contact the office to see what is available. Just like at home when both kids want to drive the same car, there might be times when two groups want the same room, but we will do our best to accommodate requests. God teaches us to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others; what better way to open our hearts and minds than to open our doors and invite others in.

PROGRESSIVE DINNER IS PROGRESSING PERFECTLY!
Have you ever been to a Progressive Dinner? Don’t know how it works? Keep reading. IT’S AS EASY AS 1,2,3.

1. Find the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Sign your name and phone number. We also ask that you volunteer to bring an appetizer OR dessert OR volunteer to be a host (see below).
2. You can sign up to host either the salad or entree course in your home. This is the greatest way to entertain and have the food prepared for you. We deliver it to the church kitchen and hosts can pick up their food at a predetermined time the next morning.
3. On the evening of the 20th, prepare to enjoy food while “on the run”.

EVERYONE meets for appetizers at the main hosts’ home. After leaving the appetizer course with your detailed map, we will break into groups of 6-10 for a salad course at another home within the area. Then off you will go to meet with yet another group of another group of 6-10 for your entrée course. If you are hosting a course, you’ll have plenty of time to get your food on the table and enjoyed while still keeping up with your own itinerary. Don’t get comfortable yet…. You will hop back in the car and return to the beginning home to enjoy desserts, coffee, spirits and a downright good time. Please join us for this wonderful evening of fellowship.

HAVE YOU MET?
The Devin Family, Jamie, Erin, Olivia and Sam
The Devins moved to Libertyville from Portland, Oregon just about a year ago and started coming to St Lawrence in late 2005. Since joining, they have already been spotted at many of the events at St Lawrence, including the chili cook-off, the newcomers brunch and Bunko.

Jamie grew up in Connecticut with Erin not too far away in New Jersey. College found them near home at Hartwick College in New York and Dickenson in Pennsylvania. One year, during a summer break from college, Jamie and Erin met on a blind date which was, believe it or not, set up by their mothers. In 1996, their fate was sealed when Jamie decided to attend business school in Ohio and they were married.

Jamie’s first job out of business school was with Intel in Portland, Oregon. After being out west for a few years, Erin’s job with Merit Direct brought them back to the Midwest. Erin now works out of her home office as a Marketing Consultant for Merit Direct. Jamie took the chance to try something new and is now a Channel Marketing Manager for Rustoleum in Vernon Hills.

As a family, the Devins enjoy camping and are looking forward to trying out some local areas (they would appreciate any comments on top spots). Jamie is also a runner who completed his first half marathon last fall in Libertyville. Jamie also enjoys golf and taking his motorbike for a spin. In Erin’s spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting and dabbles in running (when the weather is warm). She looks forward to continuing to become involved at St Lawrence while still being able to balance a full-time job and two small children.

Jamie and Erin’s two children are Olivia, age 5 and Sam, age 3. Olivia attends Kindergarten in the dual language program at Townline Elementary in Hawthorn Woods. The program is taught in English and Spanish. Olivia also enjoys gymnastics and Daisy Girl Scouts. Sam is also at Townline Elementary, but in their preschool program. Like his big sister, Sam takes tumbling courses too.

Please try to say hello to this great new addition to the St Lawrence family…that is when you can catch up to Erin trying to keep up with Sam!

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE AUCTION AT THE PROGRESSIVE DINNER!
We will once again be featuring a small, but powerful, silent auction. While at the main hosts’ home for appetizers and desserts, please enjoy bidding on exclusive items like weekend getaways, personal home services, local gift certificates, home and garden accessories and much more.

If you have items to be featured in this growing auction, please let me know. Please keep our auction in mind while visiting your regular vendors. You can get a donation request form from the upcoming Parish Life bulletin board in the Narthex. Keep your eyes out for this upcoming informational bulletin board outlining the many ways to get involved at St. Lawrence.

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