News
Church
Street News (see Past Issues)
The Newsletter of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church
Issue No. 5, Volume 98
May 2006
Dear
Friends
The merry month of May! What a blessing: springtime weather, the
greening of the countryside; spectacular displays of flowering trees
and bulbs. I’ve been very impressed by the gorgeous landscaping
at area public and corporate parks. The wooded, natural sites juxtaposed
with the manicured have elicited praise and prayer for the beauty
of the earth. What a perfect time to celebrate the message of Easter:
rebirth and new life.
How convenient
that nature reinforces our proclamation of Christ’s victory
over decay and death. The “Season for Alleluia” is for
praising God and living in the Joy of Easter. Fifty Days of rejoicing
seem hardly enough time to enter into the Lord’s favor. I
echo the thanks and recognition give to the parish for the way in
which we kept Holy Week together. In my experience St. Lawrence
Church is an exceptional place to keep the feasts and fasts. With
faithful service and unbridled generosity of time and talent, the
ministries of the people of God in this place goes forth.
Maytime begins
my seventh month as your interim. If all continues well we are halfway
into the calling of the next rector. The steady progress of the
Search Committee has been superb in performance. My ministry among
you have been a pleasure and graciously supported and received.
You do good work! As we move merrily along, the ups and down of
parish life stir all sorts of opportunities for ministry and mission.
Stretching resources to grow and serve takes a team effort trusting
that everyone is connected to the ongoing life of the parish. I
look forward to the various events ahead as ways and means for us
to learn more of God’s Call what to do and become.
Continued evaluation
and change is pointed always to the preparing the way for the next
phase of life together with you and the next rector. It has been
said that if some renowned, important personage were to visit your
home, you would fix and clean, polish and prepare the best in order
to make the right impression. We will be doing the same at St. Lawrence.
But let’s not think just externally but internally as well.
We need to prepare likewise our spiritual household; our souls,
relationships, attitudes and commitments.
The Grace of
God is boundless , amazing and freely given. Let us grab hold of
the vision and move into the future of St. Lawrence day by day with
confidence “progressing in this way of life and in faith...our
hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
(Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict)
Peace and grace,
Fr. Tom+
Summer
Schedule beginning June 17th
Sunday
Mornings
7:30
am
10:00
am
New!
Saturday Evening
5:30
pm
FROM
THE WARDENS
Thanks to everyone who helped make Holy Week so meaningful and successful.
Holy Week began with our parade through the park on Palm Sunday,
and ended with our celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
In between we celebrated Maundy Thursday with the Agape Meal, two
Good Friday services and baptized two sets of twins during the Easter
Vigil. How wonderful to have all of us together once again - all
parishioners attending one service on Palm Sunday.
St. Lawrence
completed its Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast. A lot of work remains
to be done to rebuild the Gulf Coast. Camp Coast Care, which facilitated
the activities of the missionaries, reports that it expects to remain
in operation for at least another five years. In addition to the
services we provided, it was a great opportunity for the missionaries
to get to know their fellow parishioners better in a setting far
different than Sunday morning. It would be great to send another
group of missionaries, if you are interested please contact Frank.
St. Lawrence
hosted The Waukegan Deanery confirmation services on Saturday April
29, 2006, with an attendance of 340 people form ten churches. Confirmands
included members of our own J2A youth group. Congratulations to
all those who were confirmed.
The Progressive
Dinner on May 20th is a fabulous way to get to know others in our
parish. After gathering en masse for appetizers and cocktails, participants
disperse to other parishioners homes to enjoy the main courses in
a smaller group. At the end, the participants gather together again
to share dessert. Sign up sheets are available in the Narthex.
Parish life and administration has been busy, however, we always
have time to respond to the questions and concerns of our parishioners.
If you have any questions or comments with respect to any matter
relating to our parish, please contact one of the Wardens or a Vestry
member. Our goal is to be available to reassure and inform you about
or programs or direction of our parish.
St. Lawrence
is dependent upon your talent, time and treasure to continue its
operations. As this program year finishes, we wish to thank all
who have so generously donated their talents and time to make our
programs so strong. Please continue to pray about how your talents
might enhance our ministries. If you have ideas as to how we might
enhance our ministries or just want to volunteer your time, feel
free to speak with the Vestry liaison designated for that ministry
or with one of the wardens - we need your talent, ideas and time.
Finally, before
you head off for vacation this year, remember that we will leave
the light on for you, but we continue to incur expenses to keep
that electricity flowing. Please don’t forget to keep contributions
current.
Peace.
Senior Warden Jeanne Murphy can be reached at
valentinejam@sbcglobal.net
Junior Warden
Frank Top can be reached at
thetops@comcast.net
Operating
and Building Fund Financials —
For the period ending 3/31/06, these figures were presented and
approved by the vestry at the April meeting. Please review these
figures carefully. As you can see our church needs our continued
financial support. If you have any questions please feel free to
contact any of the vestry member or the financial committee. Ann
Marr, 847 816-0431 or your Wardens, Jeanne Murphy 847 680-8685 and
Frank Top 847 984-2860.
Operating Account YTD Actual YTD Budget Difference
Revenue $66,182,39 $69,200.01 ($3,017.62)
Expenses $67,753.71 $69,244.26 ($1,490.55)
Building Fund
Revenue $49,145.00
Expenses $57,107.58 ($7,968.58)
SEARCH COMMITTEE
UPDATE
WOW! We are blessed to be so far along in the process so quickly.
Thanks to all of your help with the survey and small group discussions
we have finished the parish profile and it is up on our website
(www.stlawrencechurch.org).
So… here
is where we are… we finished our paperwork and all of it has
been approved by the Vestry. It was sent to the diocese on Wednesday
and is in the process of being put on the “Help Wanted”
bulletin board. We should start receiving applications within the
first week of May. Hopefully, submission of applications should
be completed by the third week of May.
Our intention
is to get together as a committee at the end of May to review the
applicants, narrow the field and begin the written interview process.
It has not been an easy task and there is still so much work to
do. We look forward to a wonderful conclusion.
Liz Halbert
& Todd Seiler (Co-Chairs)
SUMMER
WORSHIP
Due to the huge positive reaction last summer, we will again be
starting our annual summer service schedule on June 17th and continuing
through September 3rd. Instead of the usual three Sunday services,
we will have, one at 7:30 am and one at 10:00 am. We are pleased
to introduce in response to a strong desire expressed on the parish
survey, a 5:30 pm Saturday Eucharist.
The worship committee would like to thank everyone who helped out
during Holy Week. The response was phenomenal! We ask that everyone
consider a ministry in worship during the rest of the year. You
are there for the service anyway, and it is a wonderful way to serve
God on a personal level. Participation in a special task during
the worship service is very rewarding and meaningful. It benefits
the entire church and it will enrich your relationship with
God. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.
- If you are
interested in reading a lesson on Sundays, contact Sue Montgomery
in the church office at 847 362-2110. You can choose which service
works best for you.
- If you are
interested in being an usher, contact Jan and James Hartshorne
at
847 247-0546. Again, your choice of service.
- Interested
in being a counter? Contact Jim Brown at 847 918-7411.
- Is music
more your thing? Wendy Unrath Young at 847 566-1880.
- Alter Guild?
Mellicent Wishau at 847 680-4302.
- Acolyte?
(ages 9-99 only need apply) Scott Neifert at 847 566-5048
THE
2006 CONFIRMATION PSALM OF ST. LAWRENCE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A
blend of Ancient and New
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
My flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there
is no water.
You make me complete, without you I am not complete.
As a deer longs for the water-brook, so longs my soul for you, O
God.
As the wolf longs for the moon, I long for your companionship, O
God
As the lion longs for meat, I long to seek the truth, O God
As the sheep longs for it’s green pastures, I long for your
guidance, O God
And, as the eagle longs to fly, I long for your everlasting love,
O God
O God, you have taught me since I was young, and to this day I tell
of your wonderful works.
You’ve always been with me, even when I didn’t know
it,
My soul is content knowing you’re watching me, guiding me,
protecting me, as I grow
Without you, I am lost.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me
night after night.
I continue to learn from the Lord and gain from his teachings.
To this day, I gain understanding through the ways of God
I give thanks to the Lord who loves me, and provides me with food
and shelter
I give thanks to the Lord, He is with me, and will be forever.
Written
by
Andrew Adamsick
Angela Galisdorfer
Chase Guarnaccio
Lucas Guarnaccio
Christopher Gustafson
Patrick Helliwell
Matt Karnstedt
Nicole Klima
Adam MacTaggart
Kevin MacTaggart
Drew Rinella
Artie Snow
Confirmed April 29, 2006
At St. Lawrence Church
SUNDAY,
MAY 14TH CELEBRATIONS
Mother's Day Champagne Brunch
Treat your favorite Mom(s) on Mother's Day, May 14th and bring her
to a fabulous brunch at St. Lawrence.
The Rite 13 class, aided by the culinary talents of Jim Brown is
offering our Mother's Day Celebration. The menu includes:
pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, honey baked ham, assorted fruits,
bagels with cream cheese, orange juice and of course, champagne.
The cost for adults is $14.00 and for children (12 & under)
$7.00. We will have numerous seatings throughout the morning.
All proceeds will be split between the Rite 13 retreat fund and
other worthy outreach causes. Make your reservations early.
Call Ann Marr @ 847-816-0431 now.
Blessings to our High School Graduates
This year St. Lawrence has 7 members graduating from high school.
On Sunday, May 14, we will recognize their accomplishment the 9:00
service. Please plan on joining us for this momentous occasion.
PROGRESSIVE
DINNER
The Progressive Dinner is rapidly approaching and it looks like
the event will continue as the hottest thing in the Libertyville
area. On May 20th, we will start at the home of Mike and Betsy Rinella
(thanks to the Rinellas for being generous and brave enough to host
our growing event.)
After appetizers,
we will disperse into the area for our next two courses and then
head back to the Rinellas for dessert. Sign up sheets are on the
Parish Life bulletin board for hosting or making an appetizer or
dessert. Watch bulletins for further information.
If you are single
or your spouse will be out of town, don’t let that stop you
from attending. Some of us with husbands who travel or work alternative
shifts will be in attendance. Go ahead, sign up! Also, please make
any babysitting needs known by emailing me at jkanches@comcast.net.
We have worked out a babysitting alternative for those looking for
quality, reasonable childcare while you enjoy the evening. As if
that isn’t enough assistance… we are prepared to help
with transportation for those who care to not drive that evening.
Let us know if we can help.
Silent
Auction
Auction items are needed. We will be blanketing the Heritage Area
in Libertyville early in the month, to solicit auction items to
be put up for bid at the Progressive Dinner. All funds raised at
our auction will go directly towards the fundraising budget, which
is outlined in the annual budget.
ST. LAWRENCE BOOK GROUP NEWS
On June 12th we will have our last meeting of this year, taking
a two month hiatus and will resume meeting in September. We will
meet earlier than usual – at 6:30 in the Fireside room, for
salads and desserts and choose the books to be read next year. So,
if you’ve got a book you’d like to recommend, please
join us.
After we have
selected the books for next year, we will discuss the book Saturday
by Ian McEwen. According to Amazon.com, “From the pen of a
master — the #1 bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author
of Atonement — comes an astonishing novel that captures
the fine balance of happiness and the unforeseen threats that can
destroy it. A brilliant, thrilling page-turner that will keep readers
on the edge of their seats. Saturday is a masterful novel
set within a single day in February 2003. Henry Perowne is a contented
man — a successful neurosurgeon, happily married to a newspaper
lawyer, and enjoying good relations with his children. Henry wakes
to the comfort of his large home in central London on this, his
day off. On this particular Saturday morning, Perowne’s day
moves through the ordinary to the extraordinary.”
SOPHIAS TO EXPLORE VOCATIONS OF LAY WOMEN
The Seeking Sophia group at St. Lawrence will read and discuss Deeper
Joy, a collection of accounts of lay women in the 20th century
Episcopal Church and their vocations. Seeking Sophia (wisdom) is
a program dedicated to examining spirituality from a feminine perspective.
It is open to all women in the parish. The Sophias meet from 7:00
to 9:00 am every 1st and 3rd Saturday in the Fireside Room. Please
contact Carolyn Finch or Sharon Starr for more information.
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH WOMEN SUMMER EVENTS
Coffee-In-The Park
Warmer weather is approaching and so is the Libertyville Farmer’s
Market. That means Coffee-In-The-Park, the 22 year-old St Lawrence
tradition of selling donuts and coffee to shoppers, will be gearing
up soon. The Coffee-In-The-Park tent will be set up on Church Street
on Thursday mornings June 15 - October 12. There are 2 shifts each
morning, 7-9 am and 9-11am. We also need people willing to be shift
captains each week.
This is a fun
and enjoyable way to help raise money for the St Lawrence ECW. Come
and watch the shoppers and babies and dogs stroll the Farmer’s
Market! Enjoy some fellowship with other church members! Get your
own shopping done!
Donations of
powered lemonade and napkins would be greatly appreciated.
Market
Day
The ECW is sponsoring Market Day again this summer. Please mark
your calendars for the following Market Day Sale Dates: June 14,
July 12, August 9.
Market Day offers
a variety of meats, family meals, breakfast foods, snacks, and beverages,
all conveniently packaged. Most meats are individually sealed which
makes it great for families of any size.
Proceeds from
Market Day go into the Outreach funds which are distributed annually
by the Episcopal Church Women.
Watch the summer
issues of the Church Street News for Market Day order forms. They
will also be available in the church office or you can order online
at:
www.marketday.com.
We need volunteers
to assist with distributing the food on the dates of the sales.
Please watch for more information in upcoming issues of the Church
Street News and in the Sunday bulletins.
TRINITY
SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER
Lutherans, Roman Catholics and Episcopalians will gather once again
to worship together. We all three share a common understanding of
the Sacrament of Baptism. We baptize in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit: The Holy Trinity. The ecumenical commissions
of the Archdiocese, the ELCA Synod and the Diocese of Chicago invite
members of their parishes to join together to praise God on Sunday
June 11 at 4 pm. This year the service will take place at Holy Cross
Lutheran Church on St. Mary's Road in Libertyville. Our former assistant,
Pr. Cynthia Hallas will co-officiate. We will use a beautiful sung
service, the Haldon Evening Prayer, for the settings of
psalms, canticles and prayers. Choir members from all three traditions
are asked to join in leading the service with the congregation.
Mark you calendar for this huge celebration with hundreds of fellow
Christians. Come out and support Pr Cynthia too.
SUNDAY
SCHOOL CELEBRATION ON MAY 21
Another great year of Sunday School comes to a close on May 21.
Come and see special presentations from the Sunday School Classes
at the 9:00 service on that day. It’s always fun to see the
kids in starring roles and it’s important to say thanks for
the dedication and ministry of the teachers
RELAY FOR LIFE
Save the date — Saturday, June 4. Relay For Life represents
the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that
those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer
will be eliminated. Relay offers something for everyone, from the
newly diagnosed, to caregivers and friends, to long-term survivors.
Relay For Life
is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship
and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer
Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds,
or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries
to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. This
event helps raise money for research, education, awareness and support
groups. There is a luminaries ceremony. The luminaries are bags
purchased to memorialize a cancer victim or honor a survivor. The
lights are turned off and the bags are lit bearing the names of
the cancer victims/survivors. The bags surround the track lighting
the way for all the walkers. You have to be there to feel the emotion!
St. Lawrence
has sponsored at least one team for the last 7 years. This year
we have a commitment from Ann Leffler, Don Craig, Lisa Parker and
Betsy Barnett to walk at the Relay at Mundelein High School.
There are two
ways you can participate: (1) get your good walking shoes on and
join the celebration (sponsorship packets will be available for
you in the office, allowing you to get started on pledges from family
and friends); and (2) support one of our team members (signing up
and pledging money for their efforts). Both are wonderful expressions
of support for this annual event.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
I started to work with a group of individuals from Oxford House
a number of years ago when one of their houses in Waukegan caught
fire and I was attending their needs through the Red Cross.
Since then I
have regularly visited them in a second location in North Chicago
and thought the members of the congregation may be interested in
their plight.
Oxford House is a not for profit organization for recovering alcoholics
and drug addiction. The house that I visit has 6 men living in it
and recently one of them moved out on his own and asked me if I
could help him with some furnishing, he needed.
"Charlie" works full time for a local company and has
been free of substance abuse for 13 years.
He would like
to get a dining room set, a newer couch, coffee table, and some
lamps.
Maybe someone in the congregation is getting ready to renew their
furniture.
I will arrange pick up and delivery if I can get at least two weeks
notice of availability of these goods. Thank you so much, Don Craig
PLANNED
GIVING
Our committee is hard at work planning for the long term financial
health of our church. We have begun contacting members of our church
offering assistance in their estate planning and we hope to inspire
some of their intentions regarding any provisions for St Lawrence
Church.
We have had
a promising start! Some examples of commitments our parishioners
have already made:
Have designated
10% of their estate in their will to St. Lawrence, a method of
tithing later rather than now, which is often difficult for those
with limited income.
Have designated
a portion of an insurance policy to the church.
Added St.
Lawrence as a partial beneficiary of their Revocable Living Trust.
Have transferred
of stock from their estate to St Lawrence.
Made St.
Lawrence a partial beneficiary of their IRA .
We appreciate
the thoughtfulness and generosity of all who have made these important
decisions, which ultimately help insure the future growth of our
parish.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Attention all knitters! The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been one of
our most popular new ministries. So popular, in fact, that our inventory
is running low. So if you have any finished shawls, would you please
bring them into the Office. We will meet during the summer months,
so keep on knitting your love and prayers.
LIBERTYVILLE HONORS OUTSTANDING SENIORS
Our very own Elizabeth Drummond Green will be inducted into the
Libertyville Senior’s Hall of Fame. Nominated for her outstanding
contribution to her church and community. Elizabeth will be recognized
at the Hall of Fame Recognition Tea to be held on May 23rd, at the
Civic Center. Please join us to honor Elizabeth, it will be a wonderful
way to show her our appreciation. Here is an excerpt from the biography
nomination;
“The
congregation of St. Lawrence Church has been blessed to have Elizabeth
as an active member, serving as a founding member of the Columbarium
Committee; the Garden Committee; the governing Vestry; and the
Rector Search Committee. Liz is also a regular volunteer for St.
Lawrence’s Episcopal Church Women “Coffee -in-the-Park”
every Thursday morning during the Libertyville Farmers Market
season. She has served the children of the church as a Sunday
school teacher: as a member of the Altar Guild, and of the Winter
Bazaar committee, Liz contributes to the day to day functioning
of the church office. She faithfully lends her administrative
skills to the church office every week.
Elizabeth is a warm and generous woman, who gives her friendship
and support freely. With a simple request she will aid others
without a question asked. She is committed to her principles and
works hard on the behalf of others.”
FORE!
As the warm weather approaches the smell of GOLF is in the air.
Wives are preparing themselves for seeing less of their husbands
on those days when there are a million things to be done around
the house. Magically, a day at the office becomes a golf outing
for a “very worthwhile organization” that their business
must support.
Well, St. Lawrence
is no exception. This event is for the whole family- wives, sons,
daughters, parents, friends and enemies are welcome to join. With
new event Chairs at the helm, Bob and Jean Ostroga, plans are underway
with course visits and upcoming committee meetings. A date and course
should be announced in the next couple of weeks, but the proposed
dates are at the end of August/latter part of September. We welcome
any parishioners who are interested in joining the committee. Check
the new Parish Life bulletin board for information.
Dear
friends at St. Lawrence,
Your outpouring
of concern over my recent diagnosis of breast cancer has meant
so much to me and my family. I am grateful for the many prayers,
cards, notes, and phones calls from so many of you, and I continue
to wrap myself in the beautiful prayer shawl. The prognosis is
quite good and we are very optimistic. Please know how much we
all appreciate your support during this time.
Faithfully,
Cynthia J. Hallas+
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