News

Church Street News (see Past Issues)
The Newsletter of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church
Issue No. 8, Volume 98
August 2006

Dear Friends in Christ,
We’re past the halfway point in our celebration of summertime. School will begin in another four weeks. Here at church, several of the “vital signs” that one might use to measure activity in the congregation have seemed to wane. But while worship attendance, offerings, and some meetings have tapered off, the parish has still been a busy place.

The Vacation Bible School this past week filled the church with the happy sounds of children and teachers experiencing Christian community on the Gospel Express. The Search Committee is now meeting two or three times a week as it narrows the field of candidates. The Saturday night Eucharist has been well attended and shared some great picnics and fellowship.

The Music Board has interviewed two excellent people for the music director position and will have someone in place for the first choir rehearsal on Thursday, August 24th. Excellent parish musicians are leading our worship each summer Sunday.

Summertime is great and God’s grace is abundant as always even when our parishioners are scattered far and near. We are blessed to welcome new babies into our midst. We are called to walk with those who are sick and facing trials, because of cancer, aging, caring for a loved one and so many other things that don’t take a summer vacation. Thankfully, neither does our God, whose grace is renewed every morning. God is at work and so are God’s people.

I am looking forward to the Program Kickoff and Ministry Fair set for Sunday, September 10. The various ministry teams have already begun working on exciting, enriching opportunities. We’re looking for you to join us each week!

My friends at Christ Lutheran Church in Belvidere say it this way:

Church is a place for you to belong because none of us can go through life alone. Yet it can be difficult to find a place where we don’t feel out of place. Most places expect us to fit in, even if fitting in means not being ourselves. God accepts you as you are. God has made a place for you to belong.

Church is a place for you to believe. Without faith, there is no hope. Without belief in a future , there is despair. You can trust in yourself, or money, or anything else, but you’ll always come up empty. God offers hope in a world of despair. God has made a place for you to believe.

Church is a place for you to become what you were meant to be. Being stuck is no fun. In fact, if you’re stuck in something deep enough, you can’t escape. Life can be like that. Our dreams slip away. We can’t find a new direction or even locate home. God has a plan for you. God has a place for you to become what you were meant to be.

I trust St. Lawrence Church can be the Church for you, your family and friends. Join us. God is doing great things here.

Fr. Tom+

FROM THE WARDENS
It is hard to believe that it is the end of summer. Where has the year gone? Life at St. Lawrence is busier than ever. As we forge ahead on our new adventure, we look to many new opportunities.

So far this year we have accomplished much and there is still more to be accomplished. As you will read in other places in this newsletter, Father Tom has donated his Baldwin Console organ to our parish family and we will be hearing the benefits of this donation in the near future. Additionally, we are close to finding a new director to help us further enhance our music program.

The “Gospel Express” shared with us their trip this past week. It was wonderful to see the excitement and enthusiasm of our younger members who experienced Vacation Bible School. Kudos to all involved! This demonstrates just one of the many new and exciting changes we, as a parish community, will be a part of in the future.

The Search Committee is working very hard over the summer to complete their goal of having a new rector in place by the start of our new church year in Advent. Additionally, they are learning of many new ideas that they are sharing with the Vestry. You will have an opportunity to experience one of these ideas on Kick-Off Sunday. Thank you so much to the Search Committee for all the time and talent they are giving to St. Lawrence right now.

The Vestry has been working very hard keeping current with all the projects on the table for them. It has been a challenging year but they are troopers and are “weathering the storm.” Thank you to all Vestry members for everything.

The Finance Committee is looking to the future as we approach the Stewardship Campaign in the fall. The Finance Committee works on the budget and projecting expenses so that the Stewardship Committee can create their goal for 2007. The Oversight Committee is working on the long range plans which include Planned Giving and debt reduction.

As you read through this month’s newsletter note the many activities that have been at St. Lawrence this summer and coming up this fall.

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

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

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY GROUP FORMING NOW
Have you been wondering how to learn more about the Bible, and the Episcopal Church? Have you wished you were better prepared for your own lay ministry? Then Education for Ministry (EFM) may be just what you are looking for.

Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and eighteen Continuing Education Units for each year's work

Is this the year for you to take EFM?

It is a great learning experience and there is an EFM group forming now. For more information : Call Donna Anderson who will mentor this group 847 719-1417, or Deanne Gibbs-Brown (former EFM mentor) 847 918-7411, or Deacon Mary- Jane Leewis-Kirk

Check it out on the web at, www.sewanee.edu/EFM/EFMhome

SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
As of July 19th, we have completed all interviews to date and have compiled our top five candidates for visiting. We are looking to visit them all by the end of August. If you have any Frequent Flyer or Mileage Plus Miles that you can donate to the search committee, it would be appreciated. While the church has budgeted money for the entire search process, your donation would help us save money. Our schedule will then be to further narrow the candidates down and invite them to visit us. We are still on track for a new Rector by December 1, 2006. As a committee, we want to thank the congregation for all of your continued prayers and support. As committee chairs, Liz and I want to thank all the members for their tremendous amount of time and their talents that they have given for this committee. We appreciate all of them and the search committee appreciates and thanks all of you!

PAUSE A MOMENT WITH ME...
Over the last several weeks a number of folks have commented that I seem a little extra tired, "stretched to the limit," etc. Thanks for your care and concern. Things are calming down for me. I am settling into my new position at Bethany Terrace and my ministry to the frail elderly has been affirmed and is growing. That feels good and I'm relaxing into it. The changes here at St. Lawrence have been fantastic opportunities for growth for each of us, I am most grateful to Fr. Tom, the Wardens, vestry, transition team and search committee for their ministry and dedication to the tasks at hand.

I have learned, once again, that I can't "do it all," and more importantly, God doesn't expect me, or any of us, to "do it all." I appeal to you to prayerfully consider your gifts of ministry at St. Lawrence and in the world. "Many Hands Make Light Work" and your hands are needed as we do Christ's work in the world. Write a card, make a phone call, offer to be an usher, a minister of hospitality or youth advisor with our new program. You might want to learn more about the Millennium Development Goals and how we can help attain them... Invite someone to walk the journey with you and share the fun. SMILE.

I suggest that each of us would do well to take note of the following "prescription" for self care, which was written by a colleague, Dr. Bonnie Salomon, an Emergency Room doctor at Lake Forest Hospital:

Prescription —
Three nature walks per day.
Dissolve one packet of worry
In one cup of leisure:
Drink slowly.
Observe children at play once daily:
Absorb their essence.
Take joy with food:
Avoid an empty stomach.
Speak kind words by mouth
As needed.
Befriend a dog regularly--
Observe its simple pleasures.
Apply character to task, with brisk
Retort to injustice and cruelty.
Limit clock watching to a minimum:
Soothe with passing shadows, welcome breezes.
Swallow possibility, mix with passion,
Infuse with love.
Agape, MJ+

COME PRAY WITH US AND WISH UPON THAT PRAYER
Prayers come in all forms. Some prayers are for thanksgiving and some are for our needs or the needs of others. Prayers are sometime answered quickly, others are answered over time and still others are not answered or answered in unexpected ways.

Our annual Kick-off Sunday is rapidly approaching. That’s when you will have the opportunity to identify those ministries that interest you and where you would like to share you talents. This year, we get things started on Sunday, September 10, following the 9:00 am service.

The Vestry and other ministries will be on display in the Narthex. Whether you want to be an Acolyte or a Greeter, are good with a hammer or writing a press release, or whatever talent you possess, there is a place for you.

This year every we are looking for people’s prayers. Parishioners will be given index cards and asked to write a list of at least three prayers or wishes for the various ministry teams. We ask that you be specific with your suggestions such as, “I would like to see a healing service” or “I would like to see a monthly all- parish potluck”. You will not be asked to sign these cards, just give us your wish list. The different ministry teams will have information about their team and a box to place your prayers/wishes.

The following Sunday each ministry team will have a poster with all the suggestions. Everyone will be asked to look at the suggestions and thoughtfully pray about where they might offer help in making the prayers a reality.

Save the date, Sunday, September 10. This is going to be a wonderful day filled with prayer, laughter and excitement.

SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17
Plans are made for the 2006-07 formation year. Sunday School will embark on an all new curriculum, which we have researched and hand-selected. The format will offer both our volunteers and students a fresh look at our religious education. With the new format it will also offer a wide variety of teaching opportunities, with flexibility to fit all schedules. There are support roles related to special events, short term positions and administrative needs that can be done at home as well.

If your talents are with the older children we are still looking for some youth leaders. This is an exciting program, “Journey to Adulthood.” Three levels take our youth through their formative years of middle school and high school.

We will see you at Kick-Off Sunday. Come to our booth and register you children for a wonderful year of learning and sharing in God’s love.

Our teachers share their gifts—loving hearts, listening ears, friendly faces and caring hands.”

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK GROUP
The St. Lawrence Book Group is on vacation until Monday, September 11 — the second Monday of the month. We will meet from 7:30-9:00 pm in the Fireside Room.

We will review The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

A hearty welcome to our three newest members, Sarah, Sue, and Carolyn. We look
forward to your input. Everyone who enjoys reading is invited to join us.

September – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
October – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
by Jonathan Safran Foer
November – Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
by Azar Nafisi
December – Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
by Lisa See
January – The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar
by Robert Alexander
February – Montana 1948
by Larry Watson
March – Sister Carrie
by Theodore Dreiser
April – The Time Traveler’s Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger
May – The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
June – Hummingbird House
by Patricia Henley

THE FRIDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
We will resume on Friday, September 8th, beginning our fall study with food, fun and fellowship while we discuss our upcoming study, The Frazzled Female, by Cindi Wood. The study reaches out to busy ladies everywhere, guiding them to sanity, peace, and a deeper, more vibrant relationship with the Lord.

Our plans are to start at 9:30 a.m. Friday, September 8th with the new study and brunch. If you would like to join the group in our study, just bring the book and a brunch dish to share on the 8th and we'll get started learning more about leading a life inspired by God.

The group meets Friday mornings from 9:30-10:30 in the St. Lawrence Fireside Room. For more information, please call Dayna Moseley at 847 327.9877 or the church office 847 362-2110.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Knitting alone can be a relaxing, peaceful activity. Many of us lead hectic lives filled with multiple responsibilities. Finding time to knit can be wonderfully rejuvenating and calming. Knitting allows us to sit and relax our bodies as well as our minds. That said, the art of knitting is most often passed on in community. It is in this community that we come together in prayer, love and laughter. Creating the shawls and works of care for our loved ones.

We will gather again Monday, September 18 for the St. Lawrence Prayer Shawl Ministry. We will meet in the Sanctuary and begin with prayer, share stories of our summer and reconnect with each other and our ministry. Anyone who can knit or would like to learn, we welcome.

CHOIR CORNER
The choir will resume its regular schedule beginning with a rehearsal from 7:30 to 9:00 pm on Thursday, August 24, in the sanctuary.  The choir will sing at the 9:00 am service on Sunday, September 10.  All parishioners interested in singing with the choir are welcome to join us. 

Whether in the choir or the congregation, don’t forget to sing!  The music is an important part of our worship.  We can all look forward to another year of beautiful music.

EVERYONE IS OUT SWINGING
Come be a part of the St. Lawrence Annual Golf Outing Sunday, September 17th. All golfing levels welcome. This is a 9-hole scramble.

In a scramble, a foursome plays as a team, taking advantage of the best ball on each shot, so don’t be afraid to come out and play!

Tee times start at 1:30 at Vernon Hills Golf Course. Cost is $25 which includes golf and prizes (cart will be extra). See the sign up sheet in the narthex. See you on the tee!!!!

SOUP KITCHEN
Sunday August 13 is our next soup kitchen day at Christ Church Waukegan. You can help by volunteering your afternoon to serve (approximately noon to 4:00 – no experience necessary), or by supplying fresh fruit or desserts for our guests.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN SUMMER EVENTS
Coffee-In-The Park
A twenty two year-old St Lawrence tradition of selling donuts and coffee to shoppers at the Libertyville Farmers Market is in full swing. The Coffee-In-The-Park tent is set up on Church Street every Thursday mornings thru October 12. There are 2 shifts each morning, 7:00-9:00 am and 9:00-11:00 am. If you would like to help, please sign-up in the calendar board in the Narthex.

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 Farmers Market! Enjoy some fellowship with other church members! Get your own shopping done!

Market Day
The final Market Day sale date for this summer will be Wednesday, August 9th, with pick up in the Parish Hall between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Proceeds from Market Day go into the outreach funds distributed annually by the ECW.

Market Day order forms will be available in the Church Street News, the church office, and online at www.marketday.com. You may submit a paper order into the office by Sunday, July 30th, or you may place your order online by noon on August 5th.

We will also need volunteers to assist with distributing the food on the date of the sale. Contact Liz Halbert at 847-918-1363 or Julia Karnstedt at 847-549-7024 with any questions.

Calling All Cooks!
The ECW needs all of your wonderful recipes to create the 2006 "Spice of St. Lawrence" Cookbook. The categories are: Appetizers & More; Breads; Cakes, Cookies & Candies; Desserts; Main Dishes; Vegetable & Sides; and Soups & Salads. Please email your recipes to ljwperrone@cs.com or drop them off at the church just outside the church office.

SUNDAY SUPPERS STARTING IN OCTOBER
We are starting something new, fun and delicious. This could be just for you. Beginning in October on the third Sunday evening of each month and continuing through April, all adult singles and couples of all ages are invited to a get together with 8-10 people.

These Sunday Suppers may be at each other’s homes, apartments, restaurants (Dutch Treat) or outside for a picnic. Whatever your group decides they want to do!

What a great opportunity to get to know each other. Come relax and have fun.

Watch for sign-up sheets and further information about another wonderful way to share our community in faith and food.

LOBSTER DINNER ANYONE?
St. Lawrence is a welcoming community and we are expanding fundraising projects to the greater community. We have held two organizational meetings during the month of July and believe that this new fundraiser is an exciting one. The excitement level was fantastic as creative ideas began flowing.

We have set the date for October 7. In the meantime, talk to your friends about hosting a dinner party serving our pre-cooked lobsters. The pre-ordered lobsters will be cooked at the church and picked up on that night. Orders may be placed beginning in August through mid September.

We have a great committee in place and are looking for volunteers to help with publicity, tickets, cooking, serving, equipment, set-up and clean-up.

BALDWIN ORGAN DONATED
Your vestry sees music as a high priority for the future of the parish. Because of this, Fr Tom is giving his 31-stop electronic church organ to enhance our music program.
The instrument originally was in the home of an organ teacher and is in superb condition even though it was built around 1980. It will take a few weeks to install but should be up and running by September. While we still long for a real pipe organ someday, this donation will keep alive the rich heritage of organ music for the worship of God in our parish.

Much thanks to Fr.Tom for his gift, and to Mike Andersen and Keith Leewis for facilitating its installation. There will be some cost to do this and donations will be gratefully accepted to defray that cost. A dedication concert will be held in the near future to offer glory to God and bring pleasure to our congregation and friends.

NEWCOMER NEWS
Another successful Newcomer BBQ went off without a hitch on July 8. The weather was a bit muggy but a good time was had by all. Special thanks to Mike & Janet Chickey for hosting this year’s event.

Our next event will be a brunch at church between the 9:00 and 11:00 services on September 17th. If you’re new and haven’t made it to a brunch, please plan to join us. It is a fun way to meet some new friends and enjoy a wonderful meal to boot!

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
We need your help!!!!! Our coffee hour hosts need some help. Please consider volunteering for this fun ministry. Our coffee hour is held between the services and is best done with two host families. If you have never hosted before, you’re missing out on some fun. We will pair up new hosts with families that are hosting veterans so that everyone can learn the ropes. The coffee is already made. You bring something for a small snack and are responsible for set-up and clean-up.That’s it! (You can even be reimbursed for food costs if you like.) We’d like to increase our number of host families to 60 or more, so that we can decrease the number of times for hosting each year. Doesn’t that sound easy?

THE GOSPEL EXPRESS ROLLS THROUGH ST. LAWRENCE
What a wonderful week we had riding the rail of the Gospel Express. We delved into creative crafts, sang songs to the Lord, shared stories of Jesus, enjoyed delicious snacks and most importantly, felt the community of each other. Thank you so much for sharing your children with us. It is a week that we will all remember. A special thank you for everyone who worked so hard to make this week possible.
The group gathers in the church parking lot prior to their retreat
Vacation Bible School Kids 2006

J2A PILGRIMAGE 2006
Eight members of the J2A class, and their leaders Erica O’Rourke and Betsy Rinella, enjoyed a retreat weekend “up north” at the Karnstedt’s cottage in Wisconsin. Attending the retreat were Chris Gustafson, Lucas Guarnaccio, Chase Guarnaccio, Andrew Adamsick, Artie Snow, Matt Karnstedt, Drew Rinella, and Nicole Klima. Fun, fellowship, and fried cheese curds were enjoyed by all.

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