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News Church
Street News (see Past Issues) Dear
Friends in Christ, The countryside has always drawn me to a period nostalgia and melancholy. Memories of places and people I shared life with at this season of the year. This year it is the park-like setting of St. Lawrence church, Cook Park and surrounding gardens and walks which I will forever cherish. Next year I will be stationed somewhere else hopefully with another congregation of wonderful people like you. St. Lawrence Church and it’s people will be woven into the fabric of my life forever. It is probable that I soon will be leaving, after final negotiations, arrival dates and the name of the next rector is announced. I have appreciated the affirmation and support of my ministry with all of you. Your parish is a phenomenal place of service, worship, education, evangelism and pastoral care. I have not known
such enthusiasm, commitment and talents in so many members, of any
church I have ever served before. You need to know that St.
Lawrence Church is a jewel among the 130+ parishes of the diocese.
Our journey together has been a time of transition and change; we have sung and played together, broke bread at the altar and table together. We are ‘one in the spirit, one in the Lord’. I commend to you the process which at the moment seems tedious as the search committee and vestry finalize the calling of a new rector. We have prepared for that arrival faithfully. I hope that you will renew your commitment and increase as much as possible your financial support to the operating budget and building fund reduction. Believe me the money here is well managed, carefully designated to the most important things here: you, your family and those whom we serve in the care and name of Christ to the glory of God. Blessing now
and forever, CHICAGO
DIOCESAN CONVENTION FROM
THE WARDENS The following summary is not meant to alarm you, but to provide you information with respect to St. Lawrence’s cash needs. It is important to note that we have two different budgets. The true cost of keeping St. Lawrence going is approximately $550,000 annually. This consists of an operational budget of approximately $300,000 and a capital budget of $240,000 annually (monthly payments of just over $19,135) Our operational budget tracks the day to day expenses of our ministries. This includes everything from personnel salaries, to the cost of keeping the lights on. This year our operational budget was close to $300,000. For the first time in years our operational budget was a deficit budget. As we began the year we projected a loss of approx. $17,000. While our pledge payments to date are slightly below the amount budgeted for the year, we have been able to limit our expenses. Our performance against our operational budget is favorable and we fully expect that the budgeted loss will be significantly less than $17,000. A copy of our operational performance is always posted on the Vestry Bulletin Board, down the hall from the office. As we recieve requests for new programs and personnel, a successful Stewardship Campaign will help us erase our small operational deficit. As noted above, we also have a capital budget. This consists of payments on the two loans that were incurred in connection with the construction of our new facilities. The current aggregate balance on these loans is approximately $2,634,000. While the interest rates on the loans are excellent, we are still required to make a monthly mortgage payment of $19,135. While some of this amount pays down the principal balance of the loans, like any mortgage, the far greater portion pays the interest that accrues on the loan. To date, the Church has been using donations to the Capital Campaign to make payments on these loans. Through August we are running a deficit of $70,000 in the amount contributed to the Capital Campaign versus the amount St. Lawrence pays on its mortgage. Gifts to the Capital Campaign are generally stronger in the first two months of the year and the last few months of the year, so it is possible that we can considerably narrow this gap. We currently have reserves that are more than sufficient to cover this deficit. Obviously, however, St. Lawrence can’t continue to run deficits perpetually. We ask that you pray about your gifts to our wonderful parish. Please give generously to our operational budget to enhance our programs, our capital budget to help pay down our debt, and pay close attention to the information on Planned Giving which was included in your pledge packets. If you have any questions regarding our financial status please contact either of the wardens, Jeanne Murphy or Frank Top, or our able treasurers, Ken Carrano and Ann Marr. Finally, don’t forget the “wishes”. Sign up sheets for all of the “wished for” ministries will continue to be in the narthex for a couple of more weeks. Prayerfully consider whether you have the gifts to help with something new. If you have any questions please contact your Wardens, Jeanne Murphy 847 680-8685 or Frank Top 847 984-2860.
NOTES
FROM THE FOUNDATION COMMITTEE The new Board consisting of Elizabeth Green, Mike Hazen, Bob Kraus, Al Moody, and Robert Moseley then met with Roy Wellman financial advisor to the Board, to elect Al Moody as President and Mike Hazen as Treasurer for the balance of the year. WELCOME
LAURA SHURSON TO THE VESTRY Laura Shurson has been a member of St Mary’s Church in Park Ridge since before birth and began attending St Lawrence this past December after moving to Libertyville. While at St Mary’s she served as a greeter and an usher, was on the Altar Guild and went through the Chaplaincy program at the Bishop Anderson House in Chicago. She served as a lay Chaplain/LEM through the Outreach Ministry until her move last December. THE
ST. GREGORY'S BOYS' CHOIR St. Gregory's school is located on the Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago's west side and serves the youth with a private Christian school program to overcome socioeconomic barriers which limit academic success and productive lives. For over 30 years they have graduated young men from the K-8 school with skills for academic excellence. Patterned on the English Choir Schools found at many cathedrals, the boy sing at theEucharist, Matins and Evensong regularly at the school, Seabury Seminary, and last year at 15 Episcopal parishes and the dedication of a park sponsored by the Chicago Police Department. Please join us on this special day. ALL
SAINTS’ SUNDAY It’s always a special day for us, perhaps especially in the Episcopal Church. We count ourselves among the vast Communion of Saints, a communion that spans the whole globe and crosses all time. We find ourselves joined to this vast communion by virtue of our baptism. Among those others whom we include in the Communion of Saints are our beloved departed -- those who have died and joined the "Church Triumphant." If you have loved ones whom you would like to be remembered at our All Saints service, please fill out the form available in the Narthex, or outside the office and return it to the church office no later than Sunday, October 29th. You can also email your request to office@stlawrencechurch.org. PRAYER”
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK Many of the prayers require a task force in order to bring the idea to fruition – Sign-up sheets for these task forces are in the Narthex. We encourage each member of the parish to sign-up for at least one task force – many volunteers are needed! The sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex until Sunday, October 16th. At the October vestry meeting the sheets will be distributed to the appropriate ministry team chairs. If there is no one signed up for a particular task force, this task force will be tabled!! As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work”, so please, look at the task force list and pray about how you can help make our “Wishes Upon A Prayer” come true. CROP
WALK The Libertyville
Area CROP walk is held on Sunday, October 15th. Being a CROP walker
is fun and fulfilling. After you get your sponsor envelope, ask
everyone you know to sponsor you. It is often a beautiful
fall afternoon, just the kind of day for a walk with your family.
The walk is 10K (6.2 miles) and begins at the First Presbyterian
Church in Libertyville. It is a great way to spend a Sunday
afternoon....knowing you are helping to give food and drink to those
in need. THE
WORSHIP COMMITTE Centering
Prayer Thanksgiving
Eve Service Bishop
Persell’s Visit Advent
Plans UNITED
THANK OFFERING At St. Lawrence we hold up this vital ministry of outreach. This parish wide bi-annual offering will give UTO funds for projects overseas and in every Episcopal Diocese in the United States. Mary Quednau is our parish representative and will be sending personal letters to you. Her devotion to this ministry is testimony of its value. There are blue boxes available in the Narthex for family collections as well as designated offering envelopes. Bring your offerings on October 16, and we will be celebrate United Thanks Offering Sunday, in prayer and thanksgiving. YOUTH
GROUPS GO WHIRLY EPISCOPAL
CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) FALL EVENTS Fall
Potluck Bake
Sale MUSIC
AND MORE Join the Adult Choir: We are always in need of more members in all sections of the choir. It is a fun and enriching pursuit. In addition, you do not have to worry about someone sitting in “your pew.” Remember, high school musicians are also encouraged to join us. Other musicians: I am working at collecting a list of instrumental musicians that can be involved in various musical activities such as special music, performing with the choir and even a possible future instrumental ensemble. If you play an instrument please let me know. We would also like to include the younger musicians (elementary through high school) on this list. Children’s choir: The group has not died but is being reorganized for the future. If you would like to help on this project, please let me know soon.
Look for more information about the process, our sponsored families and their needs. We will be posting the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board down from the office in the near future. PADS
— PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER After supper is served at 7:00 pm, they play cards, watch TV or talk with one another. At 10:00 pm, the lights are dimmed and by 11:00 pm everyone is fast asleep. The volunteers, two men and one woman on that shift read, knit, or play cards and watch over the guests. There are three volunteer shifts; 6:00 pm—11:00 pm, 11:00 pm—3:00 am, 3:00 am—6:30 am.
We desperately need new volunteers for all of the shifts, as well as cooks to add to the meal preparations. Please consider this in your planning for the new church year. Take time for prayerful thought and see if this is a ministry for you to share. 2006-2007
St. Lawrence Host dates; NEWCOMER
NEWS As we are welcoming so many new families to St. Lawrence please make every effort to wear you name tag on Sundays. It certainly helps everyone; even those who have been around a while! If you cannot find your name tag on the board, please sign the “new nametag” list located on the greeting table in the Narthex, (the tall square table just outside the Sanctuary doors). We are still trying to increase the ranks of coffee hour hosts and greeters. Thanks to all who have volunteered. We have added quite a few and are currently at about a three times per year commitment. If we can get a few more, the frequency will drop, hopefully to less that twice a year. If you would like to be a coffee host or a greeter please contact Mary Ann Seagrist at seagrist5@comcast.net
The selection is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Powell’s Books.com says “Oskar Schell is an inventor, Francophile, tambourine player, Shakespearean actor, jeweler, pacifist. He is nine years old. And he is on an urgent, secret search through the five boroughs of New York to find the lock that fits a mysterious key belonging to his father, who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center”. The book has both poignant and funny moments. Please join us for an interesting discussion. Next month;
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books WELCOME
CUB SCOUT PACK 74!!
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| St. Lawrence Episcopal Church 125 West Church Street Libertyville, Illinois 60048 Phone: (847) 362-2110 Fax: (847) 362-2145 Email: info@stlawrencechurch.org |
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