December 2007

From the Interim Rector’s Desk

No mall music here. Praise God!

My father’s least favorite Christmas carol is “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, but it isn’t because he’s a Scrooge. All the years I was growing up, especially when I was small, my Dad would head out into the night on Christmas Eve, and then he would find that year’s Christmas tree. I was under the impression, of course, that Santa Claus carried our tree on the back of his sleigh. In a sense I was right.

My Dad was, as a true child of depression, careful with his money. He had learned that the best bargains on Christmas trees were to be found on Christmas Eve. The only virtue my Dad shared with Scrooge was that he loved a bargain. The quality and choice of trees wasn’t always that great on Christmas Eve, of course, but the price was hard to beat. My Dad told me that sometimes no one was there to collect the money he was willing to pay. He wouldn’t admit to us ever having had a stolen tree, but a few were left unguarded and ended up at our house—decorated in the middle of the night waiting for me to find on Christmas morning.

Even so, my Dad hates the Bing Crosby song that we still hear played in every shopping mall and elevator at this time of year. As far as my father is concerned that song simply recalls for him the saddest and most lonely Christmas he ever had. “Son,” he said to me once, “when your short-wave radio plays that song over and over again on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and you’re knee-deep in Mississippi-mud and everything you have is soaked through to the skin from hurricane-like storms, and you are not home safe with the ones you love, you’ll hate that song for the rest of your life.” It was 1942 and he was on maneuvers with the Army with some men who wouldn’t be around for the next Christmas.

That song speaks to a world that has a certain charm to it, but it isn’t the real world. As much as we want to think it’s possible we don’t live in a world “where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.” The realities of this world, thankfully, aren’t all like spending Christmas knee-deep in Mississippi mud. Even so, when you come to church this Advent you’ll be spared the picture Bing Crosby still paints for us. Advent Sundays offer a realistic understanding of a world that still waits to know the vision of God’s kingdom. Our guide for this journey through much of the year to come, will be Matthew. It’s the story of Jesus from the perspective of people who also lived in tents. Unlike my Dad’s tent, soaked through from dripping rain that soaked his sleeping bag, their tents were in the wilderness and grew hot in the desert air. They were on the move and grumbled frequently against Moses. They may have turned their backs on slavery in Egypt, but that promised land had to be just as far away, or maybe ever further from the reality of Bing Crosby’s Christmas picture. With Matthew’s help, we’ll be reminded about faithfulness in the context of the realities of this world, and not in some far-fetched, albeit charming song-painted tableau. Come to church each Sunday of Advent and you’ll also be spared mall music for one hour. There’s something in that promise worth considering.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rev. Dr. George H. Martin

Interim Rector

Notes from the Senior Warden

I would like to take a moment and share with everyone a variety of news from life around St. Mark’s. First of all, I want to thank Jim Wilder for his service this year to our Vestry. Jim resigned in September due to extensive business travel that prohibited him from being able to attend the vestry meetings. I greatly appreciate the time and effort he committed to the Vestry and his willingness to serve our church. We will miss Jim. In conjunction with this, I would like to announce that Linda Gray has been appointed to the Vestry to serve out Jim’s unexpired term. Linda will also continue to serve as the Clerk of the Vestry. Welcome Linda! There has also been a wonderful addition to our staff at St. Mark’s. Nakeeta Charles is our new Nursery supervisor, with Brenda serving as her assistant, on Sunday mornings. The vestry approved this addition due to diocesan regulations requiring two adults in every classroom of children. Nakeeta is a bright, charming, and warm person whom our children and their parents will adore. She will be working for us approximately 3 hours each Sunday. Please stop by the nursery and warmly welcome her.

Anita Mathewson has volunteered to take on the role of Coordinator for the Rotation Sunday School program, which is the class in Fellowship Hall for the 3-6^th grade children. In this role, Anita greets the children each Sunday morning and settles them into the program for the day, introducing the teacher of the week. She will also be organizing the teachers for the program, so you may be hearing from her requesting you to share your special talents with our children!

Lastly, I’d like to share with you that a small Interim Review Committee was formed with the specific task of reviewing with George Martin as to how this interim ministry is progressing. Please know that this is part of his contract with us and something he requested to have us do with him. I am pleased to report that we are on track with the goals we had identified.

I am very excited to share that, just before Thanksgiving, the Search Committee began telephone interviews with potential candidates for the rector position. I am encouraged by this and know that when the Search Committee has news to share with all of us, they will eagerly do so.

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful Advent and Christmas season!

Yours in Christ,

Christine Melone

Ave Advent!

From Vicki

An article in the “Metro” section of Sunday’s Chicago Tribune was meant, I guess, to be reassuring on the one hand and warning on the other. It was about the crèche set up in one of the downtown plazas. Apparently Baby Jesus has been stolen from his manger in Advents and Christmases past and this year the powers that be are determined to put a stop to that misdemeanor theft before it is even plotted. So they’ve wrapped Baby Jesus in some sort of complicated metal bracket, bolted him to the cement and finished it off with a liberal sprinkling of straw. I also heard of another Baby J – same theft problem – in another part of the metropolitan area who was superglued to his crib in order to forestall his theft. Shameful thing, stealing the symbol of the ‘reason for the season’ or holding him for ransom; there’s a lot of harrumphing about it, and I suppose that makes sense. What strikes me about all of this, however, is the so-called solution to the problem.

Leonard Bernstein, some 35 years ago in his Mass, reminded us that although we can block a lot of things, control them, contain them, have our way with them, we “cannot chain up the Word of the Lord”. Which is what we do, or try to do sometimes. The folks in the paragraph above who are bolting or gluing Jesus in place are only the outward representatives of something else: the domestication of God. Which is not unlike that which got Peter into hot water with the adult Jesus when Pete tried to tell the one he’d just proclaimed messiah how to be messiah.

Advent is a simple little season which packs a wallop. Advent says that the spirit of Christmas, like the spirit of God, does not submit to control. Listen to what John Shea says about it: “It’s a sled gathering speed down a steep hill. Enjoy the ride, but do not oversteer it. The feast – and its preparation – gives itself to those willing to indulge in a four-hour meal, to luxuriate in a labyrinthine story, to rummage through an attic of ideas, to turn an image like a diamond and marvel at each slant of light” [in Starlight: Beholding the Christmas Miracle All Year Long (Crossroad, 1995), 15]. Advent is an experience to be savored, puzzled over, and it’s a gift in and of itself even before Christmas.

Several years ago when Frank Griswold was bishop of Chicago, his spouse Phoebe and I would occasionally offer workshops and series jointly for different groups in the diocese. One year we were asked to offer a Quiet Day during Advent. In one of her reflections, Phoebe said that when Frank was elected, she’d thought she was prepared, but she wasn’t. Being Phoebe, she consulted her spiritual director who advised her to read Luke. “That’s it?” she asked, “Just read Luke?” And that indeed was what she was directed to do. So she did. Or tried to. Several times. But each time she got caught right there in chapter 1. She’d get as far as Mary’s famous “How can this be?” and she’d begin to cry. Finally it dawned on her: She hadn’t been ready for Frank’s election. Mary had also not been ready for that announcement from Gabriel. You can’t control the workings and plannings of God and you can’t rush them. Couldn’t in the first century. Can’t now.

Advent’s about expectation and exploration and lingering. Here’s an Advent thought, a little gift:

I want to get up early one more morning

before sunrise. Before the birds even.

I want to throw cold water on my face....

I hate to seem greedy—I have so much

to be thankful for already.

But I want to get up early one morning, at least.

And go to my place with coffee and wait.

Just wait, to see what’s going to happen.

[Raymond Carver, “At Least”]

Good Advent to all of you. – Vicki Garvey

Advent-Ures

Can you figure out the pun in the title?

Don’t forget to check your bulletins for the special ‘Getting-Ready’ inserts of the season. As has been my wont, I include some excerpts from various writers whom I hope will help you to think and pray your way through Advent, some recipes to whet your appetite, some blessings to share and pray with kith and kin, and some new family activities to do. Look to our website for details on some of the more complicated projects like: making of Advent wreaths, Jesse trees and your very own never-to-be-replicated anywhere crėche. And have fun in expectation! vg

ADVENT CALENDAR FOR SUNDAYS

Dec. 2^nd: Advent One

We’ll begin with the church transformed for the Advent season. The service begins with the lighting of the first candle. You’ll know you’re in Advent when you hear that we’re suppose to be waiting for the end, although we do know it will come. It will be our first reading from Matthew as we start a new year of Sunday readings giving Matt the top billing.

Dec. 9^th Lessons and Carols

This traditional service begins with the haunting melody from Once in Royal David’s City. While it uses a few songs associated with Christmas, the service itself is rooted in the Advent spirit, in which we re-tell the ancient story in order to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God into our world.

Dec. 16^th Table Prayer: The Winter Name of God

Both services will be blessed by a most special singing of the Eucharistic prayer. This extended anthem, which involves the congregation, was written by Michael Joncas, author of the well-known hymn “On Eagle’s Wings.” You will be glad you came to church today. Bring a friend and they’ll be pleased as well.

Dec. 23^rd Fourth Advent and the Greening of the Church

Yes, Christmas Eve is one day away. Your Christmas Eve worship will be all that more special because you came to church this morning. You will have made the Advent walk to the end, and you will end as you began singing O Come O Come Emmanuel. After church we’ll have a hearty soup, maybe some corn-bread, and we’ll finish decorating the church for Christmas Eve. The courageous ones in our midst will be on the ladders. ghm

YOUR CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

Choices at St. Mark’s

3pm: Children and Family Service

This service will focus on presenting the Christmas story in a way most accessible to children. We’ll have a Pageant in the midst of this service, but it’s the kind that doesn’t require any practices to attend. All the children will be invited to participate. You’ll sing the familiar carols, and that means we conclude in the semi-darkness kneeling and singing “Silent Night.”

5pm: Christmas Around the World

Our worship at this hour will include carols that remind us about all the different people who share in the joy of this night. We’ll be singing carols, mostly familiar, and take note of their origins. Chances are many of us will find a carol going back to a land from which our great-grandparents may have called home before emigrating to America. We’ll also conclude singing Silent Night on our knees.

9pm Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

With the candles in the windows and the aisle candles lit chances are the lights in the nave will be dimmed down so that we can appreciate the spirit of St. Mark’s on Christmas Eve. We’ve moved this service to a more reasonable hour thereby making it possible for many more to join us. Please be sure to invite friends and neighbors to come here for what will be a familiar and enchanting worship. A few tears of joy will probably fall as we sing “Silent Night” at the end.

Note: There will not be a Christmas Day Service. We encourage those who like this service to come at 3pm or 5pm on Christmas Eve. If anyone needs a ride for any Christmas service please let the office know by the 19^th and we’ll do everything to find someone who can bring you to church on Christmas eve. ghm

O Holy Pageant!

This year, we’re going to pageant on the most appropriate day and time for it: Christmas Eve at the 3 p.m. service. I do understand that some of you will be elsewhere on the 24^th – and we’ll miss you, think of you and hope you remember us – but we thought it would be fun and a dandy way to celebrate the earliest of the services that day with pageantry and pizzazz. Those who are interested in participating – no lines to learn, very simple retelling of the story from the Bible itself – please be in touch with Vicki. I will put out some sign-up sheets and give everyone who’d like to participate a copy of what we’re intending to do. vg

‘Rotation’ Rules

Church School

I refer to the curriculum we are currently using with the 3^rd – 6^th graders. Some of you have served already this year as facilitators, for which I and the kiddos thank you. We hope for more volunteers to share one hour with our bright, inquisitive shorter ones in the new year; Anita Mathewson, who works with me as the coordinator of this program, will be in touch. But I have learned of an issue that needs addressing. Rotation meets in Fellowship Hall from 9.05 – 10.05 on Sunday mornings; because of the many facets of the program – cooking, drama, crafting, computer use and so on – they need that whole space. It has come to my attention that others are walking through, using the kitchen, or setting up for other things. Please respect that space as classroom for that one hour on Sunday and either use another space [I know, I know, what space?] or plan to do what you need to do at some other time. Again, the kiddos thank you and so do I. vg

What’s a Rector to do ?

Dear Members of St. Mark’s,

The business manager, Mike Loring, looked at me with a downcast eyes that expressed great doubt. I’d asked him for a check to be sent to Episcopal Community and Charity Services. On behalf of the church, ten of us from St. Mark’s are going to be part of the annual celebration of this diocesan ministry, which also includes recognition of Bishop Persell’s ministry. “Just take it from the Rector’s Discretionary Fund Account,” I said. “There’s about $6,000 in there.” Mike blinked, as if to say that was news to him.

It turns out I was wrong. Way wrong! I’d looked at a combined budget for three different outreach funds. The Rector’s Discretionary Fund, only one of those funds, has just $1,300 in it for the year. The entire amount was given by the two Georges who’ve have served as rectors of the parish in this year. We have deposited gifts from parishioners given for a funeral or marriage service. “But what about other gifts?” I asked of Mike. Once again the eyes were downcast, and there was this perplexing look on his face. It made me wonder if I was speaking English. I was. It seems that gifts to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund are rather rare, and maybe it’s been that way for a long time. I’m not sure any of us know for sure.

So what’s a rector to do who has committed to help Episcopal Community and Charity Services? What’s a rector to do when he’s committed to help pay for buying food for the Cathedral Shelter Basket Program? I could look for a second job, I know. I decided to be honest about the pickle I’m in. And I decided to address a matter that may be a little strange here, but which is perfectly normal in the life of many Episcopalians. The term “Rector’s Discretionary Fund” is even written into the very canons of the church which stipulate that the loose offering once a month must be designated for such purposes. It’s been a while since this has been practiced at St. Mark’s. It’s been a long time I’m sure since people were asked to contribute to this fund.

So I’m making my appeal directly to the members of the parish. Will you please consider a gift from time to time designated to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund? Whatever amount you give will help your rector to make some decisions to help others and to further the interests of St. Mark’s in the larger community of care and concern. There are times when you want your rector to offer a gift to others and to some special ministries in your name and on behalf of the church. A church like St. Mark’s should to want to have it rector making the kinds of promises I’ve been making lately. To be sure you also will want a rector who is more in tune with what is actually in the account. I promise to do better on that side of things.

In anticipation of your gifts to The Rector’s Discretionary Fund, I thank you, and I know I also express the gratitude of those we help and support in this way.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rev. Dr. George Martin

Guilds Prepare

The Flower Guild will begin to dress the sanctuary on Friday, Dec. 21, beginning at 10 o’clock. On the following day, Saturday, Dec. 22, the Flower guild will begin again at 10 a.m. The Altar Guild will also meet on Saturday, Dec 22 at 9 a.m. to clean the church and complete preparation for the Christmas services. The work of the guild members is very much appreciated.

Dec. 23^rd “Greening of the Church”

After the second service on the Fourth Sunday of Advent we will finish our Christmas decorations. We welcome and all to stay to help. We’ll need some to climb ladders, as that isn’t a task everyone welcomes. This is an old church tradition which reminds us that we’re a church family. We hope to have some hot chili or something similar to offer everyone who helps. More announcements will follow in the Sunday bulletins.

Christmas Communion

I’d be pleased to bring the reserved sacrament to anyone who will find it difficult to get out to come to church for Christmas Eve. Please call the office by Dec. 17th to schedule a home communion. If I can’t come, I’ll make sure that one of our licensed and trained lay Eucharistic ministers comes to your home. This is the kind of ministry that goes all the way back to the early church. ghm

St. Leonard’s House needs your help

We are blessed. Someone has offered to take on the task of shopping for Christmas gifts for St. Leonard’s House residents. They have the same request each year: men’s underwear. This gift, as simple and basic as it may seem, is greatly appreciated by all the residents. There is a need for donations, with a goal of $400.00. If you wish to contribute, please contact Karen Garrett at 847-381-4920.

Chicago Master Singers Present:

“Music of the Season: Old & New”

Friday, December 14, 7:30pm -
Saturday, December 15, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 16, 7:00pm

Divine Word Chapel - Techny, Illinois

Contact: Thelma Stevens 847-381-7631

program

Music of the Season: Old and New

The Full Chorus with members of the Ars Viva String Orchestra

Alan Heatherington, Music Director

Saints and Angels in Our Midst:

Step into the handicapped accessible bathroom and you’ll find a light switch where it ought to be. The electrician took the easy way out and put it on the North wall in a most weird place. Tom Doner, though, knew how to install a wireless switch transmitter on the inside concrete block wall. The light switch is now where it ought to be. Thank you, Tom.

You probably noticed the wonderful flowers we had in front of the church this summer, planted there by an angel in our midst who prefers to be known as “Anonymous.” The cold weather put an end to those flowers. Rather than have us look at dead flowers, Lou Gustafson, bless her knees, removed all those flowers and dragged them to the burn pile way in the back. Several trip I might add. She needed a little help in order to dig up the chartreuse “painted” dead boxwood bush, now suitably replaced by something alive.

The Rector’s office will now become practically unmanageable for a week or so as all the boxes filled with Christmas gifts for Cathedral Shelter are stored there until they are delivered in early December. Anita Mathewson gets special thanks for organizing this, but she could do this without the efforts and expense of so many in this church. Some of you took two, three, even six families!! What an outpouring of love this has been. The evidence is stacked in the Rector’s office! Come look. ghm

Travels of the Interim Rector

In December I will be heading home for a few days in the second or third week of December. I’ll actually be watching the weather channel before choosing the time to leave, as I plan to drive home. I don’t want to have to deal with a winter storm. I’ll be taking a few Christmas gifts home that are too big to take on the plane. I’ll also be leaving on Christmas Day for home. I’ll be returning here on Jan 5^th and will celebrate Epiphany with you on January 6^th. ghm

Recess

The Church School, Rite 13 & J2A & Youth Choir will be in recess on Sundays, Dec. 23rd & 30th. They will resume on January 6^th, 2008. The Tuesday Men’s Group will be in recess on Dec. 25^th as well as the Women’s Bible Study on Jan. 1st, 2008.

New Adult Class Scheduled in January:

Science and Religion

Help Needed!

I will be leading a class on Science and Religion. We’ll be looking at a number of topics including evolution, an expanding universe, concepts of time, and a whole set of questions regarding chaos and order. If any of these topics is an area of personal or professional interest I would love to talk with you. I welcome all the help I can get in leading this class. Please call me at 651-216-2329 or email me at geoinmn@frontiernet.net ghm

Wedding Coordinators Position

I would love to have a couple of people step forward to serve as Wedding Coordinator’s at St. Mark’s. This lovely church has a great ministry in helping people get married, even those who don’t belong to the church. We should be in this business. At the same time we need to help couples plan weddings that fit with the ethos of the Episcopal Church and with our Book of Common Prayer, and which happen in a way that is appropriate to our church. I’m in the process of expanding our wedding policies and making them accessible to any and all interested in being married at St. Mark’s. I also know from personal experience what a difference it makes when a church has a few volunteer wedding coordinators. If you love weddings, and want to help the church make a great impression on guests, this a wonderful ministry. Please speak to the Interim Rector. ghm

The Prudent Rector

A few weeks ago a company called to set the date for installing the lights on the tree in the circle. “How much will it cost?” I inquired. The woman said it would be “$450, but that would include putting them up and taking them down. I told her I’d get back to her and did the next day saying “No, thank you.” A few days later the lights were hung on the tree by the youth of St. Mark’s who thereby earned $250 for their mission trip next June. By the way they’ll take down the lights. The prudent rector saved the church $200 and we helped the youth with their mission trip. ghm

We did it again!

We have joined others from the Diocese of Chicago who will be brightening the lives of over 2,000 needy families and singles for Christmas this year by providing baskets filled with gifts and food. As a result of your support and Anita Mathewson’s leadership, we have reached our goal of preparing and donating baskets for 35 families and 10 single persons. The boxes have not been counted as yet, but many are stacked in the rector’s office. Cathedral Shelter will pick up the baskets for distribution the first week of December. Great job!

Thank You St. Mark's!

Hello again to the fine people of St. Mark's! I would like to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for showing such a genuine interest not only in my cultural development efforts in Malawi, but also towards the social equality of this world. I hope you all gained some valuable insights from our discussion yesterday, and please feel free to contact me with any other questions or comments you may have. Thanks as well to all of you who helped to support our programs financially through the purchase of some of the Malawian art and crafts which I displayed after yesterday's services. I intend to return to St. Mark's for one more service before returning to Africa, and if I still have any art left I could use the opportunity to have a 'fire-sale' to unload whatever remains. This would be Sunday, December 2nd. All my best to all of you!
David Leflar boNGOmalawi@gmail.com

Managing Director: boNGO Worldwide

Completing your 2007 Pledge?

If you are completing your 2007 pledge and wish for it to be noted on your final 2007 contribution statement for tax purposes, please be aware of the following IRS requirement. Any charitable contribution credited to tax year 2007 must be received by December 31, 2007 or if mailed, be postmarked no later than December 31, 2007. You can complete your 2007 pledge after that date but it would be noted on your first 2008 statement as a “prior year pledge”. ml

2007 Pledge Update

St Mark’s received 120 pledges in 2007 for a total of $254,097. Through the end of November, 37 pledges have been paid in full and the total pledge income through November 30 was $202,405. Statements were recently mailed. If you think there is a discrepancy, please call the church office at 847-381-0596. ml

2008 Pledge Information

Through November 30, we have received 57 renewed pledges ($153,335) and 8 new pledges ($12,700) for 2008. The Finance Committee is currently working on a 2008 budget and will be presenting it to the Vestry in early January. We hope for a good response from all who belong to St. Mark’s from the follow up calls and letters to those who might make a 2008 pledge. ml

Barrington Giving Day

Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 9:00 a.m.

Barrington Middle School, Station Campus

Each December, The Barrington Area 220 School District invites disadvantaged families residing in the School District to the Barrington Giving Day. Families receive food, warm coats and gifts. Checks may be made payable to: Barrington Giving Day-c/o John Paul Hill- Barrington Bank & Trust - 201 S. Hough St. Barrington, IL 60010. This year, we are asking you to collect WINTER COATS, NEW AND GENTLY USED, TOYS and BOOKS for children and teens, in Spanish and English. A box for donations is located in the parish lobby Church. The last pick up day from your location will be Wednesday December 13^th.

Simple Abundance: A Way to Support Others

I learned about Simple Abundance from Warren Sweeney, who does what many a good retired person does, in that he volunteers his time for others. In Warren’s case he helps out at Simple Abundance which supports Fellowship Housing, an organization working with homeless women and their families. Helping them get settled into apartments this two year long program gets them back on their feet again. After two years their clients have jobs and the needed money management skills. The resale shop called Simple Abundance helps fund this work. It is a wonderful place to bring furniture, pictures, dishes, lamps and rugs. The process is simple. You call Elizabeth Lyons (847-277-1015) and she’ll help you with your donation if it is something that can be sold through the store. You will be able to take a tax deduction for your donation. The other side of the operation is for the casual shopper, and I can tell you that you’ll be amazed by the quality of the items and how they are priced. The store is located in the Foundry right off N.W. Highway 14, next to the Calico Corners Fabric store. Hours: Thursday - Saturday 10 am- 5 pm.

Christmas Altar Flowers

The greens and flowers which will deck the halls during the Twelve Days of Christmas provide an occasion to remember those we love or have loved or acknowledge a special event in your life. There will be a listing in the Christmas service leaflet, if you provide the parish office with the following information by Tuesday, December 18. Donation checks should be payable to St. Mark’s Church, mark memo line: “Christmas Flowers.”

Please Print

Your Name	Phone
In Loving Memory of:
In Thanksgiving for:

Passages

We extend out congratulations to:

Jessie and Kayla Coffey who made their First Communion Nov. 11 at the 8:00 a.m. service. Jessie and Kayla are new to St. Mark’s and have been attending our early service with their mom, Lori. Jessie and Kayla received instruction from Rev. Martin before receiving communion.

We welcome into the household of God:

Emma Cory Thompson, daughter of Cory & Matthew Thompson, was baptized in St. Mark’s November 25, 2007.

We welcome back to St. Mark’s:

Cathy & Jim Schafer have moved back from Door County, Wisconsin. Their new address is 21899 W. Tori Lane, Deer Park, IL 60010. 847-847-7883.

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