Messenger
Sept 2007
Seeking is Believing
There’s a program on National Public Radio called
“This I Believe”. Edward R. Murrow came
up with the idea back in 1951 and acted on it by inviting, as he says,
“thoughtful men and women in all walks of life” to “write about the rules they
live by, the things they have found to be the basic values in their
lives.” Among the earliest contributors
a half century ago were names we’d recognize, like Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen
Keller and Albert Einstein and Jackie Robinson, but there were also some whose
names were perhaps only know outside their own circles because of their lone
contribution to this project. In 2005, NPR revived the series and it airs a new
essay every other week.
I call this to your attention for several
reasons:
1/ Because it’s worth a listen; nearly every time I hear one, I learn
something or am moved or am invigorated or a combination of the above and
more. When I miss a week because of
other pressures or travel or something I visit the website to see what’s
new. So I commend the listening/reading
experience to you. They’re short, about
500 words each, I think, and more than worth the effort. I think of a couple of past favorites from
the archives: “Always Be Kind to the Pizza Guy” and “Always Go to the Funeral “
come to mind.
2/ Because just now we are – through
our search committee – engaged in the quest for a new rector and it occurs to
me that it makes a lot of sense to take stock of what we believe before
we invite someone else to join this community in a professional way. And I’m not just talking about what we
believe ‘religiously’ or ‘churchily’ but what we believe deep down in that
“freshness” part of us, as a poet once put it.
In fact, it makes sense for us to engage in this sort of activity now
and then whether we’re looking for a new priest or not. Healthy sort of thing to do, I say.
3/ Because those of us who are
privileged to preach in this community regularly take stock of what we make of
things, of the text of the bible, of course, but also of this congregation, of
the world in which we find ourselves, and of our own interior lives. The craft of sermoning demands special
attention to all of these, not just the bible.
And I thought it might be nice to extend the privilege of that sort of
preparation to the rest of you.
So,
here’s my invitation: When you’re commuting on the train or waiting for the
kids to get out of school or waiting for the cable dude or just waiting, ask
yourself one of these questions and see where it takes you.
·
As
you strive to be a faithful person, who/what do you turn to for guidance or
inspiration?
·
s
you think about where you’ve been in your life, what were the particularly
transformative moments that changed everything?
·
What
are the two or three most important things you’ve learned in your life and what
are you doing about them?
Happy musing in these waning days of summer. –
A
Special Plug for Adult Ed. at St. Mark’s
It’s Fall. And it’s time to go back to school. We have to include
all those heading back to college and to graduate school in that category. We’d
also want to include the unnamed student who left a mark on her desk in the
back of a college classroom. It said: “Veni, Vidi, Dormi.” Translated: I came.
I saw. I slept.
At St. Mark’s though education is for everyone as we live into an
experiment that allows us to have the Christian Formation Hour beginning at
9:05am every Sunday, starting on September 9th, and continuing on
through this year, except for a few Sundays around the holidays. We hope no one
says of this time, “Veni. Vidi. Dormi.”
Another wit, Garrison Keeler, actually used the metaphor of
sleeping when thinking about what it means to become a Christian. He once said,
“You can become a Christian by going to church, just about as easily as you can
become an automobile by sleeping in the garage.” It is a wonderful image of the
real task, which we are given every Sunday, which is to actually be Christians
in the world. This hour of time between the two services is meant to inspire
and support all of us in this enterprise.
In terms of the classes for the adults at St. Mark’s the vision is
that they won’t be boring like some of the classes we might have taken in the
past. We’re also not going to be taking apart your faith, but instead we want
to appreciate and think about all the complexities of faithful living. I don’t
know if you’re aware of a problem in some educational circles, but it is
sometimes called the problem of reductionism, whereby we think we can explain
how something works by taking it apart. It’s what some physicists have been
doing while studying the atom, and how they’ve worked to identify all the
different particles inside the atom. They’ve identified over 30 particles or
parts, and they still don’t know how it works. There are many more examples in
the world just like this, especially in terms of the mysteries in which complex
systems interact and affect each other. In a kind of surprising roundabout
process there are actually some parts of the scientific world in which you find
people using language that is almost spiritual in nature.
Some scientists have known this all along. Barbara McClintock, a
noted biologist once said in reference to her field of study, “You have to lean
into the ears of corn.” It is an apt metaphor to what we hope will happen, as
we lean into the deep questions of our faith. We’ll be leaning into the issues
that trouble the waters in the church. We’ll be leaning into Jeremiah and then into
Matthew. We’ll be even leaning on each other as we grow together deeper in our
faith. I doubt if anyone will say of our time together. “Dormi.” ghm
Adult
Formation Hour at St. Mark’s
Starting on
Adult Classes This Fall
Sept 9, 16,
23, 30, Oct. 7
Meet Mr. Deity:You-Tube Comes
to
With the magic of wireless technology each class will
feature one or two segments from the innovative series of short videos
featuring three actors who assume the roles of the key persons in the Trinity.
The dialogue in each segment is both funny and poignant. Once we get past the
laughter the focus will be on the content as we seek to analyze these pieces in
light of our own questions and our own understanding of the Christian faith. If
you want an advance preview check out www.MrDiety.com.
Oct 14, 21,
28, Nov. 4, & 11
Worship 101:
Standin’,
Sittin’, Kneelin’
The root definition of the word “liturgy” means the
work of the people. In the Episcopal Church there is little of what might be
called “spectator worship.” Often, though, we’re not sure what’s happening or
why it is happening. This five week course will uncover the mysteries of
worship. There’s a little history in this, some theology, and lots of practical
information here. If you’re a trivia buff, you’ll also like this course.
Sittin’, drinking coffee, and talkin’ is what we’ll do. No kneelin’ in this
hour.
Jeremiah:
The Patron Saint of Country Western Music
Jeremiah might seem like a bullfrog, but the prophet
is really the patron saint of Country music; he was so distraught by his
vocation that he was the first to sing "Take this job and SHOVE it"
to God, no less. We’ll be hearing more than we’ve ever heard from him this late
summer and fall, so Vicki will be leading a conversation on prophets in general
and Jerry in particular.
Oct 14, 21,
28, Nov. 4 & 11
Living the Questions:
Part One
Get ready
for an exciting and new way to look at the Christian faith. We’ll be using a
series of DVD’s featuring some challenging and even controversial scholars.
Some are theologians, others are Bible scholars. There are a few pastors and
preachers in the mix as well.
The themes covered in the first five weeks are:
1. An Invitation to Journey
2. Thinking
Theologically
3. Creativity
& Stories of Creation 4. Restoring Relationships
5. Evil, Suffering & a God of
Love
From the Desk of the Interim Rector
One of the delights of being on vacation is the luxury
of reading simply for pleasure, even though I haven’t read as much this summer
as in the past. I have been immersed in a world of toddlers and babies filling
our old family cabin with both cries of delight and cries of despair. Even so,
I decided it was time to read the work of John Hassler, a much praised
I especially liked his description of the President of
the college, O. F. Zastrow. The dean said he had “…ample time to grow
accustomed to the smallness of his mind and the enormity of his inferiority
complex—the latter founded upon a weak academic background and not at all
well-concealed behind an abrasive and carping personality.” (p.3) I think we’ve all met this man at some point.
The Dean has to attend meetings with President
Zastrow, but like many of us, doesn’t love or savor such affairs. As one meeting begins, the Dean quickly takes
a chair right next to Professor Kahlstrom, a philosophy professor. Both of them
are positioned facing a window. Why? “It doesn’t take a philosopher to know
that if you’re gazing at something as beautiful as the
Churches, like any organization, involve meetings.
I’ve certainly been in my share where I wish I had been able to look out the
window. Haven’t we all? But must meetings always be an endurance test? Can’t we
leave a meeting feeling good about the time we spent, and reflecting in a
positive way about the way that decisions were made or ideas were explored? And
the answer is that all this is possible, if we keep our focus on the main
business at hand. I can not say I’ve always known this simple truth, but it has
become something of my guiding philosophy in later years. I keep asking
“Why?” It becomes, “Why are we having
this meeting?” I try to apply the same question to every aspect of church life,
every service, every phone call, and every day. I may not always have a
consistent answer to these questions, but deep down I know the way we meet
together to decide things needs to reflect the God we serve, and the outcome
needs to have something to do with the people we are meant to serve as God’s
servants. Most meetings would be improved if we kept in mind the people who God
wants us to reach who don’t even belong to the church. We would do well to also
imagine that they are looking in the window wondering just how we treat and
respect each other—if we are like Christ for one another!
Don’t be surprised when you hear me ask some questions
about why we are doing something or having a particular meeting. I have
discovered that asking that question up front makes our meetings far more meaningful
and productive. We are also less likely
to wish that we had a window to look out during the meeting.
Faithfully in Christ,
The
Rev. Dr. George H. Martin
Loving our Home
I
do not have much to do with any of the maintenance projects getting started,
but I am pleased they are happening. I’m writing to encourage you to consider
making gifts that preserve and enhance this beautiful church. I noticed the
need for some of these things to be done within minutes of walking into the
church for an interview as a candidate to be interim rector. The words
“deferred maintenance” came immediately to mind. I’ve seen things like windows
and doors that needed to be repainted in other churches but it’s never been
something welcome to the eyes.
I’m not advocating an investment in the buildings of
the church or any aesthetic aspect of
the space that would border on idolatry. We need to keep all this in
balance, and realize that we’re fundamentally about worship, community, and
ministry. However, this building is a tool for all and it’s the first thing
that some people see.
Later in the fall we will be emphasizing stewardship
as a mutual responsibility all of us have as baptized members of the church. We
are going to talk about the joy of giving and the delight we can have in
supporting the church. What the Finance Committee is asking of us fits in that
category. We are going to be pleased with these improvements. As you consider m
aking a special gift to help us keep St. Mark’s looking its best, keep in mind
the larger purpose. I hope we make these gifts with a glad heart—filled with
gratitude for God’s love in Christ. This
we know because we belong to St. Mark’s as others will soon discover. ghm
Report from the Finance Committee
August 2007
This
summer we have completed several important capital projects around the church.
The first project was the installation of the new handicap bathroom and the
remodeling of Vicki’s office. The second
big project was the repainting of the exterior of the entire church building
and the rectory. The flat roof above the
day school wing was replaced to prevent future roof leaks and given the recent
rains, did what it was supposed to do.
The grounds have required significant efforts this year for weeding and
pruning with all the rain we’ve had. Plus, the village finally repaired the
entry area off the private access road to eliminate the big potholes. Total cost of these projects was just under
$55,000 for which we had about $35,000 in specified donations to offset with,
so we have used $20,000 of capital reserves so far. Your contributions toward
these improvements to reduce the drain on capital reserves would be very
welcome.
In addition to the completed projects, we have
finalized the pricing of some additional items.
The parking lot will be repaired and seal-coated in early September,
weather permitting. We had the windows
in the sanctuary priced out, and the cost to replace those 5 windows is
$15,000. The eight additional windows on
the front of the office wing are another $10,000, so we are assembling a
fundraising effort for this fall to allow for the replacement of these windows
as soon as we can. A source was found to
purchase shutters made of synthetic material that can replace our continually
collapsing wood shutters. We have 48 pairs of shutters on our building and each
pair costs about $150, so we will add this to our fall fundraising effort. Interestingly enough, it still is cheaper
than repairing and painting them. Additionally, the synthetic material will not
need regular maintenance, saving us money on a long term basis. Last, our four
chimneys are in need of repair in the next couple of years and will cost about
$15,000 to rebuild the tops, which are beyond tuck pointing.
The church operating fund has been running about
breakeven for the year so far and will finish the year near budget. Pledge payments are 5% behind budget but
we’re hoping that September will see a return to budgeted amounts. Look for our fundraising materials this fall
and get involved in helping us complete the renovations to the church with the
windows and shutters.
Rick Cavenaugh
Finance Committee
Crop Walk
CROP began after World
War II with the Freedom Train that crossed the
Church World Service is one of the first organizations
on site in times of disaster. and responded within hours following Hurricane
Katrina. The ongoing support raised by CROP Walks across the country helped make
this timely response possible. In addition CROP provides funding for addressing
hunger locally through Northern Illinois Food Bank, Wauconda--Island Lake Food
Pantry, Barrington Meals with Wheels, PIN project of the Barrington Ministerial
Association, and FISH Food Pantry-Carpentersville.
You
can join our parish family and local churches in this effort by walking,
sponsoring a walker, or making chili or cookies for the post walk meal. The Walk
is Sunday, October 14, beginning and ending at the Middle School, Station
Campus. To sign-up call
Altar Guild Luncheon
and
the
Welcoming
of Those Newly Interested
The Annual Altar Guild will
gather for their fall luncheon on Sunday, October 21 at
3rd Saturday Evening Eucharist &
Causal Dinner Gathering
September
The
worship service will take place on the Terrace on the lower level behind the
church (weather permitting). It is good to worship God when we can see the sky
above and feel close to the birds of the air. We would like to find a musician
or two to help with the music for this service.
Whatever you play, we'll take you.
Please call the parish office if you can help at 847-381-0596.
Afterwards: A masterful cuisine will embrace "Food on a Stick” Party. This last event will also be in celebration
of both Labor Day and the Minnesota State Fair. In the course of our evening
we'll pause to listen to the "News
from
Thanks. Gracias. Merci. Euchariste. Toda.
To all of you
who donated stuff you no longer needed, brought a table, donated a table, gave
extra money and/or joined us in person for the 1st ever J2A Flea
Market. As most of you know by now, we
exceeded our goal by more than a little bit, making our 2008 pilgrimage more
real and our plans more realistic. So
thanks again for all you do to support us in our lives in Christ [cf. the
Baptismal Covenant, BCP, p. 303].
Publishing
Articles for the Messenger, including information
about your particular group, committee meeting or ministry, should be submitted
to the parish office by the 20th of each month. Exceptions are
December and April.
St. Mary’s Services
St. Mary’s Services, an affiliate of Episcopal Charities and
Community Services, helps raise awareness of an important topic for many
parishioners – adoption. St. Mary’s
Services is a local maternity counseling and adoption agency. We are working to
raise awareness of the agency and our work counseling women experiencing
unplanned pregnancies and providing preparation and placement services
to families seeking adoption of infants. Below is information regarding two upcoming workshops for adoptive
families
Talking with Your Child about Adoption
"Where do babies come from?" is
one of the most common questions children ask when they reach a certain age.
With an adopted child, the question could present a greater challenge for you,
as a parent. On Tuesday, September 18 from
International
Adoption Meeting
St. Mary’s Services has partnered with the
Cradle of Hope Adoption Center in
Passages
We offer congratulations to:
Hilaria
Sands and Derek Viers who were married in St. Mark’s
We extend
sympathy to:
Dorothy
Fisher and her family on the death of her husband, Winfield Fisher, on
Diane &
Cary Loomis and her family on the death of her
husband, Walt Loomis, on
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