THE DOVE
February 2017


ReVive Center Parish of the Year
Ash Wednesday
March 1
This year, we will observe Ash Wednesday, March 1, with the Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Please note that there is no 9:00 liturgy that day. This schedule has been established in the hope that some people-especially, perhaps, those who work nearby-might be able to come to the Eucharist over the noon hour, and that the later afternoon service will be more convenient to some commuters and families with school-aged children. Please make a special effort to participate in one of these celebrations in order that, as the Book of Common Prayer exhorts us, we might all make a "right beginning" to the holy and poignant season of Lent.
New Wardens and
Vestry Members
At the Annual Parish meeting on Sunday, January 29, we elected a new Senior Warden and Junior Warden, as well as five members of the Vestry. For those who were not able to be present, please keep in your prayers Charlie Wise, our new Senior Warden, and Marc Franson, who is now the Junior Warden. Also joining the Vestry are Karen Anderson (Fellowship), Mary Bradbury (Ministry), Wendy Schultz (Outreach Resources), Michael Taylor (Communications) and Rick Voit (Newcomers). Congratulations to all of these gifted and dedicated leaders, and may God fill them with grace and blessings in their new ministries!
Daily Eucharists
Thursday Morning Lenten Eucharist and Breakfast
Even though Lent does not begin until March 1, we wanted to give ample reminder of the quiet, thoughtful, and inspiring Eucharists that are offered every day in the church. The liturgies are celebrated at 9:00 a.m. each day, save Thursday, and are a perfect way to be renewed and refreshed during the week. On Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, the services are traditional; on Wednesday and Friday, Contemplative Eucharists are offered, designed in such a way as to provide fresh imagery and language for worshiping God.
Adult Forum for February
by Chris Hardman

In February we will continue to "dig deep" into our Anglican/Episcopal heritage. We will begin with the English Reformation and how the Anglican Church separated from the Roman Catholic Church. We will also address how the Anglican Church was influenced by the Protestant Reformation. Next, we will look at how the Anglican Church in America became the Episcopal Church.  Our final session will be a time for questions about our church, our theology, our practice, or anything else related .  
Holy Comforter Honored
by ReVive Center
On Thursday, January 19, Church of the Holy Comforter was honored to be chosen as the ReVive Center Parish of the Year in recognition of our support and relationship, which stretch back decades. At the Annual Meeting of the organization that evening at their main offices at 1668 W. Ogden in Chicago, Stephen Citari, retiring Vestry Outreach representative, Jan Parkin, and I were privileged to be presented a plaque celebrating this recognition. 
Calling All Palms
As many are aware, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are created from burning the palms distributed the previous Palm Sunday. This act takes place on Shrove Tuesday, when Fr Jason burns the palms in the presence of the Junior Kindergarten classes of All Things Bright and Beautiful. If you have palms or palm crosses from last year or even longer ago, please bring them to the church by Sunday, February 26, and leave them in the front office. Thanks, in advance, for your offerings.
Flower Donations
It is no secret that we are blessed at Holy Comforter to have one of the most gifted and dedicated Flower Ministries enjoyed by any church anywhere. Week after week, month by month, save during the season of Lent, the members of the Ministry create beautiful, seasonally appropriate, and frequently breathtaking arrangements on the retable behind the altar, near the Mary statue, and in the narthex. We are fortunate indeed to have such rich and remarkable gifts among the members of the Flower Ministry.
...in the vineyard
We welcome with love to God's family and the family of Church of the Holy Comforter Carter Coleman Flury Isla Harper Kerr George Finley Kerr and  Scarlett Jayne Kerr  baptized Epiphany Sunday, January 15, 2017.

It is with sorrow that we note the death of Warren Weaver, the father of Carrie Smart.  Mr. Weaver lived Kansas City, and his funeral took place at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in that city, the parish to which the Weaver family has belonged for decades.  We hold in our hearts and prayers Carrie, her husband John and their three sons, and her mother Connie, asking God to enfold Warren in love and light perpetual, and to comfort the extended family with peace and joyful memories.
 
Our hearts and prayers go out to Jim and Julie Olson and their family on the death of his mother, Joan G. Olson. Mrs. Olson, who lived in Lake Forest, died the first week in January at the age of 90 after a long and rich life. A private memorial service was held last week. May God enfold Joan in love, light, and life eternal in her heavenly abode, and comfort and strengthen the entire extended Olson family.
 
We also offer condolences and love to Billy Keller and Paige Ellwood Keller on the death of Billy's mother, Lucille, on January 8, at the age of 73. Lucille was a resident of Richmond, Virginia. Knowing that her time was short, Lucille had planned a "Going Away" party for herself in late April, and that gathering will now be a celebration of her life. We pray God's loving embrace of Lucille, now and evermore, and peace to her family and friends.
The Rector's Column 
by The Rev. Dr. Jason L. Parkin, Rector

During the Second World War, the French Underground, at a time when things were particularly grim, sent a brief message by telegraph to supporters in England. After much thought, they wired the words, "God reigns!" The message, however, was garbled in transit, and the English received it as "God resigns!" The English wired back, "Regret decision. British policy remains the same."
 
Gotta love the resolve of the British, especially during the darkest days of the War. 
 
For some reason, this story puts me in mind of the month of February. Christmas seems long past, and Lent and Easter are yet to arrive. Pentecost? Won't happen for months. In other words, this is one of those stretches when we are simply called to move forward in our lives of faith, hopefully reveling in the expanding revelation of Jesus' identity and ministry as the season of Epiphany unfolds, but confident-despite the gloomy weather and the lack of any major Church feast-that, indeed, whatever the situation, whatever the circumstance, God reigns. In sorrow and in celebration; in trial and in triumph; in fear and in festivity: God reigns. If we can believe that in February, of all times, surely we can rest in that assurance at all times.
 
Along the same lines: some years ago, the 6th grade Sunday School class at the Church of St. John the Divine in Houston was challenged to summarize the Bible in 50 words. They did it in 48. Here is their creation:
 
     God made, Adam bit
     Noah arked, Abraham split
     Jacob fooled, Joseph ruled
     Bush talked, Moses balked
     Pharaoh plagued, People walked
     Sea divided, Tablets guided
     Promise landed, Saul freaked
     David peeked, Prophets warned
     God walked, Love talked
     Anger crucified, Hope died
     Love rose, Spirit flamed
     Word spread, God reigns
 
There it is again: God reigns. Even in February.
A Wizard of Oz 
Spirituality!
by Chris Hardman

The Wizard of Oz is one of our most beloved movies. So beloved that my mother even let me stay home from church one Sunday night so I could see it. Little did I know that after seeing the movie hundreds of times, I have finally identified why I like it so much. It is because it is a "Godly" movie that points the way to a "Godly" life. It is all about discovering wisdom, courage, compassion, and home-which is pretty much all I have been talking about for the past few years.    Read more here...
St. Helen's Guild  
The Intersection of Fellowship, Tradition and Service
St. Helen's, Church of the Holy Comforter's longest-running guild, is making plans for a fun and rewarding 2017 season. At 56 parish households strong, our group socializes while celebrating CHC's tradition of service.  Primary events in 2017 will include a Summer party at the Voit's on July 23, a Fall gathering October 15 at the Eaton's, plus a Holiday brunch at Skokie Country Club on December 10. 
 
While Holy Family School (formerly St. Gregory's) school has traditionally been a focus for St. Helen's,
in the coming year we will explore a wide variety of charitable activities, within and outside of Holy Comforter, among our membership. Not surprisingly, ours is an extremely active group! St. Helen's members have the opportunity to introduce others to the acts of service that have enriched their own lives.  
 
Our biggest wish is for everyone to know they are welcome, and are included.  If you would like to learn more, please email  Rick Voit .
What Are We Really Up To When We Pray? 
by Pastor Heath Howe, Family Ministries

I have been thinking about this a good deal this week in part because I was planning a lesson for our third through sixth grade Sunday school class on the various types of prayer (intercessory, petition, thanksgiving, etc.) Another reason prayer has been on my mind is I have heard a variety of thoughts and reactions about our praying as a community for our new president and other government leaders. I also spent several Sundays with our junior and senior teens who have that wonderful adolescent way of letting you know they will not tolerate anything but the real deal. When I speak with them about prayer I need to make sure I am as clear, authentic and honest. Otherwise, they are not interested. 
 
So, again, I ask: What are we really up to when we pray?  Read more here...
New Name, Same Mission 
by Mary Johnson, Youth Ministries and Director of All Things Bright and Beautiful

For the past three years, Holy Comforter has been a member of the Winnetka Interfaith Council. Founded in 1967, the purpose of the Winnetka Interfaith Council is to foster interfaith understanding by providing a forum for interfaith dialogue and developing programs that provide a service to the community at large where there is a mutual respect for different faith traditions. In the 50 years this organization has been around, it has experienced a tremendous amount of growth and change. The most significant change is introduced this month as the name changes from Winnetka Interfaith Council to  New Trier Multifaith Alliance.   Read more here...
Getting Into the Circle 
by Charlotte Long, Youth Ministries 
 
Firstly, let's remember that Jesus was not a one-time response from God to humanity. If we want to get deeply into the Trinity (and I do!), then Jesus didn't just appear and then disappear at the convenient moment. The Trinity is forever; the Trinity has always been; the Trinity is working with us in this minute of time. With that in mind, why do we always cling to the title of "Christ the King"? Wasn't he just born to us a baby, lowly and powerless? Didn't we just hear the birth story again and wonder at the marvel of so much lowliness?  How do we get into the flow of the Circle? 
Read more here...
The Who, What, Where and Why of The Stephen Ministry


WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY? Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of Holy Comforter comprised of parishioners who have been trained to provide one to one Christian care giving to individuals in our Church community.
 
WHO COULD USE A STEPHEN MINISTER? Stephen Ministry helps members of our Church family who are experiencing a difficult time during a life transition: people experiencing divorce, grief, illness, loneliness, family or career changes or any other times of difficulty.
 
WHY WOULD I CALL FOR A STEPHEN MINISTER? A Stephen Minister can walk with you as you journey through one of life's transitions. The care of your Stephen Minister is confidential, non-judgmental, and supportive. The Stephen Minister is there to listen to YOU as you go through a challenging time.
 
HOW DO I CONTACT A STEPHEN MINISTER? If you have any questions or would like to discuss a Stephen Minister relationship, please contact one of the clergy or please call either Carrie Smart, Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator 847-501-3954 or Stephen Leader Team Coordinator, Jean Britt 847-256-2372.
C hildren's Choir Meeting
Please join us Sunday, February 12, in the Library
after the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist to discuss our new
and exciting plans for our Children's Choir.