The Magnificat Weekly

St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Crystal Lake IL
Weekly E-Newsletter                                                                October 26, 2017
In This Issue
 
Worship Times
Sundays, 8 & 10 am
Nursery available at 9:45
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Coffee Hour fellowship  follows both services;
join us for treats, and conversation

 

Children's Worship meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

  


Clergy & Staff
Rev. Barbara Bishop, Deacon
Amy Noe, Parish Administrator
Sandra Molyneux, Organist and Choir Director
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Parish Vestry  (term expires)
Marge Smith, Warden (1/19)
Cate Williams, Warden (1/18)
Peter Becker, Treasurer
Judy Tracy, Clerk of the Vestry
Members:
 (1/18)  Michael Choquette, Mark Cornelissen, Dan McLauglin
(1/19)  John Amrein, Peter Carroll, Jerry Kolarczyk
(1/20)  Tracy Higgins, Judy Thornton, Sally Van Vranken
Monthly Events
 
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Friday, October 27.  Contact Chris Bednaroski if you can help.  Shift times are 9:30-Noon, and Noon-2:30.
 
A LABYRINTH WALK is normally held on the second Saturday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon, in the Great Hall.   All are welcome.  The next scheduled walk is Saturday, November 11. 
 
CENTERING PRAYER meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.  Contact Rev. Fran with any questions, or for more information.
 
TAIZE is an ecumenical, meditative common prayer, incorporating song, chant, scripture readings, and silence.  People of ALL faith traditions are welcome this monthly candlelight service.  The services are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St.  The next service will be  held Tuesday, November 28. 

A FREE COMMUNITY MEAL  is offered at St. Mary's on the third Saturday of every month.  The meal is served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and ALL are welcome.  There is no RSVP required.   Free will donations will be accepted.  Please watch the newsletter and website for the menu, which will be published a week or two before the event.  The next  Community Meal is Saturday, November 18.  

We Pray For
Parishioners : Bob, Heather, Charity, Sharon, Cameron & Linda, the Wayne family, Matthew, John, Dn. Barb, Karen, Ann, Galen & Betsy, Bob, Harry & Marion
Family/Friends : Kelly, David, Johnny, Bob, Pete, Susie, Kathy, Nanci, Carole, Donna, Cheri, Sue, Mary, Diana, Kelly Marie, Alyssa, Lori, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Katie, Darcy, Irene, Julie, Betty, Barb, Phyllis, Raven, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Maggie, Nicci, Brian, Sarah, Judie
 
Those Who Have Died and Those Who Mourn Them
Angelo, business associate of Peter Carroll; Edna Jean, cousin-in-law of Daphne Starr;   Don Miksch , father of Barbara  Wasilk; Joe , uncle of Jerry Kolarczyk;
Frank, father of Gail Head  

Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Ryan, Terry, Dan, Corey

Birthdays Oct. 26-Nov. 1
10.27  Matthew Bryant
            Jean Huismann
10.28  Judy Tracy
11.1    John Horeled

If you would like your name added to the birthday / anniversary list, please contact Amy in the Parish Office.

Quick Links

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
News from The Episcopal Cafe
From the Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary's,

Over the past three years that I have served as your rector I have witnessed how this parish touches and changes lives on a day to day basis.  These are not big headline stories that most people hear or read about, but rather these are stories of the heart that happen quietly without fanfare, without notice, and yet they are extremely powerful and meaningful in the life of this parish.  I heard from a parishioner just the other day that the pastoral care call she received meant the world to her.  Last week someone else told me that this parish was the first group of friends that they ever really felt connected to in their life.  Another person revealed to me that the women's bible study was a powerful point of connection in their life.  One of our volunteers who does not attend church services came to speak to me about a pressing matter in her life, and told me that she considers St. Mary's to be the place to come when life is hard.  All of these stories make up a tapestry of connection and they paint a picture of a web of relationships that matter to many people, both inside and outside of these parish walls.

I am writing to invite you to make a pledge to St. Mary's in 2018 so that our impact, our relationships and our care for each other and many others can continue in this place.  Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for 2018.  It is your pledge dollars and my pledge dollars that make up our budget for the coming year.  What ministry will we do?  How will we continue to support this parish and continue to make an impact in the lives of others and to offer worship in this place?  We are asking you to return your pledge no later than November 19 th when we will celebrate Thanksgiving together at one 9:00 a.m. service followed by a parish-wide brunch.  Some of you have already turned in your 2018 pledge and I thank you for your generosity.  Please know that ALL pledges matter and that we are striving for 100% support. 

See you all on Sunday,
Fran +
Thank you Community Meal Volunteers!

thumbs_up_kid_orange.jpg Last Saturday we served 77 meals at our community meal program and we provided another 40
entr é e to the PADS program.   We also received $409.00 in free will offering funds.   Additionally we were the recipients of another $250.00 through the Thrivent Charitable giving program.  Thank you for your generosity and thank you to all who carry out this ministry month to month.   God has richly blessed St. Mary's through your willingness to serve.
 
moneybag_graphic.jpg
Stewardship Season

2018 Pledge cards have been distributed.  If you did not receive a pledge card, there are extras on the table in the Narthex.  Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for 2018 as our pledge dollars are the main source of income we have to fund our ministries at St. Mary's.  Please return your pledge card no later than November 19, Pledge Sunday . On this day we will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving at one 9:00 a.m. service followed by our annual Thanksgiving brunch .


ReVive Center for Housing and Healing 
Christmas Basket Program

For many years St. Mary's has participated in the ReVive Center's Christmas Basket Program.  This is a wonderful opportunity for members of our Parish to purchase Jewel gift cards or shop for individual Christmas gifts for some of the most impoverished families and seniors of our metropolitan area. This year we have been asked to sponsor 6 seniors and 12 small families. 

You may  sign up to sponsor one or more of these individuals/families on the poster hanging in the Great Hall.  The instructions and the individual's wish list will be in the file box below the poster.

Please bring gift cards to the office , and gift items to the Nursery by 11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 19 Please Note :  This due date is the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving - one week earlier than the gifts were due in the past.

Please wrap and label the gifts (new) and put them in a cardboard box for transport to the ReVive Center.  Label the box with the family code number.  If your box isn't full, don't tape it, so we may add more gifts if necessary.

Volunteers are needed to help organize the boxes on Sunday, Nov. 19, right after the potluck brunch which follows the 9:00 am service.  

Please contact Cate Becker  if you'd like to help.   Thanks for your continued support!

Cate Becker,
2017 Christmas Basket Ministry Coordinator
All Saints' Sunday - November 5
This year in preparation for our All Saints' Sunday Celebration on Nov. 5 th , we are once again inviting people to make prayer flags for those who have died Colored paper prayer flags and markers will be available at the back of the church throughout the month of October.  Please make a flag for anyone and everyone whom you would like us to remember this All Saints' Sunday.  You may make as many flags as you wish.  The flags will be hanging in the church throughout the month of November.  You may write the person's name, dates, and/or a note about the m. 

In addition to the prayer flags, you are also invited to bring in photos of those family members and friends to be remembered.  We'll scan and print them in the office, and they will be displayed in the church, along with the flags.   Be sure to put your name on the photo so it can be returned to you.   * If you have digital copies of the photos you'd like to use, please email them to the parish office.   If you submitted photos last year, no need to resubmit them - we will use them again, unless you tell us otherwise.
   
It's Spiritwear Time Again!

Have you ever wondered about the clothing you see people wearing at church with our St. Mary's logo?  Where did they get that?  How can I buy something?

A Spiritwear Sale has been scheduled from November 5th through November 19th. Now is the time to add an item to your wardrobe with St. Mary's embroidered logo OR a screened T-shirt. We will have items on display OR choose that special piece you want from the catalog!  A variety of children's clothing is available also.  This is a great opportunity to show your support for our church!

Orders will be taken through November 19th with delivery on December 17th, just in time for Christmas gifts.  For more information please contact Tracy Higgins.
 
Men's Bible Study Reminder

The Men's Bible Study group, which meets on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m., will NOT meet this week, October 28.
Volunteers Needed

Being a Lector or an Usher on Sunday morning is a very easy, but very important ministry.   We are currently in need of a few more volunteers to "beef up" our ranks.    Lectors are needed at both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services.   Ushers are needed for the 10:00  a..m. service only.  These ministries are open to all parishioners, teens and adults alike.  

We have many parishioners who serve in multiple roles from Sunday to Sunday, and while we love and appreciate them and their dedication, it would be nice to see some new faces. 

If you are interested in either role, please contact Amy in the Parish Office, or Rev. Fran.  
St. Mary's Episcopal Church |   210 McHenry Ave.   |   Crystal Lake IL  60014-6009
815-459-1009    |    parishofc@stmarysepiscopalcl.org