Grace Happenings: The Week of July 5, 2020

Grace Episcopal Church

Fifth Sunda y after Pentecost

July 5, 2020

Birthdays

Richard Luther

Eleanor Boehler

Rector's Ramblings

I'm giving up my space today for the following EXCITING NEWS!

See you on Zoom,

Gloria+

The Date is Set!

Gloria and I received word a few days ago that Bishop Lee is going to come to Galena for my ordination!

This has been a wonderful journey for me - I have learned a lot and experienced support and encouragement from all of you. (And I will be officially assigned to minister at Grace Galena!) I wish it were possible for me to invite all of you to my ordination, but due to the pandemic that is not possible. Instead, along with my family, I have selected a few people to represent ministries in which I have been active including Vestry (current and when I was a member), EfM, choir, Worship Committee, and of course, my Discernment Committee. Richard and I are also making arrangements to have the service recorded so that it can be viewed from the Grace webpage. I will be ordained on August 1 at 1:00 pm, at Grace, a church filled with people I have come to love. I ask for your prayers, that I might serve God in this new

phase of ministry.

Diane

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

RESULTS OF OUR POLL

Many thanks to all who took the time to respond about your interest in returning to in-person worship if we should reopen within the next few weeks. Your response was very helpful as it showed that we will need to use a reservation system in order to avoid having "no room in the inn."

The number of "yes" responses comes very close to our limit of 25% of our capacity. So, if everyone on the list came on the same Sunday, we might exceed the

limit by just a few. That limit means that there will be 21 spaces in the nave (not including the altar party and organist). As of today, the "yeses" fill 18 of those spaces with 26 people (10 singles and 8 couples). There are still a few responses that have not yet come in--and some have not yet decided. We also must make certain that we have room for a visitor or two.

When a reopening date is scheduled, everyone will need to reserve in advance each week. We expect that the reservation form will be on-line--the same as the one you used for the poll or similar. Instructions and the time the sign-up will be available will be provided at a later date.

Sign-up Calendar View

REOPENING PLANS

The Vestry Task Force expects to submit its plan for reopening to the Bishop's office by next week. ONLY WHEN IT IS APPROVED WILL WE BE PERMITTED TO RE-ENTER. The Bishop and our Vestry will continue monitoring the COVID-19 statistics in Illinois, and the task force will be implementing the safety procedures outlined in the plan. That plan will be then be made available.

Several steps have been scheduled over the next two or three weeks: On July 6, the task force will do a "walk through" of the church to remove any remaining items that might complicate the tasks of cleaning, determine placement of signage and sanitation items, and see if there are details we have not considered.

On July 16, a Zoom training will be held for all who will be involved as Vestry Coordinators, Greeters, or others involved in the logistics of worship. A separate training will be held for the altar guild and those who serve at the altar. If all goes well and there is no spike in statistics, a Wednesday morning service is planned for July 22 will serve as a "soft" opening. Given the good news above about Diane's scheduled ordination, we hope to have our first in-person Sunday service the week prior on the 26th.

Meanwhile, online worship and other gatherings will continue. Mail is being picked up and bills are being paid and deposits of pledge payments are being made..

If you wish to read the Bishop's Task Force Guidelines for re-opening, please click this Reopening Guideline.

Episcopal Church Actions

Episcopal Public Policy Network REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON ASYLUM RULE:

On June 15, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a new rule, "Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review." The proposed rule is one among many actions that have been aimed at making legal immigration harder and would severely restrict access to asylum in the U.S., putting the world's most vulnerable in further danger. These changes to established pathways to protection are a direct violation of domestic and international human rights law. Read further at this link: action

Peace and Justice Committee encourages
signatures on ACLU petition "Help Stop Federal Executions"

After a 17-year hiatus, the federal government has scheduled four executions to take place between July 13 and August 28 at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Peace and Justice Committee encourage all Episcopalians who oppose the death penalty to sign the Americans Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) petition to stop federal executions.

At the 182nd Annual Convention, the Diocese of Chicago passed resolution I-182, reaffirming the Episcopal Church's official opposition to capital punishment and urging "all parishes and missions and individual members of the Diocese...to work actively to suspend the implementation of the death penalty and to abolish capital punishment at the federal level, and to oppose the reintroduction of capital punishment in the State of Illinois." The Peace and Justice Committee of the diocese is charged with monitoring and reporting on related activities.

This Sunday

READINGS:

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67: Isaac's servant goes back to Abraham's homeland to find a wife for him. He meets Rebekah, who responds according the sign he had asked of God, and so he brings her back to Isaac who marries her.

Song of Solomon 2:8-13: A love song in which the Lover invites the Beloved to come away and enjoy the world which is bursting with the life of Spring.

Romans 7:15-25a: Paul laments his struggle to do the good that he wants to do, while the sin nature within him leads him to do what he doesn't want to do, but he celebrates Christ who provides freedom from this struggle.

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30: Jesus laments the resistance and misunderstanding of those who judged both John and him, and gives thanks that God reveals wisdom only to the childlike. Then he invites those who are burdened to come to him and receive rest.

In the face of all the effects of human brokenness on the world, the invitation of Christ may seem ineffectual and faith in Christ's liberating reign may seem naive. But, we have also discovered that human capacity alone cannot address the burdens and struggles we face. It is increasingly important that people of faith resist the temptation of cynicism and pessimism, and allow themselves to be empowered and inspired by the Christ we follow. It is increasingly necessary for us to live our faith in the daily choices that impact the realities of our world, and in extending Christ's invitation to others. This doesn't necessarily mean preaching or seeking to convert others. It is more likely to mean working alongside the least to ease their burdens and to stand against the unjust people and institutions that oppress and enslave. It means allowing our faith and hope to inspire how we choose to buy, eat, dress, drive and vote. It means praying, thinking and learning globally, while acting and contributing locally. At it's heart, receiving Christ's invitation is more than just a personal experience of peace and rest. It is a call to be those who seek to draw others into Christ's rest along with us, and to spread Christ's peace and mercy as far as we can, in whatever way we can.

Thumbprints and commentaries from:

sacredise.com

Formation Ministry News

Wednesday Morning Study Group

Communal Bible Study affords an enjoyable and fulfilling way to grow spiritually and exchange insights with fellow parishioners, especially during the pandemic. We currently are studying the Gospel of Matthew. All are welcome Wednesday mornings, 10:30 - 11:30. Contact Greg Serwich for a Zoom invitation.

Meditative Prayer 9:00am Fridays - NEW!!

Looking for a way to improve your prayer life, to open your heart, mind and soul to the Holy Spirit? Consider joining the Centering Prayer Group Friday mornings for about forty minutes of meditative prayer: twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina. Contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com) for a Zoom invitation which includes a description of these types of prayer.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Is next September your time to start EfM? Or continue EfM after a break? Here are some details that might interest you:

The theme for next year is: Living into the Journey with God.

The two interlude books are The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel and Hospitable Plant by Stephen Jurobics. All textbooks and the two interlude books are included in the tuition fee.

Education for Ministry (EfM) is open to anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of their faith.

Anyone who studied under the previous format (with the big red binders) is welcome to jump into any one of the four years, like Mary Lou Smith did last year.

For a registration form or more information, please contact Lynn Giles at 815-757-2011 or lynngiles@lynngilesphotography.com.

Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!

Pentecost Season Worship

Sunday services will begin at our usual 10:30 time on Zoom. They will also be recorded and uploaded as quickly as possible for those unable to participate on Zoom. The uploads will appear on the church's Facebook page, @FullyGrace and on the Grace website.

Wednesday morning services and Bible Study are also on Zoom each week. If you would like to add your name to any of these participant lists, please e-mail the church office.

Ministry of Care

Here at Grace, The Ministry of Care has organized regular phone and e-mail contact with our most vulnerable members. If you are in need of assistance,or pick-up and delivery of prescriptions or emergency supplies, please contact Bonnielynn Kreiser. Also contact her if you are able to help out. And, of course, your clergy are available by phone, text, and e-mail to provide pastoral care,

Outreach Ministries

Current list of needs for needy in Galena:

(although money can always be used)

cleaning supplies

baby wipes

feminine products

size 6 diapers

laundry detergent

outdoor toys for kids (all ages)

toilet paper

paper towels

cleaning sponges

fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, grapes are popular)

Anything can be dropped off on the porch of

704 Park Avenue, Galena . Thank you!

Women and Friends Make a Difference

Other Outreach News

During this COVID-19 pandemic, donations have been made to the ARC for the childcare it is providing for children of essential workers and to the Hispanic Council, Galena Chapter for assistance to those in need. Like our other regular donations, the funds come from the portion of Endowment income allocated to the Outreach Ministries. Its budget, in addition to recurring local, regional, and international organizations, includes a portion that unables us to address unexpected crises and needs.

Leadership

Vestry Liaisons

V estry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various ministries and the Vestry, to represent the ministries for resources or policy issues, and to support their events an d activities.

Worship:                          Rector
Building and Grounds: Greg Serwich (Sr. Warden 2019-2021)
Worship Committee:    Charlotte Stryker (class of 2022)
Formation and Spirituality:   Elizabeth Ludescher (class of 2022)

Fellowship & Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)

Ministry of Care/LEMs: Nancy Cook (class of 2023)

Outreach: Tony Packard (class of 2021)

Communications: Eric Kallback(class of 2023)

Governance: Wardens & Rector

Officers: Greg Serwich, Senior Warden

Lynn Giles, Junior Warden,

Richard Luther, Treasurer

Diann Marsh, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector

Staff: Robin French, Director of Music

Nancy Cook, Erben Organist

Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator

Chris Ludescher, Nursery Attendant

This Sunday

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

July 5, 2020

Zoom Worship-10:30 am

Meeting ID: 897 2031 6226

At the end of worship and exchanging the peace, we will again offer a Zoom conversation time where you will spend about 15 minutes in a break-out room with a few others parishioners.

For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:

The Lectionary

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Ministers of the

Service:

Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell

Lector: Nancy Cook

Intercessor: Bill Foltz

Pianist: Robin French

Next Sunday's Readings:

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

July 12, 2020

Genesis 25:19-34

Psalm 119:105-112

Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Grace's Prayer List

For a current prayer list, click on the following link:
Grace Prayer List

The Request For Prayers notebook is in the Narthex/ Entrance area of the Church. Please feel free to request prayers for yourself or others at any time by filling out a form or contacting the office by either phone or email. May we first and always be "a people of prayer."