SE Mexico Celebrations

The Diocese of Southeast Mexico recently consecrated a new bishop who will succeed Bp. Benito. Both Bp. Benito and the new bishop, Bp. Julio, will be visiting the Diocese of Chicago this month. There are, in particular, two events that you might wish to attend.

   

Over the years I've been to many churches. A couple that will not fade from memory are Old St. Pat's in Chicago and St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco.

 

Karen and I were members of Old St. Pat's when its drab interior was restored, uncovering beautiful Celtic images from the Book of Kells (all around, like the stenciling here at Grace). We attended the Eucharist at St. Gregory's. The Greek Orthodox icons and images of dancing saints along the top of the walls were breath taking. Also memorable was the way the choir gathered to sing its rehearsed hymns, but disbursed amongst the congregation (as our choir now does) to stimulate singing by all.

 

Karen and I now are blessed to be members Grace Church, Galena, a small church in a remote town that, with its worship services and elegant beauty, "punches above its weight". It's a gift handed down by the faithful who preceded us, and one that we now maintain and preserve for the faithful yet to come. Of course, there's much more to Grace Church than its beauty and liturgical music. There are the people and the abundance of love and grace.

 

In his testimony at the Prayer Service last Sunday, Jim Berry spoke of the wonderful impression the people made on him and Ann when they first worshipped here, outshining the offsetting physical condition of the church. (It was cold, musty and uncomfortable... in sore need of refurbishment.) Later at coffee hour Jim also described to me how the Erban organist had to wear a fur coat and heated gloves to stay warm during the service. (Think awhile about that image... the dedication.)

 

Speaking of keeping warm, for about twenty years, two gas furnaces have been dedicated to heating the church. Recently the one that also heats the chapel failed; so in a sense, our church is "flying on one heat engine". Given the season and the wear and tear on the surviving furnace, we thought it wise to order the replacement of both units. Thankfully, we can afford it. Then too, the cost of the replacing the furnaces will be less than buying fur coats and heated gloves for our regular musicians, Nancy (Erban Organist) and Robin (Choir Director).

 

That isolated episode, involving the integration of volunteers (Building & Grounds, the Treasurer and Vestry), contractors and generous monetary donations from people like you, demonstrates how and why Grace Church is able to continue week by week, year by year, generation by generation.

 

Getting back to the grace and love at Grace Church, there also is wisdom (a/k/a the upside of aging). Roughly six years ago during a drive to an out-of-town training event, Karen and I had our first opportunity to spend time talking to Mary Lou (a tiny woman who looms large and sings like a bird). What will not fade from my memory of that trip is the pearl of wisdom Mary Lou shared: "You get out of church what you put into it."

 

God bless,

Greg Serwich, Senior Warden