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From the Interim Rector
This Fragile Earth, Our Island Home
Martin Luther, sixteenth century reformer, has said that our Lord has written the promise of Resurrection, not in books alone but in every green leaf in spring-time. In creation we see God's promise of renewal and also our call to be stewards of all God's creation, of all God's living things. How many times have you paused in wonder at the beauty of our natural world, looking out on Lake Michigan, hiking through one of our parks, beholding the "God light" when the sun's rays burst out from behind a cloud.
It is interesting that Easter this year ushers in both Earth Day on Monday and Arbor Day tomorrow. Creation care is more critical now than ever before, especially when there are those in the public arena who deny climate change and implement policies that continue to threaten our air, water, land and bio-sustainability. Nobel laureate, Wangarĩ Muta Maathai writes that "In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace." Most recently youth are leading the call to action recognizing that it is their future and their lives that are most significantly impacted and they are mobilizing for action around the globe. One climate scientist has observed that "They speak with a moral clarity and determination that is unmatched by anyone or anything else."
The scope of creation care can seem overwhelming and incredibly challenging. However there is much that each of us can do to take steps toward environmental sustainability. First, please attend the forum "Going Greener" following worship this Sunday. Environmental advocate Megan Lanz will be with us to share ways that we can make a positive impact on God's good creation. You can also take the Episcopal Creation Care pledge and find out more at
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/creation-care/pledge
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We ask your prayers...
On Sunday we were shocked to hear of the horrid bombings in Sri Lanka, our hearts breaking especially for members of our Christian family who suffered these violent attacks while they were celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. We join with others in prayer for our Christian siblings who were martyred on this most holy day.
Suffering Lord, whose heart breaks when the innocent perish; pour your compassion
on the mourning in Sri Lanka, bring justice and light to those who kill and maim out of bigotry and vengeance; and help us to see your light in this most grievous darkness. We ask this in the name of the One who died and rose for us, who with the Creator and Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
And let us also remember that last month in New Zealand the victims were Muslin, last fall in Pittsburgh they were Jewish...attacked while at worship. We join in praying for an end to religious bigotry and the violence it inspires.
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Fourth Sunday Anointing Oil & Healing Prayer This Sunday
Beginning this Sunday, April 28, and continuing every 4th Sunday of the month, a clergy person will be available in the Mary Chapel after communion to offer prayer and anointing with healing oil. We hope you will join us in prayer and experience the faint aroma of healing oil in our chapel space--a reminder of God's presence in the storms of this life. If you have any questions, please contact
Suzi or
Andrew.
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"Going Greener" Forum This Sunday
One of the questions we are asked when we renew our Baptismal Covenant is "Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God's creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?" and we respond, "I will, with God's help." Creation care is a commitment we make as faithful members of the household of God. There are many ways big and small that we can do this. As we live into the new life of Easter and celebrate Earth Day (April 22) please join us after the service this Sunday, April 28, for a discussion led by guest presenter Meg Lanz, environmental sustainability advocate, about ways to "Go Greener" both at home and here at St. A's.
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Sign Up for Rector Search Small Group Discussions
The Rector Search Committee wants to hear from you! Please consider participating in a small group discussion to share your insights on who we are as a church community and your hopes and dreams as we move forward to calling our next Rector. Groups will be up to ten members and run about an hour. Please
click here to sign up online or sign up on the bulletin board. Questions? Please
email Becky Wright or call her at 612-669-9336.
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Thank You!
We wanted to take a moment to thank all those who, through combined efforts, pulled off a blessed Holy Week and Easter that was simply beautiful.
For all those who coordinated and cooked for the Maundy Thursday meal, and prepared for the Foot Washing, we thank you. To the Altar Guild and Flower Guild, for all the hours spent getting us ready for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter; it was indeed fine work and we thank you. To all those who organized the children's Good Friday service and the children's Easter Egg Hunt--your ministry to our children was incredible and we thank you. To all those who coordinated the Vigil and Sunday receptions and to all those who brought food to share--we thank you. To all the liturgical servers, readers, ushers, counters, and reception coordinators, and musicians and choristers--your offering of time and talents made all the difference and we thank you. To all those who came to sit vigil with our Lord, God bless you and we thank you. To our clergy and staff--for bulletins, for sermons, and for the hours spent planning and practicing, we thank you. To all who participated and took part--we thank you. That makes all the difference.
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Prayer Shawl Guild This Saturday
Knitters and crocheters of any skill level (and those wanting to learn) are invited to the next gathering of the Prayer Shawl Ministry this
Saturday, April 27, 2-4pm, at Tina Haight's home (950 Augusta Way #301, Highland Park).
New participants are always welcome; patterns are provided. Bring some refreshments to share if you like.
Please
contact Tina
to let her know if you can attend. The meeting will also include a Rector Search Small Group Discussion, so please come to discuss while we knit!
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"The Long Shadow" Screening at St. A's May 18, 1-4pm
As part of the diocesan Antiracism Commission's efforts, St. Augustine's will host a screening of "The Long Shadow," a powerful documentary film on the origins and legacy of slavery.
Click here to watch the trailer and learn more about the film. A conversation will follow the screening to explore strategies to build understanding and promote racial healing. So that we can make sure enough seats and snacks are prepared, please
click here to RSVP or sign up on the bulletin board. Questions? Please contact Sam Love.
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Family Promise Host Week May 19-26
Many hands will be needed to provide for our guest families who are in transition from being homeless to independent housing. Please consider helping to cook/serve a dinner or be an overnight host. Sign-ups will be coming soon.
This week we celebrate three families whom we hosted at St. Augustine's since January. They have finished the Family Promise program and are moving into apartments this month. Many thanks to everyone who gave hands-on support to the families of Dominiquica, Alexandria and D'Erin during our host weeks and all who support the Family Promise program through donations, auction purchases and your annual pledge (support of outreach grants). Thank you!
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Weekly Altar Flower Donations
If you would like to donate the Sunday altar flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, please sign up on the bulletin board or
contact Theresa. Your dedication will be listed in the Sunday bulletin. Sample wording: "The altar flowers are given in loving memory of / honor of / thanksgiving for..." The suggested donation is $65; please make your check payable to St. Augustine's with "Weekly Altar Flowers" in the memo. You may also make your donation in Realm; go to Giving, +Give (or on the app: Make a gift) and select "Weekly Altar Flowers" from the drop-down menu. Your dedication should be submitted to Theresa by the preceding Tuesday. Please note that requests for special flower arrangements cannot be honored.
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Family Promise Mother-Daughter Brunch May 4
The Family Promise Junior Board is hosting a Mother-Daughter Brunch on May 4th at 10am at the Kenilworth Union Church (211 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth). Cost: $20/person. Please
click here to RSVP.
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Magdalene House Chicago Annual Benefit Concert May 10
Magdalene House Chicago is a home for positive personal change in Chicago's anti-sex trafficking industry. MHC promise women the flexibility, advocacy, and humanity they need to heal and become leaders. MHC's 2nd Annual Benefit Concert will be on Friday, May 10th at the Oak Park Country Club. The main speaker at the event is survivor leader and Magdalene House Nashville graduate, Jennifer Clinger, who will share her story and healing journey. Then, you'll hear about MHC's exciting plans to secure a home in the Austin neighborhood and open its doors in February 2020! For more information or to purchase tickets, please
click here or call (516) 384-1169. Questions? Please see or
email Andrew+. MHC is a 2018 grant recipient of St. Augustine's Christian Outreach Program.
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Announcements, Calendar, Prayer List Updates
If you would like to submit an announcement for our Thursday e-newsletter and Sunday bulletin, add an event to our church calendar, or add/delete a name on our prayer list, please send to Theresa Kimball, our Parish Administrator, at
augustine@staschurch.org
.
Please note: To include your one-paragraph submission in the Thursday Parish Life Connections and Announcements in the Sunday bulletin, it must be received
by 5:00pm the preceding Tuesday. Submissions received after that time will be included the following week. Submissions may be edited for length and content.
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Coming Events at St. Augustine's
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