News from St. Helena's Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 22, 2019

The Molting Church The past two weeks have been a joyous experience, not just because we have been celebrating the last 60 years of St. Helena's history, but because we've also been looking ahead to what comes next. The truth is that I don't know exactly what that will look like, but I am confident that God is working with us to create something beautiful. I'm learning to trust that God knows what God is doing. I believe this, because of the signs of vibrant life throughout our small, intimate community. If we judge our church by its fruits, then we have ample reason to rejoice. Our closeness as a community continues to grow, as does our energy for worship, learning, and service to the community. According to your own stories, St. Helena's has more going for it now than it did when we were twice or three times as large. That is a sign that God has given us everything we need to thrive. If, as Bishop Lee says, the Church is "molting," then we are part of that larger phenomenon of coming out of our shell, leaving behind old ways of being Church, while still carrying with us the essence of who we are. Now that we have started the program year, I hope that you will avail yourself of the many opportunities to become connected at St. Helena's. We have an exciting array of Christian formation offerings, worship services, and outreach and volunteer activities planned that will continue to give life to our community. As I preached on September 8th, the Church is made not of bricks, mortar, or wooden beams, but of "living stones" people, each of whom offers something unique to the Body of Christ in Burr Ridge. Abundant blessings, Fr. Ethan+

Mass Time Change Beginning Sunday, October 6 At last Sunday's vestry meeting, the results of the recent poll on the time of the Sunday Mass were discussed. It was decided based on the congregation's input that St. Helena's will change its Sunday Mass time to 9:30 am, beginning October 6.

Highlights of Last Sunday's Vestry Meeting For those unable to attend last Sunday's vestry meeting, here are a few of the major discussion items and decisions: The vestry appointed Eileen Robinson and Fred Boskovich as new vestry members to replace those who resigned and finalized delegates to Diocesan Convention. The vestry approved immediate repair of the rectory roof, which is in serious disrepair, and accepted the bid that was submitted by the contractor. The vestry decided to change the time of the Sunday Mass to 9:30 am, beginning October 6th. The vestry discussed the calendar of parish events through the end of the year. The Rector alerted the vestry to two new mission opportunities open to parish members: volunteering at the monthly Lyonsville Congregationalist UCC food pantry and collections for the children's charity, Cradles to Crayons.

Soul Kitchen This Wednesday Soul Kitchen continues this Wednesday, September 18 at the home of Jan and Dave Shangle (11441 73rd Place, Burr Ridge, IL) at 6:30 pm. The discussion will be preceded by dinner at 5:15 pm at Willow Hills Restaurant at 6678 S. Joliet Road in Indian Head Park for those who are interested. Can't make it in person? Check out the Soul Kitchen group on our Facebook page , and join the discussion. Online Soul Kitchen debate for this week : How do you respond to traditional understandings of "Heaven" and "Hell"? Do they still have relevance today? Why or why not?

Photos from Last Sunday's Celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Check out the photos from last Sunday's Exaltation of the Holy Cross on St. Helena's Facebook page! Many thanks to photographer, Eileen Robinson, for beautifully documenting our 60th Anniversary.

Fr. Ethan's Homilies from St. Helena's 60th Anniversary Fr. Ethan's homilies from the last two Sundays for St. Helena's 60th Anniversary are now available on YouTube: "Dreams of Living Stones" and "The Death of Christendom."

Pastoral Care Update Our music director, Frank Showers, has been diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma, for which he has already begun chemotheraphy. He is doing well and is currently spending some time in a rehabilitation clinic before going home. This week, Frank has been back and forth between the University of Chicago Hospital for his chemotheraphy and the rehabilitation center, Symphony of South Shore. We will know later this week where he will settle and be able to receive visitors. He would still love to have your prayers, phone calls, and text messages. His cell phone number is (708) 990-8877. Thank you, Fr. Ethan+

Pet Blessing and Grocery Bag Drop on Sunday, October 6. St. Helena's will have its annual Pet Blessing on Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 am. Bring your cats, dogs, birds. and other furry and feathery friends to church to give thanks for their companionship and the for God's love of Creation. And, of course, Fr. Ethan will bring his sugar gliders, Flip Flop, Lollipop, and Cilantro! Also on October 6, we will be dropping empty grocery bags at our neighbors' doors to encourage them to fill the bags with food and other supplies to stock the parish's Blessing Pantry. The following Sunday, October 13, we will return to collect the filled bags. This will be a wonderful opportunity to engage the local community in our hunger ministry and raise our neighbors' awarement of the good work St. Helena's is doing.

Picking Up the Prayer Book Adult Formation On October 13 and 27, Fr. Ethan will be offering a workshop called, "Picking Up the Prayer Book." This practical and hands-on workshop will help people learn to navigate the Book of Common Prayer in Sunday worship, as well as to raise awareness about many of the less familiar parts of the Prayer Book that can enrich one's personal prayer life.

Vestry Meeting, Sunday, October 20, at 10:45 am. All are encouraged to attend.

Fr. Ethan Away on September 29 Fr. Ethan will be away on vacation on Sunday, September 29. Please give a warm welcome to the Rev. Dr. Anthony Vaccaro, who will be our guest celebrant and preacher that day.

Mark Your Calendars! Stewardship Campaign Begins Sunday, October 6 This year's stewardship theme from the Episcopal Church is "Shining Our Light." This campaign will run from Sunday, October 6 through Sunday, November 17, when we will do an in-gathering of all the pledge forms. During this time, there will be a weekly bulletin insert about some aspect of stewardship; and each week, a different person will offer a few words during the announcements to express what St. Helena's means to them, as a way of making our practice of generous stewardship personal.

September Prayer List Birthdays/Anniversaries 9/1 Mulder Dick & Kathrine Kielma (wedding anniversary)  9/15 Katie Rigley  9/16 Sharon Kibby 9/18 Jason Peters 9/20 Dale Kibby 9/21 Danielle Peters 9/21 Marilyn Eshoo 9/22 Alyssa Smith 9/28 Dick Mulder  The Homebound Ruth Hanna

The Departed 9/1/14 Stephen L. Carter 9/2/97 Pamela Armstrong 9/6/67 Thomas Henry 9/7/95 Emily Jones 9/11/01 The victims of the terrorist attacks on our nation 9/26/84 Dolores Harrison The Grieving The Rev'd Daryce Hoff Nolan and the Nolan Family The Bansley Family The Sick Frank Showers David Oommen

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer   The WEEK of September 1 — The Dioceses of Province Five: Springfield; Missouri; Milwaukee; Fond du Lac; Southern Ohio; Ohio; Michigan; Eastern Michigan; and our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk in South Sudan   The WEEK of September 8 — The Dioceses of Province Five: Indianapolis; Northern Indiana; Eau Claire; Northern Michigan; Western Michigan; Chicago; and our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk in South Sudan   The WEEK of September 15 — The following bodies of the Episcopal Church: The General Convention; The House of Bishops; The House of Clerical and Lay Deputies; The Executive Council   The WEEK of September 22 — Diocesan Agencies: Bishop & Trustees; Diocesan Council, Diocesan Foundation, Episcopal Charities & Community Services; and Standing Committee   The WEEK of September 29 — Commissions of the Diocese: Congregations Commission; Commission on Ministry; Anti-Racism Commission Don't see your name or need to make a correction? Send us an email and let us know . Access the full monthly Prayer List here.

September Sundays September 1 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost September 8 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Eucharistic BBQ and Celebration of St. Helena's 60th Anniversary September 15 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross (transferred), followed by the vestry meeting! September 22 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 29 - St. Michael and All Angels

Weekly events Wednesday "Soul Kitchen" faith discussion group @ 6:30 pm. Sunday Holy Eucharist with music and homily, 9 am, 9:30 am beginning October 6

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