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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Second Sunday in Advent
December 5, 2021
Morning Prayer, 10:30 am
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December 5, 2021
The State of Illinois has officially issued a directive for masking at indoor gatherings for all who are two years old or older regardless of inoculation status. Out of concern for those who cannot yet be vaccinated or whose immune systems are compromised, we respectfully request that you comply and wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth.
Our diocese has requested that each church regularly review the CDC map that has
four stages of COVID risk and make decisions accordingly about safety precautions.
Jo Daviess County's risk factor (and that of the entire state of Illinois) is now in the highest category.
The only other precaution reinstated at this time is to suspend contact during the Peace.
Please be cautious and also be prepared for changes at any time.
Social hour is suspended.
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Ministers of the Service
Members & Guests, Celebrants
Rev. Diane Luther, Preacher
Tom Van Gelder, Officiant
Greg Serwich, Lector
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Eric Kallback, Vestry Coordinator
Ann Berry & Amy Hardwicke, Altar Guild
Charlotte Stryker, Greeter
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MEMBER MOMENT
We said goodbye to my Great Aunt Bev on Tuesday. She was 79 and the last of my grandma’s sisters. My grandmother was one of nine and now only four are left. Each time my family has a member near death, I am still awestruck by how we come together. On Monday and Tuesday, when we knew she was near death and Hospice had been called in, so many family members came to say goodbye. Platters of food were brought, tears were shed, and love was evident in that small house. Stories were shared and memories, too. Laughter was present amid our grief, and Aunt Bevvy’s 3 youngest great grandchildren still needed attention and reassurance.
It is in times of grief that we see God most at work. For me, looking at my adored Aunt laying in the hospital bed brought about a moment of deja vu so intense it knocked me to my knees. My granny and Bev always looked the most alike, and even in death they looked identical. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve sworn my granny was in that bed, eyes closed, hair mussed. The pain of my grandma’s death came back fierce and fast, and I collapsed into the arms of my cousin, Bre, who is Bev’s granddaughter. “I just can’t. She looks just like granny lying there. Oh my goodness, this really hurts.” Even in Bre’s grief, her beloved Gram soon to be in the arms of Jesus, she held me and let me cry.
I’m grateful our family is so close. We hold each other up and would do anything to help someone in need. These next few days will be difficult, but I know how much Bev was loved. And I know that all she wanted was to be with her husband again. She has waited 32 years to be reunited with him in heaven. I know that moment was beautiful.
Elizabeth Ludescher
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Events this Week:
Sunday 12/5
Morning Prayer 10:30am online (YouTube)
and in-person
Social Hour is suspended at this time.
Monday 12/6
Poetry Group 2:00pm
Finance Committee 5:30pm
Search Committee 6:30pm
Bill Boehler's Birthday
Tuesday 12/7
Compline online 8:30pm
Dave Mikelson's Birthday
Wednesday 12/8
Midweek Worship online and in-person 7:30am
Morning Study Group on Zoom 10:00am
Mary Lou Smith's Birthday
Carol Most's Birthday
Thursday 12/9
Friday 12/10
Centering Prayer online 9:00 am
Saturday 12/11
Choir Practice 10am
Important Links:
Office Hours
9:00am-Noon, Tuesday through Friday
Sr. Warden Office Hours
The Sr. Warden will have office hours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am until 2pm.
ROTA (11-7-21 to 4-24-22)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN
If you did not bring your pledge on Sunday, November 21st, you may put it in the collection plate on December 5th. It would be helpful if all the pledges were received by December 6th.
Thank you!
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November 22, 2021
Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my husband, Andrew McLean. He transitioned peacefully this morning at Washington Hospital. My family and I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continued prayers and love.
We will announce memorial arrangements when they are confirmed.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Paula E. Clark
Bishop-elect
photo: Andrew McLean in front of Washington National Cathedral on December 26, 2020
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SEARCH COMMITTEE
Small Group conversations are completed. The Search Committee will tabulate all the ideas gathered.
Rector Search Committee Members
Steve Coates & Pete Stryker, Co-chairs
Greg Anderson, Teresa Burke, Elizabeth Ludescher, Dave Mikelson and Joy Von Wolffersdorff
Their contact information is available in the church directory on our website at this link: directory
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QUIET TIME AT GRACE
Lori Erickson, one of America’s top travel writers specializing in spiritual journeys, is the author of The Soul of the Family Tree, Near the Exit, and Holy Rover. Her articles and essays have appeared in numerous publications, She created the website Spiritual Travels featuring spiritual sites around the world. Lori lives in Iowa City, Iowa.
Lori will lead the Advent Quiet Time at Grace Episcopal Church on Saturday,
December 4th from noon until 4 pm. A quiet day is a time of discussion and reflection that resembles a mini-retreat. Lori will lead us in a discussion and reflection of matters of ancestry. How do we reconcile those uncomfortable parts of our heritage, whether bloodthirsty Vikings, proponents of the Doctrine of Discovery or slave-owning institutions, with our contemporary sensibilities?
The suggested donation is $10. Register by leaving a message at (815) 777-2590 or texting (815) 757-2011. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required!
Choir will practice from 9:30 to 11:00am that day.
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MINISTRY OF CARE
Because of the many volunteers willing to help out with calls, rides, errands, meals, etc., the Ministry of Care won’t miss a beat while our search for a new rector is ongoing.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Bonnielynn Kreiser at 815-777-1468 or 815-291-9005 if you are in need. Also know that our clergy are available to meet your spiritual needs
as well.
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POINSETTIA ORDERS
There are sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall entry and in the Narthex for Poinsettia Orders for Christmas. The plants are $15.00 each. Any questions, please call or email Ann Berry.
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UNITED CHURCHES OF GALENA
R.I.P. Medical Debt
Several of our UCG Churches will participate in raising funds for this not-for-profit called R.I.P.Medical Debt that buys debt to assist families overwhelmed and crippled by medical bills for serious diseases. In the seven years since its inception, more than $5 billion in debt has been forgiven. To learn how this works, please see the article that Jim McCrae has written for his congregation. R.I.P. Info
As an Advent project, moneys will be raised by our churches to donate to R.I.P. We already have one $5,000 gift from a member of 1st Presbyterian Church that will turn into $500,000 of debt forgiveness. This may seem too good to be true, but the evidence is clear and compelling.
Our Grace Outreach Ministries have committed to a donation; I (Gloria) will be giving personally as well as from the Rector's Discretionary Fund. If you wish to join me, a tax-deductible contribution can be made to Grace with "R.I.P. Medical Debt" in the memo line.
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HEIFER PROJECT
Did you know that 821 million people go to bed hungry every night? That is around 1 of every 9 people in the world, and 45% of children under age 5 die each year due to malnutrition. There’s a saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Heifer International provides healthy animals and teaches people how to care for them.
One of the most important aspects of the Heifer Program is the “Passing of the Gift.” Each person who receives an animal or pair of animals promises to breed the animal and give the first offspring to another family in their village. In this way, an entire village can become self-sufficient food wise by people sharing the gift of what they received.
And Heifer International knows no boundaries, providing animals to people all over the world, including the USA. What better way to give a gift of an animal - and a better life for people - than to give it as a gift to someone who has “everything”! When you think about the abundance in your life, please prayerfully consider making a donation to Heifer International this Christmas.
Please make your check out to Grace Church and put the notation "Heifer” at the bottom.
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
SOCIAL HOUR SUSPENDED
Coffee and conversation has been suspended due to COVID.
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TRAIN ON DISPLAY
Phil & Terri Jackman's N-scale train layout is on display now at Crossroads Community Church, 900 Galena Square Dr., from 4pm to 7pm on Thursdays & Fridays and from
1-5pm on weekends through December 19th.
Canned food donations will be accepted and given to local food pantries.
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FORMATION NEWS
We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. All are welcome to join us to enhance their knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their lives. Lately we’ve been studying the Gospel of Luke. Anyone needing a Zoom invitation can contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com).
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COMPLINE on Zoom 8:30pm on Tuesdays
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads a service of Compline. She has been participating in the service that has previously been offered to the Diocese of Chicago by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. This service of the Daily Office in our Book of Common Prayer is a brief, contemplative service that is ideal for prayerful letting go of the cares of the day and preparing for a restful night. Find the link button above.
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MEDITATIVE PRAYER 9:00am on Fridays
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.
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MORNING PRAYER: SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Luke1:68-79 (Song of Zechariah
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 3:1-6
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ZOOM POETRY GROUP 2:00pm on Mondays
A Zoom Poetry meeting from Grace Church has been organized and meets Mondays at 2:00pm. This is not specifically a Grace ministry, but a number of Grace members and friends are part of it If you are interested, write Carol Poston at poston@sxu.edu or call her at 815-777-0220.
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An Episcopal Service of Holy Eucharist 11/7/21,
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Donna Davis, Intercessor; Carmen Ferguson, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Lynn Giles, Tech Coordinator
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The Rev. Thomas Scott, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Elizabeth Ludescher, Intercessor; Nancy Cook, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Lynn Giles, Tech Coordinator
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Debbie Kallback, Officiant; Phil Jackman, Lay Homilist, Carol Poston, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Lynn Giles, Tech Coordinator
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REOPENING CHURCH
Hybrid worship has resumed for both in-person and streaming congregations in line with
Diocesan guidelines and Phase 5 of the State of Illinois COVID recovery.
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
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Staff:
The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate
The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
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Charlotte Stryker: Worship
Elizabeth Ludescher: Communications
Nancy Cook: Outreach
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
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Grace Episcopal Church Office:
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590
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