The Magnificat Weekly
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Crystal Lake IL
Thursday, September 10, 2020
“From the Rector”

Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary’s,

I know that our students have all headed back to school, some online, some in person and some doing a bit of both. I am also aware that our college students have headed back to dorm rooms as they begin another year.  We also have members in our congregation who work in schools and they are now back in the their buildings, some with other faculty, and many helping students remotely. This is a difficult way to work and educate our children and youth, and all of you are amazing for all that you are doing. As we move into another school year let us pray diligently for all of the students and staff, that they will have a successful year and be safe. This is a prayer that was shared with me, which I am now inviting you to pray as we ask God to watch over the students and the staff within our parish family and beyond.

Gracious God, help all of us give thanks to you for each new day. Most especially we ask your protection and blessing on our young people and all who are students as they learn and complete their studies online and in person during these very uncertain times. Give them a hunger for learning, give them knowledge and strengthen their ability to master all of their work. We ask your blessing upon all the staff who are diligently working to help students online. We give thanks for the dedication of all educators, school nurses, custodians, technical specialists, administrators, librarians and all others who are dedicated to helping students succeed during this difficult time. Bless all the students and staff, keep them safe from all illness and harm, and bring them to each new day with an open mind and joyful heart.   Amen.  (source unknown)

We are expecting lovely weather this Sunday so please plan to join us in the courtyard for coffee following both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 am in-person services. We will also be live-streaming the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday, and will be on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. followed by a virtual coffee hour. If you are in need of home communion please contact me and we make arrangements to bring that to your home.

Please remember that the McHenry County CROP Walk is Sunday September 27th. We are seeking walkers for the St. Mary’s team, and donations as we strive to reach our $1.000. goal. All of the information can be found in this newsletter.
See you on Sunday,
SEPTEMBER 13 WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

8:00 a.m. In-Person Eucharist

9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer and Virtual Coffee Hour
  • 9:00 a.m. ZOOM Link  
  • To participate by phone only: 312-626-6799;
phone meeting ID: 826 0737 1151
  • If you are participating by phone, you can access the same service document that Zoom participants can see. Click here to view the service on your computer. (The Zoom link, phone number, and ID will remain the same every Sunday.)

10:30 a.m. In-Person Eucharist

10:30 a.m. Live-streamed service
CROP Walk ~ Sunday September 27
Gather at St. Mary’s, 1:45 p.m.
Kick off at 2:00 p.m.

The McHenry County CROP Walk will be held Sunday September 27, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. There are several ways that you can help the St. Mary’s team raise money to help eradicate hunger. 
  • You can register to walk with our team (link below): Meet at 1:45 p.m., and we will kick-off from St. Mary’s at 2:00 p.m.
  • You can do a one-mile or three-mile walk. We will have a map available, or you can choose a route of your own.
  • You can go to our Crop Walk Page and make an online donation to help us reach our $1,000. Goal. (link below)
  • You can write a check and bring it to church, or mail it in to the church office.  All checks should be made out to CWS/CROP. These checks will be turned in by our team leader, Rev. Fran. These must be turned in no later than Sunday morning September 20th in order for the donation to be credited to our team.

Please note that Living Waters Lutheran church is the host this year, however because of the pandemic we are doing a distanced walk of our own to raise the funds. Rev. Fran will be outside of St. Mary’s to sign up our walkers and to pass out special treats when the walkers return. 

To register for the CROP Walk, and/or to make a donation, please see the St. Mary's CROP Walk Team page.
Bible Study

Women's Bible Study meets in the Great Hall every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m.   All precautions are in place: hand sanitizer is available, chairs are distanced, and masks are required. All women of the parish and their friends are welcome. 

Men’s Bible Study  meets virtually every Saturday morning, at 8:00 am, on ZOOM.  All men of the parish and their friends are welcome. If you are new to the group, please contact Peter Carroll for the ZOOM link and further information.
In-Person Worship Guidelines
 
  • Maximum of 40 person in the pews.
  • Stay home if you feel sick.
  • Masks are required.
  • Sanitize and wash hands (sanitizer is available throughout the building).
  • Keep a distance of 6 ft from people you are not quarantined with at this time.
  • No singing is allowed in the church.
  • No Coffee hour at this time; you may visit outside wearing masks, and keeping properly distanced.
  • Communion will be available in a pre-sealed cup with bread / wine, or gluten free bread / juice.
  • One person in the bathrooms at a time in order to be distanced.
  • Rev. Fran will be on the altar with one LEM. We will not be using ushers, acolytes, or the altar guild at this time.
  • Disinfectant is being used to clean the church and bathrooms.
Online Resources Available for Worship / Devotions

Washington National Cathedral: Live-streaming of daily morning and evening prayer, Sunday worship, and many other resources.
Diocese of Chicago: Links to online prayer and worship from churches throughout the Diocese; Homilies and Sermons from Bishop Jeff Lee; pandemic updates and other helpful resources.
National Episcopal Church: Meditations and sermons from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; and a wealth of information/resources regarding the national Episcopal Church.
St. James Episcopal Cathedral, Chicago: Links to daily Morning Prayer via Zoom, as well as recent sermons and other resources.  
St. Mary’s YouTube Channel: Live-streamed and recorded videos of Sunday services, Virtual Choir, Pentecost service, and other musical selections.
Clergy/Staff    
Amy Noe, Parish Administrator

Parish Vestry (term expires)
Co-Wardens Steve Brooks (1/21), and Mike Higgins (1/22)
Treasurer, Cate Williams
Stacy Cook, Amy Koegel (1/21); Heather Horeled, Lorraine Taylor (1/22); Cheri Dudek, Dorothy Nyberg (1/23)

We Pray For
Parishioners: Tracy, Cindy, Betsy & Galen, Gail, Heather, El, Dorothy, Matthew, Emmett, Kristi, Elizabeth, Glenice, Shirley, and Margaret
Family/Friends: Carl & Leeanne, Douglas, Brenda, Tom, Mark, Andi, Chris, Jim & Sue, Angela, Bill; Ryan, Maria, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Rev. Bill, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Sarah Margaret, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Betty and Del, Peggy, Denise and Gabriel, Lauren, Lynn, Rachel, Kay, Cora, Saul, Brian, Billy, Gary, Kelly, Sue, Nicci, Sarah

Those Serving in the Armed Forces
Jeremy, son of John & Carolyn Kuykendall

Birthdays and Anniversaries September 10-16
9.10 Rob & Barbara Bostrom
9.13 Bob Ferraro
Barbara Wasilk
Justine Wood-Massoud
9.16 Kristi Morris
Baptism On September 5

Congratulations to Chase Adam Horn as he is welcomed into the household of God. Chase was baptized this past Saturday, September 5th at 11:30 a.m., in St. Mary’s courtyard. Congratulations to his parents Kyle and Nicole, and big brother Hunter. Grandparents and other relatives were also in attendance at this lovely event!