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Worship Times
Sundays, 8 & 10 am
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A Nursery is available
during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Coffee Hour fellowship follows both services;
join us for treats, and conversation.
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Clergy & Staff
Amy Noe, Parish Administrator
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Parish Vestry
(term expires)
Steve Brooks, Warden
(1/21)
Mike HIggins, Warden (1/22)
Cate Williams, Treasurer
Members:
(1/21)
Stacy Cook, Amy Koegel
(1/22) Heather Horeled, Lorraine Taylor
(1/23) Cheri Dudek, Dorothy Nyberg
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We Pray For
Parishioners: Stacy,
Justine, Elizabeth, Galen & Betsy, Cindy, John, Glenice, Elmer, Shirley, Gladys, El, Carol, Margaret,
John, Matthew, and all those seeking employment
Family/Friends:
Rev. Jim, Maria, Sue, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Rev. Bill Beachy, Angela, Sue, S
arah, Janice, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Genevieve, Ashley, Kyle, Sarah Margaret, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Betty and Del, Elyse and Chris, Al and Karen, Peggy, Denise, Gabriel, Joanne, Lauren,
Lynn, Rachel,
Kay, Cora,
Saul, Susan, Brian,
Tom,
Billy, Gary, Kevin,
Kelly, Kurt, Sue, Maggie, Nicci,
Sarah
Those Who Have Died
Judy Thornton
Those Who Mourn
Ted, Katie, Buzz, and extended family and friends of Judy
Armed Forces
Michael, Jeremy
3.16 Tami McLaughlin
3.17 Dorothy Nyberg
Finn McLaughlin
Barbara Bostrom
Birthdays March 12-18
3.18 Doug & Carol Dlesk
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From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary's,
All of us on some level are living with the reality of the Coronavirus. Regardless if we are at risk or not we are all feeling the effects of this on our lives, the communities in which we live, and our churches. I am writing to remind all of us to be respectful of the choices that we all make as we cope with this realty.
Bishop Lee has issued some guidelines to our church communities basically asking us to err on the side of caution. Our church community life and smaller regular gatherings will continue, and we will remind people more often than not to please "wash your hands", and if you are not well, please stay home. I think we already follow these but just as a gentle reminder we will say it often.
We have made the difficult decision to cancel our March Free Community Meal.
Again, we are erring on the side of caution with the realization that we serve mostly elderly people. I also know that so many seniors in our community are remaining home from larger gatherings and I think this could truly impact our meal attendance. On the evening of the meal I will be at the church at 5:00 p.m. with Co-Warden Mike Higgins to greet anyone who may show up, and we will provide a meal gift card to any individual or family who is need of a meal. Our plan is to resume our meal in April.
Listed below are the guidelines that the bishop has put out and that we are following. I will be using hand sanitizer at the altar. The cup will be offered and it is your choice whether to take it or not. Also while we will be sharing the peace I will not be shaking people's hands. Let us please be respectful of the choices others make for themselves and their families. Let us be mindful of all the needs, feelings, choices and opinions of many in our church family. I am aware some will feel I am overreacting, but I am following the guidelines that are given to me by our Bishop and I have been asked by some of you to be more mindful of our practices during this time. Let us be in prayer and fellowship at all times, showing forth the love of Christ who loved us first.
Our Lenten study dinner is meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. and I hope you will attend. Last week we had a very compelling conversation and I am sure we will again. Please know you are welcome even if you missed out on the first session.
Blessings,
Fran+
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Coronavirus Guidelines
Bishop Jeff Lee and his staff have put together some guidelines for limiting the spread of the coronavirus and acting for the good of all, particularly the most vulnerable.
- Frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer is one of the best ways to keep from spreading the virus.
- Congregations should avoid intinction (the dipping of the host or bread into the chalice).
- It is perfectly OK to receive the host only and bypass the cup. We receive the fullness of communion by receiving only the bread.
- Hugging and handshaking are best avoided at the moment. Instead, worshipers can greet one another during the peace with waves, bows, or other signs that don't involve physical contact.
- People who are ill are encouraged to stay home and assured they will be included in the congregation's prayers.
- Coffee hour and meal program volunteers are reminded to wash their hands and handle food with plastic gloves or utensils.
- Finally, I ask you to pray. Among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, please pray for those in greatest need, for wisdom for our civic leaders, for guidance for all of us who have responsibility for our congregations, and for those who are afraid and alone. Along with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, I offer to you this prayer for our time from Episcopal Relief & Development:
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope
and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness; you are God,
and we need you.
- Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
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What is a Deacon?
On
Sunday, March 22
, during Coffee Hour following the 10:00 service, please join
Mike Choquette
, our deacon postulant, as we discuss "What Is a Deacon?"
Mike will discuss the role of servant leadership in the Church and how the deacon symbolizes the Church's call to ministry beyond its four walls. He will touch upon the history of the diaconate in the Episcopal Church, the emerging role of the deacon to speak truth to power, and a deacon's journey from discernment with family, friends, and the wider church, to ordination. Please join us for coffee and refreshments after the 10:00 service for what we are sure will be a great conversation.
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Your Help is Needed
Parishioner, Elizabeth Mauger, is beginning a long recovery from recent surgery, and her son, Matthew, was also recently hospitalized (home now). Her support system is spread thin at the moment, and an online Meal Train calendar has been set up to help the family through the next few weeks. Although the meal dates are all spoken for, you may still help by purchasing gift cards from Grub Hub or specific restaurants. Please go to the Mauger page on the Meal Train website to sign up. Thank You!!
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Lenten Soup Supper & Study Series Underway
Every Thursday, March 5 - April 2
(6:30-8:15 pm)
 Our annual Lenten Soup Supper & Study is in full swing. Every Thursday during Lent we will meet for a light meal and study of the book/DVD,
Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week.
In this study, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.
We begin the evening with a simple supper, followed by a short DVD presentation, which will introduce our study for the evening. We will follow up with a group discussion.
If you wish to participate, books (both hard copy and Kindle formats) are available on
Amazon. You may attend as many evening as you are able.
If you wish,
please sign up to bring soup, salad, or bread to one or more of our evenings
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Invite a friend!
All sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Great Hall.
Questions? Speak with Rev. Fran.
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The 2020 Census
April 1st is Census Day. Let's make everyone knows how important it is to be counted.
* The Census will shape how political power and federal tax dollars are shared in the U.S over the next 10 years.
* The number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets are determined by census numbers.
* The census results guide how an estimated $880 billion a year in federal funding is distributed for schools, roads and other public services in local communities.
* The results also aid businesses in determining where to build new supermarkets and other businesses important to your community.
No question about citizenship or immigration status will appear on the census.
Between March 12-20, 95% of homes in America will receive a postcard inviting them to fill out the census online. The card will have a 12 digit code to verify your address. There are only 9 questions that need to be answered for each person in your household.
Should you not respond with in 7 days, you will receive a reminder. This process is simple, but very important. Make sure you get counted in the census, and wash your hands often.
You can find more information about the census here.
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Easter Flowers
The Easter Flower Chart is now posted in the Narthex. If
you would like to help underwrite the flowers used for the Altar of Repose on Maundy Thursday and the lilies for Easter Sunday, please sign your name, and the intention of your gift (in thanksgiving, honor, or memory of someone). The requested donation is $20, and checks may be made payable to St. Mary's (note "Easter Flowers" on the memo line). You may also send a check to the parish office with the donation information.
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St. Paul's Lenten Labyrinth Walks
Lent is a time of reflection and soul searching. The labyrinth is a perfect prayer experience to help accomplish this. A labyrinth is a circle with a single path to and from the center. It has been used as a walking meditation to assist us in finding inner peace, managing stress, and healing us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The labyrinth invites us to quiet the mind, calm the body, and stir the spirit on a journey of presence and deep transformation.
St. Paul's
invites you to experience a journey through their indoor Labyrinth
every Wednesday during Lent, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
March 4
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March 11
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March 18
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March 25
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April 1
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
3706 W. St. Paul Ave, McHenry IL 60050
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