The Magnificat Weekly
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Crystal Lake IL
Thursday, November 5, 2020
“From the Rector”

Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary’s,

Last week was a wonderful celebration, both at Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest and here at St. Mary’s, as we celebrated the ordination of Mike Choquette to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the “Deacon’s gift fund”, as this helped us purchase a communion set for home and hospital communion, an oil stock to carry oil, and a chaplain’s deacon stole. In addition we gave him the most updated version of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, and a gift card to Woodlands Custom Frame Shop so he can have his ordination certificate properly framed. We have some extra funds which are being held so that we can hold a proper party with food and beverages in the spring. Congratulations Mike Choquette! 

You are invited to join us this Sunday for our 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. in-person Eucharist celebrations. Del Smith will be playing the piano. We will be on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. with Morning Prayer. This month we will live stream our 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday November 15, and on the First Sunday of Advent November 29th.

It is hard to believe that Advent is almost upon us, and this Sunday our gospel is a reading which beckons us to focus on Advent, a season of hope, waiting and expectation. Despite the division that we are experiencing in our nation and the suffering of many that continues throughout this time of the pandemic, let us not lose hope but keep our lamps lit and show the way in the darkness.

I leave you with this poem which has long been one of my favorites written by the late Feminist theologian Virginia Mollenkott called Winter Solstice:

The nights stretch themselves and take over.
Days, shivering, shrink back.
Our pachysandra huddles down shriveled by the cold.
Yearning for summer’s closeness with the world we bring trees into our houses,
Festoon each tree with brightness, even string winking faery lights
On porches, roofs, and fence posts, to cheer our neighbor’s hearts.

Fear not, fear not proclaim the lights:
In the depth of the darkness hides sweet hope.
From the bottom of the night climbs new dawn.
From the far side of death a beacon shines.
Behind the ponderous winter dances spring.
Take heart, take heart, proclaim the lights;
Beneath all frosty damage stirs the Christ.

May you have a blessed week.
Rev. Fran
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

8:00 a.m. IN-PERSON EUCHARIST

9:00 a.m. MORNING PRAYER & 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. UPCOMING LIVE-STREAMED SERVICES: November 15 and 29
A Heartfelt Thank-You

I am so happy that many of you were able to join me this past weekend for my ordination and the celebration of my new ministry. It was such an amazing two days full of love and joy! As I have been telling people about my ordination, the church might have looked like it was empty but you could feel how full it was in spirit. This spirit followed into the next day and into the celebration of my new ministry. Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your gifts, and thank you for being there for me and with me. It is my honor and pleasure to serve and to grow with you as your deacon.

God’s Peace,
Deacon Mike
ReVive Christmas Basket Program

St. Mary’s is once again participating in the ReVive Center’s Christmas Basket Program. This is a wonderful opportunity for members of our Parish to purchase Jewel gift cards or shop for individual Christmas gifts for some of the most impoverished families of our metropolitan area. This year we have been asked to sponsor 15 individuals. Because we have so many parishioners who are not attending in-person worship right now, and/or don't feel comfortable doing any shopping, we are offering 3 ways you can participate in the program.  The need is great, and your gifts are often the only ones that these individuals will receive. 

Option 1: Sign up to sponsor an individual to purchase gifts. (All grocery cards have been sponsored.)    We still have 3 individuals who need to be sponsored. See the display in the front of the church to sign up, and remember to take your individual’s gift sheet.   

Option 2: Mail a $50 Jewel gift card to the parish office, or send a check for $50, and we will purchase a grocery gift card for you.

Option 3: Mail or drop off a check in any amount and we will shop for you.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to make this fun
outreach ministry so meaningful and successful!
Good Samaritan Care Ministry

You've been seriously ill, had surgery, or you are caring for a family member who is ill or recovering and you still have to make dinner. Too worn out, sick, or incapacitated to cook? Your parish is here to help in your time of immediate need!  

Amy and Tom Koegel are putting together a list of people who would like to part of a care team to sign up to make or buy a meal for a parish family. There are no committee meetings involved! Here is how it works:

  1. Amy Koegel will reach out to the family or individual to determine how many meals are needed for the week. This is meant to help a couple of times on a one-week or two-week schedule. For example: a family of 2 needs meals on Tuesday and Thursday for two weeks (4 meals total).
  2. An email will go out to all of the members of the Good Samaritan Care Team explaining what is needed and people will sign up to make (or buy) and deliver a meal. Don't have a car? No problem! Just let Amy know that you can only make the meal and she'll coordinate how to get it to the family.

It's that simple! Do you have to make a meal every time? No. The goal is to get enough people who like doing this type of ministry that many hands will make light work. This is an opportunity to care for people in our own parish without overwhelming them (or ourselves). Those of us who have received bread from the Bread Brigade know how much that simple delivery with a smile can brighten someone's day and make you feel like people are thinking of you.

How do you sign up? Please email Amy Koegel and we'll get you on the list.

 Galatians 6:2 - Bear another one's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
30th Annual Community Harvest

The Crystal Lake Community Harvest combines the efforts of the Crystal Lake Chamber and the Crystal Lake Food Pantry to collect food and funds throughout the Fall to be distributed to local families during the winter months.  During this time of pandemic, the need to support our community is even greater.  If you would like to participate, please pick up any of the following items the next time you’re out shopping, and drop them off at St. Mary’s: Pasta, Paper Towels, Soup.  We’ll make sure the items get delivered to the pantry.  Please have your donations here by Sunday, November 22, and place them in the basket in the Narthex. Thank you for your continued support!!
Add Your Name to the Tree of Abundance

The 2021 Stewardship campaign is underway, and we have had many parishioners return their pledge cards ahead of the November 22 deadline. Thank you so much!! If you did not receive a pledge card, there are extras on the Narthex table, or you may contact the Parish Office.  Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for 2021, as our pledge dollars are the main source of income we have to fund our ministries at St. Mary’s. Please return your pledge card no later than November 22, Stewardship Sunday. 
"Who We Are: Voices of Faith Across the Diocese of Chicago"
 
In September, all congregations in the diocese were invited to submit a series of short video clips telling the story of who they are, what makes them unique, how God is at work in their congregations, and more.  The Standing Committee received hundreds of files from all across the diocese. The video, produced by the Rev. Kevin M. Goodman, is designed to help the bishop candidates learn more about the diocese and its people.

Watch the video, and you just might see some familiar faces. (The Koegel family).
Candidate Conversations Begin Tonight
On December 12, at a special, virtual Electing Convention, the Diocese will elect it’s 13th Bishop of Chicago. There are four outstanding candidates, and you can read all about them on the Bishop Search and Transition website, In order to meet the candidates and learn more about them, a series of virtual Candidate Conversations have been scheduled, beginning tonight and continuing through next week. 

The links for each of the dates below are available here, as well as answers to any questions you may have connecting to the ZOOM platform.
  • Thursday, November 5 at 6:00 pm, hosted by the Joliet / Peoria Deaneries
  • Friday, November 6 at 10:00 am, hosted by the Elgin / Rockford Deaneries
  • Saturday, November 7 at 12:00 Noon, hosted by the Hispanic Affairs Committee
  • Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 pm, hosted by the Evanston / Waukegan Deaneries
  • Friday, November 13 at 10:00 am, hosted by the Chicago-North and Chicago-South Deaneries
  • Saturday, November 14 at 12:00 Noon, hosted by the Aurora / Oak Park Deaneries
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: Cameron, Peter, Tracy, Betsy & Galen, Sue, Cindy, Gail, Heather, El & Dorothy, Matthew, Emmett, Kristi, Elizabeth, Glenice, Shirley, and Margaret
Family/Friends: Nicholas (infant) and his family; Billy, Mark, Chris, Douglas, Tom, Mark, Andi, Maria, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Lauren, Lynn, Rachel, Kay, Saul, Brian, Sue, Nicci, Sarah

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

Birthdays November 5-11
11.5 Peter Carroll
11.6 Gail Head
Ordination of Deacon Mike Choquette
October 31, 2020
We surprised Mike with a festive banner on the parish grounds, in addition to signs and balloons in his yard.  
Bishop Lee ordains Mike.
Mike's wife, Terry, places a Deacon's Stole on Mike immediately following
his ordination.
This beautiful
Deacon’s Stole was a
gift from Mike's parents.
The picture doesn’t do it justice – it is stunning!

Due to the pandemic, any
St. Mary's celebration
had to be postponed until sometime in 2021. 
However, in addition to the banner, signs, and balloons
for Mike, , we provided parishioners with delicious, custom made cookies, which were decorated to match
the Deacon’s Stole.
 
Celebration of a New Ministry
Sunday, November 1

Last Sunday morning, at both services, we celebrated the New Ministry of Deacon Mike. Rev. Fran and various members of the congregation presented him with the many gifts that Fran refers to in her message in this newsletter. It was a beautiful day, both inside and out!!
Receiving the Deacon's Stole
Receiving the Bread and Wine
Receiving a towel, pitcher,
and basin, symbols of service
to all God’s people.
Reading the Gospel for the first time,
as Deacon.