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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Third Sunday of Easter
May 1, 2022 at 10:30 am
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Due to a decrease in COVID infections in Jo Daviess County, masks are now optional.
Masks and hand sanitizer are at each entrance for those who need them.
Baskets are located at each entrance for your offerings. If possible, please place them in the baskets prior to the service so they may be dedicated with the other gifts at the offertory.
Communion will be offered -- wafer only -- at the altar rail.
Should you become ill after attending worship, please notify the church so that others present may be contacted.
Social hour following the service.
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Ministers of the Service
Members and Guests, Celebrants
Debbie Kallback, Leader
Greg Anderson, Lay Homilist
Greg Serwich, Lector
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Phil Jackman, Vestry Coordinator
Ann Berry & Amy Hardwicke, Altar Guild
Charlotte Stryker, Greeter
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HOW TO WATCH GRACE CHURCH ON YouTube:
If you plan to attend a Grace Sunday service online, it’s now available as a live-stream on YouTube.
Click on either the red or the green link (buttons) at the top of this eBlast.
(You may have to wait a minute or two for your computer to open its browser and make the connection.)
The RED link gives you a choice of services. You will also see when the next scheduled live-stream
will start. The GREEN link only connects after the streaming has started at the church.
All you need to remember is Red link: go to anytime
Green link: go to when the service starts.
For “early birds” we’ll start the live-streaming at 10:25 am CST.
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UPCOMING GRACE WORSHIP
5/1/22 Morning Prayer - Debbie Kallback, Greg Anderson
5/8/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Carolyn Keck
5/15/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Linda Green
5/22/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Carolyn Keck
5/29/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Linda Packard
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MEMBER MOMENT
On February 24, 2020 Melanie and I walked west across the footbridge of the Galena River and up the countless steps that lead to Grace Church. The Coates approached from the opposite direction on Prospect. We slowed our pace, feeling shy, permitting them to move ahead of us.
We briefly paused outside the steps. I said,
“I’m nervous.” Melanie answered, “Me too.”
We climbed the steps and slowly opened the red doors, entered Grace Church and into Cathie's warm greeting! She said with self-assuredness, “You must be Melanie and Joy.” We looked at each other in mild panic. Then from our right in a flurry of activity flew in Robin, proclaiming, “You have two pianos!” Geeze Louise! Who are these people? How do they know these things? I’ve got to think.
Cathie led us to our seats and asked the woman behind us to make sure that we found our way to coffee hour. After Cathie departed, a woman in front of us, turned and whispered, “You can’t miss it, you just walk through those doors.”
The service began and Elizabeth, Diane and Gloria entered. I had never been in a church before with a woman priest or Deacon. Being a feminist, this meant everything to me. They began a procession weaving throughout the church, down the center aisle, up the side aisles. Then Galena’s fire alarm rang. Gloria stopped. Everyone stopped. Gloria waited. Everyone waited. A man behind us whispered, “This could take 45 minutes.” Once the alarm released the procession, Melanie leaned over to me and whispered, “I could live here.”
During coffee hour Melanie sat at a table surrounded by inquisitive people. I stood near the counter speaking with Karen. We were soon exchanging phone numbers. Greg joined us. I felt as if I had two new friends. That was fast!
Months later when we had found a house to buy that failed to have room for my beloved grand piano, I thought of Robin and her exquisite playing and an idea came to me. Perhaps there is a home for my piano just like there seems to be a home for me and my wife at Grace Church. Thank you to all of you but especially to Kathy, Robin, Karen and Greg. What an impression you all made on us that first day in February!
Joy von Wolffersdorff
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Events this Week:
Sunday 5/1
Morning Prayer 10:30am online (YouTube)
and in-person
JoAnn & Dave Mickelson Anniversary
Charlotte Stryker's Birthday
Bill Norton's Birthday
Monday 5/2
Poetry Group 2:00pm
Tuesday 5/3
Compline online 8:30pm
Wednesday 5/4
Midweek Worship in Chapel and Zoom 7:30am
Morning Study Group in person/on Zoom
10:00am
Thursday 5/5
UCG Meeting at Grace 10:00am
RBM Yarn Ministry 1:30pm
Patricia Schaller's Birthday
Friday 5/6
Centering Prayer online 9:00am
Saturday 5/7
Choir Practice 10:00am
Carolyn Norton's Birthday
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 (5-1-22 to 10-30-22)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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RED BAG SUNDAY
Looking for a way to share your many blessings this Easter season? The Food Pantry needs toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, Depends, and feminine hygiene products (pads, not tampons, please), so fill your red bag with these needed items and bring it to church by May 8, collection day! Red Bags are in the entry to the Parish Hall.
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SEARCH COMMITTEE AND VESTRY UPDATE
The Search Committee this week sent to the diocese the documents that need to be reviewed/approved so our open rector position can be posted on the diocesan website for priest access. The documents include the financial offer from the vestry, a list of 12 questions/answers that help define Grace Episcopal Church, and a Parish Profile which is a more conversational narrative focused on both Grace and Galena.
The next question from many is how long will the next step / new rector call take? The answer – not a clue. The number of open rector positions in all the dioceses across the country is quite significant. Grace is knee deep in a difficult competition to attract talent. The Search Committee’s goal of telling a compelling story that will catch the attention of rector candidates was, we hope, achieved.
Fingers crossed and as always, please ask questions any time. We succeed together.
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CANAPES RETURNS TO GRACE!
It is with great pleasure, that I report that we can once again enjoy one anothers' company while sipping and nibbling!
In case you have forgotten, bring your choice of beverage, a treat to pass and a good story or two to share with friends! The schedule filled up immediately at our first coffee hour and is here:
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Schedule:
May 20th -- Mikelson's
June 17th -- Amy Hardwicke's
July 15th -- Stryker's
August 19th -- Lynn Giles'
September 16th -- Davis'
October 21st -- Joy and Melanie's
November 18th --
December 16th -- Luther's
If you wish to fill an empty month, contact
Cathie Elsbree at elsbreecaal@yahoo.com.
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
SOCIAL HOUR SCHEDULE:
There is a sign-up list for the Coffee Hour after the Sunday services.
May 1st - Newcomer's Brunch
May 8th - Jackman's - Cinco de Mayo
May 15th -
May 22nd - Ann Berry & Amy Hardwicke
May 29th - Foltz's
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NEWCOMER'S BRUNCH
On Sunday, May 1st, we will have a Newcomer's Brunch after the Morning Prayer Service. Let's give an enthusiastic welcome to all who have joined the congregation since 2020!
Denise Biagini
Cindy and Carl Blakemore
Joyce Davis
Jeff Hadloc & Thom Dennis
Melanie Hoffman & Joy Von Wolffersdorff
Stephen Wendorf
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It’s not too early to think about summer camp!
CAMP CHICAGO
After two years of waiting, Camp Chicago is back for Summer of 2022! Watch for more information and registration links to come.
At Camp Chicago we seek to nurture a diverse Christian community, and we strive to give our campers the best week of their entire year. We want them to have fun and know what it means to laugh so hard you’re gasping for air. We want them to feel challenged and know they can dare to attempt new things. We want them to make lasting friendships. And we want them to know they are loved by God and called to a life of purpose and meaning.
There is a possibility of sponsorship/scholarships.
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OUTREACH NEWS
HELP UKRAINIAN FAMILIES
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 2 million people have already fled the war in Ukraine to other parts of Europe. Please help Episcopal Relief & Development to supply needed items for displaced families and individuals in response to this crisis.
Grace Church will be sending money to ERD for Ukraine. If you wish to contribute, send or drop off a check to Grace marked for Ukraine.
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YARN MINISTRY NEWS
The Richard Babcock Memorial Yarn Ministry is meeting again
on Thursdays at 1:30pm in the Parish Hall.
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MINISTRY OF CARE
Grace Church continues to offer pastoral care to its community. Many volunteers are available for rides to doctor appointments (or elsewhere), providing meals, picking up prescriptions, or providing other small services when someone is unwell or unable to do so for themselves.
Call Bonnielynn Kreiser at 815-777-1468 or 815-291-9005 who coordinates the helping hands when needed. Our clergy are also available for spiritual aid.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS
COMPLINE on Zoom 8:30pm on Tuesdays
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads an interactive service of Compline. 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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We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. Everyone is welcome to join us to enhance your knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their life. We’re currently studying the Gospel of Luke. Meetings (in the Parish Hall conference room and on Zoom) begin at 10:00 a.m.
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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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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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Third Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer
Psalm 30
Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
John 21:1-19
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
Nancy Cook: Outreach
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Carl Davis: Finance
Amy Hardwicke: Worship
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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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grace episcopal church office
107 s. prospect street
galena, il 61036
815-777-2590
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