This Sunday we are entering into the season after Epiphany, also known as Ordinary Time in the Church. It is a season where we focus on the ministry and teaching of Jesus and the call of the disciples. You are invited to join us for worship for Morning Prayer on Zoom at 9:00 a.m., followed by our virtual coffee hour. Please invite friends, family and neighbors who you feel may benefit from this worship. We will soon put out a schedule of other live-streamed and pre-recorded services that will be available over this winter, and as we enter into the season of Lent which begins in mid February. That schedule will be posted here in our newsletter when it becomes available.
If you have a pastoral care need or emergency, please do not hesitate to contact us. Amy and I are in the office and we do check the messages on a regular basis.
As we approach the Inauguration of our next President let us pray for our country, that we may have a peaceful transition of power and that we can avoid all acts of violence. Let us as Christians continue in mutual love for all. You are invited to join me in praying this prayer on a regular basis over the next week.
Lord, give us the grace to put ourselves in other people’s places, to see ourselves as others see us. Save us from strife that comes from self- will or lack of understanding and help us to seek a way to work together for the rights and liberties of all in responsible life and service. As you are the Father of us all, let us live as members of one family in mutual consideration and concern for love of you. Amen.
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 by clicking here. The Zoom link, phone number, and ID will remain the same every Sunday.
Rest in Peace
The parish received word this morning that former parishioner, Inocencio "Ino" Martinez, died yesterday, January 13, in Georgia, following a long battle with cancer. Long time parishioners will remember Ino, and his wife, The Rev. Lucy Martinez, who were very active here from 1984-1995. Ino wore many hats while at St. Mary's, including Vestry Warden. His wife, Lucy, was ordained to the Diaconate the same day as the late Dn. Barbara Bishop, in December 1991.
A service will be held later this summer at St. Clement Episcopal Church in Canton GA. Please keep Dn. Lucy, children Jan, Matthew, and Bambi, and their families in your prayers. Parishioners wishing to send a card may call or email the parish office for Dn. Lucy's contact information.
The parish offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Please Note: The January Vestry meeting will still be held Monday evening, on Zoom, beginning at 7:00 p..m.
Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity
The next date that St. Mary's is scheduled to staff the Crystal Lake Food Pantry on Wednesday, January 27. Shift times are 8:30-10:30 am., 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and 12:30-2:30 p.m. ContactCate Williams and let her know you'd love to volunteer! Thank you!
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
In a press release issued on January 12, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is encouraging those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C complete a COVID-19 vaccine enrollment form, in order to determine vaccine needs for these groups. After completing the enrollment form and once a clinic becomes available to each group, additional information on how to schedule an appointment will be directly emailed to those who complete the form.
MCDH continues to vaccinate individuals who are in the priority Phase 1A group, but is preparing for future COVID-19 clinics for those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C. (The Phase 1A group includes Healthcare workers, as well as residents and personnel in long-term congregate care facilities.)
For Phase 1Band Phase 1Cenrollment, please complete and submit the enrollment form, which can be found here.
Phase 1Bincludes the following industries and individuals:
Anyone 65 years of age or older
First Responders - 911, fire, law enforcement, security personnel, school officers
Education - teachers, principals, student support, student aids, day care workers
Food and Agriculture - processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services, animal care
Manufacturing - industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufacturers
Public Transit Workers - flight crews, bus drivers, train conductors, taxi drivers, in-person support, ride-sharing services
Grocery Store Workers
Shelters/Adult Day Care - homeless shelters, adult day/drop-in program, sheltered workshops
Phase 1Cincludes the following industries and individuals:
Persons aged 16 to 64 years old with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 (conditions include obesity, diabetes, pulmonary disease, heart condition including hypertension, kidney disease, cancer, immunocompromised, sickle cell and pregnancy)
Transportation and logistics
Water and wastewater
Food service
Shelter and housing (e.g., construction)
Finance (e.g., bank tellers)
Information technology and communications
Energy
Legal
Media
Public safety (e.g., engineers)
Public health workers
For more information about COVID-19 vaccine distribution in McHenry County, including links to Phase 1B and Phase 1C vaccine enrollment, please click here.
Diocesan and National Church News
Below you will find several links to news items throughout the Diocese and National Church.
On January 8, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry shared a 14-minute video message, drawing on the words of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. to urge Americans to choose community over chaos in the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Earlier today, Bishops Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows and Doug Sparks, who are serving as the Diocese of Chicago consulting bishops, released a letter with a group of their colleagues, urging Episcopalians to avoid inauguration-related protests amid threats of violence. The letter, and a related article can be read here.
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: Betsy, Cindy, Gail, Heather, Matthew, Emmett, Kristi, Elizabeth, Glenice, Shirley, and Margaret
Family/Friends: Terry, son-in-law of El and Dorothy Nyberg; Millie, mother of Jim Krueger; Susan, friend of Daphne Starr; Ted, Jeff, Tom, Nicholas (infant) and his family; Billy, Mark, Chris, Sarah, Douglas, Tom, Mark, Andi, Maria, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Lauren, Lynn, Kay, Saul, Brian, Sarah.
Those Who Have Died
Inocencio "Ino" Martinez, former parishioner
Those Serving in the Armed Forces
Jeremy, son of John & Carolyn Kuykendall
Thanksgiving for Healing
Peter Carroll
Birthdays and Anniversaries January 14-20
1.16 El & Dorothy Nyberg (51 years!)
1.17 Josephine Mason
1.18 Sara Amrein
1.19 John Wasilk
Baby Congratulations
Mike and Tracy Higgins were blessed to become grandparents for the 10th time, with the arrival of Thomas Michael Higgins, on December 22, 2020. Thomas is the son of Billy and Johanna Higgins and weighed 6 lbs 8 oz. at birth.
Rick and Amy Noe welcomed their 2nd grandchild with the arrival of Charley James Noe, on January 7, 2021. Charley is the son of Corey and Mycala Noe, and although he was 2 weeks early, he was born a healthy 7# 13 oz.
