This Sunday at our 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services we are celebrating the Feast of St. Francis, which the church traditionally observes on October 4th. St. Francis is known for his vow of poverty and love for the poor and those who are less fortunate. He is also known for his care of God’s creation. Francis is considered to be the patron saint of animals because of his deep love for all God’s creatures.
This Sunday October 3, you are invited to join us for our Annual Pet Blessing for the Feast of St. Francisin our courtyard between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please stop by the courtyard with your pets, and Deacon Mike and I will bless your beloved pets and provide you with a prayer card and a St. Francis medal. Invite neighbors and friends!
I am so grateful for everyone who supported the St. Mary’s team for this year’s CROP Walk. We had a team of nine walkers and raised $1,053 online and another $575 in checks and cash for a grand total of $1,628. Thank you to everyone who walked, raised funds, and made generous donations. It was a lovely day for the walk; thank you one and all!
See You All on Sunday,
Rev. Fran +
Service for Annie Krueger
ThisSaturday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m., there will be a funeral service here for former parishioner, Annie Krueger, who died in November 2020. The service will be followed immediately by interment in the Churchyard. After the interment, friends and family are invited to attend a reception in Annie's honor, at Rookie's Sports Bar and Grill, 2486 Bushwood Dr, in Elgin.
Farewell Margaret Wood
ThisSunday, October 3, at the 10:00 a.m. service, please join us as we wish Margaret Wood a fond farewell, when we will offer a blessing, and have a coffee hour in her honor. Margaret is getting ready to move back to Oklahoma, her home for nearly 40 years. Margaret has made many dear friends in the four short years she has been with us. Her musical talent and biblical insight will be greatly missed by the choir, Women’s Bible Study group, and the congregation. We wish Margaret safe travel next weekend, and many blessings as she returns to familiar surroundings.
Crystal Lake Food Pantry
We have two volunteer opportunities in October. The first date is Wednesday, October 6. Shift times are 8:30-10:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., or 12:15– 2:15 p.m. If you are unable to help on the 6th, perhaps you can join us at the end of the month, on Wednesday, October 27. Please contact Cate Williams if you can help.
Donations of paper goods are always needed at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. The pantry is not able to buy paper goods through the food bank, and clients are not able to use their SNAP benefits to purchase any paper goods such as toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, and napkins. Bring them to the church any time, and your Board members will get them over to the pantry. Paper goods are items that are lightweight, easy to carry, and low cost, that can be donated and will be appreciated by the clients. Thanks!!
Note From CRE, and Invitation to Open House
One of the partnerships we have formed with Dn. Mike's initiative, "For the Good of the City", is with Celebrate Re-Entry. CRE is a faith-based organization, offering mentorship to individuals as they re-enter the community after spending time in the prison system. CRE has set up office/meeting space in one of the rooms in our education wing. Below is a note from their Founder, and an invitation to their upcoming Open House.
To the Congregation at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church –
My sincere thanks to St. Mary’s for the support of providing CELEBRATE RE-ENTRY with generous office space to operate our faith-based community organization.
CELEBRATE RE-ENTRY INVITES YOU TO “RE-LAUNCH” at our OPEN HOUSE
in CELEBRATION of our NEW LOCATION at ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
(North Education Wing)
MEET OUR FOUNDER AND BOARD MEMBERS
LEARN ABOUT CELEBRATE RE-ENTRY’S MISSION, GOAL, AND PURPOSE
OBSERVE HOW THE ST. MARY’S PREMISES ARE SERVING THE COMMUNITY
FOR OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS AT ST. MARY’S:
THIS OPEN HOUSE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 11:00 A.M.
AFTER YOUR SUNDAY SERVICE
Light lunch refreshments will be served.
From 12:00 Noon – 3:00 p.m. the OPEN HOUSE
will continue for the general public.
You are welcome to attend any time after church service
and/or during the general open house hours.
FACTS related to Celebrate Re-Entry’s mission :
47% of convicted felons in the State of Illinois are back in jail within 3 years.
These “re-arrests” are expected to cost Illinois taxpayers over $5 Billion in the
next five years.
Celebrate Re-Entry believes that our Lord has the power and the purpose to provide sinners a new beginning for His Glory.
Celebrate Re-Entry assists released inmates with referrals, guidance, discipline and encouragement to move “Re-Entry Candidates” past repeated criminal conduct.
Re-entry assistance is rare- yet, when available, has been an effective tool in lowering the arrest recidivism rate.
Celebrate Re-Entry envisions the goal of strengthening the McHenry County Community:
Parishioners: Betsy; El; Margaret, Sally, Amalia, Megan, Ann, Edward, John, Kristi, John, Cindy, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Bishop-elect, Paula Clark, her husband Andrew, and their family; Sherri, step-daughter of Roseann Gibertson; Marilyn and Tom, sister and brother-in-law of Missy Spengel; Laura; Carelin; Carmen; Dawn; Billy; Betty; Jean; Don; Millie; Nick; Tarsha; John; Pamela; Susan; Ted, Jeff, Tom, Nicholas (infant) and his family; Mark, Chris, Sarah, Douglas, Mark, Andi, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Kay, Brian, Sarah.
Those Serving in the Armed Forces
Jeremy, son of John & Carolyn Kuykendall
Birthdays and Anniversaries September 30-October 6