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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist, 10:30 am
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Week of June 20, 2021
Please note: with three exceptions--no common cup, wafers, and masks while singing, the diocesan COVID restrictions have been lifted and the responsibility for guidelines shifted to individual congregations. The Grace COVID task force will meet next week. Meanwhile, we will continue as is through the end of June.
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Ministers of the Service
Members & Guests, Celebrants
Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider
Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Nancy Cook, Lector
Elizabeth Ludescher, Intercessor
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Phil Jackman, Vestry Coordinator
Alice Maffit & Debbie Kallback,
Altar Guild
Karen Serwich, Greeter
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RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS
The phone message turned up on my desk one morning: please call Peter Marty. Peter Marty, editor of Christian Century magazine. For those Lutherans among us, the son of Martin Marty. I confess that my imagination ran wild. Maybe he wanted to publish one of my sermons. Or something else I had written. But alas, it was not so. It was not about me at all, but an obscure woman from Grace Church's distant past--one known to most of us for her memorial plaque in our nave and its inscription: "She hath done what she could."
Marty had worshiped at Grace Church and sat near this plaque. He was intrigued and wondered what it might be that lead someone to remember her life in this way. So, he contacted me to find out further information about Lucilla Goodman, who had lived from 1833-1910 and was a member of Grace from 1861 to her death.
There was little to find. I perused the church record books, the Bill Norton history, and called Diann Marsh who has been researching these plaques. All we could find was that she was a single woman who lived with her uncle, Judge Richard Seales and was a housekeeper. She was received by confirmation at Grace in 1861 and buried in Greenwood Cemetery after she died of apoplexy at age 77.
Her sparse story is now recorded in the editor's/publisher's column in the current issue of Christian Century entitled "Ordinary saints." link is here: Goodman
The story does not end there, though. An e-mail arrived shortly after from The Rev. Sam Portaro, a priest and former chaplain at the Episcopal campus ministry at the University of Chicago. Through his interest in local history, he did some research on "Lucy" which I am forwarding to Diann Marsh as well as retaining in our church files. His findings were nearly as sparse as mine.
He says,
what little is known of Lucy is largely by way
of inference; hers was a circumscribed life.
But the presence of that monumental plaque
indicates that someone deemed her worthy
of remembrance.
He urges us to keep the stories alive:
Recovering these stories is valuable to
preserve the history of places and institutions.
Transmitting them is an essential component
of evangelism and remembrance is a deeply
spiritual practice of Incarnation, imaginatively
enfleshing evidence of the gospel in
individual human lives. Hence, tablets like
those on the walls at Grace Church, like
pictorial stained glass images of biblical
characters and events, are another means of
accessing and sharing the life of God’s family.
I’m disappointed, though not surprised, that
no photograph of Lucy seems to have
survived. Do let me know if anything more
turns up; I’ve enjoyed her brief
companionship.
As have I!
See you in church or on Zoom!
Gloria+
Find the results of his research here: Lucy
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Events this Week:
Sunday 6/20
Holy Eucharist 10:30 am online and in-person
Bill Grosshans's Birthday
Monday 6/21
Poetry Group 2:00pm
EfM online 6:30pm
Robin French's Birthday
Tuesday 6/22
Outreach Meeting in-person 10:00am
Wednesday 6/23
Midweek Worship online and in-person 7:30am
Morning Study Group online 10:30am
Thursday 6/24
COVID Task Force in person 1 pm
Friday 6/25
Centering Prayer online 9:00am
Saturday 6/26
Robert Marsh's Birthday
Joan Klaus's Birthday
Important Links:
Office Hours
9:00am-Noon, Tuesday through Friday
Rector Office Hours
10:30am-3:00pm Tuesday through Thursday
Mondays and other times by appointment
ROTA (6-6-21 to 10-31-21)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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Only 30 people answered the survey last week. If you have not done so, please help our COVID
task force by answering these few questions on the link below. Then also answer part 2. Couples should each answer, even if you are in agreement with one another's answers.
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EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issues statement on Fulton v. Philadelphia
...LGBTQ siblings, we stand with you in this moment, and we continue to affirm that you are — and have always been — a blessing to our church. But above all, you are children of God with the entire human family. The struggle does not end here; the work goes on, and we are committed to the fullness of human equality and to building a just future that is free from discrimination against LGBTQ people....
for the full statement, please click here
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OUTREACH MINISTRY NEWS
The following letter was received this week regarding our funds raised for the Glory Parish church building:
Dear Donna and Mother Gloria,
Archbishop Joseph Garang Atem sends you greetings, with this message to you:
"We received, with thanks and blessings, the grant of $16,000 for construction of Glory Church, and your annual commitment of support for Glory Church in the amount of $8,000. Your faithful support gives us encouragement in very difficult times."
On May 16, Bishop Joseph was installed as Archbishop of the Province of Upper Nile State, one of the provinces of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. He will continue to serve as the Bishop of Renk, at his request. He will now be addressed as The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Garang Atem. It is more important than ever to keep him in our prayers.
With deep appreciation to the good people of Grace Church,
Jackie
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FORMATION AND SPIRITUALITY MINISTRY NEWS |
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ADULT INQUIRER'S CLASS
Our Bishop-elect, Paula Clark will be consecrated on August 28! Prior to her medical emergency she was able to attend our Deanery meeting and talked about her intent to hold deanery-wide services to provide Confirmations, and receive new members to the church. By doing this, those wishing to be received or confirmed would not have to wait for her to visit their parish, which might take two or more years.
Because of this, I will be offering an Adult Inquirers Class sometime this summer (dates will be determined by the schedules of those interested in attending). We will be talking about our identity as Episcopalians, the Book of Common Prayer, a brief history of the Anglican/Episcopal church, our creeds, prayer, Baptism, Eucharist, the Trinity (don’t come looking for an explanation!), and the Jesus Movement as described by Presiding Bishop Curry. Attending does not commit you to being received. You may make that decision after you have completed the class.
This is open to anyone in the church or community, although if there is a large response, those considering reception into the Church will be given priority due to limited space (this is an in-person class). The time commitment is about eight hours. Last time, those taking the class decided to do the whole thing on one Saturday. Other options include but are not limited to two sessions of four hours, or four sessions of two hours. This will be determined by those interested in participating, again with priority to those considering reception.
If you are interested in this or would like more information, please contact Rev. Diane Luther at dm20luther@gmail.com, or call (815) 281-2301 |
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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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Join us to study, discuss and ponder St. Mark’s Gospel. We gather on Zoom, 10:30 – 11:30 Wednesday mornings. Contact Greg Serwich for a Zoom invitation ( gserwich@gmail.com).
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WORSHIP:
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The question of authority speaks through all of the readings this week. In the Gospel, the question of authority is raised through the story of Jesus calming the storm. Here Jesus is shown to have access to the authority and power of God not just over people, sickness and evil spirits, but over the natural world as well. Both of these passages reflect on authority as power or strength or “dominance over”. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, however, gives a different perspective on authority. It is in the weakness and suffering of Paul and the other apostles, and their commitment to the Gospel in spite of their hardships, that Paul’s authority is revealed, and it is on the basis of this that Paul calls on the Christians to accept his ministry and his message. In Job, God’s authority over Creation is revealed, both in the fact that God has laid the earth’s foundations, and in the way God sets the boundaries for the sea.
READINGS:
Job 38:1-11: God questions Job and reveals God’s power in creation the world and God’s authority over the elements.
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32: A celebration of God’s unfailing love, and a song of praise for the way sailors have witnessed God’s power in the storms that arise and the way, when they call out to God, the storm is stilled.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13: Paul pleads with the Corinthian Christians that they would accept that the time of salvation is now, and that they would open their hearts to the apostles, because they have proven themselves through committed ministry and faithful service in spite of the terrible suffering and difficulties they have endured.
Mark 4:35-41: Jesus asks the disciples to take him across the lake in their boat, but as they sail across, with Jesus sleeping in the boat, a storm breaks out. In their terror, they wake Jesus and he calms the storm, causing them to wonder who he is.
thumbnails and commentary from sacredise.com
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RICHARD PEPPER MEMORIAL GARDEN
There has been a flurry of activity in preparation for a new garden at Grace. It is located to the right of the church, along the sidewalk leading to our Meditation Garden. This is a pollinating garden, featuring a burst of colors to attract our native birds, butterflies and bees. Our new garden will be in memory of Richard Pepper, a generous donor to Grace Church and will be dedicated in July.
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HELP WANTED!:
An apprentice to work with Zoom at Grace Church.
This is an important part of our Worship Ministry, and more people are needed to keep our live online services coming! It may seem very complicated, but those of us who have been handling it for nearly a year now all had to start from very basic computer skills and learn "on the job." If we have a small team, the responsibilities can be rotated, making it easier for all of us--and making it possible to explore better ways to assure the best audio and visual experience for those worshiping in person and those online.
Please contact Lynn Giles if interested and for more information.
lynngiles@lynngilesphotography.com
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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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Wednesday Episcopal service of Morning Prayer: The Rev. Deacon Diane Luther; and Richard Luther, Officiants; Lynn Giles, Zoom Host.
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An Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist 6/13/21: The Rev. Linda Packard, Presider; The Rev. Deacon Diane Luther, Preacher; Richard Luther, Lector; Deb Pausz, Intercessor; Robin French, Music Director; Lynn Giles, Zoom Host. |
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Trinity Sunday 5/30/2021: An Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist--The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Richard Luther, Intercessor; Greg Serwich, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Nancy Cook, Erben Organist; and Lynn Giles, Zoom Host. |
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REOPENING CHURCH (Limited)
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Hybrid worship has resumed for both in-person and Zoom congregations. Since our region is in Phase 4 of the State of Illinois COVID recovery, we are able to offer 24 spaces in the nave with a maximum of 35 people. Each space can accommodate one single or a couple who live in the same household. MASKS ARE REQUIRED UPON ENTRY.
For those wishing to attend in-person, reservations are required. You may reserve by going to reserve. If you are assigned to an Altar Party role where you will be sitting in the Chancel, you need not reserve. All others, such as lectors, musicians, vestry coordinators, greeters, and altar guild do need to reserve.
On Sunday morning, you will come to the Parish House door where a Greeter will check your name(s) off on a list and admit you to the building where you will proceed into the nave to find an empty seat that is designated by a bulletin.
For those present in the Church:
Please put your smartphone or other device in airplane mode so that our internet capacity is reserved for our online streaming.
For those on Zoom:
Please mute yourselves before the Prelude begins and immediately after the Peace.
Please review this summary of COVID precautions in worship: 10 COMMANDMENTS
Pews that are not to be used are closed off by lengths of ribbon. There are hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and also at the back of the nave.
Those who will join us on Zoom will receive the usual e-mail invitation with a link to the day's bulletin.
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Richard Luther, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
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Staff:
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
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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Charlotte Stryker: Worship
Elizabeth Ludescher: Communications
Nancy Cook: Outreach
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
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The Rev Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Cell Phone: 773-988-3497
Grace Episcopal Church Office:
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590
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