Eileen and I thank you for all the wonderful gifts that we received last Sunday. It was an embarrassment of riches for sure. Among all the gifts was a lovely quilt made by Jill Brown with a stained glass window pattern on it. We also are so grateful for the membership to the Botanical Garden. Many of you know that this is one of Eileen’s favorite places. In addition to this we received gift cards to Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, Panera, Terra and Vine, Tapas Barcelona, Mariano’s, Almy clergy and religious goods, Mariano’s, and a number of generous Visa gift cards. Clearly you know that we love to eat out and shop! Thank you for all of this and the kind words, cards, and well wishes. I know that a reception with food was planned before COVID shut us down again, but none the less it was a lovely gathering and I thank Amy Noe and Deacon Mike for making a slide show and pulling this gathering together. We feel very loved and appreciated.
I will miss all of you and carry wonderful memories of St. Mary’s with me. As I said before, I am grateful for the privilege of serving this parish, it has been a gift. Please know that you will continue to be in my prayers always.
This Sunday at both our 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services we will have a Liturgy of Departure, and a letter from Assisting Bishop Chilton will be read, ending my time as your Rector. Gail Head will be playing the organ at our 10:00 a.m. service and I am grateful for her willingness to share her talents with us.
Please know that a schedule for supply clergy has been put together and you will continue with 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services at this time. On January 23, The Rev. Judith Doran will be with you at both services. Amy Noe will be out of the office next week taking a well-deserved vacation. You may contact Dn. Mike for pastoral care needs, and please know that messages in the office will be checked during the week by Co-Warden Mike Higgins.
I hope to see all of you on Sunday.
Many Blessings,
Rev. Fran
Office Schedule Next Week
Parish Administrator, Amy, will be out of the office the week of January 17, returning Monday, January 24. Please know that emails and voicemails will be checked regularly while Amy is away. The newsletter will NOT be published next week. The next newsletter will be issued on Thursday, January 27.
2022 Flower Chart
The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted. Members are encouraged to select a Sunday closest to a significant date in one’s life, i.e. the anniversary of the death of a loved one or friend, a birthday or wedding anniversary, or perhaps on the occasion of blessings received, and underwrite that Sunday’s flowers. Donation amount is $30.
Mask Mandate Update
Please note that we are still following the mask mandate required by the Diocese of Chicago. You must wear a mask at all times when inside the building. The Diocese has also asked that we suspend all Coffee Hours and any receptions with food/drink until further notice.
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Zoom again this year, on Sunday, February 6. Please note the following details regarding the service and meeting schedule for that day.
8:00 a.m. In-person Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting on Zoom
The Zoom link(s) will be sent out as we get closer to the date.
Spiritual Care Visitor Training Opportunity
Spiritual Care Visitor Training is geared toward individuals who want to learn the art of being a healing presence through basic skill of active listening.
Bishop Anderson House offers an innovative online Spiritual Care Visitor Training program that includes topics such as the role of faith, sacrament and prayer in spiritual care; addiction; ministry to the cognitively impaired; advanced directives; cultural diversity; and serious illness, death and loss.
The next Spiritual Care Visitor Training begins January 29, 2022. Applications should be submitted by January 17, 2022. More information can be found here.
Financial assistance is available; please contact Deacon Mike for more information.
Parishioners: Kristi, Cindy; El; Edward, John, John, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Ted, brother-in-law of Jane Helmboldt, and his wife, Ginny; Ted & Barbara, friends of Jane Helmboldt; Andi, friend of Carissa Nyberg Stanich; Leo, father of Terry Choquette; Chris, colleague of Rick Noe; Frances, aunt of Catherine Carroll; Brent, son of El & Dorothy Nyberg; Leo, brother of Dn. Mike Choquette; Eric, son-in-law of Jean Huismann; Ashton, grandson of Sharon Duffy; Sherri, step-daughter of Roseann Gilbertson; Laura; Dawn; 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.
