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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Sixth Sunday after
Epiphany
Liturgy of the Word
With Deacon's Distribution
from the Reserved Sacrament
February 13, 2022 10:30 am
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The State of Illinois has officially issued a directive for masking at indoor gatherings for all who are two years old or older regardless of inoculation status. Out of concern for those who cannot yet be vaccinated or whose immune systems are compromised, we respectfully request that you comply and wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth.
You will also be asked to sign in when you enter the church.
Our diocese has requested that each church regularly review the CDC map that has four stages of COVID risk
and make decisions accordingly about safety precautions.
Jo Daviess County's risk factor (and that of the entire state of Illinois) is now in the highest category.
The only other precaution reinstated at this time is to suspend contact during the Peace.
Please be cautious and also be prepared for changes at any time.
Social hour is suspended until March 1st.
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Ministers of the Service
Members and Guests, Celebrants
Diane Luther, Deacon
Cathie Elsbree, Homilist
Terri Jackman, Lector
Debbie Kallback, Intercessor
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Eric Kallback, Vestry Coordinator
Alice Maffit & Kim Kreiser, 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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GRACE FEBRUARY WORSHIP
2/13/22 Eucharist - Rev. Diane Luther, Celebrant; Cathie Elsbree, Homilist
2/20/22 Morning Prayer - Joe Maffit, Leader; Debbie Kallback, Homilist
2/27/22 Eucharist - Rev. Linda Green, Celebrant
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MEMBER MOMENT
Miracles
There are 2 constants in my life.
1. The power of prayer.
2. Miracles are real. Because I am one.
My name is Renée and Steve and I have attended Grace Church since 1995. Now, I am a Florida gal and absolutely hate cold weather (and snow. And ice). In 1994, we were living on a barrier island running our own business when our children were going into middle school and high school. My husband and I were working too hard and only one of us at a time would be able to attend school functions or sports events. Our sons were growing up so fast, we didn’t want to miss another moment of their childhoods, so we decided to close the business and look for another that would be less time consuming.
Everything we looked into fell through. At one point my husband was up on the roof of a building we were hoping to buy with the inspector when the realtor came and told him it was sold from under us. After more occurrences where nothing seemed to be going right, Steve decided to look for a job. He called one of his former bosses (he worked in large resorts as either the Executive Chef or the Food and Beverage Director) to ask if he could use him as a reference on his resume. Mr. Comber had moved to NW Illinois and was the General Manager of a large resort. He said to Steve that he had the position of the Food and Beverage Director available and did he want it? To make a long story short, in 3 months we relocated to the area where we have been living since.
In 2000, after an unrelated surgery, I found out I had Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic disease with no cure except having a transplant. When I mentioned this to our friend Lynn Giles, she said, “You can have one of mine.” After all the testing, she was a match, and the operation was performed in November, 2003. Whenever people asked why we would move from Florida to the frozen North, Steve always replied, “because God knew Renee’s kidney was here, so we had to get here as well.”
The average life of a kidney is ten to fifteen years. I was blessed to be, in the words of all my surgeons, the healthiest transplant patient they had ever seen. They gave the kidney a name, “the small but mighty kidney,” and it lasted the full fifteen years.
In 2018, the kidney did fail, so I went on dialysis (and was blessed to be driven to and from the dialysis center every time by friends from Grace) and because I was otherwise healthy, was put back on the transplant waiting list. Now something that I didn’t know was that after the first transplant, the body never believes that the kidney is yours and constantly attempts to kill the “foreign object” in your body. And builds up antibodies. The amount of antibodies is measured on a scale from 0 to 100. Zero means just about any kidney that matches your blood type will work in your body (this is so rare it’s almost impossible). One hundred level of antibodies means that there will never be a kidney that will work in your body. The body will kill it as soon as it’s hooked up.
I had several friends test to see if they could be a live donor like Lynn was, but each time, the result was I had too many antibodies. I eventually found out my antibody level was 98. Things didn’t look good. However, when people found out about this, the prayers started. And continued. And continued even more. I was on prayer lists of peoples’ churches that I didn’t even know.
I think God heard so many, many prayers that He decided He better find a kidney for me! After 2 1/2 years of dialysis, on May 2, 2021, I received a phone call at 7 pm on a Saturday night, “We think we have a kidney from a deceased donor that may work for you.” So, Steve and I drove to the transplant hospital that was 2 1/2 hours away, and after testing the entire night, at 7:00 am on the Sunday morning, I was wheeled into the OR to receive the kidney that was truly God’s miracle.
It was different than receiving a kidney from a live donor, and I have to admit, it was rough for a while. I had 3 blood transfusions, 3 biopsies, and was back in the hospital a couple of months later because the biopsy revealed some suspicious cells that they couldn’t determine if the kidney was rejecting (it wasn’t, thanks be to God). And the prayers kept coming. I’m happy to say it’s been 8 1/2 months since Sidney the Kidney has settled into my body. The monthly labs show good numbers, and the surgeons are pleased with my progress.
I know it’s been all the prayers. Even now, when I speak with or write to friends, the one thing they always mention is, “I’m still praying for you.”
So…… prayers work, and God provided a miracle to me. And I’m so blessed and so thankful!
Renee Dowe
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Events this Week:
Sunday 2/13
Liturgy of the Word 10:30am online (YouTube)
and in-person
Social Hour is suspended at this time.
Monday 2/14
Poetry Group 2:00pm
Tuesday 2/15
Compline online 8:30pm
Vestry Meeting 3:00pm
Wednesday 2/16
Midweek Worship in Chapel and Zoom 7:30am
Morning Study Group on Zoom 10:00am
Vestry & Search Committee Meeting 6:00pm
Thursday 2/17
Friday 2/18
Centering Prayer online 9:00 am
Elizabeth Ludescher's Birthday
Jae Hezlep's Birthday
Saturday 2/19
Choir Practice10:00am
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.
UPDATED ROTA (11-7-21 to 4-24-22)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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Bishop Chilton visited with
Bishop-elect Paula Clark in Maryland on February 3rd.
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Thank You from the Luthers
To our dear friends,
We want to thank you for your kindness during my mother’s final days and following her death.
The flowers for her funeral (which are still beautiful), the many prayers, the texts of support and love, along with the beautiful cards and messages following her death and our return to Galena, have meant so much to Richard and me. Grieving is very hard, but your thoughtfulness and care helps a lot.
With love,
Diane and Richard
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VESTRY HANDOUTS FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING
Under New Business at the Annual Meeting last Sunday, Lynn Giles explained how the Vestry decided the new rector’s position will be half-time. Since only those present at the meeting received the hand-outs, they are linked here for all to have.
The Rector Time Management Review is based on data which was gathered by Vestry members and reflects an average week. It was instructive for us to be reminded how much lay involvement there is in every aspect of ministry at Grace.
The Vestry decided to initially offer a compensation package between the diocesan minimum and median amounts.
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SEARCH COMMITTEE HANDOUTS FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING
Under New Business at the recent Annual Meeting the Search Committee also presented information on the position for our next rector. This included a brief summary of how the Diocese wishes new rectors to regard the time constraints of a half-time position, and several questions the Search Committee needs to have the congregation answer. With these answers the Search Committee can complete the current phase of its work.
For those who were unable to attend the meeting the documents are linked here:
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LENTEN MEDITATION BOOKLET
It's that time of year again to think about writing a meditation or two for our annual
The deadline this year is Valentine's Day, February 14th. Thanks! And the entire congregation eagerly awaits your thoughts and insights.
Carmen
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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BARBARA HOOPER
A Memorial Service for Barb Hooper will take place on Wednesday, February 23rd at 10:30am at Grace.
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SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Search Committee continues to finalize the written materials that will need to be submitted to the diocese for their review. Both the writing and pictures will need to be joined together to make our posting attract attention when it is ready to post. Currently, the diocese lists 8 openings from churches looking for new priests. How we can help make Grace stand out is quite important.
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MINISTRY OF CARE
Because of the many volunteers willing to help out with calls, rides, errands, meals, etc., the Ministry of Care won’t miss a beat while our search for a new rector is ongoing.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Bonnielynn Kreiser at 815-777-1468 or 815-291-9005 if you are in need. Also know that our clergy are available to meet your spiritual needs.
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THE CHRISTIAN FORMATION MINISTRY WANTS YOU!
If this reminds you of that wartime poster with Uncle Sam pointing his finger at you, well, we know you’re parishioners and friends, not cannon fodder. But we do want you – your input, your ideas for future formation activities which, in the words of our mission statement, “are a feature of Christian education and spiritual practice.”
Do you have an idea for a special topic? A book or other readings that you’d like to see discussed?
A project that might involve hands-on work as part of its educational goal? Watch this space – but feel free to contribute your own ideas to it. At this juncture, we’re not asking for formal proposals. but we’ll be ready to review one if you’re ready to submit it. Contact me for further information.
Consider also contributing your time and talents to overseeing the development of programs as an actual member of the Formation Ministry. Our meetings are open, so if you want to get a feel for our work, let us know.
Larry Poston
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FROM THE NATIONAL CHURCH
hire of a new half-time manager for Safe Church and special projects. After conducting a national search and subsequent interviews, the hiring committee unanimously selected Bronwyn Skov for the position. Skov will shift from her current role as officer for youth ministry in late February.
Bronwyn Clark Skov was active at Grace Church while in high school and still visits on occasion.
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
SOCIAL HOUR SUSPENDED UNTIL MARCH 1st!
Coffee and conversation has been suspended due to COVID.
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FORMATION NEWS
We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. All are welcome to join us to enhance their knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their lives. Lately we’ve been studying the Gospel of Luke. Anyone needing a Zoom invitation can contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com).
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COMPLINE on Zoom 8:30pm on Tuesdays
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads a service of Compline. She has been participating in the service that has previously been offered to the Diocese of Chicago by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. 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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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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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
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Nancy Cook: Outreach
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Carl Davis
Amy Hardwicke
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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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