Please note that we are following the mask mandate required by the Diocese of Chicago. You must wear a mask at all times when inside the building, regardless of vaccination status. The Diocese has also asked that we suspend all Coffee Hours and any receptions with food/drink until further notice.
Services for Sunday, February 20
This Sunday we welcome back Fr. Jim Swarthout as our supply clergy. Fr. Jimmy was with us last Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. service, and this Sunday he will be presiding at both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services. Many of our long-time parishioners know Fr. Jim, and his wife, Claudia, who were married here in 1998. In January of 2002, Fr. Jim was received as an Episcopal priest here at St. Mary’s. Currently, Fr. Jim is the Director of Addiction and Behavioral Health Medicine at Amita Health. He has been involved with mental health and addiction counseling for more than 35 years.
As always, the 8:00 a.m. service will be a spoken Eucharist. At 10:00 a.m. we will have music led by Peter Carroll and El Nyberg on guitar and keyboard.
Ministry Volunteers Needed
During these past two pandemic years, many of our volunteer ministries have been continuing with just a very few people, and in some cases, ceased altogether. We are in need of volunteers for the following two ministries. Please prayerfully consider helping with one or both of these very special volunteer opportunities.
The Altar Guild is a very important behind-the-scenes ministry that many do not think about, but it is an essential guild in the church. Altar guild members set up and clean up the communion vessels for both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services, in addition to funerals, weddings, Holy Week, Christmas and other services as needed. In the past we’ve had four teams who were assigned to one week a month, and then the teams took turns covering when there was a fifth Sunday. Although the time commitment is minimal, this is a very special, quiet way to serve at God’s altar. Please contact Deacon Mike if you are interested in learning more about the Altar Guild.
The Welcome Bakers ministry acknowledges a newcomer to St. Mary’s by delivering a loaf of fresh bread to them the week of their first visit. This ministry is easy, can be done at your convenience, and is a very special way to extend hospitality to all those who visit. If you are interested in being part of this ministry, please contact Amy Noe in the parish office.
Annual Parish Meeting Report
In case you missed the Annual Parish meeting February 6, copies of the 2021 Annual Parish Report are now available on a Narthex table – one per family, please.
The following members have concluded their time on Vestry, and we thank them for their commitment and leadership these past few years: Steve Brooks, Co-Warden, and members Heather Robert, Lorraine Taylor, and Cheri Dudek.
We also congratulate the following parishioners who were elected on Sunday to serve on the Vestry: Doug Murphy, Co-Warden (2 years); and members Peter Carroll and Gail Head (3 years); Bill Wayne (2 years); and Andrew Wild (1 year).
Forward Day by Day
Forward Day by Day, the Episcopal devotional guide to Bible reading, for the months of February, March, and April, is available on a Narthex table, priced as marked. Please pick up a copy the next time your are in church.
2022 Flower Chart
There are still many Sundays available to donate altar flowers. The flower chart is posted in the Narthex. Parishioners 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.
Parishioners: Kristi, Cindy; El; Edward, John, John, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Leo, brother of Dn. Mike ChoquetteSigrid, dear friend of Karen Meter; Steve Szalaj, friend of the parish; Ted, brother-in-law of Jane Helmboldt, and his wife, Ginny; Barbara, friend of Jane Helmboldt; Andi, friend of Carissa Nyberg Stanich; Chris, colleague of Rick Noe; Frances, aunt of Catherine Carroll; Brent, son of El & Dorothy Nyberg; Eric; Ashton; Sherri; Laura; Dawn; Betty; Jean; Don; Millie; Nick; 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 Who Have Died
Fr. John Spruhan; Bob Ferraro
Those Who Mourn
The family and friends of Fr. John; Drew and Art Ferraro, and their families
