Last Sunday we kicked off our 2022 Stewardship Campaign. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge to St. Mary’s for 2022 as we continue to go forward in faith. Pledge cards were handed out and mailed this past week. If you still need a pledge card, please pick one up from the church office or at the back of the church. We are asking that the pledges be handed in by Sunday November 21 when we celebrate Thanksgiving as a community. Let us give thanks to God by giving back in gratitude for all that we have been given.
On Sunday October 31 we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints at both our 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services. As is our tradition, we will remember those who have died this past year and go out to the churchyard to read the names of all the family, friends and parishioners who are buried in that sacred space. At the 10:00 a.m. service the choir will be singing and leading us in some of our favorite All Saints’ Day hymns. Following the 10:00 a.m. service we are celebrating the first Anniversary of Deacon Mike’s ordination with a coffee hour reception. Please note that we will have extra tables in the church wing for distancing, and will space out our tables in the hall. You are asked to wear your masks at all times in the building and hall unless you are seated with your food. Weather permitting, we will have some chairs in the courtyard.
This week I will be attending Clergy Conference in Woodstock at the Loyal Retreat Center. The conference begins Sunday afternoon and continues through Tuesday morning. You may contact me via cell phone if needed. Amy Noe is out of the office on Monday so the office will be closed, and will reopen on Tuesday morning.
See You All on Sunday,
Rev. Fran +
2022 Stewardship Drive is Underway
Pledge cards were distributed/mailed this week. If you did not receive one, there are extra cards on the Narthex table. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for 2022 as our pledge dollars are the main source of income we have to fund our ministries at St. Mary’s. Please return your pledge card no later than November 21, Stewardship Sunday.
Mark your Calendar for
All Saints’ Sunday October 31st
Join us on Sunday, October 31 for our annual celebration of All Saint’s Sunday. We will be celebrating all of the Saints of the Church, known and unknown. We will also, as is our tradition, go out to the St. Mary’s Churchyard and read the names of all who are buried in that sacred space.
All Saints’ Sunday Remembrances
During the Prayers of the People on All Saints’ Sunday, we will pray for all those friends and loved ones who have died during the past year. There are forms in the back of church, or you may submit their names to the office via email or a phone call.
Festive Coffee Hour
Following the service you are invited to join us for a festive Coffee hour celebrating Deacon Mike’s first Anniversary of his Ordination. Last year when Mike was ordained we were unable to give him a reception, so please join us to celebrate this year! We will set up a few tables and chairs in the education wing for the sake of having more space and distancing, and if the weather permits we will have some chairs outside.
Are You Interested in Being Chosen?
There is a wonderful Christian TV series called “The Chosen”, which follows Jesus’s ministry on earth. It is directed by Dallas Jenkins (son of Jerry Jenkins who wrote the “Left Behind” series) who is currently working on writing and crowdfunding its third season of seven seasons. The first two seasons (8 episodes each) can be viewed for free at https://watch.angelstudios.com . Beware – you will likely end up binge-watching the whole thing!
I purchased both seasons on DVD (which also has a lot of additional materials) and several Bible Study books on “What does it mean to be Chosen” because I was hoping there might be some interest in viewing and discussing this very touching, impressive look at Jesus’ ministry and his disciples. What impressed me most was how this portrayal of Jesus was so easy to connect to emotionally, as he reacts to sinners, children, his mother, Pharisees, and his disciples in a personal way of understanding, which is what we still need to do today.
The episodes are beautifully written and artistically filmed. There is an upfront caveat that there is nothing which is contrary to the Bible, but that backstories have been crafted as possibilities to flesh out the stories, not gospel.
If you are interested in starting a “Chosen” study group, please contact Missy Spengel. We would need to find a meeting time to view each episode (usually about 35-45 minutes) and then have time to discuss what we have seen and tie it into Biblical history and our own lives. Suggestions have been:
Grab your snacks after 10:00 service and go into the Sunday school area to see the videos and have a discussion.
Do a movie/discussion evening on Sunday nights.
Set up an evening weekday meeting around 7:00 (give me ideas of your best evenings).
Watch it at home, then just come for a discussion...but watching it together is really an important fellowship time.
“Get used to different.”…
Service Information for Rev. Dr. Mark McIntosh
The Rev. Dr. Mark A. McIntosh, a beloved priest, theologian, and writer in the Diocese of Chicago, passed away on October 13, following a long battle with ALS. Rev. McIntosh was the brother of long-time, former parishioner, Gib McIntosh.
McIntosh was ordainedto the priesthoodby Bishop Frank T. Griswold in December 1986, and from 1986 to 1989 he served as an assistant to the dean of St. James Cathedral. From 2003 - 2006, he served as canon theologian to Bishop Griswold during his tenure as Presiding Bishop. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 20 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Evanston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to advance cures for ALS or to the Mark McIntosh Scholarship in the Humanities at Loyola University of Chicago online (click the button that says "View Schools, Programs and Campaigns, scroll to the bottom and select the “other” option and then key in “Mark A. McIntosh Scholarship in the Humanities”).
May his soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Crystal Lake Food Pantry Information
Volunteers are needed for the next St. Mary’s date at the Food Pantry on Wednesday, October 27. Shifts times are 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, or 12:00 Noon –2:30 p.m. If you can help, please contact Cate Williams.
Paper Please. . . Donations of paper goods are greatly 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!!
Little Library Built in Memory of Judy Thornton
A new little library with books about gardening, nature and insects, was installed in memory of long time parishioner, (the late) Judy Thornton. The library is located in the garden at the intersection of Brink Street, Walkup Avenue, and Minnie Street in downtown Crystal Lake. It is dedicated to Judy’s memory as she was an active member for many decades with the Countryside Garden Club. The library was designed and built by Crystal Lake residents Bill and Margie Meier. Here are some pictures of the library, which bears a plaque with Judy’s name.
Parishioners: Amalia; Cindy; Betsy; El; Sally, Megan, Ann, Edward, John, Kristi, John, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Ashton, grandson of Sharon Duffy; Marilyn and Tom, sister and brother-in-law of Missy Spengel; Bishop-elect, Paula Clark, her husband Andrew, and their family; Sherri, step-daughter of Roseann Gibertson; 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 Who Have Died
Rev. Mark McIntosh, priest of the Diocese and brother of former parishioner, Gib McIntosh.