The Abbey. Goodbye Celebration for Rev. Heidi and Adam. Wear Red! All church photo & potluck!

Transcription

1 The Abbey The Episcopal Church of St. Benedict May 2016 Bolingbrook, Illinois Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. Goodbye Celebration for Rev. Heidi and Adam Wear Red! All church photo & potluck!

2 From the Rector It s been a hard few weeks, beginning to say goodbye to you. On April 3, I announced that I would be leaving St. Benedict to become Senior Associate Rector at St. Chrysostom Episcopal Church in Chicago. I am both thrilled to be starting on a new adventure but also so very sad to be leaving this wonderful faith community. Still, I know I m leaving you in capable, prayerful hands: the wardens, the vestry, the clergy, and truly, each one of you. We have many ways of saying goodbye to one another: - Notes and s, which many of you have already sent to me. Thank you. - Sundays for worship, coffee hour, or Sunday Seminar on May 1. - For coffee or tea in person or in small groups. - My last Sunday, May 15, in worship and the celebration potluck afterwards After May 15, I will no longer be your priest or rector. Baptisms, funerals, and weddings will be done by your interim rector, and then your new rector. I won t be able to offer crisis counseling or to talk with you about church business. I won t return to St. Benedict for events unless your rector invites me to do so. We can be friends and we will see each other at one time or another, and on social media, if you use it. I will continue to receive The Abbey. In September, I ll be officiating at the wedding of Emily Simonson (daughter of Esther and Bob). Emily is no longer a member and her wedding won t be in the church building or nearby, so I decided to keep this commitment, which I made in December I hope this doesn t seem unfair. Bishop Lee will come to visit you on Sunday, June 26 to bless the wall cross, altar, and Paschal candle stand that David Orth has designed. These sacred objects will be at the heart of worship at St. Benedict for generations to come. I was glad to be part of bringing them to St. Benedict, but they belong to you. God has called you to community and discipleship, particularly to the mission of welcoming and accepting all who come to the feast of Jesus, both on the altar and in your midst. I am grateful for all the ways we have formed one another in that ministry. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us as we strive to do God s will and follow in the way of Christ. We will always be part of one another in the Body of Christ! 2

3 From the Deacon It was quite a surprise when Heidi told me last December that she had been approached to interview at another church. She had told me in the past that she was happy at St. Benedict and had no intention of looking for a different position. Do I want to see Heidi leave no. Yet I understand the calling of the Holy Spirit. I tried to ignore the Spirit once, when I felt called to leave a church. I kept pushing the Spirit away, as I loved the people where I served. My life became miserable until I decided to accept what the Spirit was calling me to do! Having been through two new priest searches, one as a senior warden and one as a deacon, I know what it is like to go through the uncertainty of what will happen next. We all go through some sort of angst when something we think of as carved in stone changes. We do not like it, yet on reflection, we know God is with us and we will eventually be fine. Heidi has led St. Benedict extremely well. We are now a parish, we had a wonderful report on our CAT survey ( Church Assessment Tool ), and the diocese is proud of us. We have good leaders in everything and the church really does belong to the people here. Every place else I have been, it hasn t. We can honor what Heidi has done by going forward trusting that what is right for St. Benedict will continue to happen. As a parish, we are required to grow in sharing God s love and embracing the work before us. Our wardens are already working to discern what is important to do next and I know they will do an outstanding job looking out for what is best for St. Benedict. I think I am finished traveling with Bishop Lee for this year, which means I will be here each Sunday and available to each and every one of you as you need me to be. Let us celebrate well what we have had with Heidi and Adam here, being grateful for all of God s goodness to us. The Rev. Chere Bates 3

4 Education Children s Education Holy Moly (ages 4-8), green hallway (Ruth Denofrio) Connect (ages 9-12), blue hallway (Adam Frieberg) The last day of Sunday School is May 1 because of Rev. Heidi and Rev. Adam s goodbye celebration on May 15. Classes for kids will start again on Sunday, August 28. Sunday Seminars May 1, How to Relate to An Ex [Rector], (Rev. Heidi) May 8, no seminar, Mother s Day May 15, Goodbye to Heidi and Adam! May 22, Grace & Race: Bolingbrook High School Panel (Tish Sanborn) Wednesday Night Bible Study Wednesdays, 7 8:30 p.m., parish hall. The Acts of the Apostles Grace and Race: Teen Panel from BHS Sunday, May 22, 2016 Please join us during the Sunday Seminar for a candid discussion with a teen panel composed of students from Bolingbrook High School. High school kids face a myriad of issues on a daily basis and their thoughts about these issues may surprise you. The student body at Bolingbrook High School is one of the most racially and socio-economically diverse schools in the state of Illinois. Last year we hosted a similar panel discussion where the BHS students answered questions on topics such as race issues, parental pressures, college prospects, and teenage stressors. Bring your questions and join us for a conversation that will surely engage you. We will head to Home Run Inn after the "official" Sunday Seminar discussion, where you can talk with students one-on-one. All are welcome. See Tish Sanborn if you have any questions. 4

5 From the Wardens We are finalizing plans for an interim priest and we will make details known to you as they become solidified in the next week or so. Right now our focus is on Rev. Heidi. Pentecost Sunday will be her last Sunday with us and we will definitely celebrate St. Benedict-style. We will have our annual Pentecost Potluck, which have often centered on red and orange foods, but feel free to bring whatever delicious dish you desire. We have some special things planned to help us say goodbye to Heidi that Sunday as well. And don't forget our Annual All-Congregation Photo! We hope everyone can attend. Many people have asked for suggestions regarding appropriate gifts to send her to her new job/call/church. A heartfelt card and message would be treasured, but if you're looking to mark the occasion with a gift, here are some suggestions to honor her ministry and time with us: Gift cards to IKEA or Amazon for transition items and books Potted flowers or plants to remind her of her garden Gifts to either the Liturgical Art or Capital Improvement Funds Save the Date! Sunday, June 26 Bishop Jeff Lee comes to preach and visit with us, to confirm and receive members, and to dedicate our new wall cross, altar and paschal candle stand. 5

6 At St. Benedict Generosity Corner By: Tish Sanborn I am a pledger at St. Benedict and choose to give because this place is in my soul. The people and the Holy Spirit fill my life with joy, purpose and meaning. By pledging to St. Benedict, I am doing my very best to ensure that other people experience those same blessings and love. The people of St. Benedict are some of the most generous and giving people I have met in my life. I am always amazed at the ways people step up with their time, talents, and money when there is a need at St. Benedict. I think that the monies raised for our new cross and altar are a perfect example. The amount of money we have raised in such a short time is amazing. It is a true testament to the Benedictine nature of our church family. Please know that your monetary gifts, whether in pledge form or otherwise, are always welcome. All you need to do is drop your gift in the Sunday offering basket. You can also mail in a pledge or donation to the church office. Please remember to indicate what the gift is for, either on your check or in a note attached to your gift. This helps our finance team make sure that moneys are channeled as intended. By: Allyce, AnnMarie, and Emmett Sulkowski Our donation to the liturgical arts fund this spring was a small token of our appreciation to St. Benedict, and a "thank you" for the many ways God has blessed us with each of you. St. Benedict has been such a welcoming and caring congregation from the moment we arrived. To name a few, we've been blessed by the St. Benedict family with prayer and support during a tough week in the NICU with our son, meals while we healed and adjusted to being new parents, and love and celebration of Emmett's baptism on Easter. 6

7 At St. Benedict Healing prayer team By: Margaret Bauman The Healing Prayer Team at St. Benedict was formed almost 12 years ago. It's an outgrowth of a woman's retreat, where many of us experienced anointing & the laying on of hands for the first time. Some of us felt the Holy Spirit nudging us to expand on this event &, with the guidance of clergy & the Holy Spirit, this ministry at St. Benedict was launched. We've trained with other Healing Prayer Teams, learned from clergy focused on healing, attended lectures & seminars on healing prayer, and read, studied & discussed numerous books on the subject - especially books on how to do this ministry "right" & how to stay grounded in the Spirit, which is the core of our ministry - the Spirit provides the healing - we're just a conduit. We pray together - for each other & for all of you - twice a month. We send a two person team to the Bolingbrook Christian Health Center once a month to pray with the staff & patients. We also host the annual Blue Christmas service on the 3rdSunday of Advent, which is a quiet service for those for whom the joy of Christmas is maybe "not so much". The St. Benedict Team is currently six members strong - Beth Erickson, Cindy Johnson, Bill Scheets, Esther Simonson, Ruan Wright & Margaret Bauman. We offer anointing & prayer during the Eucharist every Sunday - all prayers & pray-ers are welcome - and any/all members of the Team would be honored & privileged to pray privately after the service with anyone who desires a deeper encounter with the Spirit. Our Healing Prayer Team ministry is for you. Please talk to any member of the Team if you have questions or suggestions about how we can grow & expand this ministry. We want to help bring the Holy Spirit into your lives & hope to continue to help grow the Spirit in this place. 7

8 Around the Diocese Joining the Anti-Racism Commission By: Donna Williams Last October, Rev. Heidi and I participated in a 2.5 day workshop sponsored by the Chicago Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism (Chicago ROAR), a partner of the Antiracism Commission of the Diocese of Chicago (ARC). The intent of the workshop is to reveal, in a safe environment, how systemic racism prevents multicultural diversity and racial equity. I was so profoundly affected by the information I received, that I knew I had found my baptismal ministry and immediately spoke to them about joining ARC. ARC s mission, with God s grace, is to establish an anti-racist identity in the Church for the life of the world, by dismantling systemic racism through many different avenues. It is made up of clergy and lay people from around the Chicago Diocese. To begin the vetting process of a prospective member I went to monthly meetings from December to February, then completed a one-on-one discussion with two different ARC members, one person of color and one white person. As of March, I was officially invited to become a member. I m so excited about doing this work and I hope to share the experience with my St. Benedict family. Understanding Islam Thursday, May 19, 7:00 p.m. Dr. Scott Alexander is associate professor of Islamic Studies and director of the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and will speak on Islam 2.0: The Messengers of God and the Muslim In Us All. He has degrees from Harvard and Columbia University, and is associated with the University of Chicago, Indiana University, Princeton, and Fordham. Doors open at 6:30p. Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 North West Street, Wheaton. Free. 8

9 Around the Diocese C.P.E.? What s That? By: Cindy Johnson Have you ever listened to one of Rev. Heidi s, What is God calling you to do? sermons? OR What are your gifts and how could you use them? For many years I have been contemplating what my purpose in this life would be. My life has had times of great joy and times of great pain. God was always walking beside me and during those difficult times, he carried me. All of my experiences have brought me to this time in my life, when I am ready to hear God s call of direction for me. He started softly, urging me on in the background. Then He eventually ended up screaming DO SOMETHING!!! in my ear. (I am a bit of a procrastinator). I decided to move forward with what I feel in my heart. I have a strong desire to be with those who are hurting and going through a difficult time in their lives. A desire to be present as a messenger and servant of God. A desire to be a loving and compassionate presence of God s love for each of us. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an intensive educational program for pastors and religious leaders interested in developing their clinical skills. (This includes lay people, like myself.) Students engage in pastoral work and reflect on their experience with a trained supervisor and a peer group. CPE is an excellent tool for discernment, self-care and renewal. I have chosen the CPE program offered by Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL. The hospital is a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal care center. We have the opportunity to minister to all faiths and beliefs. The departments include the emergency room, critical care, neonatal, behavioral health, the patient care floors and outpatient area. My program started in the January and ends the first week of June. It has been an amazing and fulfilling experience for me these past months. I am looking forward to continuing in this ministry. If you have ever wondered about or desired to be a chaplain, you may wish to look into a CPE program. Please feel free to ask me or Deacon Chere about how you might begin. 9

10 Special Thanks to 10 all who have made donations towards the new altar, designed by David Orth. the wardens, Tish Sanborn and Mark Wright, for their careful and thoughtful shepherding of our congregation as we begin this transition process. the vestry, Erica Barta, Ruth Denofrio, Mark MacPhail, Henry Vega, and Donna Williams, as well as finance chair, Bill Scheets, for making time in their schedules for many extra meetings as a result of the transition process. Linda Scheets, Henry Vega, and Jill Wright, for their continued work on the Liturgical Arts Team. Patty and Scott Wilson, for the donation of a clean, comfy couch and a large rug. Mike Zarnott, for helping transport these items to the church. Erica Barta, for driving the Rector s lost keys to the rectory. Deacon Chere Bates, for managing the kneeler cushion auction process. Stephen Erickson, for leading a Sunday Seminar on dying and advanced directives. Coffee Hosts: Bob and Esther Simonson; Barb and Larry Wolfrum; Jill Crisman and Carol Todd Margaret Bauman, for donating six new dish towels to the Parish Hall Stephen Erickson, for coordinating the Grace and Race trip to Lawndale Community Church Rev. Donna Ialongo, for narrating the Instructed Eucharist and to "models" Ulric Johnson, Margaret Bauman, Deacon Chere Bates, Rev. Heidi, and Beth Erickson Welcome! Guests and visitors who worshipped here and made themselves known to us in April. Jen Webb and family (Plainfield) Joe Dorchak (Bolingbrook) Emily Simonson & Jessica Wielgus (daughter of Bob and Esther, Washington, D.C.) Lilliana Miranda Vallejo (granddaughter of Jeanette Cruz) Donations Please notify the vestry or rector of anything material you would like to give before you leave it or drop it off at church (with exception of Giving Sunday or other organized collections). Items can build up and clutter our storage rooms, making these spaces difficult to use. It is because of member generosity that St. Benedict is able to have many beautiful pieces of furniture, appliances, and art. The Vestry is grateful for your generosity, but please check first. Thank you!

11 May 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 GIVING SUNDAY Rogation: Blessing our Church Sunday School 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist 6:00 PM Grace & Race: Dinner & Movie 8 MOTHER'S DAY 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist 2 7:00 PM Codependents Anonymous 9 7:00 PM Codependents Anonymous 3 8:00 PM AA 10 8:00 PM AA 4 7:00 PM Bible Study (Acts) 11 9:30 AM Conte mplative Prayer Group 7:00 PM Bible Study (Acts) 5 6 Rector Sabbath Day 7:30 PM AA 12 7:00 PM Choir rehearsal 13 Rector Sabbath Day 7:30 PM AA 7 10:30 AM AA 14 10:30 AM AA 2:00 PM Klupshas family party 15 PENTECOST 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Celebration & Potluck for Heidi & Adam 16 6:30 PM Vestry Meeting 7:00 PM Codependents Anonymous 17 8:00 PM AA 18 7:00 PM Bible Study (Acts) 19 7:00 PM LAST Choir rehearsal 20 New Covenant Church: Conference Interim Rector Sabbath Day 7:30 PM AA 21 10:30 AM AA 22 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist 10:30 AM Bolingbrook High School Panel 23 7:00 PM Codependents Anonymous 24 8:00 PM AA 25 9:30 AM Conte mplative Prayer Group 7:00 PM Bible Study (Acts) Interim Rector Sabbath Day 7:30 PM AA 28 10:30 AM AA 29 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist 30 MEMORIAL DAY, church office closed 31 8:00 PM AA 1 7:00 PM Bible Study 2 3 Rector Sabbath Day 7:30 PM AA 4 10:30 AM AA 7:00 PM Codependents Anonymous 11

12 Rev. Heidi Haverkamp, Rector Rev. Chere Bates, Deacon Rev. Donna Ialongo, Priest Associate Tish Sanborn, Warden Mark Wright, Warden Ruth Denofrio,Erica Barta, Mark MacPhail, Henry Vega, Donna Williams Vestry 12 The Church of St. Benedict 909 Lily Cache Lane Bolingbrook, IL (630) Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Office Hours Monday & Wednesday 9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!