The Episcopal Parish of Alton has as its mission: To live and show Christ in our midst.

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1 August & September 2015 The Reverend Gary W. Goldacker, Interim Rector The Episcopal Parish of Alton has as its mission: To live and show Christ in our midst. THE NEXT CLERGY TRANSITION While this may seem a little premature, coming as it does at the beginning of August, this is the perfect time to begin thinking about how the congregation will prepare for the coming of the new rector. Hopefully, by the time the next issue of the Angelus comes out at the end of September, there will be news about a call. One of the continuing themes of the Bible, and a very important one upon which to focus at any time, is the welcoming of the stranger. Think of the Road to Emmaus story in Luke s Gospel (24:13-35). Even though Cleopas and his companion have just met a stranger while grieving and walking home to Emmaus, they invite him to come in for dinner and to spend the night. We can even imagine them saying something like, Excuse me, but what did you say your name was? while issuing the invitation. But it is really only while they are having dinner that they discover Jesus real identity. What are some welcoming clues we can gain from this story? 1) Strangers have something to teach us, if we are willing to listen. Since it is the vestry that calls a new rector, that person will be a stranger to most of the congregation. We will know their name and the basic information about their background, but little about their personality or style. So it is most important to listen, with ears and hearts, as that person enters into congregational life, our common life. This is not someone we hired to do rector work; this is someone we have invited to join us on the marvelous journey toward the Kingdom of God. 2) Show hospitality. Make the person feel welcome, not only into parish life, but also into your life. Be willing to share who you are and what is important to you. You don t have to do this in the first week the new rector is here; they will be with you for many years and you will have many opportunities to enjoy their company. Don t be afraid to invite them into your home or to participate in your activities; they actually do want to know the real you. On the other hand, do not expect them to participate in every activity. Like you, they only have so many hours in the day and would like to spend quality time with their family. 3) Have reasonable expectations about their interests and abilities. No priest is good at everything. Give them time to adjust to the congregation, just as you had to adjust when you first came to the parish. Each has their own personal style and mannerisms. As Episcopalians, we tolerate a great deal of diversity in most things and with the exception of the BCP mandatory rubrics, all else is optional. Just because one priest does things one way, it does not mean that another priest will be comfortable doing things the same way. 4) Be supportive by attending church regularly and participating in parish activities as you are able and interested. You expect the priest to be available to you in time of need and it is only reasonably that the priest should expect you to be available when needed. As the community of faith we have a duty to support one another in our common spiritual journey. 1

2 5) Most of all, be warm, open and accepting, just as you would like to have others be toward you. 6) There will be many practical things you can do to help the new priest and family adjust to a new environment and we will talk about those things as we prepare for the priest s arrival. Continue in your prayers for the search committee and vestry and the movement of the Holy Spirit in inviting a new rector to join us as we make our way forward into God s vision of the New Jerusalem. Fr Gary+ from the Vestry... Here s the Scoop to Keep You in the Loop This month Vestry members highlighted so many ways in which all members can jump in and participate in parish life. Look for sign-up sheets at both churches. There are many opportunities for a little or a lot of commitment. Coffee hours need goodies to go with coffee. Children less fortunate than our children need underwear, sizes 2 6X, and socks to start school. Our section of highway needs to be cleaned of litter. More people means less work for each one. The Neighborhood Health Fair and Block Party in August needs volunteers. Even a few hours of help can do wonders to lift a load. And the Vestry invites you to check in at church on Sundays to touch base, catch up on parish news, and give thanks for so many blessings. The Vestry will not meet in August but we ll all be here working on the above activities. See you then. Sue Goers, Clerk CHURCH SCHOOL We have continued to have church school throughout the summer although it has been a little more casual and a little less structured. One thing we have been working on is a new banner to hang in church. The students designed their own banner and then voted on the one they wanted to make. The banner chosen was designed by Alyssa Eagleton. We have spent the last several weeks making a paper template of her design, which is currently on display on the bulletin board in the downstairs classroom area. We will begin putting together the fabric version beginning Sunday, August 2. On regular church school will begin on September 13, but please keep coming in August! We re still here and need help on the banner. Lynn Hoffman BACK-TO-SCHOOL NEEDS The Evangelism and Outreach Commission made inquiries of our partner groups and found the most crying need is at Riverbend Head Start and Family Services for underwear and socks in sizes 2T to 8. Many of these young children start their school year with only one set of undies. We will receive your donations now through September. Please put Back to school on the memo line of your checks made payable to the church. MUMS THE WORD The Episcopal Church Men will be selling mums again this year. Sign-up sheets are posted in the parish halls at Trinity and St Paul s. Delivery will be at St Paul s on Friday, September 18 from 12:00 1:00 pm and Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 1:00 pm. See Charlie Buxton with any questions. from the Search Committee... It has been a tumultuous month for the Search Committee. We invited a candidate to Alton for a first interview. He and his family were in town for four days. In addition to the serious business of a formal interview for a potential rector for our parish, we had a lovely social visit. The candidate was also interested in, and being interviewed by, two additional communities. Unfortunately, he and his family chose another parish. The follow-up interview with the candidate was informative and helpful. He felt our process was wonderful and should remain unchanged. The Bishop now has another candidate for us but the information has yet to be received by our committee. Please continue to keep the committee and our work in your prayers. Vivian Monckton Search Committee Chair 2

3 SOUL FOOD If you have an interest in enriching your prayer life and/or deepening your familiarity with scripture, the parish currently offers opportunities to do just that. PRAYER GROUP On Monday mornings at 9:00 am, a group of men and women meet above the office at St Paul s for a half-hour of prayers. These prayers are basically an expanded form of prayers of the people, with ample opportunity to offer personal intercessions. Three people in the group rotate as intercessors and no one is required to lead prayer or pray aloud, if that is their preference. If this type of prayer appeals to you, please come join us some Monday. The group meets throughout the year, unless a cancellation is agreed to or when the church office is closed. If you are interested in group prayer but Monday mornings are not convenient, we can help you start another group. Let the office know your interest and we will be in touch. BIBLE STUDY The Adult Bible Study will reconvene on Tuesday, September 8, at Trinity Chapel. A simple Eucharist is celebrated at 9:30 am and Bible Study follows from 10:00 11:00 am. No scholarly skills are required. The format is informal. All you need is curiosity and a Bible. This fall we will be exploring Matthew s gospel. New participants in these offerings are always welcome. Come and see what these Soul Food dishes taste like! NURSING HOME MINISTRY What is nursing home ministry? A simple explanation is that it is a form of lay ministry. In our parish, it is one of the several services offered by the Evangelism and Outreach Committee. Currently, nursing home ministry involves doing Morning Prayer at Rosewood Care Center in Alton on the second Sunday of each month from 10:15 10:45 am. Any resident, guest or employee may attend and participate in the service. For more information, contact Mary Molloy. mary_molloy@hotmail.com or from the Library During this spring and summer, the Library has been going through some changes and additions. The new bookcase is in place. Thank you for your donations. Now there is room for everything. Approximately ninety books have been catalogued and are being added. I must admit that the Library is still in a slight state of disarray but it is open for business before and after mass on Sundays and during the week when the office is open. There are over 700 selections in the Library. THAT S 700 a lot more than just Bibles, prayer books and heavy reading on church history. There are great, great books to match many interest. Something for everyone. Come in. and the Bookstore In order to support social and spiritual organizations that help those in need, The Bookstore is establishing wholesale accounts with two new suppliers: The Women s Bean Project is an enterprise that provides chronically unemployed women a chance for transition through jobs in gourmet foods and handmade jewelry. The Thistle Farms was founded by Episcopal Priest Becca Stevens and is an organization that helps women who have histories of addiction and violence. Their products include a wide variety of very special, natural bath and body products, as well as scented candles, sprays, coffees, books and more. And don t forget, Monastery Scents, Sun Ministries, greeting cards from All Saints Convent and handmade gift-packaged granola from the monks at Conception Abbey. Also, a new supply of sterling silver cross necklaces and bracelets, and more. Shop of Bookstore. Diane Martin BOOK CLUB The Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am at Trinity. Our August selection is Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. Hope you can join us on August 19. Everyone is welcome. Please continue to remember in your prayers all those in need of healing. Heavenly Father, giver of life and health, comfort and restore those who are sick, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and trust in your unfailing love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 3

4 TRASH PATROL The Trash Team of the Episcopal Parish of Alton will take to the highway again on August 22 at 7:30 am. New trash gatherers are most welcome to join the volunteers cleaning up the stretch of Route 67 from Center Drive to Godfrey Road. The group gathers at 7:30 am for about an hour of work, followed by dutch-treat breakfast. All equipment is provided, unless you prefer your own garden gloves. Come join this long-standing project that helps keep our roadways litter free. BLOCK PARTY The Annual Market Street Block Party looms large on August 15. This parish hosts the Health Fair and Shriners screenings in Heneghan Hall. Last year 500 people registered for the health fair. Four volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts, 11:00 1:00 pm and 1:00 3:00 pm. In addition, helpers are needed with set-up from 7:00 9:00 am, Please check your calendars and give a couple of hours to this highly successful outreach to the community. THANK YOU A hearty Thank You goes to the Guild of Grace grannie-nannies who provided an evening out for our young parents on July 19 and to our ten young guests who behaved beautifully and ate heartily. A good time was had by all. Watch The Angelus for a repeat event in the months ahead. ECW BLANKETS ECW has finished making thirty-two blankets for grade school children. The blankets will be used by counselors and nurses for children who have had some difficulty in their lives. It has been a wonderful project with many loving hands. All of the volunteers and supporters of this project have been outstanding. A big THANK YOU to Margaret Engelmann for chairing this project. Her guidance made the project fun and deliverable. We will be giving the blankets to the schools at the beginning of the school year. Many thanks and God s Peace to all. Millie Hancock ECW President I will start on Tuesday, August 11. My office hours will remain on Tuesdays but hours will be different than Judy s. I will be at St Paul s on Tuesdays from 9:00 10:00 am and then at Trinity from 10:15 11:30 am. Blood Pressure Sundays will now be done quarterly on the second Sunday of the month after mass at both St Paul s and Trinity in September, December, March and June. Other than during office hours, I am available by cell If I do not answer, please leave me a message and I will call you back ASAP. Thank you. Amy Bohn, RN BSN THANK YOU Dear Father Gary, Vestry and Friends at the Episcopal Parish of Alton: I don t know what to say. A simple thank you seems inadequate for your thoughtful and, oh so, generous gifts! The buffet luncheon was delicious and was a great opportunity for me to visit with you all. I tried to get to all the tables if I didn t, I hope we at least bumped elbows and were able to exchange a greeting. We are enjoying the Rx jars full of M&M s, Licorice & Smarties! Jim & I can t wait to go to Rockbridge (south of Springfield, MO) and do some fall trout fishing. Bill always seemed to have a great time there and we do like to trout fish and eat our catch! I understand they will cook it for us! We may use the cash to extend our stay. I ll be retired, so I won t have to be back for work! Thanks so much to all of you for coming to the reception, sending a note or card, making a call or visiting me at the office. As I said at the reception, it has been my great privilege to serve as the Parish Nurse for the Episcopal Parish of Alton for the past ten years and to journey with you. I have loved getting to know you all and thank you for welcoming me into your homes and lives. Many thanks, too, for always offering a welcoming hand to Jim. Loved the tiara forgot I even had it on, until I bumped my head getting into the car! A reminder that this is not good-bye, just until we meet again Love, Judy :) 4

5 August Birthdays 2 Will Lane 14 Ted Woodbury 3 Lucy Darr Caleb Heneghan Judy Roth 16 Kyle Harris 5 Justin Hayes 17 Irene McLaughlin 8 Mimi Almonroeder 21 King Hoagland Logan Phillips 23 Sarah Wade 12 Jean Downey 25 Joette Moyer Jared McNelly 30 Victor Sever 13 Liam Mills Connie Terry September Birthdays 2 Tom Dehner 22 Victoria Sever 3 Nancy Weiss-Hayes 23 Carl Slaughter 5 Tim Foley 24 Anna Potter 11 Liam Downey 28 Gladys Bennett 12 Margaret Slaughter 29 Margaret Engelmann 18 Denise St. Peters Linda Dunnagan 19 John Barker Mary Mills 30 Diane Martin Vestry Rector s Warden: Charles Buxton Parish Warden: Barb Ulffers Clerk of the Vestry: Sue Goers Treasurer: Donna Fisher Father Goldacker Gay Bryant Charles Buxton Jeff Dunnagan Tim Eagleton Donna Fisher A.J. Goers Lynn Hoffman Will Lane Marti LoRusso Mary Molloy Victor Sever Denise St. Peters Barb Ulffers St. Paul s Church The Episcopal Parish of Alton Trinity Chapel 10 East Third Street Alton, Illinois State Street Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm Telephone: epialton@episcopalalton.org Rector: rector@episcopalalton.org Website: Angelus Editor: moyerb@charter.net 5