The St. John's Blog

We've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:24:00 +0000

The St. John's Blog has now been combined with the St. John's web site. Look for it here.

All the past blog posts have been moved (though we'll keep them here, too – at least for a while) and future blog posts will appear only at the new site.

Down By the Bay St. Louis

noreply@blogger.com (Jess Elfring) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:41:00 +0000

On July 30, 16 people from St. John's headed down to Bay St. Louis Mississippi to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina that hit the gulf coast 5 years ago. 83 people from the Diocese of Chicago participated on the mission trip. Needless to say we were a pretty loud group on the 18 hour train ride down to the gulf coast!

There were 12 different van groups that split up into 5 different work sites. Some sites did painting, insulating, caulking, drywalling, flooring, roofing, and so much more! Here are some shots from the trip:

Putting up insulation

Painting

Stopping for a bite to eat

Taking a break for rest and hydration

A group shot

The newest member of St. John's

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:57:00 +0000

The newest member of St. John's! Anna Morgan came to church and slept peacefully all through the service. Just wait until we pour water on her...then she'll have something to say!

New Lights Shine at St. John's

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:57:00 +0000

Hugh & Carol Colburn and friends donate a new votive candle stand which was blessed on June 20.
The big question is: Do we have to pay to pray?
The answer is: NO!
(but if you really want to make a donation you can!)

If Jesus Were Here Today

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Parish Photo 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:02:00 +0000

8:00 o'clock

10:30 wide angle!

Our newest member!

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Cristina is received into the Episcopal Church on June 12 at St. James Cathedral.
Here with Bishop Lee & Bishop Scantlebury and The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer

The Beatles Mass

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:20:00 +0000

On a hot and humid night the crowds came from all over Chicagoland...

The singers warmed up.

The guitarists kept cool

The programs were psychedelic colors of course!

Paul wrote to the Romans "love is the fulfilling of the law."

The brass got chops for "All you need is love"

The gospel reading was "all you need is love" by Jesus of Nazareth.

The great band played In my life, Help, Yesterday,
All you need is love, Tell me what you see,
Hey Jude, The Word, and Let it Be.
WOW!

Strings sang!

130 people sang their hearts out ...and gave generously, $1,000 for Episcopal Peace Fellowship.

Hey dude, why'm I wearing a pink headband with peace signs on it to go to church?

The love feast is bread and wine

"And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make."

dj and dinner!

Sunday School Picnic

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:54:00 +0000

On Sunday June 6 we had our end of the year celebration, an indoor picnic, games, and songs.

Pharoah, Pharoah, ohhh baby, let my people go, huh!

Batman Grace

"nah, nah, nah, nah,

nah, nah, nah, nah,

PRAISE GOD!"

Lots of food, of course!

Thanks everyone for a great year!

Immigration Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:26:00 +0000

I was asked to bless these pilgrims who were walking from our neighborhood in Chicago to Woodstock to protest counties' and suburbs' access to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement database to find undocumented immigrants. Along with other community leaders I gave a blessing and then walked a few blocks with them. My friend Ere walked the whole way. Her reflections are below:

"I just came back from a 3-day pilgrimage to McHenry County jail; we left on Friday at 10am and arrived Sunday at 6pm. For three days we walked to arrive at a place that for many of us represents the end of a life we have built in America, it’s a scary place, it’s a place we never want to be in and we pray our loved ones will never have to spend a night there. But, even though we hate this place, we walked there for the 400 people awaiting deportation in this detention center, so they could hear us, so they could know they were not alone, and so we could pray for them.

I am exhausted, tired, and beat-up. Walking 54 miles in 3 days is not easy; the 90-degree weather did not help either. The whole time I was walking, I kept thinking that this represented the walk that people must go through to reach a place that has jobs, a place where children can go to school and college, where you can buy a home, and send money back to help the extended family. But actually, at the end, I realized that this was not journey I was taking. The journey I took represented the life I live right now, the life that millions of people live every single day.

I am exhausted, tired, and beat-up- because I am undocumented every single day. I am so exhausted of taking every precaution I have to take because of my status, of the feeling I get every time I see a cop, and the feeling I get every time I call my brother and he does not pick up his phone. I am so exhausted of thinking of what am I going to do if CIR does not pass, what am I going to do if my mom is pulled over, how can I apply for grad school, and of how I am going to build a life and set roots in a place where I don’t always feel welcome. I have come to realize that I process many daily activities in a very different ways than my friends. A couple months ago, I was watching Planet Earth and I kept hearing- “I cannot wait until I can go there.” I never think that, traveling is so far removed from thoughts. What does it feel like to be able to think about seeing the world? What does it feel like to not have your heart skip a beat when you see a cop? What does it feel like to have a driver’s license? What does it feel like to be able to think about what I will be doing 10 years from now? All these thoughts beat me up every day.
This pilgrimage allowed me to understand why my faith is so important to me. It was the church that gave us food, shelter and blessings, and it was the church that walked and prayed for all detainees and for me. It is in my faith and the action of compassionate, passionate people that allows my exhaustion to not be overwhelming. My faith and all the people who fight for our dignity keep me going. This is why I am able to not give up and keep on fighting and hoping and praying. I hope that this pilgrimage allowed all participants to reflect, recollect, and recharge. Just like this long trip, our fight for comprehensive immigration reform will be a tough one, one filled with exhaustion."

T's Bar Benefit

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Thanks to T's Bar and Grill ...they donated 10% of the bar take from the party room towards our Mission Trip to Mississippi. Thanks to all the St. John's folks and friends who showed their spirit.

How dem Hawks doing?

The red team!

We raised just over $500 on the raffle & bar take. Thanks everyone!

The Woman at the Mosque

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:35:00 +0000

The Woman at the Mosque from Recycle Your Faith on Vimeo.

Christina Calvit receives the Bishop's Award

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Christina's fan club gathers at the Union League Club...gosh they clean up well!
(the people that is, the club was already clean!)

The bishop lists all her great accomplishments, her playwriting for Lifeline Theatre (she adapts novels for theatre), her Jeff awards, her professional life. She is so talented!

The bishop says more nice things about Christina...her contributions to St. John's through work on the altar guild and coordinating the flowers, decorations, and "set design" for St. John's.

All that embarrassing attention deserves a hug!

And a beautiful proclamation with the bishop's seal on it!

More admiration from fans
A good time was had by all!

Solemn Communion

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Five Children spent Lent learning about the meaning of the Eucharist and then celebrated Solemn Communion with the whole congregation. For one child, it was a first communion.

They learned about the four parts of the Eucharistic Prayer:
Offer, Bless, Break, and Share

They showed the congregation the ancient prayer position, orans,
which the people can do along with the priest during the prayers.

So holy!

The Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven

The Blood of Christ, the cup of Salvation

From the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:23:00 +0000

From the Heart

a concert of original music by composer

E. Rawlings Thurman

Seventeen fabulous pieces in several styles featuring Rawl Thurman, piano, voice, and accordian. Dawn Bach, voice and violin, Jason Martin, voice and clarinet, Angela Yorath on cello.

from the heart
lyrics by David Brewer, composed for the wedding of a mutual friend

in my heart

When I began writing this song I quickly realized that it belongs in a musical.

Perhaps someday someone will write that musical.

janet coming through the door on an afternoon

nogy- duet for violin and piano

vignettes

This is a weaving of three separate pieces: Diff'rent Word, Old Souls, and Catherine's Wheel.
And it's really fun to play

you swoon me

This was my attempt to write something for a crooner.
Feel free to imagine yourself with a cocktail and cigarette.

Afterwards tea and a fabulous cake created by Dawn!

The Bishop's Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Kara WS) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:41:00 +0000

When the Bishop visits, we dust in all the corners, put on our best clothes, and get ready to celebrate!

We call in the best musicians...

And the crack team of acolytes!

We are reminded of our promises thorough baptism, confirmations, and receptions (into the Episcopal Church). We had all three!

Adrian got wet!

Adrienne, William and Nikki were confirmed. (The bishop's hands seal the deal.) Susan and Brian were received. They got lovely prayer books.

Suellen and Hugh were honored for their commitments (and got beautiful icons to show for it - of St. John as a fisherman and Dame Julian of Norwich with her cat.)

We won't forget the Bishop's story of his recent trip to Sudan. At one church he was greeted by the slaughter of a bull. He had to step over it to enter the church! (If he told us we could have arranged something!)

Hey! Let's Put on a Show!(Behind the Scenes at the 2010 Ephiphany Pageant)

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:02:00 +0000

There was a lot that took place beforehand: preparing, editing, and printing the script; cast calls; assignment of parts. But preparations for the 2010 Epiphany Pageant really started heating up at about noon on Sunday, January 3, after the 10:30 service. In the next five days the church had to be transformed to a theater, and 30-plus ... um ... independent young people had to be transformed into an acting troupe.

The Christmas banner Angela wrote of in the prior post was taken down and carefully rolled in a sheet, to be stored for next year.

This year there was something new: theatrical lights! Purchased with funds from the Jack Siebert Memorial Fund, we had expert assistance in selecting and installing the lights from Lifeline Theatre's Alan Donaghue.

Alan showed Tim, Mason, and Jess how the lights were set up and operated, mapping out where light would be needed during the Pageant and aiming them appropriately.

Meanwhile, all around them the thespians walked through their first full rehearsal. Gabriel spread her wings behind the seraphim and cherubim. In the background, Mary is sitting with the innkeeper's wife.

Pageant Director Angie coached Gabriel in the proper use of wings:

Yep, you read that right: STOP VOLDEMORT.

If you're a little confused about what you're doing, and stopping Voldemort is more than you signed on for, it's always comforting to check and see that Mom is still sitting in a pew in the back.

Hi Mom! I think I can do this. I think I can, I think I can, ....

Two actors, unsure of their motivation in a particular scene, looked for a new perspective:

The first full dress rehearsal was Tuesday night, and for hours Tuesday Elbert was at work in the undercroft, preparing the scenery back-drop for the stage.

At the same time, Katie was upstairs, laying out the cast's costumes in the nave:

Tim and Mason had the opportunity to run through the lighting script, and everything worked just fine. Dancing angels were bathed in a celestial glow.

When the rehearsal got a little harried, we had only to look at Angie's t-shirt (no photo, sadly) which instructed us to "Stay calm, and carry on".

Friday, January 8, was the first performance. Angie and Bryan put finishing touches on the music:

Angie and Gabriel (who had the most lines) ran through the Annunciation scene again.

But backstage was the place to be for the two hours before showtime. The classrooms were transformed into dressing rooms and rehearsal halls. In the J2A room, Aniko worked her magic, turning teenagers and pre-teens into wizened old men and women. And, due to a shortage of boys who wanted to be anything but soldiers, she even turned some young women into old men!

Note to future actors: If you get rude with the photographer, expect the whole world to know about it:

Meanwhile, the less complicated transformations were handled elsewhere:

Roman soldiers look plenty tough without make-up.

The Sacristy became the rehearsal room, where Adler and Mary had a final run-through of her song.

Time was running out. Just before 7:30, the whole cast assembled in a classroom for last minute instructions and a pep talk from Angie.

Finally, it was Show Time!

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

noreply@blogger.com (Angela McCormick) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:03:00 +0000

As the parish family of St. John gathered at three different Christmas services, we once again experienced the joyous message, sounds and sights of the season: The message of the greatest gift of all that we receive at Christmas--the birth of the infant Jesus Christ; the wonderful musical offering from the choir and soloists; and the beauty of our chancel enlivened with the sparkling trees alongside the reredos and the bright greens and reds of poinsettias, garlands, many bows, and our treasured "Nativity Banner" suspended above the chancel steps.

This fine art piece was hand-sewn by a former member of the parish, Nadine Raich Pool, in 1967. The work, created in applique, took four months to complete. It was exhibited at the "Art of the Spirit" show in Evanston in April 1968. That Christmas, Nadine generously loaned the banner to St. John's to be part of the festive decorations. The rector wrote in the January 1969 The Eagle: "Father Adams has noticed that he mutters 'Thou shalt not covet' to himself every time goes through the church". However, in time, the banner did become the property of the parish, when Nadine donated it in 1974.

Milton and Dorothy Raich were members of St. John's for many years and their two talented daughters contributed so much to the parish. Nancy served as organist and choir director for several years and Nadine created an art work which has become a cherished and integral part of Christmas at St. John's.

-Angela McCormick

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:28:00 +0000

We had three Christmas services this year:
• An afternoon Christmas Eve service (the children's service);
• A late Christmas Eve service; and
• A Christmas morning service.

Following are some photographs from each, starting with The Children's Service. In the interest of getting this posted in my lifetime, commentary will be sparse. I didn't capture a usable picture of everyone that had a role, and apologize if I missed you.

Madeleine played for us before the service.

His parents weren't the only ones proud of how well this young man read the lesson.

During the service the children brought the crèche figures forward.

Kara invited the children to help her with the sermon.

There was, however, a breakaway Fifth Column movement among the pre-schoolers.

A reformed Fifth Columnist joined Julianne, Kara, and Emma for the Eucharist.

The hymns were wonderful. But the lighting of the candles is every child's (and photographer's) favorite part.

The Late Christmas Eve Service

Below, the choir is practicing the Carol of the Bells before the service began. They were in fine form, and a treat to hear.

William and Dee sang Pietro Yon's Gesù Bambino.

Christina read from Isaiah: The people who walked in darkness have see a great light ....

Cheryl led the Prayers of the People....

And after the Eucharist, the candles were lit.

Three generations.

The Christmas Day Service

This was Julianne's first solo Christmas service. It, too, was wonderful.

The Gospel.

Julianne gave an animated sermon, and even sang for us.

Merry Christmas everybody. I hope you enjoyed Christmas at St. John's as much as I did.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:18:00 +0000

It's every Parish Administrator's worst nightmare: 190 40-page service bulletins to be produced – in color – for Christmas Eve and Christmas, and the photocopier breaks down half-way through production.

Take deep breaths. Think of mountain streams. Call Mike at Ricoh.

We're pretty sure Mike didn't want to spend his Christmas Eve afternoon this way, either.

In the Bleak Midwinter

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Looked out the window, and this came to mind:

Frosty the Episcopalian

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Another reason to be happy you're part of the St. John's family: we have our own snowman!

Snowman courtesy of Ben and Jess. Photo by Jess.

Something Else to Think About

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:21:00 +0000

I suppose I should warn you: this is an emotionally powerful video about the rape of a 13-year-old girl, and it has some strong language in it. But it's worth watching and thinking about.

A Loving Contempt from Recycle Your Faith on Vimeo.

If you found something useful in this, you should know it is from a site called "Recycle Your Faith," which has several additional thought-provoking videos (not all as long as this).

Bishop Lee's Christmas and Epiphany Message

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:45:00 +0000

St. Nicholas Comes to St. John's

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Miller) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 +0000

The traditional service of Lessons and Carols took on a new look this year, as we celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas with Stories and Songs of St. Nicholas on Sunday afternoon, December 6.

In a special service written by Kara, readings from Scripture, newspapers, and poems were mixed with hymns and anthems, and narration by Jason, to tell the story of St. Nicholas. We learned the origins of gifts in stockings and gifts down the chimney.

And best of all, St. Nicholas himself presided over the service. Some of the grown-ups kept calling him Richard, so I'm guessing that's St. Nicholas' middle name. St. Richard Nicholas.

Kara played the flute!

Some members of the congregation got to meet St. Nicholas up close and personal.

After which we shared a sumptuous feast.