Weekly Newsletter

The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, May 9. Contact Aimee Day if you can help. Shift times are 8:30-11:30 am, and 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

CENTERING PRAYER meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.

Contact Rev. Fran with any questions, or for more information.

TAIZE is an ecumenical, meditative common prayer, incorporating song, chant, scripture readings, and silence. People of ALL faith traditions are welcome this monthly candlelight service. The services are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. The next service will be held Tuesday, April 24.

A FREE COMMUNITY MEAL is offered at St. Mary's on the third Saturday of every month. The meal is served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and ALL are welcome. There is no RSVP required. Free will donations will be accepted. Please watch the newsletter and website for the menu, which will be published a week or two before the event. The next Community Meal is Saturday, April 21.

We Pray For

Parishioners : Mary, Bill, Dorothy, Gladys, Carol, Pat, John, Judy, Kristi, Susan, Cameron & Linda, Matthew, Karen, Galen & Betsy, Bob, Harry & Marion

Family/Friends: Aimee,

Susan, Brian, Mark, Neil, Desmond, Will, Tom, Tom, Tim, Pat, Billy, Kay, Gary, Kevin, Kelly, David, Johnny, Susie, Carole, Donna, Diana, Kelly Marie, Lori, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Katie, Darcy, Irene, Julie, Betty, Barb, Raven, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Maggie, Nicci, Sarah, Judie

Those Who Have Died

Garth, uncle of Peter Carroll

Thanksgiving for Healing

Gary & Thelma Chesterfield, Shirley, sister of Gary Chesterfield, Gail Head

Those Serving in the

Armed Forces

Jeremy, Ryan, Terry, Dan, Corey

Birthdays April 12-25

4.12 John Amrein

4.13 Dan McLaughlin

4.14 Taylor Derbas

Del Smith

4.17 Marge Smith

4.19 El Nyberg

Aimee Day

4.20 Marissa Mauger

4.21 Fran Holliday

4.24 Adam Russell

Anniversaries Apr. 12-25

4.17 Rick & Amy Noe

John & Carolyn

Kuykendall

4.19 Chuck & Karen

Meter

4.23 Jerry & Jennifer

Kolarczyk

If you would like your name added to the birthday / anniversary list, please contact Amy in the Parish Office.

Quick Links

St. Mary's Website

Diocesan Website

Episcopal Church National Website

Episcopal News Service

News from The Episcopal Cafe

From the Rector

Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary's,

As we continue celebrating the fifty-day season of Easter, I invite you to give thought to how you may recognize or encounter the Risen Christ in your daily life. In the gospel for this Sunday the followers of Jesus encounter him, but do not recognize him at first. They begin to understand that he is with them when they share the familiar activity of having a meal together. What are some ways that you find the Risen Christ in the day to day activities of your life? Ignatius of Loyola wrote that "true Joy is finding God in all things." God is truly present but often in the midst of worry, fear, and our busy lives, we fail to recognize the Christ. I believe this seeking and finding God is something that we must do consciously and deliberately. When we seek God we will find God right there where we stand. I invite you to use this Easter season to devote some very intentional time to contemplating the question, "Where and how do I encounter the Risen Christ?"

This week we have been doing a great deal of work to prepare for the funeral of our Deacon, Barb Bishop. I have been talking with deacons all over the country and have heard so many wonderful, uplifting stories about her. I believe we have planned a lovely service for her and I hope you will be available to attend; it is set for Saturday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m.

See you all on Sunday,

Fran +

Parish Administrator Away

Parish Administrator, Amy Noe, will be out of the office April 13-20, returning April 23. Many thanks to Marge Smith, who will be putting together the April 22 nd bulletin, and checking messages in Amy's absence. If you have any articles or updates for that bulletin, please get the information to Marge by Wednesday, April 18 th . And, if you are planning on stopping in the office next week, please call first as the office will be open limited hours. Thank you!!

* The Weekly Newsletter will NOT be published next week. The next date the newsletter will be sent out will be Thursday, April 26. *

Quarterly Statements

The first quarter statements of contribution for all pledging members, are now available for pick-up on the Narthex table. Please pick up your statement, which will save the parish postage costs. Thank you!

Easter Flowers

If you have given a flowers for the Easter services and would like to take one home with you, the plant may be picked up after the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, April 15 th .

April Community Meal

You're invited to join us on Saturday, April 21, for our next Free Community Meal. Meals are served between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. and no RSVP is required. There is no charge for the meal, but free-will donations are always appreciated. Bring your family, friends and neighbors. This meal is free to ANYONE. If you would like volunteer, please contact Tracy Higgins.

April Menu:
Cara mel Chicken
with S ticky Rice and Broccoli, Dinner Rolls, Asian Lettuce Mix with Ginger Dressing , and Dessert! Hope to see you on April 21st!

Service for Dn. Barbara Bishop

The service to celebrate the life and ministry of Dn. Barb will be held on Saturday, April 28 , at 10:30 a.m. The service will be followed by interment in the Churchyard, and a reception in the Great Hall.

The reception will be catered, but we are looking for help to set up on Friday, April 27 . Please contact Rev. Fran if you can help. Thanks!