Weekly Newsletter

The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, June 13. 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. Now on summer break, the Taize services will resume in September.

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, June 16.

We Pray For

Parishioners : Bob, Pat, Carol, John, Thelma, Matthew, and Elizabeth, Mary, Bill, Dorothy, Gladys, Judy, Kristi, Susan, Cameron & Linda, Karen, Galen & Betsy, Harry & Marion, and all those seeking employment

Family/Friends: Cora, Saul, Naomi, Aimee, Susan, Brian, Mark, Neil, Desmond, Will, Tom, Tom, Tim, Pat, Billy, Kay, Gary, Kevin, Kelly, David, Johnny, Susie, Carole, Diana, Kelly Marie, Lori, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Katie, Darcy, Irene, Julie, Betty, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Maggie, Nicci, Sarah, Judie

Those Who Have Died

Richard, uncle of Amy Noe; Maria Henslee Bellairs; Barb, friend of Galen & Betsy Vargason; Ryan Thomas; Mark, friend of Terry & Carissa (Nyberg) Stanich

Those Serving in the

Armed Forces

Michael, Jeremy, Terry, Dan

Birthdays June 7-13

6.9 Harry Dillon

6.1 Meg Cordell

Anniversaries June 7-13

6.8 Chris & Tracy

Derbas

6.10 Dan & Kris Davis

6.13 John & Sara

Amrein

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,

This Sunday at our 10:00 a.m. service, we will baptize Olivia Caroline Kaye, daughter of Michael and Mary Kaye. Please join us as we renew our own baptismal vows and welcome Olivia into her new life in Christ. Children and youth of all ages are welcome to join us up at the front of the church around the font at the time of the baptism.

Just a reminder that we will be holding the outdoor clean-up day of our grounds after the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday. Much of our work will be weeding the courtyard and flower beds. Please bring hats, gloves and yard tools for weeding if you have them. Lunch will be served following the clean-up.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Youth Group for holding a Game-A-Thon fundraiser last Saturday evening. They raised $1,035.00, which will provide scholarship money for at-risk youth in the city to attend the two week Summer in the City Camp, run by St. James Cathedral downtown. The fundraiser had roughly 25 participants, and many adults participated and supervised the event. Thank you one and all, and thank you to Mike and Terry Choquette who really spear headed this effort. Thank you to all who donated to this worthy outreach project.

This week I will be staying at the Loyola Retreat Center in Woodstock, attending the College of Congregational Development, a program offered by the diocese. I will be there from late Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning. If you have a pastoral concern or emergency, you may contact Amy in the office, or one of our Co-Wardens, Marge Smith or Tracy Higgins.

See you all on Sunday,

Fran+

Parish Clean-Up Day with Lunch

Sunday, June 10 following the 10:00 a.m. Service!

Your Help is Needed!

This Sunday, June 10 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. we will hold a parish clean-up day of our grounds. We need people to weed and pick up branches, and do a basic clean-up of our 5 acres. Grab a quick treat during Coffee Hour and then come join us outside. Lunch will be served in the Great Hall as soon as we finish up. Please wear your yardwork clothes to church and spend sometime helping, as "Many hands make light work."

Please RSVP for lunch with Amy in the office, or sign up in the Great Hall. We want to make sure we have enough food on hand for all. Volunteers of all ages are welcome!

Confirmation Class Schedule

for Youth 7th Grade and Up

Rev. Fran and Mike Choquette will be holding confirmation classes at St. Mary's for youth, 7 th grade and up. If your son or daughter wishes to attend the classes please contact Rev. Fran. The classes are scheduled for the following Sunday sessions : from 11:40 a.m.-1:15 pm. , July 22 , August 19 , September 16 , and September 23 .

Confirmation will be held on Sunday, October 7.

Please note that on Sunday July 22, we are commissioning all of the confirmation candidates at the 10:00 a.m. service. So please plan to be present for this service.

Adult Inquirers' Classes

In preparation for Bishop Jeffrey Lee's visit on October 7th, Rev. Fran will be also be scheduling Adult Inquirers' classes over the summer.

The Adult Inquirers' class prepares adults who wish to be Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church. (Those adults who have been confirmed in the Roman Catholic or ELCA Lutheran faiths, do not need to be re-confirmed, but are "received" into the Episcopal Church by the Bishop.) This class is open to any adult wishing to learn more about the Episcopal Church, even if they do NOT wish to be confirmed or received .

Please contact Rev. Fran and let her know if you are interested, or if you have any questions. Dates will be coming out soon, and the classes promise to be engaging, fun, and informative.

June Com munity Meal

You're invited to join us on Saturday, June 16, 5:00-7:00 p.m. for our next free, monthly Community Meal. Remember, this meal is open to anyone, and no RSVP is required. Bring your family and friends! There is no charge for the meal, but free-will donations are appreciated. If you'd like to volunteer to help, please contact Tracy Higgins.

MENU: BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, with Homemade Coleslaw and Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Hope to see you on June 16th!

St. Mary's Seniors Lunch

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 30 , for the next Senior Luncheon. It will be a Red, White & Blue Extravaganza with door prizes, a pre-Fourth of July cookout (we will eat in the Great Hall), and Bingo, with the best prizes in McHenry County! All seniors are welcome. Please invite your friends and neighbors. RSVP to Amy in the parish office.

Parade Marshals Needed

The Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade will take place this year on Saturday, July 7 , from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to be Parade Marshals. Parade Marshals are assigned to one or more units in the parade, and they walk alongside their unit(s) for the entire 1.8 mile route, ensuring the safety of those in the parade, and those watching from the sidelines. If you would like to volunteer please contact the Chamber of Commerce via email, or call 815-459-1300. There is also information and a route map posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.