Weekly Newsletter

The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, October 16. Shift times are 8:30-11:30 a.m., or 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Contact Aimee Day if you can help.

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, October 19.

We Pray For

Parishioners: Amalia, Elmer, Harry, Shirley, Cate, Amy, Gladys, El, Carol, Edwina, Lorraine, Steve, Margaret, Judy,

Bob, John, Matthew, and Elizabeth, Galen & Betsy, and all those seeking employment

Family/Friends: Sarah Margaret, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Betty and Del, Elyse and Chris, Al and Karen, Peggy, Denise, Gabriel, Rev. Bill Beachy, Mark, Joanne, Lauren, Lynn, Rachel, Maria, Kay, Cora, Saul, Susan, Brian, Mark, Tom, Tom, Pat, Billy, Gary, Kevin, Kelly, Carole, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Sue, Maggie, Nicci, Sarah

Those Who Have Died

George, son-in-law of Roseann & Elmer Gilbertson; Trudy, neighbor of El & Dorothy Nyberg

Those Serving in the

Armed Forces

Michael, Jeremy

Birthdays October 3-9

10.3 Matthew Kolarczyk

10.5 Andrew Wild

10.7 Cameron Robert

10.9 Tracy Higgins

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 Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary's,

This Sunday you will have an opportunity to sign up for "Cottage Meetings" for our Kick Start Capital Campaign. We have a number of meeting times available to try and meet everyone's scheduling needs, and we have the capacity to add more meetings if needed. The purpose of the "Cottage Meeting" is to get your ideas, and input regarding what types of projects and programs you would like to see at St. Mary's if we had the funds. Many of you are aware that a small wish list of sorts has been kicked around over the past five years. These items include a new flat roof, repairs and upgrades to Tarpley House, a true handicap ADA accessible entrance at the circle drive door, and remodeling our church wing so we could rent it out to a not-for-profit organization. All of these projects are worthy goals and there may be so many more, including programs which do not have to do with brick and mortar, but we need to hear from you. All of these projects are only possible by raising capital funds. Please sign up for a Cottage Meeting so that we can get your ideas and input. Each meeting runs about 90 min. Sign-up sheets will be at the back of the church after the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services. Please remember that the "Cottage Meeting" is the first step in the capital campaign process. It is called "Discernment", and in order for us to even consider any projects we need your participation. Thank you to all who have agreed to host these meetings, and to be facilitators and note takers. I appreciate your leadership.

Thank you to all who made our presence at the 2019 CROP Walk known. We had a team of 15 walkers this year, which was fantastic. We also had a group of 8 people hosting and setting up our rest stop. This year we exceeded our goal of $1,500.00. To date we have collected $1,715.00 online and another $70.00 in cash for a total of $1,785.00. Thank you to all who donated and thank you to all who raised these funds. Ten parishioners also came out to Culvers for the CROP Walk benefit night. I am very grateful everyone's support!

See you all on Sunday,

Fran+

All Saints' Sunday - November 3

This year in preparation for our All Saints' Sunday Celebration on Nov. 3rd , we are once again inviting people to make prayer flags for those who have died . Colored paper prayer flags and markers will be available at the back of the church throughout the month of October. Please make a flag for anyone and everyone whom you would like us to remember this All Saints' Sunday. You may make as many flags as you wish. The flags will be hanging in the church throughout the month of November. You may write the person's name, dates, and/or a note about them.

In addition to the prayer flags, you are also invited to bring in photos of those family members and friends to be remembered. We'll scan and print them in the office, and they will be displayed in the church, along with the flags. Make sure to put your name on the photo so it can be returned to you.

* If you have digital copies of the photos you'd like to use, please email them to the parish office at: [email protected]. If you submitted photos in prior years, there is no need to resubmit them - we will use them again, unless you tell us otherwise.

October Community Meal

Please join us on Saturday, October 19 , the date of our next free , monthly Community Meal . Meals are served between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Remember, this meal is open to anyone, and no RSVP is required. There is no charge for the meal, but free-will donations are appreciated. Bring your family and friends! If you would like to volunteer, contact Tracy Higgins.

October's Menu:

Lasagna, Salad, Rolls, Dessert

Bishop Search Survey

The Search & Nomination Committee has launched an online survey to collect data about what qualities and characteristics the people of the diocese seek in the next bishop. Candidates will be announced next April, and the special election will take place in June 2020. Once the data collection is complete, the committee will use what it has collected to prepare the diocesan profile, a detailed description of the Diocese of Chicago that will help those who may be discerning a call to be bishop learn more about the diocese and its people.

The survey will take about ten minutes to complete and asks questions about the diocese and characteristics to seek in the next bishop. The survey is anonymous, and demographic questions are optional. The link to the survey, as well as updated search information can be found here. Please take the survey by October 13.

St. Ann's Lobster Fest

St. Ann's Episcopal Church, our sister congregation in Woodstock, is planning its 35th Annual Lobster Fest , to be held on Saturday, October 19th , from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Once again they are going to offer fresh, whole, New England lobsters (flown in fresh to Chicago that morning!), either live or cooked (average size of 1 1/3 pounds), for only $22.00 each ! There is also a quantity discount of 10 for $200.00.

Also available to order are Allen Brothers USDA Prime steaks (fresh, not frozen): $18 for a 6 oz. filet mignon, or $16 for an 8 oz. rib eye.

For more information, and to order online please visit the Lobster Fest website. You may also order by phone at 815-338-0950. All orders must be received by Tuesday, October 15 . And, most importantly, 100% of the proceeds benefit a local service organization, TLS Veterans (Transforming Lives Through Service to Veterans). Start planning your lobster party now!

Crystal Lake Food Pantry News

Volunteers: The next food pantry volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, October 16. Contact Aimee Day if you can help. Shift times are 8:30-11:30 a.m., or 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Paper Please: Donations of paper goods are greatly needed at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. The pantry is not able to buy paper goods through the food bank , and clients are not able to use their SNAP benefits to purchase any paper goods such as toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, and napkins . Bring them to the church any time, and your Board members will get them over to the pantry. Paper goods are items that are lightweight, easy to carry and low cost that can be donated and will be appreciated by the clients . Thank you!!

Services for Sandy Molyneux

The Celebration of Life service for St. Mary's beloved organist and choir director, Sandy Molyneux, will be held on Saturday, October 12 , at 10:30 am. Interment in the St. Mary's Churchyard will immediately follow the service. A catered luncheon will be held in the Great Hall, and all family and friends of Sandy are invited. Sandy's complete obituary, including memorial donation information, can be found on the Davenport Funeral Home website.