Worship and Music

FROM OUR READINGS TODAY:  In today’s Gospel reading, we are struck by the notion that we must “hate” the people whom we love most – our parents, our spouses and children, and our siblings – in order to follow Jesus.  It is important to recognize that Jesus often employed hyperbole to make a point.  By using extreme examples, he was able to elicit strong reactions from people and to push their thoughts beyond the everyday.  We must not lose sight, however, of the real commitment that following Jesus requires.  When one becomes a Christian, or when a child is baptized, it is the beginning of a dedicated, lifelong relationship.  That is why Jesus’ use of family in this reading is so effective.  We are aware of how much our closest relatives mean to us – can we imagine Jesus meaning even more to us? —The Rev. Danielle Thompson

THE REVEREND RAY WEBSTER AND THE REVEREND DANIELLE THOMPSON will attend a series of meetings this year through a diocesan program called “Making Excellent Disciples” (MED).   MED will meet monthly, and is an opportunity for curates to reflect on their experiences in ministry with their rectors and with other new priests.  Chicago’s MED program is a nationally recognized initiative to train and support newly ordained people.

CELEBRATING LAY MINISTRIES Sunday, October 3 at 11:00 AM Bishop Scantlebury will here for an official Bishop’s Visit (scheduled by our diocese). We invite our lay leaders (see the People to Call List!) to take part in a great procession at the beginning of the service, celebrating the ministries of all the baptized people of God in St. Chrysostom’s Parish and Day School. Chairs or heads of programs may take part, or it may be appropriate for all the workers and lay volunteers on a ministry team (such as Neighbors in Need or Cooking for Deborah’s Place) to process together. Bishop Scantlebury will celebrate the Eucharist and preach at that service. Further details of the day will follow in due course.

THE FLOWERS ON THE HIGH ALTAR are given to the glory of God by Rick & Martha Proctor Gano in loving memory of William Stewart Proctor.

OUR CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

A Musical Education—Spiritual Formation

A deeper involvement in the life of this parish

Singing together has the power to open minds, fire the spirit and transform lives. Enroll your children in one of our Choirs

     The Training Choir—For choristers aged 4-7

     Wednesdays beginning September 15, 4:00-4:30 p.m.

     The Training Choir sings once a month at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist, at Lessons & Carols, at the Christmas Pageant, and with the Advanced and Adult Choirs on Easter and Chorister Sunday.

     The Advanced Choir—For choristers aged 8-12

     Fridays beginning September 17, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

     The Advanced Choir sings often at the 11:00 a.m. service with the Adult Choir, at Lessons & Carols, at the Christmas Pageant, on Easter and Chorister Sunday.  Please speak to Richard Hoskins or Roger Stanley for more information.

Christian Education

EDUCATION resumes in St. Chrysostom’s on the Sunday after Labor Day, Sunday, September 12 at 10:00 AM.

ADULT FORUM meets upstairs in the Guild Room at 10 a.m. on Sunday.     Sunday, September 12 10:00 AM Opening session: The Rev. Raymond Webster and the Rev. Danielle Thompson “Reading Luke’s Gospel” In the Lectionary we are reading from Luke’s Gospel until the Sunday before Thanksgiving – and then begin a year long reading from Matthew. We start off the year looking at some things that are distinctive about Luke. We will also look at today’s Gospel reading, Luke 15:1-10 – two of Jesus’ great parables about the lost and found. And also at the third parable in chapter 15 of Luke, the father’s welcome home to his prodigal son.

Community Life

THE WOMEN OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S is having an All-Parish Tea Tuesday, September 14th at the home of Connie Frydenlund (1301 N. Sutton Place) from 5-7 PM. This is the perfect opportunity to join us at our kick-off event. RSVP to Lisa Valiani.

      Do you have a piece of jewelry, art, or a collectible from your mom that you’ve always wanted to know more about? Tuesday October 26 is an event we’re calling “The Power of Your Possessions: Jewelry, Decorative and Fine Arts in 2010. Four nationally-certified appraisers are donating their time to this event and will help you find the answers to the value of your treasures. There will be talks about collectibles and jewelry and each ticket ($50) includes one verbal appraisal. You can save by buying 10 tickets for you and your friends at $450. You can also bring more than one item to be appraised. Extra verbal appraisals are $15 each. Pamela Bardo is the honorary chair of this event and our own nationally recognized authority on collectibles. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, and music will make this a spectacular evening. The event runs from 5-8:30 PM but you can reserve an appraisal time between 4-5PM if you want to come early. No appraisals for rugs, books, autographs, coins, or stamps please. Margo Sanida is organizing the event and Judy Van Dam is in charge of tickets. Contact her for reservations. All proceeds will benefit the Guild Room.

A WELCOME RECEPTION IN HONOR OF The Rev. Danielle Thompson (and Family), Sunday, September 19, 2010, 6:00-8:00 PM in the Harding Room. We are looking for volunteers to help bring food, wine, etc. to the reception. Please contact Sarah Begel or Mary McDonald Pascale with any questions. Please sign up in the cloister.

ADULT CONFIRMATION PREPARATION If you have been baptized, but were never confirmed in the Episcopal Church, or were confirmed in another part of Christ’s Church and would like to be received, please know a warm invitation to join a program of preparation for adults. If you have never been baptized, please know the warmest invitation to be baptized! Come join this program. The basic baptismal promise in the Prayer Book is to follow Jesus. That promise is renewed at confirmation. In the course, we will look at what it means to follow Jesus Christ as a disciple in Chicago today, what the Christian spiritual life means for 21st century disciples. Please know an invitation to join us on four Tuesdays (September 21 and 28, and October 5 and 12) at 6:30 PM. Those don’t work? Well, speak to the clergy about when we can get together. After these four sessions we will do readings over the winter, looking to confirmation and reception at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 23, 2011. Come join us!

PEOPLE TO CALL LIST Please note that we are re-activating the People to Call List as a regular feature of the Sunday service paper. The intention of the list is to invite you to be in touch with lay leaders — as well as the clergy anytime! — to take part in ministries and programs of the parish. Or to ask questions or give your opinions. The People to Call List is also in effect a summary of our St. Chrysostom’s leadership structure, and if any programs or ministries or leaders are missing, please let us know.

THE RECTOR’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER If you would like to receive the Rev. Raymond Webster’s weekly email, just send an email to Audrey Williams at Audrey@saintc.org,  and she will add you to the list.

SAINT LEONARD’S WALK-A-THON: Let’s do it again on September 25!  Last year Saint Chrysostom’s had the largest participation of any parish. This year St. Leonard’s Ministries (SLM) is offering to host an ice cream social for the winning group. The event lasts from 9 am to 12. We can meet at the church and car pool. Register with me or online at www.slministries.org.                                -Eve Webster

NEWCOMERS are warmly invited to a gathering at the apartment of the Rev. Raymond Webster and his wife Eve Webster, on Thursday, September 30, 2010 (note change of date) 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM wine and hors d’oeuvres (& soft drinks). RSVP to Audrey Williams in the parish office (312-944-1083 ext. 10 or Audrey@saintc.org). We look forward to welcoming you personally!

THE FOYER DINNER GROUPS are returning again this fall and provide a wonderful opportunity to meet other parishioners, while enjoying informal dinners and lively conversation in each other’s homes.  The rotations will begin in October. If you are interested in participating in the mix, please contact Barbara Jones.

BECOME A FRIEND OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S on Facebook. The parish staff has created a profile page for St. Chrysostom’s Church on Facebook, and if you are already on Facebook, just search for St. Chrysostom’s Church in Chicago. If you are online and not on Facebook and want to be, one of the staff will be happy to tell you how. One more way to reach out and keep in touch!

FLOWER GUILD Do you enjoy working with flowers? Do you think you could occasionally spare a few hours (on Friday or Saturday) to help prepare floral decorations for the altar? If you can answer “yes” and “yes” to these questions, we are hoping to establish a Flower Guild for St. Chrysostom’s. The time involved can vary greatly depending on a number of circumstances, but we need to know who is interested in order to create further guidelines. Summertime is a good time to explore this possibility. Training, supervision, and helpful hints will be provided in addition to general guidelines and lists of supplies we have on hand and sources of where to purchase flowers. Contact Roger Stanley by e-mail (roger@saintc.org) or by phone at the church office 312-944-1083.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30 PM will be held in the Rector's office. We will be reading the Book of Exodus.

Outreach/Wider Mission

EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL:  The Employment Council meets in the Harding Room at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise notified.      

        September 6:  “No meeting due to Labor Day.” 

        September 13: “Proven Techniques for Getting More Job Interviews.” Speaker: Steve Steinfeld.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED Due to summer vacations, we are a bit short handed and if you can help volunteer we can use you! Come at about 4:30 PM to welcome people and serve drinks in the Harding Room, or help serve the meal, or help cook. Speak to the clergy or any of our volunteers (Bette Case DiLeonardi is chair) for further information. Our next dinner will be, Tuesday, September 21, 2010.

COOKING FOR DEBORAH’S PLACE Our next Cooking for Deborah’s Place is on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 3-6 PM. Please contact Noma Cave, with any questions, or to let her know you’re coming.

NEW WAY TO HELP THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM: Do you ever order anything from Amazon? Since they have books and lots of other things you probably do. If you go to www.lynda.us and click on the Amazon icon a percentage will go to the Anglican hospital in Gaza.  Kudos to Lynda who has worked out a way to shop and do good in a volatile and precious part of the world.                 –Eve Webster

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN  Deacon Larry is collecting back to school supplies for several Westside Chicago Public Schools; the most needed items are #2 pencils, notebook paper, book bags, rulers, erasers, and anything else that a student may need. Items can be dropped off at the church or at Deacon Larry's office, 111 West Washington, Suite 841. For additional information, call Rev. Larry A. Green at 312-201-9777 or email him at saintcdeacon@msn.com.

AID TO PAKISTAN:  I know some of us have been wondering what our church has been doing to help Pakistan in the midst of the horrendous floods taking place there. Yes, Episcopal Relief and Development is participating through ACT (Action by Churches Together) and its on-the-ground partners. It’s easy to donate on-line at www.er-d.org.   If you prefer to write a check made out to Episcopal Relief and Development with memo Pakistan, I will be glad to forward it.  If you would like to learn more about ACT, its website is www.act-intl.org.    -Eve Webster

THE OUTREACH/WIDER MISSION COMMITTEE is responsible for making disbursements from the Good Samaritan Fund.  The Good Samaritan Fund is funded from the annual St. Chrysostom’s annual budget.  The Outreach / Wider Mission Committee invites parishioners to make suggestions for disbursements.  Please submit your suggestions to Jim Neaylon by October 4, 2010.

NEW WAY TO HELP THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM: Do you ever order anything from Amazon? Since they have books and lots of other things you probably do. If you go to www.lynda.us and click on the Amazon icon a percentage will go to the Anglican hospital in Gaza.  Kudos to Lynda who has worked out a way to shop and do good in a volatile and precious part of the world.                                                        

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN FALL FORUM, Saturday September 18. Professor Linda Mosher will speak at the Islamic Foundation in Libertyville. Her topic: “Christians and Muslims: Common words between us.” Please register by September 10. Cost, directions, and schedule available: Call Dianne at 708 499 3393 or check the church bulletin board.