December 2014
From the Rector
The Messenger
ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BARRINGTON HILLS, IL
Fr. David A. Gibbons
So we enter the season of Advent in which we
watch and wait in order to prepare for the Lord's
coming. Although the apparent aim of Advent is
to be ready to celebrate Jesus' arrival as the baby
of Bethlehem, it has another, larger significance in
inviting us to be ready for his second coming. Are
we ready, we ask ourselves? Can we be
ready? Indeed what does ready even look like?
My aim over recent Advents has been to assign time to pray quietly in order to still
myself, to give myself a chance to be centered as I start the day. To the degree I
was successful, which was not as much as I would have liked or had planned, I
enjoyed the calm of letting go of my agenda and "to do list" for a while in order to
simply "wait on the Lord" as the psalmist puts it. I will aim for more of that this
year, and invite you to consider the same.
But it also occurs to me this year - a year in which I find myself much busier than I
should like - that the prayer that is sustaining me this year is one that helps me
enter the life I am in, helps me prepare as well as I can and be the best I can be in
it. This is to say that the focus of my prayer this year is slightly different in that,
while it is still about preparing myself, it is in preparation for this day, this
moment, namely the here and now rather than the eternal Kingdom. And it seems
to me that this is consistent with the idea of preparing for Christmas when God
became incarnate in the Christ child, and showed us that His presence, His love is
not far away and beyond time, but also in our world, in our time and in our
lives. Consistent with the Celtic influence we have been enjoying this past 18
months, God is right here with us and so our work is to be aware of His life in us
and around us.
So this year as you make your preparation, may you know His presence in you,
celebrating you, the beautiful you He made, preparing you for this hour, this day
and this life as well as the life to come.
Blessed Advent and a very merry Christmas,
David
Advent booklets are available at the Spiritual Pantry, located in the foyer
outside the Church Office. Pick one up today to use during Advent!
With Thanksgiving...
We have many reasons to give thanks, but one of them is surely for the
generosity of the parishioners at St Mark’s...read on!
Partners for Just Trade
Christmas Baskets – Due Dec.1
Thank you to all of St. Mark's for your support of the
artisans working with Partners for Just Trade. As a
congregation, $470 in gift items was purchased
between Nov 9th and 16th at the sale in the parlor.
Purchasing these fair trade items helps the artisans
provide food and shelter for their families, hopefully
send their children to school, and improve the life of
their entire community. Thank you!
This year, 36 families will have presents
and food at Christmas, thanks to the
generosity of St Mark’s families.
The Cathedral Charities "Christmas
Baskets" are due by Monday, December
1st. Please be sure they are sealed and
marked with their household number and
are placed in the Parlor. If you have any
questions, please contact Keri Svec at 847458-6155 or [email protected].
The following letter came to Holly Dietz, our Market Day coordinator, from Gene Dawson at the Barrington
Food Pantry...
Dear Holly,
WOW! Saying thank you doesn’t really express our gratitude to you and St. Mark’s Church for making us the
recipients of your Market Day pie order in November. We are so grateful to you for thinking of us. The
seventeen pies was an outstanding donation and will be a wonderful treat for our clients in their Thanksgiving
food box. We sincerely appreciate your responsiveness to the economic situation of those in need.
Again, thank you and please convey our thanks to the many Market Day buyers who were so kind and generous
to buy a pie for the Barrington Township food pantry. Your act of community service is appreciated by our
clients and the food pantry.
First Sunday Food Drive - Dec. 7
There were twenty-five generous donations of evaporated milk, cranberry
sauce, stuffing mix and potatoes that helped fill the November boxes of
food given out at the Cuba Township Food Pantry. Often times it is our
donations that complete the box that each family receives once a month.
December requests range from necessities to extras. For the past three months, no laundry detergent has
been given out because there has not been enough for everyone. It would be great if we could fill this
need. Paper towels also are needed. If you would like to add a holiday extra, sparkling cider and juices
have been suggested. Thank you to all the St. Mark's angels who have given so generously to this
outreach program!
Advent Activities
Prepare our Families...
Advent Bags
Christmas Pageant
Pick yours up by Nov. 30th!
Sunday, December 21st
Families, counting the days until
Christmas can be a challenge, right?
Especially when the church says it’s not
Christmas -- it’s Advent!
We’ll honor the last Sunday in Advent and
then, after the Eucharist, we’ll have a brief
children’s pageant accompanied by
Christmas carols.
We want to help you employ this time of
“getting ready for Jesus to come” by
giving you an Advent Bag. Inside are 25
dated packages: open one each day and the
message and the “item” can be a
conversation starter about God’s work, our
work, and general wondering.
A NON-rehearsal Christmas Pageant is sure
to bring surprises – how appropriate, since
God’s plan for a baby king in a manger was
also a surprise! Children and those who are
children at heart are invited to be characters
in the pageant. Please see Karen Alpeter for
more information.
Prepare our Church...
Christmas Altar Flowers
During this season of “getting ready”, our Flower Guild
will be designing the Christmas season flower displays.
It’s traditional for the congregation to help with
donations and many do this along with dedications to
loved ones which will be printed in the Christmas
bulletins. Please use the form in your pew or contact
Gina in the Parish Office at [email protected].
Church Cleaning
Saturday, December 13 --9 am
Wear your play clothes and comfy shoes and
come help the Altar Guild clean the church
for Christmas! This year there is NO
BRASS to polish but the pews need to be
cleaned and shined. Lend a hand and help
the work go more quickly. If you have
questions, please contact Susan Dilsaver or
Chris Barnowski.
Prepare Ourselves...
Celtic Service
Christmas Brunch
Saturday, December 6 -- 5 pm
Sunday, December 7 -- 11:45 am
m
Join us at the Cary Country Club (2400 Grove
Lane) for the annual Christmas Brunch.
Wonderful fellowship and great food! Come
after church - from 11:45 on. Cost is $17.00
per person. Make your reservations before
Dec. 1 by calling the church office at
847/381-0596.
At the heart of Celtic worship is
appreciation for God's creation. Worship
will reflect a desire to see the life of God
in the depth of our heart and all that is
around us. Our service will be less
formal, roughly 45 minutes. Come and
try it!
Christmas Services
The Greening of St.Mark's Church
December 24, Christmas Eve
3:00 pm – The Family Service
Welcoming to children of all ages – 6 months to 106 – with appropriate carols
and the children help set up the Nativity scene as the story is told. Holy
Communion is open to all regardless of age.
Hollace Emrich Glover will be our guest vocalist for this special Christmas Eve
service. The music and the holiday carols celebrate family and children. Holly
will present a special arrangement of the beloved anthem, “Shepherd’s Pipe
Carol” by John Rutter. A guest trumpeter will join us as we celebrate the birth of
Christ. A special practice session will be offered before the Liturgy to prepare
the children to participate in the Christmas service.
5:30 pm - A Classic Festival Christmas Service
Familiar worship with all the bells (literally) and whistles. A celebration to
delight the eyes, ears, and heart leading us to Holy Communion. In the 30
minutes before the service begins, the musicians and readers will lead us through
scripture to this holy remembrance of the arrival of God among us.
This liturgy brings together many of the music department’s excellent choral and
instrumental musicians. The parish choir will be joined by members of the parish
handbell choir and instrumentalists both from the parish and the surrounding
community. Festival Brass will accompany the majestic carols of the season and
Ted Gysan will accompany the choir from our magnificent pipe organ.
A service of the Spoken Word and Music that foretells the coming of Christ will
begin 30 minutes before the main liturgy. Please join us as the parish musicians
present the Nativity of Jesus.
Christmas Service times continued on next page...
Christmas Services
(cont.)
December 24, Christmas Eve
9:00 pm - A Celtic-style Christmas Service
With candlelight, quiet and intimate, this service is shaped to inspire silent awe
at the miracle of the incarnation. Holy Communion is celebrated and shared.
The final liturgy on Christmas Eve will focus on the tranquility of Nativity. Ned
Loughridge will open the service by chanting the first verse of Once in Royal
David’s City. The remaining verses of the hymn will be sung by the
congregation and accompanied by organ, hand bells and English Horn. Other
special music includes Lullaby by John Ness Beck and Comfort Ye from
Messiah. Kristen Leidy will be featured as guest instrumentalist – oboe and
English Horn – throughout the quiet, contemplative Liturgy. A special
arrangement of Silent Night was commissioned by the music department to
conclude the meditative liturgy. The arrangement features congregation, vocal
soloist, bells and Oboe.
Christmas Day, December 25
10:15 am - The Feast of the Nativity
A celebration, with special music, carols and Holy Communion.
The Christmas Day morning liturgy will feature the congregation singing
favorite carols of the season. The seasonal hymns and carols will be
accompanied by organ.
For additional information about the musical offerings at Christmastime, please
contact the Director of Music, Thomas Wibbels, at 847/381-0596.
Take Note...
Want a SHORT Choir Stint?
Ever thought of singing with our choir but can’t
make a long-term commitment? What about just
for the 5:30pm Christmas Eve service?
Tom Wibbels is holding a Choir Camp on
Saturday, December 13 from 10am to noon
focused on the music to be sung at the 5:30pm
Christmas Eve service. Tom says you don’t need
to be able to sing parts – we’ll be glad to have the
melody sung with gusto. Choir members will be
sitting with the brass and bells and will get the full
benefit of all the music.
If you think you’d be interested please speak to
Tom Wibbels, our Music Director.
Choir Camp!!
Saturday, December 13th
10-noon
Come One, Come all!
Nutcracker HERE!
Sunday School Schedule
Sunday, December 7 - 11:15 am
In December, we will have Sunday School on the 7th and
14th only. On Dec. 21st, children and their families are
invited to the Family Service and to participate in the
Pageant. The 28th is Christmas Break, so no classes.
Classes will resume on January 4.
The Midwest Dance Collective, a semiprofessional concert dance ensemble based
in Barrington, will be performing several
dances from the Nutcracker after church.
Our Fellowship Hall will be our stage and
those heading to the Parish Christmas
Luncheon will have plenty of time to take
in the fancy-steps and drive to the Cary
Country Club.
Special Coffee Hour
Sunday, December 21
You won’t want to miss this!
The Gibbons family will be hosting an Olde English
coffee hour featuring mulled wine and special treats
following the 10:15 service.
A Message from the Flower Guild...
This year for Christmas decorations, we are introducing our new floral designer, John Regan, owner of the
Twisted Stem Edgy and Elegant Floral Design. John has more horticulture degrees than most members of
the Botanic Gardens across the country. We invite everyone to bring friends and neighbors to see St.
Mark's Christmas design on the altar, exclusively designed by John.
Please support our enchanting new look by making a donation to the Flower Guild in the envelopes you
will find located in the pews. We need to have your name and the name of the persons or group you are
honoring. We are so blessed to have quality music in our wonderful church. We are now adding elegance in
our flowers.
If you would like to join this dynamic group, please contact Bev Sweeney. Flower Guild members work
in teams of two, so you will have a partner if you are new to flower arranging.
We welcome into the household of God through Baptism...
On November 2nd, we celebrated with Alison and Jim Vanderpoel as their son Frederick Hazard was
initiated into the Christian church (baptized).
Fred was baptized by his step-grandmother, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, the retired Bishop of Utah.
Engaging the family further, Alison's father, the Rev. Dr. Frederick Quinn read the gospel.
Our Condolences...
...to Karen Worsley and her family on the death of her mother, Lillian Smith, on November 20th. Please
keep the entire Worsely family in your prayers.
New baby? Grandbaby?Accepted into college?
If you have a piece of news that you’d like to share, please send it to the church office
[email protected]
Living Compass – Weekly Words of Wellness
The following article is from Living Compass and is a great read. The video they reference is excellent, as
well. To subscribe to the "Weekly Words of Wellness" and/or to read past columns, visit the Living
Compass website by clicking here.
"Let Gratefulness Overflow into Blessing"
The title for this week's column comes from one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen. The video
is a TED talk and the focus of the video is nature, beauty, and gratitude. Watching and reflecting on this
video seems like a powerful way to prepare for the celebration of Thanksgiving. In fact, you might even
want to share the video when you gather with family and friends next week.
The video brings the stunning time-lapse photography of Louie Schwartzberg together with words
spoken by a Benedictine monk named Brother David Steindl-Rast. Brother David invites us to pay
attention, really pay attention to the simple gifts and blessings of life that can be so easily taken for
granted. He points out that paying attention to the wonder of nature and the wonder of the people we
encounter in our life is the basis for authentic gratitude. I could not agree more.
You can view the video by clicking here.
You will not regret investing the ten minutes it takes to watch this video. Brother David's words begin
four and half minutes into the video. If you want to read along as Brother David speaks, the text for his
words is printed below.
We at Living Compass wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. And in the words of Brother David, "May
your gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you".
You think that this is just another day in your life...
It's not just another day.
It's the one day that is given to you - today...
It's given to you.
It's a gift.
It's the only gift that you have right now...
...and the only appropriate response is gratefulness.
If you do nothing else but to cultivate that response to the great gift that this unique day is...
If you learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life
and the very last day then you will have spent this day very well.
Begin by opening your eyes, and be surprised that you have eyes you can open.
That incredible array of colors that is constantly offered to us for our pure enjoyment.
Look at the sky.
We so rarely look at the sky.
We so rarely note how different it is from moment to moment, with clouds coming and going.
We just think of the weather, and even with the weather we don't think of all the many nuances of weather...
We just think of "good weather" and "bad weather."
This day, right now, with its unique weather, maybe a kind that will never exactly in that form come again..
The formation of clouds in the sky will never be the same as it is right now...
Open your eyes. Look at that.
Look at the faces of people whom you meet.
Each one has an incredible story behind their face, a story that you could never fully fathom.
Not only their own story, but the story of their ancestors.
We all go back so far...
And in this present moment on this day, all the people you meet, all that life from generations and from so many
places all over the world flows together and meets you here like a life giving water if you only open your heart and
drink.
Open your heart to the incredible gifts that civilization gives to us.
You flip a switch and there is electric light.
You turn a faucet and there is warm water, and cold water, and drinkable water...
a gift that millions and millions in the world will never experience.
So these are just a few of an enormous number of gifts to which you can open your heart.
And so I am wishing you will open your heart to all these blessings and let them flow through you.
That everyone you will meet on this day will be blessed by you,
just by your eyes, by your smile, by your touch, just by your presence.
Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you.
Then it will REALLY be a good day.
Words by Brother David Steindl-Rast
Caught in the Act -- We don’t have a picture, but Arlene Kaspik was
recently “a-salted” at Coffee Hour for providing the most delicious toffee ever tasted by this
editor. She happily shares her recipe here for all to enjoy!! Thanks, Arlene!!
Arlene’s Amazing Toffee Recipe
From Mary Meade’s Country Cookbook by Ruth Ellen Church (1964: Rand McNally & Co.)
Utensils needed:
Heavy 2 quart saucepan (straight sided)
Candy Thermometer
9x9 pan
(I like my toffee thin, so I use a non-stick jelly roll pan)
Measuring cups, spoons, wooden spoon
Good quality rubber or silicon spatula (that can withstand the heat)
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter (I use lightly salted, purists might use unsalted)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 TBSP light corn syrup
3 TBSP water
1 cup chopped nuts (as fine as you like- just not coarsely chopped)
Chocolate morsels or Hershey bars
Cook the butter, sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until
the mixture reaches the crack stage (290 degrees F) on a candy thermometer.
Add ½ the nuts and cook for approximately 3 minutes more.* (This is when I remove the candy
thermometer.)
Pour the mixture onto the prepared pan. I use a rubber spatula to scoop out as much of the
mixture as possible. If you are using a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan use the rubber spatula to
quickly spread the mixture as thin as you like over the cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. I use a
combination of tilting & shaking the pan combined with spreading the mixture.
The recipe says to let the toffee cool completely and invert the pan to remove it. Then it tells you
to melt the chocolate, spread it over the toffee and sprinkle the remaining nuts over the top.
When chocolate hardens, break the toffee into pieces and serve. HOWEVER … I’m basically lazy so
I sprinkle a mixture of bittersweet and milk chocolate chips over the top and, as they melt, use a
rubber small rubber spatula to swirl and spread the chocolate.
In winter weather I hurry along the cooling process by covering the pan and setting it outside or on
the garage floor to cool the mixture and harden the chocolate in no time. In warmer weather I
have been known to tuck the toffee pan in the freezer for a bit but it does slightly change the color
or the toffee.
*Note: Weather, humidity and the powers that be may affect when it is absolutely right to remove
the toffee from the heat. After you make a few batches you start to trust your sense of sight and
smell as to EXACTLY when to remove the candy mixture from the heat.
The Day School is busy, busy this time of year. Our annual Santa Night Fun-raiser will be held on Thursday,
December 4th. Santa is on his way to visit all our precious little children. The evening features activities in
every classroom including, cookie decorating, making reindeer food, letters to Santa, Christmas
crafts, ornament making , and the favorite--our cakewalk! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be here talking to the
children and posing for pictures. Moretti's Pizzeria and Restaurant will be donating all the wonderful food for
the event (many thanks to our St. Mark's family, Mark and Jessica Hoffmann).
The children will be presenting their Christmas musical program on Monday December 15th and Wednesday,
December 17th. Due to the popularity of this event, we need two seatings. Our music teacher, Holly Velleuer,
has each class presenting their own Christmas song followed by an all-school sing-along. This is always a
parent favorite. Christmas parties follow on December 18th and 19th until we say goodbye for two weeks.
Registration for fall of 2015 begins on January 6, 2015. Please spread the word to family and friends. Tours can
be arranged by calling Jane Smith at 847-381-9172.
Do you shop at Heinen’s
in Barrington?
Here is an opportunity to support
our biggest ministry,
the St Mark’s Day School
Office Hours:
Phone: 847-381-0596
Fax: 847-381-3564
Email: [email protected]
Heinen's is offering their Teaming Up for
Education program, which will allow us to earn
money each time you shop at Heinen's.
Check
it out!!
If you would like to help our Day School,
designate St. Mark's as your preferred school by
visiting Customer Service or their website.
The Spiritual Pantry,
located just outside
the Parlor, has some
new Advent readings.
Use your Tasteful Rewards Card every time you
shop. They track all eligible spending and donate
up to 1% to our school.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Pick one up
for the season!
Monday—Friday
9:15 am - 2:15 pm
December Birthdays
December Anniversaries
Dec 6 - David and Pam DeWitt
Dec 1 - Lauren Messemer
Dec 2 - Moira Fearncombe
Dec 3 - John Stieper
Dec 6 - Sonja Duray
Dec 7 - Lourie Ferrell
Dec 9 - Bill Setterstrom
Eric Anderson
Dec 11 - James Alpeter
Dec 12 - Alison Anderson
Dec 13 - Eric Barker
Dec 14 - Laura Alter
Lisa Woolford
Dec 15 - Ruth MacCallum
Bill Gratzl
Dec 16 - Joe Collier
Noelle Porter
Dec 17 - Richard Jensen
Clifford Nelsen II
Dec 18 - Nancy Loring
Kristen Clarke
Dec 19 - Karen Alpeter
Edward Jacobs
Dec 20 - Jean Tolle
Margaret Skoulund
Dec 21 - James Demunno
Dec 24 - Susan Gibbons
Dec 27 - Carole Childers
Dec 29 - Lynne O'Malley
Michael Stieper
Dec 30 - Anne Gross
Joy Sweet
Mary Etherington
Dec 31 - Mackenzie Peltier
Dec 18 - James and Karen Alpeter
Dec 28 – Michael and Nancy Loring
Are your cupboards bare? It’s time to order from
Market Day again by Wednesday, December 3 by
11 pm for pick up on Saturday, December 6. The
catalogues are available with the monthly specials
– find them in the foyer areas at church.
This fundraiser for St. Mark’s donates a
percentage of dollars from our total orders to
specific projects and ministries in the area and
around the country. Helps you, helps them!
Mark Your Calendars
Dec 1
Christmas Baskets Due
Dec 13
Choir Camp, 10 am- noon
Dec 2
Lectio Divina, 1 pm
Dec 14
Advent 3
Dec 3
Finance Committee, 7 pm
Market Day orders due by 11 pm
Dec 16
Morning Prayer, 9:30 am
Women’s Study Group, 10 am
Dec 4
Day School Santa Night
Dec 18
Faith Knitters, 7 pm
Dec 6
Market Day Pick-up,
10:20-11:20 am
Celtic Service, 5 pm
Dec 21
Advent 4
10:15 Family Service
Mulled Wine Coffee Hour
Dec 7
Advent 2
1st Sunday Collection
Christmas Luncheon, 11:45 am
Dec 24
Christmas Eve Services
3 pm, 5:30 pm, 9 pm
Dec 25
Christmas Day Service, 10:15 am
Dec 28
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Dec 9
Morning Prayer, 9:30 am
Women’s Study Group, 10 am
Dec 10
Vestry, 7 pm
Dec 11
Morning Prayer, 9:30 am
Men’s Study Group, 10 am
Church Office Closed
December 29th through
January 4th.
337 Ridge Road
Barrington Hills, IL 60010
Phone: 847-381-0596
FIRST CLASS
On the web: www.st-markschurch.org
E-mail: [email protected]
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Belonging...Believing...Becoming
St. Mark’s Vision:
Rector: The Very Rev. David A. Gibbons
Deacon: The Rev. F. Newton Carpenter
Senior Warden:
Junior Warden:
Eric Anderson
Pete Gray
Vestry:
David Eitel
Mary Etherington
Bruce Grabenkort
Arlene Kaspik
Laura Kierig
Justin McCarthy
Sherry Philbin
David Stieper
Calvin Swiger
Treasurer: Fred Hille
Clerk: Linda Gray
We at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church strive to create a dynamic
worship community for spiritual growth rooted in our Episcopal
traditions, an environment of education and exploration of our
faith in God through Jesus Christ, a connectedness to the
community and world through good works, and an opportunity for
fellowship among the church family.
Our Regular Service Times
Sunday: 8am- Eucharist (said)
Business Manager
Mike Loring
Day School Director
Jane Smith
Director of Music/Organist
Tom Wibbels
Christian Formation Director
Jo Gantzer
Administrative Director
Gina Erdman
9am- Youth Choir & Adult Forum
9:45 am – Youth Formation
Parent Spiritual Café
10:15am- Eucharist (sung with choir)
Third Sundays – FAMILY SERVICE. 10:15