The Apostles Post26238 North Highway 59

Wauconda, Illinois

FROM THE VICAR’S DESK (M. C. Gillette)

We lived on Oak Street in Oneonta New York, so I must have been in third or fourth grade. (Having moved every year or two while growing up, this is how I try to keep the timeline of my life intact in my head.) In my room, I had a chalkboard easel and a big box of multi-colored chalk. (I had a red-and-yellow plastic record player too, on which I endlessly played Puff, The Magic Dragon; but that is fodder for another post.)

Anyway, one day I came home from school and discovered – to my lasting shock and astonishment – that my mother had drawn a fabulous scene of a covered bridge surrounded by New England autumn foliage. (No, that’s not it in the picture above. But in my memory, it was very much like

what’s pictured, except the bridge was extended to the left.)

I was shocked and astonished for two reasons. First, it had never, ever, occurred to me that my mother could draw. (I’m frankly not sure she ever drew anything again.) Second, it had never, ever, occurred to me that my mother could sit long enough, distracted from her endless tasks and chores, to do something which could possibly be described as a product of ‘leisure’ time.

But that’s kind of the way things go, isn’t it? Each and every one of us has some hidden gift or talent. Sometimes even we don’t know it’s there, lying latent, waiting to be discovered. Sometimes we are very well aware of its presence, or at least pretty sure we could do ‘that’ (whatever it is) if only we had the opportunity or the courage to give ourselves a chance. And one way or the other, all too often we allow the cares and concerns of the world – as artificial and contrived as they tend to be – to overwhelm us. We tell ourselves we are too busy to take that pottery class or those singing lessons or that calligraphy workshop or even that visual-programming-language coding course. Of course, there are times when we are too busy; but if we are honest with ourselves, these times are rare. More typically, we are sucked in by the Siren song of a commercial culture which simultaneously provides mediocrity and conformity while promoting competition and consumption.

That this happens to us does not make us bad people. Jesus himself told us there would be many false prophets and misleading omens and efforts to lead ‘even the righteous’ astray. But it does make us less fulfilled people, deprived of opportunities to wonder, delight, and flourish. And while playing Words With Friends or posting clever memes to our Facebook pages can be fun, I’m not sure these occupations make the best possible use of our God-given imagination and creative power.

We are on the cusp of a new year. This is as good a time as any to resolve to try something new, accept a self-development challenge, discover a new talent or liberate one that has been dormant way too long. So get into

JANUARY 2015 We are a welcoming, compassionate community seeking to grow in Christ and

express God’s love for all, through worship, fellowship, service and prayer.

vermiculture, or paper-making, or ornithology, or the trombone, or whatever it is that you’ve long harbored a secret desire to try. You might surprise yourself by discovering you have a wonderful, previously unknown, gift. You might even surprise us. About the only one who won’t be surprised is the God who gave it to you to find – and use. Image: Accessed at http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/autumn-love-story-david-lloyd-glover.jpg

HERE AND THERE (M. C. Gillette)In this on-going article, we pull things from our various Diocesan calendars and church websites so see what’s going on around us. For more information about what's happening at the Diocesan Headquarters and the Cathedral of Saint James, you can always visit their websites: http://www.episcopalchicago.org or http://www.saintjamescathedral.org/For a direct link to Diocesan and Cathedral events calendar, go to: http://www.episcopalchicago.org/our-diocese /calendars

There Is Only Lamentation: Bishop Lee on FergusonNovember 26, 2014 (Written prior to news of Eric Garner, Joseph Weekly and other high-profile cases)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:For many people there seems to be little justice and no peace in the decision of a St. Louis County grand jury not to indict Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown. There is only lamentation.

We don’t do lament very well in our society, but I believe that is what is called for now.  I can’t get the picture of Michael Brown’s father at his son’s funeral out of my mind. The agony of a parent’s grief crosses all barriers of race and class. 

Bishop Wayne Smith of Missouri and others have reminded me that systems of privilege thrive on racism and fear, and they can strip away our recognition of each other’s humanity. In Ferguson and too often everywhere else, young black men are perceived only as threats, not as human beings made in the image of God.

But I believe Jesus came so that all of us would have our humanity, in all of its fullness and beauty, revealed and honored.   

In our baptismal covenant, we pledge to respect the dignity of every human being. Among other things, this means that those with power must learn to share it and even give it away. We must work together to dismantle structures and systems that favor white people over all others, that give automatic privileges to one class over any other, that keep any group of people from realizing their full freedom and potential as children of God. Jesus loves all of us, equally and without reserve. We are called to put that love into practice.  We are called to be agents of God’s justice, healing, and mercy. 

Let us commit to pray, listen, learn, and act for a world surely more like the one God wants to see.Faithfully, The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of ChicagoResources: Our diocese’s Anti-Racism Commission offers workshops on critical cultural competency and organizing for anti-racism. Earlier this year, Janee Woods, a former attorney who works with communities on racial equity and community engagement, wrote a blog post about how to be a white ally to black people in the wake of Michael Brown’s murder. I have found it helpful. Dean Mike Kinman of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis has been an active, faithful leader in Ferguson. Read his blog for a first-hand perspective suffused with love.

Petition to Illinois Supreme Court Denied November 26, 2014 The Illinois Supreme Court today denied a petition by the Episcopal Church to review the ruling of a lower court which had found that certain property of the former Episcopal Diocese of Quincy now belongs to a breakaway group organized as the Anglican Diocese of Quincy.

“We are disappointed in this decision,” said the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. The former Episcopal Diocese of Quincy reunited with Lee’s diocese in 2013 and now constitutes its Peoria deanery. “My first concern is to attend to the pastoral needs of the faithful Episcopalians in the Peoria deanery, who have shown such grace and fortitude as the legal process has unfolded. We are aware of our legal options and will consider them in due course.” The property at issue in the case is an endowment fund and a house adjacent to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Peoria.

Fierce Conversations Training 21-22 January 2015, Saint James CommonsSusan Scott is an internationally recognized leader in executive education. This training is based on her best-selling book, and is intended to ‘help you gain the insight and skills to make every conversation count.’ The author's desire is to change the world--one conversation at a time.

From David Mays’ Book Notes on ‘Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott http://www.davidmays.org/BN/ScoFier.html

Our lives succeed or fail one conversation at a time. (Foreword)Introduction: The Idea of FierceWe must discard the idea that our home and office conversations are quite different. "When you squeeze an orange, what comes out of it? Orange juice. Why? Because that's what's inside it." "When we get squeezed--when things aren't going well for us--what comes out of us? Whatever's inside us." "So if your conversations at work are yielding disappointing results, I'd be willing to bet you're getting similar results at home." (5) "The conversation is the relationship. If the conversation stops, all of the possibilities for the relationship become smaller and all of the possibilities for the individuals in the relationship become smaller…" "…if we compromise at work or at home; if we lower the standards about how often we talk, what we talk about, and, most important, what degree of authenticity we bring to our conversations--it's a slow and deadly slide." (6) "Each conversation we have with our coworkers, customers, significant others, and children either enhances those relationships, flat-lines them, or takes them down." (7) "A fierce conversation is one in which we come out from behind ourselves into the conversation and make it real." (7) "Whoever said talk is cheap was mistaken. Unreal conversations are incredibly expensive for organizations and for individuals." (7) "Fierce conversations are about moral courage, clear requests, and taking action. Fierce is an attitude. A way of conducting business. A way of leading. A way of life." (10)

Principle 1. Master the Courage to Interrogate Reality"No plan survives its collision with reality. The problem is, reality has an irritating habit of shifting…. Things change." (13) "The world will not be managed." (15) "You will find yourself continually thwarted in your best efforts…unless reality is regularly and thoroughly examined." (15) The Corporate Nod. People don't say what they are really thinking. "Companies and marriages derail because people don't say what they are really thinking." (19) "One of the goals in a fierce conversation is to get everyone's reality out on the table, so it can be interrogated. Everyone's!" (23)Three stages of interrogating reality: 1. Identify the issue on the table and your proposed solution. 2. Check to see that everyone understands. 3. Check for agreement. Be sure you get everyone's input and resist the temptation to defend your idea. "Real thinking occurs only when everyone is engaged in exploring differing viewpoints." (27) "If you're drilling for water, it's better to drill one hundred-foot well than one hundred one-foot wells." A conversation of this nature interrogates reality by mining for increased clarity, improved understanding, and impetus for change." The author calls these Mineral Rights conversations. Drill down deep on a topic by asking a series of questions to accomplish four purposes:

1. Interrogate reality2. Provoke learning3. Tackle tough challenges4. Enrich relationships (39)

Ground truth is a military term that refers to what is actually happening on the ground as opposed to the official battle tactics. In any organization it is worth getting to ground truth. The official truth is officially circulated but the ground truth is expressed around the water cooler and the parking lot. (47)

We must determine whether our assumptions match current reality. (51) "I have not yet witnessed a spontaneous recovery from incompetence." Every organization must ask whether we have the talented people we need to successfully deliver our product or service. "As a leader, you get what you tolerate. People do not repeat behavior unless it is rewarded." "Have you communicated clearly not only the results but also the behavior that you wanted? What about attitude?" (60) "Hire attitude. Train skill." (61) "The quality of our lives is largely determined by the quality of the questions we ask--and the quality of our answers." (64)

Principle 2. Come Out from Behind Yourself into the Conversation and Make It Real"What are you pretending not to know?" (70)"While the desire to please is not a flaw, at crucial crossroads we sometimes go too far. Way too far. When faced with a so-called moment of truth, we find ourselves chucking the truth over the fence or tucking it behind the drapes in exchange for a trinket of approval." (710 "Annie Dillard wrote, 'How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.' How are you spending your days, your life?" (81) List the fierce conversations you need to have with others. Write down the name of the person and a sentence or two about the topic. (84) Drill down through a series of questions: (87 ff)

1. Identify your most pressing issue.2. Clarify the issue. What's going on? How long? How bad is it?3. Determine the current impact. How is this impacting me? What is being produced?

How is it impacting others? 4. Determine the future implications.5. Examine your personal contribution to this issue.6. Describe the ideal outcome. 7. Commit to action. What is the most potent first step for me? What will get in the way and how will I

get around it. When do I start?

Principle 3. Be Here, Prepared to Be Nowhere Else"Humans share a universal longing to be known and, being known, to be loved." (91) "Only when we genuinely see the people who are important to us can we hope to succeed as agents for positive change." "We must transform the way we speak, the way we ask, the way we listen….by really asking and really listening." (92) "While someone is talking, where are your thoughts?" "While you're talking with someone on the telephone, do you scan your e-mail? And can you tell when someone else is scanning his?" (94) "For [personal] relationships to move forward and upward, you must have fierce affection for the other person. You must have genuine curiosity about what is going on with that person at any given time. You must have an insatiable appetite for learning more every day about who he or she is…." (96) "One conversation at a time, you are building, destroying, or flatlining your relationships." (97) "What if you're so unengaged or unengaging that nobody hears you, nobody really listens to you, nobody really responds to you? Perhaps you're too polite. Or too self-conscious. Or two self-absorbed. Or too politically correct. Or too cautious. The net result? Unconsciously, we end our conversations as soon as we initiate them, too afraid of what we might say or hear." (98)

One of the fiercest conversations is to tell someone how important he or she is in our lives, how much we value and love that person. "There is so much more to listen to than words. Listen to the whole person." (103)

Once a month ask each of your key people to explore his or her most important issues with you. (108) Ask about their emotions. Emotions propel us to action. Common mistakes in one-to-one conversations: (109-110)

1. Doing most of the talking2. Taking the problem away from someone3. Not inquiring about feelings4. Delivering unclear messages, coaching, instructions5. Canceling the meeting6. Allowing interruptions7. Running out of time8. Assuming your meetings are effective

An outline of a conversation meant to dig deep (a "mineral rights" conversation):1. What is the most important thing for us to talk about?2. What's going on relative to this issue?3. How is it impacting you? Who else is affected?4. If nothing changes, what are the implications?5. How have you contributed to this situation?6. What is the ideal outcome?7. What is the most potent step you can take to begin resolution?

Debrief this conversation by asking yourself: (113)1. Was I genuinely curious about this person and their reality?2. Did I work to understand reality from where he/she stands?3. Did feelings get expressed?4. What parts of me failed to show up? 5. Who did most of the talking?

Good Questions to Ask (a few from a longer list): What has become clear since we last met? What are you trying to make happen in the next three months? What's the most important decision you're facing? What topic are you hoping I won't bring up? What part of your responsibilities are you avoiding right now? What do you wish you had more time to do? If you were hired to consult with our company, what would you advise?

In these digging-out-reality (mineral rights) conversations, my secret rule is to only ask questions until I have dug out all I can. The practice of taking the conversation away from other people and making it about ourselves is a huge relationship killer and waste of time. (117)

Principle 4. Tackle Your Toughest Challenge TodayOngoing problems in an organization often stem from root issues. Moles are a nuisance and they proliferate because they eat the grubs in the ground. Go for the root cause. "Make it your job as a leader to give up mole whacking and take up grub hunting." (127) Follow a format for discussing issues.

The issue is: (Be concise and get to the heart of the problem, challenge, or opportunity. Where does the problem originate? How does the system reward it? What is the root cause? )

It is significant because: (What's at stake?) My ideal outcome is: (What specific results do you want?) Relevant background information: (Summarize with bullet points) What I have done up to this point: (Summarize) The help I want from the group is:

Five common errors in confronting behavior: (142-147)1. Begin by asking how's it going2. Using praise as a lead-in3. Softening the message to avoid hurting feelings. Replace pillows with clear requests.4. Assuming we know what the other person will say. Consequently we may not really hear them.5. Blasting with machine gun talk. Go straight to the issue; say it in 60 seconds, and then invite your

partner to talk.

In 60 seconds make your opening statement about a behavior issue: (149) Name the issue. Describe a specific example. Describe your emotions about the issue. Clarify what is at stake. Identify your contribution to this problem. Indicate your wish to resolve the issue. Invite your partner to respond.

"Fierce conversations cannot be dependent on how others respond." "If you know something must change, then know that it is you who must change it. Your job is to extend the invitation." "My experience is that when the invitation is extended with grace and skill, it will be accepted, even by those you have almost given up on." (154) "When we confront behavior with courage and skill, we are offering a gift." (161) "Healthy relationships require appreciation and confrontation." (163)

Principle 5. Obey Your Instincts

Principle 6. Take Responsibility for Your Emotional Wake"There are people who take the heart out of you and there are people who put it back." (187, quoting Elizabeth David)"For a leader, there is no trivial comment. Something you might not even remember saying may have had a devastating impact on someone looking to you for guidance and approval. By the same token, something you said years ago may have encouraged and inspired someone who is grateful to you to this day. Everything each of us says leaves an emotional wake. Positive or negative. Our individual wakes are larger than we know. An emotional wake is what you remember after I'm gone. What you feel. The aftermath, aftertaste, or afterglow." (187) "What do I want them to remember when I'm gone? I need to say that, and only that…clearly!" (191)"A negative emotional wake is…created at times by a lack of appreciative comments." (192)"If there is any possibility that people don't know how much you value them, there's a conversation that needs to occur." Appreciation is a truly value-creating activity. Be specific about what you like, love, or appreciate about them. (194-95)

Principle 7. Let Silence Do the Heavy Lifting"An American characteristic is general discomfort with silence in conversations, homes, working places." (222) The more emotionally loaded the subject, the more silence is required. (223) Begin to wean yourself from noise. (227) "Never mistake talking for conversation." (228) "Silence is the best-kept secret for generating family dialogue." (234) Challenge: "I will allow spaciousness in my conversations, so that before I speak, I can reflect on what others have said. I will invite my partners to do the same. In doing so, I hope to get closer to what is authentic and valuable." (238)

UPCOMING SERVICES – CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES – JANUARY 2015

Sunday04 January8:00 a.m. and10:30 a.m.

Sunday 11 January8:00 a.m. and10:30 a.m.

Sunday18 January8:00 a.m. and10:30 a.m.

Sunday25 January8:00 a.m. and10:30 a.m.

ScheduledPresider: GillettePreacher: Gillette

Scheduled Presider: GillettePreacher: Gillette

Scheduled Presider: GillettePreacher: Gillette

Scheduled Presider: GillettePreacher: Gillette

Second Sunday after Christmas

First Sunday after theEpiphany

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

FIRST LESSONJeremiah 31:7-14

RESPONSEPsalm 84

SECOND LESSONEphesians 1:3-6, 15-19a

GOSPELMatthew 2:13-15, 19-23

FIRST LESSONGenesis 1:1-5

RESPONSEPsalm 29

SECOND LESSONActs 19:1-7

GOSPELMark 1:4-11

FIRST LESSON1 Samuel 3:1-20

RESPONSEPsalm 139:1-5, 12-17

SECOND LESSON1 Corinthians 6:12-20

GOSPELJohn 1:43-51

FIRST LESSONJonah 3:1-5, 10

RESPONSEPsalm 62:6-14

SECOND LESSON1 Corinthians 7:29-31

GOSPELMark 1:14-20

SOME CHURCHY STUFF (M. C. Gillette)In this monthly article, we look at terms and definitions of things you might see or hear around church. Nothing fancy here – these entries are out of the Armentrout/Slocum An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, sometimes supplemented by me, and sometimes simply copied directly. If something in particular piques your interest, let me know, and we’ll deal with it in more depth.CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM. The beginnings of Christian socialism in the Church of England (and therefore, by association, in the Episcopal Church) are associated with the work of J. M. Ludlow, Charles Kingsley, and F. D. Maurice. Maurice was its prophet and theologian whose influence continues today. But he was no Marxist, and as with most Englishmen he was unsympathetic to revolution. But these leaders did see constructive forces at work in the revolutionary impulses. In assuming the name Christian socialism, they did not propose an economic doctrine nor a program of reform, but the ‘science of partnership.’ They held that Christianity looked to a society in which people would work cooperatively together. Competition was held to be a denial of what the church believed. Maurice proposed cooperative workers’ unions and educational institutes. Maurice died in 1872, but his ideas continued to be influential. In June 1889, the Christian Social Union was formed to urge fundamental Christian social principles. Bishop B. F. Westcott was its first president, and its leaders included Henry Scott Holland and Bishop Charles Gore. In the twentieth century several successive Christian socialist groups were formed in the Church of England. In 1921 The Return of

Christendom appeared, in which industrial capitalism was criticized in the light of catholic doctrine. In the United States, the American Church Socialist League and its successor, the Church League for Industrial Democracy, sought to further the Christian socialist agenda. The great figure of the twentieth century was William Temple (1881-1944), Archbishop of Canterbury, who urged that the church must choose between socialism and heresy. His Christianity and Social Order is a basic text for twentieth-century Christian socialism. The emphasis on theology and the gospel in Christian socialism rescues any effort to change social structures from simple expediency and avoids the separation of prayer and action. http://www.sabinabecker.com/images/jesus-socialist.jpg

CHRISTMAS. Well, this seems like it’s a day late and a dollar short, coming on the heels of our latest Christmas celebration. But let’s see how what the authors of our Dictionary have to say about Christmas compares to our own experience…. Christmas, they say (in old English, Cristes maesse) is a festival celebrated on 25 December, commemorating the Incarnation of the Word of God in the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Common Prayer it is also called The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the United States it is also a popular secular holiday. (In case you hadn’t noticed.) According to the Philocalian calendar (my edit, as

Armentrout/Slocum seem to assume you know this, is that the Philocalian Calendar – also known as the Chronographer of 354 – was an ancient Roman almanac which provides the oldest extant notice of a feast of Christ’s Nativity), the festival was observed by the church in Rome by the year 336. Christmas gradually spread to the churches of the east, which already had a festival on 06 January commemorating the manifestation of God in both the birth and baptism of Jesus. The date, 25 December, rests on no historical foundation. It was probably chosen to oppose the feast Natalis Solis Invicti, the birthday of the ‘Unconquerable Sun God’ (Saturn), which took place at the winter solstice to celebrate the birth of ‘the Sun of Righteousness.’ The customs associated with Christmas have developed from many sources. From early days the popular observance of Christmas was marked by the joy and celebration characteristic of the Roman Saturnalia and the pagan festivals which it replaced. It came to include the decoration of houses with greenery and the giving of gifts to children and the poor. In Britain other observances were added including the Yule log and Yule cakes, fir trees, gifts, and greetings. Fires and lights (symbols of warmth and lasting life) and evergreens (symbols of survival) were traditionally associated with both pagan and Christian festivals. Their use developed considerably in England with the importation of German customs and through the influence of the writings of Charles Dickens. In the Book of Common Prayer, Christmas Day is one of seven principal feasts. The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day until 05 January, the day before the Epiphany. The season includes Christmas Day, the First Sunday after Christmas Day, the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and may include the Second Sunday after Christmas Day. In many parishes, the main liturgical celebrations of Christmas take place on Christmas Eve. The Book of Occasional Services includes a variety of resources for use during Christmas, including a form for a Station at a Christmas Crèche, a form for a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Music, and a seasonal blessings for use during the Christmas season. http://p8.storage.canalblog.com/86/57/403668/92411836.jpg

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND MUSIC. The Book of Occasional Services provides a form for this festival, including contemporary and traditional language versions of a bidding prayer and various scriptural options for use as the lessons. Nine readings are customarily used at this festival, but fewer may be used. The lessons are interspersed with carols, hymns, canticles, and anthems. If the festival is celebrated in the evening, it may be

introduced by the Service of Light (page 109 in the Book of Common Prayer). The service may conclude with an appropriate collect and a seasonal blessing for Christmas. JANUARY 2015 (See page 7 for Service Schedule.)SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3Food Pantry: 10am-noon

4 8:00 am service 10:30 am service

5 6 7 8 9 10Food Pantry10am-noon

11 8:00 am service 10:30 am service

12Shawl Ministry7:00 pm

13 14 15 16 17Food Pantry10am-noon

18 8:00 am service 10:30 am service

19 20 Shawl Ministry1:00pm________Bishop’s Comm.Meeting 7:00 PM

21 22 23 24Food Pantry10am-noon

25 8:00 am service 10:30 am service3:45pmWauconda CareCenter Service

26 27Book Discussion Group7:30pm

28 29 30 31

January Birthdays

Jan 03 Michelle Permenter Jan 09 Rick TaylorJan 07 Lynn Chmiel Jan 10 Diane CooperJan 08 Betty Jo Hoebbel Jan 25 Patti Glade

January AnniversariesJan 18 The Rev. Don and Jody Moon

IN OUR PARISH LIFE

Dear Holy Apostles  family,

I cannot possibly find  the right words to thank you for all the love you showered upon Keith, Eric and me during our darkest hour. Thank you for being there to support us and for all your prayers and kindness.Thank you to  those of you who worked in the kitchen, prepared food, helped moved furniture from the library and back, set up and took down tables and chairs at St. Michaels.     Thank you  to all who shared stories of how Jim touched your lives during his ministry at Holy Apostles.   He told me many times and shared with others that the 8 years he was at Church of the Holy Apostles were absolutely the best years of his life.  He  loved his God, he loved Holy Apostles, he loved all of God's people and I believe he is at peace with his heavenly Father.  I miss him so very much but I am grateful for the outpouring of  love you have shown me during this most difficult time.

Thank you so very much dear friends,Sharon, Keith and Eric BullionWAUCONDA/ISLAND LAKE FOOD PANTRY: The milk jug count for November was $90.26. In November the food pantry served 260 families which totaled 683 individuals.  Nine families were new to the pantry. Please keep them in your prayers. There is a sign-up sheet in Lincoln Hall if you are interested in volunteering on Saturdays between 10 AM and 12 noon. If you have any questions please contact Rick or Marsha Fedor or email fedor711@comcast.net.

SHAWL MINISTRY : The Shawl Ministry will meet on Monday, January 12 at 7:00pm, and Tuesday, January 20 at 1:00pm in Lincoln Hall. All are welcome to join us- no experience is required! 

BISHOP’S COMMITTEE POSITIONS FOR 2015: If you are interested in serving as a member of the Bishop’s Committee, please make your wishes known to the Parish Administrator. If you would like more information about the role of a Bishop’s Committee member and what it entails, feel free to contact any of the present members, they would be happy to share their experiences with you!

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: The book discussion group generally meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm (exceptions will be noted). New members or one-time visitors are always welcome!January 27 - Divergent by Veronica Roth, at the home of Stacey PyneFebruary 24 - Carry the One by Carol Anshaw at the home of Lisa EarleyMarch 24 - Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante at the home of Julie ZuidemaApril 28 - Apollo 13 (aka Lost Moon) by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger at the home of Scott Stoltz & Sandy BrownMay 26 - The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson at the home of Barb BarrieJune 23 - Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin location TBAJuly 28 - Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth location TBAAugust 25 - Abundance: The Future is Better than You Think by Peter Diamandis at the home of Stacey PyneSeptember 22 - Lila by Marilynne Robinson at the home of Judi DuraOctober 27 - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt location TBANovember 24 - The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich location TBADecember 29 - The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs at the home of Lisa Earley 

WHITE CANDLES: If you are out and about, please consider picking up some white candles for use at the altar. All sizes and styles are welcomed!

RECYCLE YOUR SHOES! We will be collecting shoes to be reused or recycled. Any and all shoes will be accepted-shoes in good condition will be given to others, and shoes that have seen better days will be ground up and reborn as playground material! You may deposit your old shoes in the collection box located in the Narthex near the Food Pantry milk jug. Please contact Marsha Fedor with any questions.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PLEDGE FORM FOR 2015

I (We) choose to support the mission and ministry of Church of the Holy Apostles this year for several reasons, in particular because:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________.

After prayerful consideration, I (we) pledge to offer to God and the work of God’s church the following portion of what I (we) have:

$ ______________________ per _____________________ (week, month, year);

and/or these services, supplies, or other gifts of time or talent:

_______________________________________________________________________.

Please provide your current contact information, even if you choose not to/are unable to pledge this year.

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Email Address: _________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________________________________

I prefer to pay my pledge by credit card. My card information is:

Number: ______________________________ Expiration Date: ______________

FROM: Church of the Holy Apostles 26238 North Highway 59 Wauconda, Illinois 60084