Innocents: A Blog / Lay Ministries

Well Done All

Today was the second and last Sunday without our priest, Fr. Ted, who has been away. It had been decided by the priest and Bishop's Committee that in order to make the necessary cuts in the budget "an outward and visible sign" of the seriousness of our situation, we would not budget funds for "supply" or substitute priests when Fr. Ted is absent for vacation or education. The service at Holy Innocents was therefore led by Rob Bartlett, who acted as presider. The sermon was delivered by Colleen Muehl, our Bishop's Warden.

movers toronto

You would think that a more-or-less Morning Prayer service conducted by a bunch of amateurs wouldn't give the same feeling of satisfaction or spiritual comfort that a full Eucharist with a priest and the bread and wine would give. However, everything went very smoothly, and it was surprisingly moving. The Gospel reading for today, of course, is the one dictated by a three-year cycle, but as on so many Sundays it was of peculiarly apt significance for our situation on this day. Remember, the key phrase was
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." The sermon that Colleen read was helpful in putting our mission (not the physical building, but our need to minister to ourselves and others) in focus. The Gospel and other readings went right along with that theme; and then also the sermon touched on the need to give people encouragement when they are doing a good job, whether it's at work, school, home, or even church.

At the announcements after the sermon, several people (Scott Eiler, Bob Kalicki) mentioned opportunities for volunteer work, either Sparrow's Nest, the Palatine thrift shop benefiting a battered women's shelter, or the Poplar Creek prairie restoration project.

Colleen also announced that a short meeting about the upcoming Classic Car Show (July 10!) after the service. The subsequent meeting was VERY well attended, with lots of excitement and enthusiasm for this, our major fundraiser for the parish. It will also benefit the Schaumburg Food Pantry, which we have supported for years. A number of us will be working on various aspects: securing donations of food or raffle prizes or small gifts, making contact with the village, and publicizing the event to as many car clubs and potential attendees as possible.

As we left, we were given colorful fliers to hand out to the neighbors whose homes face the church lot; because of the extra traffic generated by the car show, Sunday July 10th would be a great day to hold a garage sale (apparently, the spouses of the exhibitors would rather go shopping than look at cars). So off we went in several directions to chat with the neighbors. Doorbelling is almost un-Episcopalian, but we managed.

Just as we were charged in the sermon, we laborers are being sent out into the harvest; conducting worship, finding ways to serve, and gathering in what we may in order to continue our mission (the building AND the ministry).

And finally, a hearty "well done" to everyone who helped conduct services for the past two weeks. We'll be glad to see Fr. Ted and Mark when they return, but we've acquitted ourselves honorably these last two weeks in the absence of clergy.

Greeters and Ushers May-August

The schedule for greeters and ushers is available for May through August - click on "Continue reading" to see the full schedule. And thank you for serving!

May - August 2005

May 1	Wally and Ellie Jacobs
May 8	Bob and Pat Kalicki
May 15	Ron and Colleen Muehl
May 22	Earl and LaWayne Williams
May 29	Walt and Ellie
June 5	Bob and Pat
June 12	Ron and Colleen
June 19	Earl and LaWayne
June 26	Wally and Ellie
July 3	Bob and Pat
July 10	Ron and Colleen
July 17	Earl and LaWayne
July 24	Wally and Ellie
July 31	Bob and Pat
August 7	Ron and Colleen
August 14	Earl and LaWayne
August 21	Wally and Ellie
August 28	Bob and Pat

If you are unable to be at church for your Sunday, please call someone to
substitute for you. Also, please take an attendance count for entry in the church register and give the numbers to the MC on duty that Sunday. Thank you.

Lay Ministries In May

The schedule has been updated through the end of May. Click "Continue reading" to see the complete schedule for the month.

Lay Ministries May 2005

Date	Server & Acolytes	Lay Reader & Intercessor	Chalice Bearer
May 1	Edwin Bainer Matt Portillo Daniel Bainer	Duncan McPherson	Rob Bartlett
May 8	Earl Williams Ashley Portillo Chris Bollyn	Andrea Weust	Earl Williams
May 15	Ron Muehl Michael Toren Michael Milner	Colleen Muehl	Ron Muehl
May 22	Mark Britt Chris Raufeisen Matt Portillo	Mark Britt	Mark Britt
May 29	Rob Bartlett Daniel Bainer Ashley Portillo	Scott Eiler	Rob Bartlett

Lay Ministries Jan 30 - Feb 27

The schedule has been updated through the end of February. Click "Continue reading" to see the complete schedule for the month.

It is also visible on the calendar; to see the name of the server, lay reader, or chalice bearer for that date there, scroll your mouse over the listings.

Lay Ministries Schedule

Date	Server & Acolytes	Lay Reader & Intercessor	Chalice Bearer
January 30	Ron Muehl Michael Toren Michael Milner	Colleen Muehl	Ron Muehl
February 6	Mark Britt Matt Portillo Daniel Bainer	Mark Britt	Mark Britt
February 13	Edwin Bainer Daniel Bainer Ashley Portillo	Cherry Stoddard	Cherry Stoddard
February 20	Earl Williams Matt Portillo Michael Milner	Scott Eiler	Earl Williams
February 27	Jason Srivisas Michael Toren Ashley Portillo	Katie Black	Jason Srivisas

Greeters And Ushers January-April

• Jan. 02      Wally and Ellie Jacobs
• Jan. 09      Robert and Elinor Bartlett
• Jan. 16      Ron and Colleen Muehl
• Jan. 23      Earl and Lawayne Williams
• Jan. 30      Wally and Ellie Jacobs
• Feb. 06      Robert and Elinor Bartlett
• Feb. 13      Ron and Colleen Muehl
• Feb. 20      Earl and Lawayne Williams
• Feb. 27      Wally and Ellie Jacobs
• Mar. 06      Robert and Elinor Bartlett
• Mar. 13      Ron and Colleen Muehl
• Mar. 20      Earl and Lawayne Williams
• Mar. 27      Wally and Ellie Jacobs

If you are unable to be at church for your Sunday, please call someone to substitute for you. Also, it would be appreciated if the ushers could take an attendance count on their Sunday, for entry in the church register. Please give the numbers to the MC on duty that Sunday. Thank you.