The Eagle’s Nest November 2014

Staff

Padre’s Pen

Rector Rev. Richard Swan [email protected]

There are so many variables for this time of year; the leaves on the trees are changing; we are preparing for Halloween yet the stores are already getting us ready for (Commercial) Christmas. Football is in its ninth week and Hockey has started, yet Baseball isn’t finished and the NBA is already warming up. (Sports overload?) Several things are on the horizon for us at St. John’s at this time of the year. Our students are back in school and we, again, have a full Choir at 10:00 am each Sunday. We will have our Michaelmas Evensong soon on the second of November and the Choir is already gearing up for Lessons and Carols on the 14th of December. Our Stewardship Committee will be contacting members soon and our Vestry Nominating Committee will be seeking new Vestry members to present to the Annual Meeting in January. These last two might make some groan even more than the plethora of negative election ads flooding our airwaves…On the contrary, they should be items to look forward to! The annual Stewardship campaign is meant for each of us to determine how we can better support St. John’s, with our time, talent, and our treasure None of us has ever reached the intended goal until we join the Church triumphant. There is always something more that we can do. Have you considered volunteering in the Community as a member of St. John’s? There are no shortages of

Deacon Rev. Donald Coventry [email protected] Secretary Mrs. LaVetta Williams [email protected] Parish Nurse Susan Currie, RN

Vestry John Byler Mindy Chadwick – Rector’s Warden Bob Ellison Ron Gillespie – Parish Warden Chris Gregory Harley Hicks Ken Jordan Melissa Rhodes Charla Robb

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130 W. Eldorado St. • Decatur, IL 62522 • 217-428-4461 • saintjohnsdecatur.org

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November 2014

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Education Opportunities

opportunities to serve the Body of Christ within greater Macon County. Is there something that you have had an urge to get involved in within the Church? Committees always need new members and there are educational opportunities to be involved in. The campaign also gives us an opportunity to check our self to see if we can more fully support the work of St. John’s. Especially if you have not yet reached the level of the Biblical Tithe. Rewinding the history of giving at St. John’s, there have been many generous givers however; many have passed on to the Church Triumphant, retired, will be retiring soon or just moved on. There is no hidden fund (contrary to old rumors) that will keep us afloat. The endowments that we do have do not yield as much as they used to. Each member must step forward to assist in the daily operational expenses. If you give only to certain funds, and not the operating fund you may someday find a beautifully kept empty building at the corner of Church and Eldorado. Vestry is usually looking for two or three new members each year. Over the past couple of years there has been a noticeable change in Vestry; just ask any current, or recent, members. Please do not let a negative view of history cloud your consideration of serving St. John’s in this way. We can use any Confirmed adult (over18) as a member of this body. There are also committees to be filled. Please feel free to call me if you feel lead to assist the work of Christ here at St. John’s in any way. That is how we can get to know Him better and to make Him known to others.

ADULT STUDY

In Christ’s love, Fr. Swan

Friday Bible Study continues at 10 AM in the Guild Room. We are currently studying James and will begin the letters from Peter and John and will move on to the Book of Revelation soon. CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL Continues! The debut of the children’s choir was a blessing and they are learning many things to include vestments.

Serving Opportunities Any interested youth or adult over the age of ten interested in becoming an Acolyte, please contact James Keith or Father Swan.

Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

November 2014

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Mark Your Calendars

Holy Days in November

There is a calendar of events listed on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall for the month. The sign-up sheet for flowers and the Sanctuary Candle is on the bulletin Board outside the Nave in the Cloister.

Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm and Saturday at 7:30 am we meet for Eucharist. It is our custom to honor a memorable figure in the life of the Church down through the ages. For November, we will give thanks to God for these faithful servants:

November 2nd – the Feast of All Saints choral Evensong at 4:30 PM. A light reception will follow. Think about who you can invite!

Saints Days for November: Wednesdays in the Chapel November 5 Richard Hooker 12 Charles Simeon, Priest 19 Elizabeth of Hungary 26 Thanksgiving Eve

November 8th – Judy Mason Thanksgiving Basket Project. We are scheduled to work from 9 AM until 10 AM. We will meet in the Church parking lot around 8:45 AM and proceed to the location. November 8th – Cursillo Ultreya at 3 PM in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome! November 9th – 14th – Meals on Wheels. We still need a couple of teams. November 23rd – We will host the Community Thanksgiving Service at 4:00 PM. A reception will follow. Another GREAT time to invite friends! December 14th – Advent Lessons and Carols at 4:30 PM. Another opportunity to invite friends. (Opportunities abound!)

Vestry Meeting The next Vestry meeting will be held on November 19th following the 6:00 PM Eucharist.

Saturdays in the Chapel November 1 James Hannington, Bishop 8 Willibrord, Archbishop 15 Consecration of Samuel Seabury 22 Clement of Rome 29 Kamehameha & Emma (Hawaii)

Vestry Meeting Highlights The recently held Synod was discussed. Ron reported that some electrical repairs had been made, repairs made to leaks so the boiler could be turned on so we could have heat in the building again, working with Poland Glass to have the entry door to the Parish Hall repaired so it would properly lock and for new weather stripping on all the outside doors so that snow will not blow in and a new quote for the West windows. Father reminded us that we there is a signup sheet for Meals on Wheels and will be for the Judy Mason Thanksgiving Baskets. We discussed the nominating committee for next year’s election to the Vestry and the stewardship letter that will be going out. Father is playing phone tag with the carpet dyers.

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November 2014

Food FOr Thought

News Flash & Updates

When Father and I prayed working toward the 10% tithe based on our net income, we knew that God was telling us to step out in faith. (We had heard from many people that when they made the commitment to tithe, that that somehow they had an abundance left over.) When that seemed to work for us, we decided to take a leap of faith and work toward the goal of the tithe based on our gross income. When that worked, we took another leap and are working at increasing every year. We are now at a little over 13%. We are not sure how it works, but we always have enough left over for the everyday secular expenses. (God does work in mysterious ways)

As you know, we support Jack and Mary McDonald with prayer as they continue their ministry with SAMS (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders). We have been asked to lift them up in special prayer November 2nd to the 8th as Mary plans for a mission trip to northern Uganda in the winter.

Peripatetic Parishioners John and Hye-Seung Byler attended Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Salem, Ohio on September 7th for John’s parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. Ken and Dorell Hawley attended Trinity Lutheran church in Arkdale, Wisconsin on October 12th.

Congratulations are in order for our Parish Nurse, Susan Currie. On October 11th, Susan completed a course of certification in Parish Nursing at Carle Medical Center in Urbana, IL. There was a graduation ceremony. Janet Barding now Janet Kling New email address~ [email protected] Jim and Linda Wangbickler New address 968 N Linden Ave Decatur. Ed & Leslie Dawson 260 Michael Ave., 62526, 217-791-5636 [email protected]

Harley and Jayne Hicks attended Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, Minnesota on September 21st. Betty Watkins attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin on October 12th and the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Lake St. Louis, Missouri on October 19th. Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

November 2014

Outreach There is a signup sheet for the Judy Mason Thanksgiving Basket Project. We will be going to help on November 8th from 9 AM to 10 AM. If you have never participated in this event, it is amazing! Everything runs like a well-oiled machine. We still need a couple of teams for the Meals on Wheels for the 12th and 13th of November. We will be hosting the Community Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving on November 23rd. ADOPTION CLUB Become a sponsor. Over 50 years ago the St. John’s adoption club was started by Stan & Ann Metz. It is a group of people that support Child Fund International which assists children in need throughout the world. In a letter from a child, it said “Thank you very much and may God bless you.” It was Christian Children’s Fund; the name was changed to facilitate access to more locations, though it remains a Christian organization. For various reasons, the group has openings for four sponsors. The cost (for new sponsors) to fully sponsor a child is $336 per year. You can join other sponsors with a contribution of $84 a year. If you have an interest, join now. Please contact me with questions at 876-9997, mrlynn@ lynncurrie.com. Thank you, Lynn Currie HELP MAKE CHRISTMAS BRIGHTER Of the almost 775 inmates at the Decatur

5 Correctional Center, around 200 mothers will have children who will make a Christmastime visit in December. At the end of their visit, moms will be able to give each child one gift thanks mostly to donations from St. John’s since a Scrooge-like reduction of public and private funding for this is the current reality. Since we have taken on this ministry, the prison population has more than doubled. The wardens have expressed with deep gratitude how important and meaningful it is for both the children and the mothers to be able to receive and give these gifts. Many of the children had never gotten a Christmas present from moms who may have been addicted, homeless or otherwise unable to provide for their children. Please prayerfully consider how you can help to give to these women the opportunity to participate in their children’s celebration of Christmas in a positive parental way. During November, put your donations in the Baptistery at the back of the church. Delivery to the prison will be Friday, December 12 and 19. We hope to get them there early enough that the women will be able to wrap them. There will be a list of suggested items on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall and will have bulletin inserts. To make a monetary donation, make a check out to St. John’s and put prison ministry on the memo line. Any questions, ask Judy Ellison, Sandy Roe or Mindy Chadwick

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PARISH NURSE NOTES November 2014 Susan Currie, RN When November comes around, most people begin to think of Thanksgiving Day. For some the thought brings a grateful heart. For others there are thoughts of dread. It might be dread of being alone or not experiencing the holiday joyfully or dread of too much busyness related to Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Thanksgiving Day is generally a celebration, but sometimes the “thanks” part is pushed aside. Every day is an opportunity for giving thanks. Good health is not just a creation of the mind, but people who are thankful are in a much better position to cope with changes in health and adversity. The day for giving thanks is today and tomorrow and every day that follows. The day for giving thanks is the wonderful day and the day that is not so wonderful. As it is easy to love those who love you, it is easy to be thankful during good times. It can be a challenge to feel thankful during difficult times. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “Always be joyful; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” I have often seen during my nursing career, and I am sure that you have seen in your own lives, the wide range of ability in people to cope with everyday life, with illness, with maintaining good health. Spiritual health, mental health and physical health are all one package. Sharing your thankfulness with God and with one another daily is not an extra but an essential part well being. One thing to be thankful for this time of year, which you may not have thought of, is the gift from God of scientific and medical knowledge. Care for yourself and those around you by getting a flu shot (if you are able to do so). Immunization

November 2014 of healthy people can protect those who are at greater risk of complications from influenza. Immunization is not just about protecting the individual but protecting a population. I was reminded of this fact last year when my doctor told me that I should receive a DPT vaccine to protect my 5 month old granddaughter. Influenza may not cause great harm to you, but your mild case could cause a severe infection with serious complications in another person. Thanks be to God for all that he has created and all that we have in our lives.

Birthdays 3rd- Helen Ferguson Aurabell King th 5 - Alexa Sammons 14th- Jane Gucker Steve Threewit th 16 - Dee Coventry Mary Jane Jones th 17 - Laura Davis 19th- Virginia McDonald Anna Mary White th 20 - Betty Boyd Michael Koshinski nd 22 - Kathy Acton Dona Davis 24th- Zachary Ferguson 26th- Mark Peters 27th- Robert Causey 28th- Ramona Borders Rebecca Kitchens 29th- Thomas Gregory 30th- Dylan Frick

November 2014

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Favorite Recipe Corner St. John’s Salad ~ A Tradition of the Annual Brat’s Party 1 head iceberg lettuce ½ c. sliced radishes 10 oz. package frozen peas Baby spinach Other selected green 1 medium yellow pepper 1.5 c. diced carrots 1 medium red pepper 1 c. diced celery 1 can chick peas (10 or 12 oz.) 2 packages herb croutons Poppy Seed Dressing 1.5 c. salad oil ¾ c. sugar ½ c. cider vinegar 2 T. poppy seeds

2 t. dry mustard 1 t. salt 2 T. grated onion

Make poppy seed dressing 3 to 7 days prior to serving. In a covered food processor at medium speed blend all ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Dressing will be thick. Store in a tightly covered container in the fridge. Stir well before using. Select a third green based upon texture, freshness and color. Red leaf lettuce and escarole lettuce work well. The amount of spinach and the third green should be almost as much as the head of iceberg. Cut all the greens into bite size pieces. Slice or dice carrots, celery, radishes and peppers. Place frozen peas in a bowl and pour boiling water over them; drain after five minutes. Place chick peas in a bowl, cover with water and microwave on high for six minutes and drain. Just before serving, mix all the ingredients (except croutons and dressing) in waste basket sized plastic bag. Dump as much mixture as desired into a suitable

size salad bowl. Add enough croutons and dressing for that amount of ingredients. Toss and serve. Mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to week as long as the croutons and dressing are not added until served at the appropriate time. Submitted by: Allan Bell (May be adjusted for a smaller gathering) Kathy’s Fresh Apple Cake Combine the following ingredients using a mixer: 3 eggs 1/3 cup melted butter 2 cups sugar Then sift together 2 cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon Add the flour mixture to the mixer and beat together Add 1 cup of chopped nuts if desired Using a spoon, add 4 cups of chopped apples Put into a greased rectangular pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Submitted by: Kathy Moore

Brats Party