Calvary
Church
105 West
Maple Street
Lombard,
IL 60148
630-620-8899
The
Rev. Emily Mellott, Rector
The
Rev. Tom Smith, Deacon, Emeritus
JANUARY, 2012
WE ARE A TEACHING, PREACHING AND
HEALING COMMUNITY
CALLED TO GROW IN THE LIFE OF GOD.
Volume 24, Issue 1 Web
Site: www.calvarylombard.org January, 2012
MESSAGE FROM
PASTOR EMILY
Dear friends,
We start each
January by remembering the magi, the “wise men from the East,” who come seeking
a king. We remember that God invites
them, and guides them, and gives them eyes to see a true and unusual king in a
small child, born in an ordinary peasant family. That’s wisdom: the openness to God’s
invitation, God’s guidance, and God’s self-revelation that the magi show in
their travels to meet the infant Jesus.
Many of us begin
the year by taking stock and making resolutions and plans. It’s the perfect time to be alert for God’s
invitation and God’s guidance in our lives.
And it’s also the month when the mornings and the evenings start – so
very slowly – to get longer. As the
light returns to our days, we’re reminded that God gives us eyes to see God’s
grace at work in the ordinary people and places of our world.
January is a
time to focus on just how vividly God appears among us and around us. We do that in many ways at Calvary. On January 7, we’ll celebrate the 83rd
birthday of our congregation with an Epiphany Family Party. And on Sunday the 29th, at our
Annual Meeting, we celebrate how God has been at work in our congregation’s
life in the last year, and look ahead at God’s invitation to us in the coming
year.
This month, I
invite you to remember the magi, and to look for God’s wisdom in yourself, and
in our community. What invitation is God
offering you? Where is God guiding you
this month and this day? And how has God
opened your eyes to see the kingdom of God, come among us on earth?
That’s wisdom – Wisdom for January and
for a whole new year.
Blessings,
Pastor Emily
This just
in:
Christmas Greetings
to all from Pat Campbell, our
parish secretary of many years. She is very busy with her granddaughter
(and the family expects to welcome a new baby in 2012), and she thinks about us
every day.
and
from Fran and Lynn Cole, who are enjoying life on the airport in Poplar
Grove and send their best wishes to Calvary.
LASHMET
NEWS!
Paulina Noelle was
born on December 18th to Mark and Elena Lashmet. Paulina is welcomed by her
parents and four sisters.
We have all experienced the power of prayer
in healing of body, mind and spirit and the joy of receiving a phone call or
card. Please remember the following
Calvary members in your prayers and call, visit or send a card.
Hope Smith has had her last chemotherapy treatment and is
pleased to be done. She is doing well. Tom
Smith is still recovering from a broken wrist. They both appreciate all
your prayers and cards.
Ethel Samela is still suffering from severe vertigo and hoping
that a new doctor will provide some treatment or therapy that will help her.
She has been touched by so many people’s concern for her health.
Jean Morris is still recovering from surgery on her Achilles
tendon, but is out of the cast, in a boot and able to drive. She is looking
forward to getting out and about again.
Helen
Douglas, Mabel Brooks and Wilma Champene are all Calvary members that our Lay Eucharistic
Members visit each week with communion, as they are unable to get to church.
They appreciate hearing news about Calvary.
Please let Pastor Emily or Hester Bury know if you
have family news that you would like us to share with the congregation through
Crossroads.
For those in need of healing:
Calvary members
(see family news): Jean Morris, Hope Smith, Helen Douglas, Mabel Brooks, Sally
McClure, Ethel Samela, and Rocky Berrier
Families and Friends: Karen
(recovering from coma, friend of Sue Doyle); Leon (stroke, Elizabeth
McPherson); Hank, Christine (Marilyn Jensby); Chris (Hocks’ daughter-in-law);
Al Masco, Baby Abby, (brain tumor, friend of Carla Castle), Sally (sister of
Bill Kendall), Kelly (daughter of Carol Halla), Mark (son-in-law Carol Halla);
John (friend of Pastor Emily); Chase (cousin of Drew Nolan); Steve Lazanas
(recovering from chemo); Kathy (daughter of Dottie Cain); Kelly (Tim Cortesi),
Perry, Corey, Rob (Jan Bruesch); the Douglas family; Pat, David (Hocks), Fran
(Pastor Emily’s aunt); Barb (Grant Iannelli), Joyce (Dottie Cain); Roy, Che, Brian (Marilyn Stein); Samantha
(granddaughter of Samelas), Reecie-in
Hospice (Dottie Cain.)
For healing from Cancer: Alexa (teen with lung cancer, friend of Joey Vitti, and
Carol Halla); Carol (Gwen O’Loughlin) John Willets; Mary (mother of Don
Edyburn); Sue (Billie Jean Shapotkin), Patsy (Tom and Hope Smith); Pete, David,
Dyana (Cekal); Ellie (Vittis); Stan (Sari Chick), Terri (Coles); Tom (Gwen
O’Loughlin); Karen (Sue Doyle), Tod (Grant Iannelli); Lucy (Dottie Cain)
For those in any need or trouble: Ashley
(Smith), Kathy Sue (Cain);
Brittney (friend of Annie Vitti); Cole Nelson (nephew of Ruth Ann Pfohl)
For those
underemployed or unemployed: James Douglas (son of Helen),
Brandon (Ruth Ann Pfohl); Bill (Cekals), Bill (Lamberis),
For those in
the armed forces: Emily Skol, Erin Hinton (Lorraine Hinton), John
Schroeder, (Morans); Michael Holley (grandson of Jack), Kyle Mahoney, Branden
Samela, Thomas Richert (Tom & Hope Smith), Nathan Pfohl, Andrew Ziccardi
(Mellott)
For expectant
parents: Hope & Joe Serritella, Katie & Joe
(Morans), Bob & Elizabeth Smith (Gladys & Tom)
For those
doing missionary and service work: Michael Bruesch, teaching in Guatemala; Elizabeth Daubert
(Pastor Emily’s cousin), community health in South Africa; Megan (Jennifer
Ceplecha’s niece) teaching in China.
For those discerning God’s will: Maureen Elliott (discerning a
call to the priesthood.)
Mark your calendars
for Calvary's Annual Meeting - January 29th
There will be one service that day at 9:00 a.m.
followed by the Annual Meeting and lunch.
Children
will have Church School led by volunteer teachers.
Please plan
to attend to learn about what Calvary has done this past year, elect your new
Vestry and hear our plans for 2012. Any questions please call Hester Bury,
Grant Iannelli or Pastor Emily.
Hester Bury, Senior Warden
Dec 25th NO Church School
Jan 1st NO Church School
Happy New Year Church School!
The end of 2011 brought a reflective Christmas pageant. Thank you to Lauren Szady for being inspired by actual Calvary parishioners to write and direct this yeas pageant. Calvary church gives us so many blessings, inspirations, tears and hugs. This church is very special. Thank you to our special pageant performers; Santa and our two believers were amazing. They showed us real Christmas spirit by giving the church a wonderful performance. Thank you to the Bethlehem crowd; they brought the story to life. Annie Vitti, wow, what a solo!!! Special thanks to John Horn for the great sound system; every line was heard and reflected upon. Thank you Pastor Emily for going along with Lauren's crazy idea and helping her perfect the story. Parents, thank you for getting your performers to practice; without your help, there would be no pageant. Thank you to all parishioners who support our youth; your praises, smiles and tears help the kids to be their very best.
Church School will be back in full swing on
Sunday January 8th!!! January's Youth Sunday will be on the 22nd with the
1st and 2nd graders leading the way!!! Have a blessed 2012 and any time
you have questions or concerns about the church school, please don't hesitate
to contact me. Thanks,
Linda Szady, 630.268.9515
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 10:00 a.m.
Mary Hanahan, President
P A D S
Tues/Wed, January 24/25, 2011
Calvary Outreach Update
A
big thank you to all who contributed to the Cathedral Shelter Christmas
Baskets. In trying times like these, the recipients are most appreciative of
the donations.
John Jaska
Cell 630-732-1189
Cathedral
Shelter Christmas Baskets
Here are two of the letters from Cathedral Shelter
families who received baskets from us.
From Family 725: Merry Christmas from too far away. This comes
across the miles just to bring a wish your way for all the love and laughter of
a merry Christmas day. We are very thankful for all the gifts you have given us
this year for Christmas. Thank you for helping us have a joyful Christmas and
we hope you have one as well. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
From Family 730: Thank you. Your kindness may seem simple to
you but it meant everything to me. Thanks again! Thank you so much for caring
about me and my kids. May God bless you and your family.
Patty LeBlanc
Christmas Weekend
Schedule
Saturday Dec 24: Family Christmas Eve Service 4:30
p.m. Carols, Children's Sermon (incense free)
10:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Mass. Carols, Choir,
Festive Eucharist
Sunday Dec 25: Christmas Day One service at 10 a.m.
YOU
are invited to spend a few Sundays with us up in the choir loft to get the feel
of things & maybe you’ll get the urge to join us!
You’d
be surprised at the amazing inspiration our choir promotes during the services!
If
you have any questions, please call me at 630-932-1867.
Jeri Kellan, Music
Director
630-932-1867
BAGEL
PICKUP SCHEDULE
Jan 1 Ross Kellan
Jan 8 John Morrice
Jan 15 Marilyn
Stein
Jan 22 Ruth
Ann and Brian Pfohl
Jan 29 Katie
& Greg Pardue
Feb 5 Sandy Hitchin
Feb 12 Ross
Kellan
Feb 19 John
Morrice
Feb 26 Marilyn
Stein
If you think
of anyone in the parish who we can add to our committee please let me
know! Sally McClure continues to be
available to assist us!
Much thanks! Ross Kellan
Coffee Hour Cleanup
See Schedule in Parish Hall.
Many Thanks
to all these Helpful People!!
John Morrice, Coordinator
Events
News at Calvary
December has been a fun filled month of fellowship and celebration!
I want to thank everyone who baked cookies for our cookie walk and to those that helped set up for the cookie walk. Many thanks go to Lynn Honiotes, Grant Adamson, Hannah Dakis, Patty LeBlanc, Gloria Sparrow, and Hester Bury who helped with all the preparations and at the sale. It was a great success!
I also have to thank Hester Bury and Barb Simmons for a beautiful Christmas Luncheon! The food was great, the crafts were so fun to make and the fellowship was wonderful. A fun time was had by all who attended!
We do have some fun things planned for the new year and I hope you can join us! Here is a list of the events that are happening in the next few months. There will be more details to follow in the church bulletins and in the weekly email:
Epiphany party in the Parish Hall:
Saturday, Jan. 7th- See Sally McClure
for more details
*Ladies Night out
at Jan Bruesch's house: Friday, Jan 13th- Just come for a relaxing night out to
talk and eat with some Calvary friends.
All ladies are welcome!
Valentines Party in the Parish Hall:
Saturday, February 11th- 6pm- See Jennifer Ceplecha or Jennifer Panegasser for
more details.
I want to wish everyone a blessed
Christmas season and I hope you can take some time to enjoy the holiday and
remember what the season is really about.
We are all so busy at this time of year and sometimes we forget why we are
doing all of this celebrating.
Jesus is the "reason for the
season", and I know this year, I am going to slow down and take time to
thank God for giving us his only son and to celebrate his birth.
Merry Christmas to all and I can't wait to see everyone at the upcoming events in 2012!
Blessings
to all, Karen Dakis
630-482-9564
mrsdak2@comcast.net
Episcopal Church Men have been meeting at
individuals houses. In lieu of that, we use Anyway's Grill in Villa Park as a
backup. Come out and join us in fellowship.
Jjaska@Grapecrown.com
Proposed Vestry Meeting Minutes for December
12, 2011
Present: Hester Bury, Grant Iannelli, Rev. Emily
Mellott, Gloria Sparrow, Ken Pardue, Nancy Moran, Gwen O’Loughlin, Karen Dakis,
Ethel Samela, Brian Pfohl, Patti LeBlanc
The meeting
was called to order by the Senior Warden at 6.40 p.m.
Minutes of
the November meeting were passed unanimously.
Ministry Reports:
Stewardship
– Ken Pardue reported the pledge total for 2012 is currently $162,500. He
presented the draft 2012 budget that was prepared by the Finance Committee.
With one change to Events revenue and expenses the draft budget was approved
unanimously for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
Outreach –
Cathedral Shelter gifts were collected and packed for pick up at the end of
November. The Vestry discussed annual donations to charities from the Outreach
budget. With no contributions from Calvary members of new charities it was
decided to make the following donations:
DuPage PADS $1,000
Northern Illinois Food
Bank 500
for credit to Lombard/
Villa Park Food Pantry
Central DuPage Pastoral
Counseling Center 500
Diocese of Chicago for
Diocese of Renk, Sudan 500
Seabury Western
Seminary 250
CDSP 250
$3,000
Buildings and Grounds – Brian presented two estimates for fixing the flat
roof and replacing the flat roof. The Vestry voted to do a repair at a cost of
$2,640 to take us through the winter and review the need for a new roof in
2012. One boiler needs replacing with a new unit – Brian is getting estimates.
The Fire Check Valve failed a recent inspection and needs repair at an
estimated $1,450. Brian is still getting estimates for replacing the nursery
carpet.
Fellowship – Caroling to shut-ins will take place on December 18th
with refreshments afterwards at Ken and Lisa Pardue’s home.
Events – Karen circulated a new schedule for the remainder
of the program year with chairs and co-chairs for all events.
Formation – Teachers will be asked to volunteer to teach a
couple of combined classes on January 29th during the Annual
Meeting.
Ethel reported that classrooms are in
need of supplies – she will prepare a list and shop for what is needed.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer presented the monthly financial report,
which was accepted unanimously with a thank you to Nancy. The ECW account still
needs to be closed. It was agreed that the Treasurer could close the account
with a $500 check to the Diocesan ECW and the remainder to Calvary’s checking
account.
Old
Business – The nominating committee
met and several potential new Vestry members are under consideration.
New
Business – Sue Doyle has resigned as
secretary because of an offer of a full-time job. Emily has talked to one
possible candidate, and we have asked members to ask family, friends, neighbors
etc. but it was decided to advertise on
Craig’s List and maybe the Lombard Spectator group of newspapers.
The Vestry
voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that of the total compensation paid
to the Rev. Emily A. Mellott in 2012, for services as a minister of the gospel,
$25,000 is designated as a housing allowance under Section 107 of the Internal
Revenue Code, and this designation of $25,000 as a housing allowance shall
apply to calendar year 2012 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Hester asked
if anyone knew about the possibility of claiming a refund for health insurance
expenses by filing a 990-T. Gwen offered to call the Diocese for advice.
The Vestry
discussed the possibility of moving the monthly meeting to the second Tuesday
of every month, so that Emily could attend Elmhurst Chorus rehearsals. There
was no objection and this will probably start with the new Vestry in February.
Ken asked
that the Treasurer’s report be presented closer to the start of the meeting and
it was agreed it could be presented at the beginning or as soon as the
Treasurer arrived.
After thank
yous were voiced, the meeting was adjourned at 8.10 p.m. followed by Compline.
Respectfully submitted,
Hester Bury, Clerk pro tem
January Vestry Meeting
Monday, January
9, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
ALL are welcome to attend these
meetings!
VESTRY
THANK YOUS
From the December 12th
Vestry meeting:
Thank
you…
…Brian
Pfohl for wrapping our memorial garden Jesus in plastic to protect him from the
winter elements while we do some restoration work!
…Everyone
who donated in this year’s pledge campaign!
…John
and Nicki Jaska, and Marcia and Dave Pardue, and everyone who helped fill and
pack our Cathedral Shelter Christmas Baskets!
(See
Outreach column on Page 3.)
…Hester
Bury and Barb Simmons for a wonderful Christmas Craft Lunch!
…Pastor
Emily for an excellent formation session on spiritual gifts!
…Jan
Bruesch and Jeri Kellan for the wonderful contemporary music on December 4!
…Karen
Dakis for running a successful Cookie Walk and for the lovely thank you notes
to people who helped with the Cookie Walk!
…Ken
Pardue for a wonderful job leading our stewardship campaign!
…Frank
Samela for finding our leaky boiler and keeping our water bill down!
…Everyone
who has been so supportive to Ethel Samela in her illness this fall!
…Lauren Szady for writing and directing our wonderful
Christmas Pageant, and all the actors and their families!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Jan
1 9:00 a.m. Service
NO Church School
Jan 7 3:00 p.m. Epiphany/Birthday Party
Jan 9 Vestry: 6:30 p.m.
Jan 13 Ladies Night Out: Bruesch’s
Jan 15 SAMS Bake Sale
Jan 29 Annual Meeting: 9:00 a.m.
following the service
Feb 11 6:00 p.m. Valentines
Party Parish Hall:
Mark your Calendars for these events!
Items for the February, 2012 issue of
CrossRoads must be submitted by January 15th. They may be left in the Newsletter mailbox in the Treasurer’s
Office OR
e-mailed to: Linda McEwen at LMMCEWEN@up.com
OR Dottie Cain dotcain1@comcast.net
If you have any questions, please
call Dottie Cain at 629-8863 or Linda McEwen at 295-9972.