Call for the Election of the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago

From Chicago-

Dear friends in Christ:

Ever since that cold February day in 2008 when you welcomed me with a glorious ordination celebration, it has been a great privilege to serve God with you as your bishop. Now, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of those dearest to me, I believe it is time for you to choose someone new to carry this ministry into the future. Accordingly, I am writing today to announce my intent to retire eighteen months from now, in August 2020, and to call for the election of the thirteenth bishop of Chicago. 

Searching for a new bishop—a process that will be led by the Standing Committee—will take all of that time and perhaps more. The work began last evening, when Bishop Todd Ousley, bishop for pastoral development on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s staff, met by teleconference with the members of the Standing Committee. You will hear more from them soon about a timetable for the election and transition and the process for forming a bishop search committee. 

More here-

https://www.episcopalchicago.org/our-stories/2019/02/14/letter-bishop-leeuna-carta-del-obispo-lee-call-election-thir?fbclid=IwAR16d8Txeyy1GzUR1tJ-t5oCqXqDeYPVxev9rZfmAImgEgn3CWgagQpplRY

Willow Creek Church paid out $3M to sex assault victims: report

From Chicago-

Willow Creek Community Church has paid out more than $3 million in settlements to the families of two disabled children who were sexually abused by a church volunteer, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

The megachurch in the northwest suburbs settled the two lawsuits, which stemmed from incidents in 2013 and 2014, after incidents at the hands of Robert Sobczak, according to the Tribune.
Sobczak, now 24, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to the attacks, court records show.

The Sun-Times could not immediately verify the settlement and Willow Creek did not respond to requests for comment Monday evening.

The church has found itself mired in controversy since the Tribune detailed allegations of sexual harassment against founding pastor Bill Hybels and the church’s own mishandled investigation.

More here-

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/willow-creek-church-paid-3-million-sex-assault-victims-volunteer-rob-sobczak-bill-hybels/

Chicago new church start attracts national attention before first worship service

From Chicago-

Tell true stories. Share good food. Worship beautifully. Those three practices are the building blocks of a brand new church in the Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park that must be doing something right.

Gilead Church Chicago has not yet celebrated its first weekly worship service. It's scheduled for May 7, location TBA. However the United Church of Christ new church start is already attracting a lot of people and attention. The spiritual community's first preview service in January drew a crowd so large, one of the worshippers had to leave because they felt claustrophic. And after its St. Patrick's Day celebratory launch of "Balm of Gilead" Session IPA — a craft brew made especially for the church and created right in the neighborhood — the Today Show came calling. The NBC morning show plans to run a story on Gilead on Tuesday during Holy Week.

All of this is a bit surreal to the church's co-pastors, Rebecca Anderson and Vince Amlin.

More here-

http://www.ucc.org/news_chicago_new_church_start_attracts_national_attention_before_first_worship_service_04072017

Priest: The Real Miracle Would Be A Cubs Win

From The Daily Beast-

Being a Christian and a Cubs fan have lots in common—starting with faith against all odds.

The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty.

That is a bit of proverbial wisdom that I have often shared with others on my faith journey that led to being ordained as an Episcopal priest this past January. I share it because it rings true to my experience, not merely as a Christian, but as a Cubs fan.

There has been no greater certainty in American sports over the last century than that the Cubs will lose. Seasons change. The players change. Management changes. And still the Cubs lose.

More here-

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/17/priest-the-real-miracle-would-be-a-cubs-win.html

Chicago Episcopal Cathedral names new dean

From Chicago-

British priest with a reputation for supporting Christians in the Middle East has been named the new dean of St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago.

The Rev. Dominic Barrington, 52, a priest with a background in arts management who has led pilgrimages of Americans and British citizens to the Holy Land, will be installed as the cathedral's dean Sept. 13, pending the approval of non-immigrant visas for him and his family.

"In Dominic Barrington, St. James Cathedral has called a strong, loving and wise priest to be its dean," Bishop Jeffrey Lee said. "I believe he will be an inspirational leader at the cathedral and a strong presence in the city of Chicago, championing the mission and ministry of the cathedral as a place of extraordinary hospitality, significant outreach and excellence in the arts."

More here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-episcopal-cathedral-new-dean-20150322-story.html

Is Bishop Cupich A Closet Anglican?

From Patheos-

John Allen here with his usual common sense analysis. He acknowledges Archbishop of Chicago designate
Cupich as a “moderate left leaning” character, and mentions the snide comments that Cupich is leading the “Anglicanization” of the Catholic  Church.

In other words, in the opinion of some Cupich is just another wishy washy peace and justice liberal and so is Pope Francis and that crowd is leading the whole Catholic Church down the plug hole and into an Anglican style left wing feminist Marxist cult… what next, will retiring Episcopal Jefferts Schori become a Catholic cardinal?

Read more:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2014/09/is-bishop-cupich-a-closet-anglican.html#ixzz3EKH1NrnB

What do you see? Some parishioners call this picture a miracle in the suburbs

From Chicago-

One north suburban Catholic Church is talking about a very thought provoking picture, shot with nothing more than an iphone.

One woman snapped a photo last Friday in the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview and says she got so much more.

Maureen Kent has been attending Eucharistic adoration at the church for more than 2 years. Kneeling last friday, she wanted a picture of the eucharist or host in the monstrance, the ornate gold stand it’s placed in.

The picture showed a bright light, an image larger than a human and appearing to hover next to the host on the alter. Catholics believe the host is the body of Christ.

No photo-shopping, she says, no doctoring the digital image. Just what she calls a great surprise when she looked at her screen.

Her friends in the chapel also believe it is the Virgin Mary, the supernatural right in suburban Glenview.  Authentication is not, right now, a consideration by Maureen Kent or even the church. They are relishing what they call a miraculous moment, privileged to have seen and believed, they say.

Read more

 http://wgntv.com/2013/11/22/what-do-you-see-some-parishioners-call-this-picture-a-miracle-in-the-suburbs/#ixzz2m5jRwn8s

'This is major': Gay marriage supporters rejoice in Chicago

From Illinois-

Robyne O'Mara and Lynne Burnett have been together 33 years, and on Tuesday they watched, almost in awe, as Illinois lawmakers cast votes that would make the couple's decadeslong relationship equal to any other.

"We were just blown away," O'Mara said after the General Assembly passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. "I think the momentum in our nation has convinced people. It's been an amazing ride the past several years. We're so grateful the legislators took it upon themselves and recognized that every citizen has the right to marry."

Across the state, gay and lesbian couples and their advocates celebrated as Illinois was poised to become the 15th in the country to allow same-sex marriages. The bill will now go to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will sign it into law.

More here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-gay-marriage-chicago-20131105,0,1691373.story

Chicago burger garnished with Communion wafer

From The "You Can't Make This Stuff Up Department" Chicago Division-

 A Chicago restaurant has cooked up a controversial burger of the month for October, garnishing it with an unconsecrated Communion wafer and a red wine reduction sauce.

Kuma's Corner, a foodie destination with just a few tables, names its hamburgers after heavy metal bands. For October, the restaurant chose to name the burger after the Swedish band Ghost. Members of the band dress in religious robes and wear skeleton face makeup.

It's in poor taste, said Jeff Young of New Orleans who runs the blog Catholic Foodie.

"It's not, for us, the Eucharist," Young said. "However this wafer is a symbol. There's a cross on it. It's like taking a flag and burning a flag."

Luke Tobias, Kuma's Corner director of operations, said the restaurant never wanted to offend anyone. He said reaction has been a "mixed bag," but more positive than negative.

More here-

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/04/chicago-burger-communion-wafer/2922075/

With holy water, rector says “Bless this bike”

From Chicago-

His white robe gleaming under the bright sun, Rev. Steven R. Godfrey, rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Des Plaines, stood in his church’s parking lot Sunday surrounded by bikers and their motorcycles.

Accompanied by Eucharistic ministers Nancy Pardee and Nancy Modrow, he went to each bike and intoned, “Bless this bike and its riders, in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen,” tossing holy water on the vehicle.


After Godfrey blessed a number of the bikes and their riders, he went one step further, blessing a walker and its owner.

It was the church’s first Blessing of the Bikes ceremony. Not only did bikers from St. Martin’s attend the event, which also offered a post-blessing feast, but so did bikers from Willow Creek Community Church and its bikers’ group, the Highroad Riders.

“People get tired of groups that ride from bar to bar, so they look to the churches,” said Lucia Corcoran, one of the Highroad Riders.

More here-

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120603/news/706039793/

Taize Movement Brings Throwback Appeal To America

From Huffington-

Every year, some 100,000 pilgrims trek to the Taize ecumenical community in France where the biggest attraction is the music, a throwback -- way, way back, about 1,500 years or so -- to repetitive plainchant.

This weekend (May 25-28), for the first time, the Taize brothers will bring their conference to the U.S., where several thousand people -- particularly young adults -- are expected to meet for prayer and song at DePaul University in Chicago.

Brother Emile, a Catholic and a spokesman for the group, said pilgrims seek out Taize for answers to questions about life in general and faith in particular.

"Young people, I think, feel respected at Taize," said Brother Emile. "They're welcome to come with their questions and their doubts. And they're very relieved sometimes to feel that there's a place for them as they are."

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/taize-movement-america-throwback-appeal_n_1544221.html

Becoming Episcopalian: Mass Exodus from the Catholic Church

From Chicago-

The National Catholic Reporter had a nice article breaking down the reasons why Catholics leave the church. About half because Protestants, and about half became unaffiliated. The article focused on the Protestant half, and in that, a portion became evangelical, and another portion joined some other mainline denomination. It's interesting seeing the statistics. (Hat tip to Episcopal Cafe for linking to it.)

It made me contemplate why I left.

So, Why did I leave?

That's a simple question, but it's difficult to articulate all the reasons. Faith is a strange thing, and changes in it are multifaceted. Some things I simply could not tolerate any longer. Some things my subconscious did not like, but it wasn't fully articulated or realized until after I was received into the Episcopal Church.

If you want the short answer, I left because the Church was becoming more intolerant at the cost of its loving messages.

If you want the long answer:

More here-

http://www.chicagonow.com/running-with-a-book-cart/2012/05/mass-exodus/

Dioceses of Quincy, Chicago continue reunification talks

From ENS-

On Saturday, April 28, leaders of the Dioceses of Chicago and Quincy met in Chicago to continue discussing the possible reunification of the two dioceses, which were created when the Diocese of Illinois divided into three in 1877. Provisional Bishop John Buchanan of Quincy, and Bishop Jeffrey Lee and Assisting Bishop Christopher Epting, both of Chicago, attended the meeting along with clergy and lay leaders from both dioceses.

The assembled leaders agreed to develop a plan and timeline for future reunification discussions, which will continue with a meeting on August 18. Both dioceses hold their annual conventions in the fall — Quincy in October and Chicago in November — and plan to discuss reunification possibilities at those meetings.

Before the August meeting, the dioceses will form a due diligence working group to examine various issues involved in reunification, including the Diocese of Quincy’s ongoing efforts to regain buildings and funds currently in the possession of a breakaway group of Anglicans who left the Episcopal Church in 2008.

While acknowledging the complex legal and practical issues inherent in reunification, Lee expressed his hope that a spirit of discernment would continue to guide the discussions. “This is not just a structural conversation,” echoed Buchanan. “It is about people.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/05/07/dioceses-of-quincy-chicago-continue-reunification-talks/

Grayslake church distributes clothing, good will

From Chicago-

Elijah’s Mantle is a bible story concerning the transfer of clothing (mantle) from the Prophet Elijah to his son Elisha.

But more than clothing, it’s also about transferring knowledge and spirit.

For the past seven years, a group at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (located at the corner of Lake and Park in Grayslake) has been serving up a generous amount of clothing while also serving up an equal portion of heart-lifting spirit at its Elijah’s Mantle clothing giveaway the second Saturday of every month.

Marjie Jobes, 74, of Grayslake recently led a tour to show how the well-oiled giving machine works.

People in need of children’s clothing come in and fill out a form and get a number. A personal-shopper volunteer takes the person through the well stocked department store that’s set up in the church where each child gets two outfits and a pair of clean underwear if they have the right size. Some sizes are tough to get.

More here-

http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/11878733-418/grayslake-church-distributes-clothing-good-will.html

Becoming Episcopalian : Tomorrow night

From Chicago-

How do I feel about reaching this point in my faith journey? It's hard to say. It feels rather anticlimatic. It was what I needed to do. Also, becoming Episcopalian is hardly that big of a change. The Episcopal Church is the via media, the middle way, between Catholicism and Protestantism. As I told someone on Facebook, I still feel Catholic. I'm just not Roman Catholic anymore.

I do feel a little bit sad. It's sad when you end any relationships, even when it's clear it wasn't working out. To end the relationship with my church of second baptism...well, there's definitely a bit of sorrow. (And yes, I did say second baptism. I was baptized as an ELCA Lutheran as a baby, but then my parents thought that wasn't good enough, and baptized me Catholic when I was 2. I asked the pastors if they wanted to baptize me a third time just to make sure, and they thought I was good to go, ha.)

I am happy, too. It's nice to be part of a family that welcomes you even if you disagree--no matter how big the disagreement, or how small. It's nice to be part of a family that doesn't judge you. You won't hear the phrase "cafeteria Episcopalian" uttered except in jest. It's nice to go to church and not be afraid that intolerance, disguised as doctrine, might be printed in the bulletin or talked about during the homily. It's nice to be part of a church that gives you latitude to question, to discern, to grow spiritually, while giving guidance that doesn't hinder growth.

More here-

http://www.chicagonow.com/running-with-a-book-cart/2012/04/becoming-episcopalian-tomorrow-night/

Past the pearly gates, our suffering is over

From Chicago Tribune-

Q: I grew up in the Lutheran church, but left because they were so exclusive. I'm currently a member of an Episcopal church with a beautiful but aging building and a dwindling congregation. Our current priest lacks leadership skills.

We have an endowment that's keeping us going, but the money will run out in about seven years. Church meetings about this issue are not good and I'm fed up with the whole situation. At 78, I don't need this aggravation in my life.

In general, I feel that religious institutions, including many churches in our town, are problematic. Therefore, I'm thinking of leaving the church and becoming, as they say, simply "spiritual," by which I mean following the commandments, helping others and trying to live a good life. However, my wife is worried. She asks me, "What will God think?" Can you help us? -- Anonymous, via godsquadquestion@aol.com

A: Listen to your wife! Obviously, I can't speak for God, but I can speak for my brothers and sisters in the clergy who've given their lives to build and sustain communities of faith. The key to understanding your agony is to pray about and think about the role of community in your faith life.

You absolutely do not need a community of faith to live a good life, a compassionate life, a virtuous life. There are wonderful atheists and horrible religious people, and vice versa. However, there is a singular benefit to being a member of a religious community: What God wants us to do here on earth is way too difficult to do alone. This is the reason we come together in faith. We give and receive courage and hope when we pray together and do good works together and study God's word together.

More here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/tribu/sns-201203061430--tms--godsqudctngs-a20120308mar08,0,4376788.story

Becoming Episcopalian: my journey

From Chicago-

My faith journey is taking me on a path I never thought I'd ever take. I was (and still am) very Catholic, but for a variety of reasons, I felt like I could no longer be part of the Roman Catholic Church. I will delve more into the reasons as I write, but yes, one of the reasons has to do with the quite baffling outrage on part of the bishops regarding the "contraception mandate." I had been publicly disagreeing with a few things on my Facebook, questioning the soundness of some of the Church's moral theology.

I am not the first, nor am I the only one to publicly call out the bishops' idiocy and point out the political maneuverings behind some of these decisions.

I know many Catholics are in a similar situation. Quite frankly, the vast majority of dissenters are silent, or at least shouted down by the vociferous minority. Some people are able to just roll their eyes and continue being Catholic, despite being at odds with some of the theology. I tried to do this, but I couldn't sustain it. I just could not consciously say I'm Catholic and and yet dissent, even if I do believe the Church is wrong. It just seemed...hypocritical, maybe. I don't know what word best describes it. Quite simply, there was no room for me if I wanted to keep on growing spiritually and intellectually.

As a result, I'm joining the Episcopal Church.

http://www.chicagonow.com/running-with-a-book-cart/2012/03/becoming-episcopalian-my-journey/

Chicago Blues Night raises $4,000 for Glen Ellyn Ministry

From Chicago-

A Chicago Blues Night that took place Saturday before a sold-out crowd at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn raised more than $4,000.

Proceeds will go to the Glen Ellyn Walk-In Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn.

The ministry is solely supported by Glen Ellyn churches and serves residents who need assistance with rent, utilities and transportation.

Chicago blues musicians played as Chef Luis Ayllon of CABS Wine Bar Bistro of Glen Ellyn catered dinner.

More here-

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/warrenville/newsnow/x2139490222/Chicago-Blues-Night-raises-4-000-for-Glen-Ellyn-Ministry

Agencies launch county diaper bank

From Chicago-

A group of local agencies have launched the new Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County.

The program is an extension of the St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership started in 2009 in McHenry County by The Rev. Jim Swarthout, former rector of St. Paul Episcopal Church in McHenry. Swarthout now serves as the secretary for the National Diaper Bank and is the executive director of the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs.

Swarthout said he began organizing a diaper bank after an individual came into the food pantry of his church. While the person was getting food, Swarthout held the baby and noticed the baby needed to be changed.

He told the woman and she said her family could only afford two diapers a day, so she had to clean out the diaper and put it back on the baby. Swarthout began doing research and came across a diaper bank in New Haven, Conn., which he used to start the bank in McHenry County.

“The idea of a diaper bank is to support a person in need during a difficult time,” Swarthout said.

Chaplain Sam Martinez of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, also congregational coordinator and Hispanic liaison, said the need for diapers in Lake County was brought to attention by the community.

More here-

http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/10186784-418/agencies-launch-county-diaper-bank.html

Good Shepherd helps launch diaper bank

From Chicago-

As part of its faith-based ministry, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has joined with other local agencies to launch the new Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County.

This program is an extension of the St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership started in 2009 in McHenry County by The Rev. Jim Swarthout, former rector of St. Paul Episcopal Church in McHenry. Swarthout now serves as the secretary for the National Diaper Bank and is the executive director of the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs.

Swarthout said he began organizing a diaper bank after an individual came into the food pantry of his church. While the person was getting food, Swarthout held the baby and noticed the baby needed to be changed. He told the woman and she said her family could only afford two diapers a day, so she had to clean out the diaper and put it back on the baby. Swarthout began doing research and came across a diaper bank in New Haven, Conn., which he used to start a bank in McHenry County.

“The idea of a diaper bank is to support a person in need during a difficult time,” Swarthout said.

Chaplain Sam Martinez of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, also congregational coordinator and Hispanic liaison, said the need for diapers in Lake County was brought to attention by the community. The whole coalition, which includes social service agencies and churches in Wauconda, Barrington, Ela and Cuba townships, will host diaper drives and fundraisers throughout Lake County to stock the bank. Diapers will be stored in an empty warehouse at The Nut and Candy House, next door to the Wauconda Township offices.

More here-

http://lakezurich.suntimes.com/news/community/10124403-417/good-shepherd-helps-launch-diaper-bank.html