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From the Rector
Dear Members and Friends of our Parish Family:
We are, indeed, a spiritual family who seeks to discern and know the voice of God in our lives as we make decisions from mundane daily tasks to seismic choices in life.
Coming to Church, saying our prayers, and giving the imitation of Christ the daily “college try” does something that we don’t even know is happening….IT FORMS US! Ever slowly, our spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts begin to detect and sense nuanced sights and sounds of God that we might otherwise miss completely. And only in hindsight do we sometimes recognize such slowly acquired sensitivity.
All this is to say that budgets, fax machines, roof repairs, heating systems, and committee meetings have one purpose in the Church….to enable and support the Imitation of Christ in our personal and corporate lives. To this end, our Atonement family has its priorities in order. Our emphasis on worship, pastoral care, and service, focuses our outlook in what is central to our life as a parish. Thus, when Great Recessions hit us, we are “changed, not ended,” and our parish life continues in strength and vision. As Isaiah says…“Lift your vision high in a way you’ve never seen before. For without a progressive vision, the people perish.”
With our Vision and Journey in faith in mind, I thank you people of Atonement for your continued support in both presence and treasure. In 75 years, the members of the parish will not remember our names, but they will be influenced in part by our faithfulness as we have been nourished by those who have knelt here before us.
To be certain, there will be tangible and visible changes in music, administration, and worship due to our budget modifications ensuring that we live within a balanced budget. Our faith and spirit, however, will remain high in the love of Christ and in the love for one another. THIS, TOO, FORMS US!
With grateful and loving care,
Fr. van Dooren+
Senior Warden’s Report
Dear Church of the Atonement Family:
Once again, our congregation has prayed together, celebrated together, and worked hard to embody God’s presence in the world, writ large internationally and locally in our neighborhood.
As the current economic downturn continues, we have raised funds and completed outreach projects for children in our neighborhood, homeless men in our community, and hungry families in our city. We have also continued to reach out to those in need throughout the world through our work with the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund.
Major work was completed by our current Guilds, including thought-provoking adult forum classes, loving Altar Guild oversight of our vestments and linens, and welcoming that truly is! During the past year, the Finance Guild completed work on an endowment policy and prepared a 2012 budget recommendation for the vestry.
Under the leadership of our new choirmaster, Charles Sega, our music ministry continues to flourish and attract new members and visitors.
Work to restore our beloved Atonement continued, under the oversight of the Restoration and Preservation Guild. Several major projects were completed in 2011, including tuck pointing of the Rectory’s north wall and air conditioning of the church. The Guild applied for and received its first grant, from the Episcopal Restoration Association, which will be used for repair of the roof over the south wall of the Church.
The upcoming year will be a challenging one for us, as the economy continues to impact all of our lives and, thus, Atonement’s budget. And yet in spite of such a daunting reality, our congregation has grown and new pledges were made. We continue to pledge faithfully and I believe that 2012 will prove to be a strong year for us financially.
Let us never forget that every day of the year a mass is said at Atonement. Every day, God’s presence in our lives and in our world is celebrated. I thank you for your loving presence in our parish and look forward to joining with you to continue the work that God calls for us. I am truly grateful to be part of such a loving parish.
Most sincerely,
Carol Jambor-Smith, Senior Warden
Junior Warden’s Report
During the past year I’ve had the privilege of serving in the role of Jr. Warden. This unique ministry of cooperating with and supporting the dedicated and skilled leadership ministries of our Rector, Sr. Warden, Treasurer and office staff has given me the opportunity to see with new eyes the many and varied ministries of our beloved parish. In this report I want to affirm what I have witnessed: The Church of the Atonement is a dynamic and exciting place because it is a church that effectively and faithfully worships, teaches/learns, and serves.
Worship… high Anglo-Catholic liturgy with superb music… is how we are known by reputation. Once, however, you step through the church doors and begin to meet the people that make up this parish, one discovers a deeper reality: the daily opportunities for worship reflect a profound and ever-growing spirituality that points to God as the common source of everything we do and are.
A teaching church is a church that is able to communicate the message of the gospel by “the way they do church.” The renowned Episcopal priest and theologian Malcolm Boyd wrote an entire book on this very idea. Learning, at Atonement, begins with architecture, liturgy and preaching. It is reinforced and encouraged by adult formation sessions and classes. Learning is on going because within the walls of Atonement it is safe to ask questions and explore the meaning of one’s life and faith in the presence of loving and caring people.
Service and outreach ministries at Atonement are continually growing and evolving as parishioners seek ways to give-back by serving each other and the people in our neighborhood and city. Examples include: the multiple ministries providing food and clothing to our friends and neighbors in need; the eagerness of our 20’-30’s group to volunteer; our generous and delightfully-varied coffee hours; and our faithfulness in keeping our financial pledges. The Church of the Atonement, because of its faithfulness to the call to serve, is a place of welcome and hospitality.
With gratitude for the opportunity to join in this dynamic ministry,
Will Harpest BSG, Jr Warden
Liturgical Report
It takes a lot of people for a Solemn Mass to work well. I’m very proud to be part of such a great team at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement – Clergy, seminarian (Deacon by the time this is read), fellow religious brothers, servers, lectors, organist/choirmaster, choir members, intercessors, ushers, and greeters. All are an integral part.
When people compliment me on how nice a Mass was, I’m quick to point out that good liturgy can be done without it being “fussy” or overdone. Fr. Dennis Michno, author of “A Priests Handbook…The Ceremonies of the Church,” says it best:
“Thus, in the Holy Eucharist, the principal act of worship in the Christian community, the elements of mystery, order, continuity, artistic taste and clarity must be joined together carefully so that expressiveness, simplicity, and beauty may reach out and touch the hearts of the people of God gathered together to proclaim the Lord in their midst.”
We had an Atonement “first” just last Sunday with a female as one of the crucifers. Our Rector reached out and found three energetic, talented women in Tori, Patricia and Prill, who have all agreed to be on the serving rota. We have had female servers for several years now, but we’ve finally added a sufficient number so that our congregation will not be seeing all males at the altar.
With T.J. Houlihan’s move to New York City, Lucy Pratt stepped up and volunteered to assist me with scheduling of the lectors and intercessors. Larry Foster has continued in his capacity as head usher by finding good people to usher – those who for many are the first “face” of Atonement to be seen.
I would be remiss in not thanking The Rev. Ethan Jewett, Luis Garcia, Will Cronenwett and Amy Youngkin for their work as assistant MC’s. All of our acolytes continuously do a great job with no expectation of fame or being “in the spotlight.” Reta Kikutani and Brent Nielsen work tirelessly behind the scenes in the sacristy.
Finally, I would like to thank our Rector, Fr. John David van Dooren, for his trust, guidance, good humor and good liturgical sense as we continue to glorify God. And Lisa Troglin, our parish administrator, who diligently works on the bulletins and keeps things in good order. I’ll close with the motto of my community, “Soli Deo Gloria – to God alone the Glory.”
Ronald Augustine Fox, BSG
Liturgical Coordinator
Music Report
It has been a great privilege to serve as Organist and Choirmaster. I have been challenged and inspired by fine music making and the ability to offer some of the best repertoire in our rich Anglo-catholic tradition. Last year’s principal feast days were celebrated in true Atonement splendor, including bagpipe processions on Palm Sunday and Corpus Christi, and grand orchestral masses on Christmas and Easter.
During the summer months, a newly instituted voluntary choir helped support the congregational singing and offered simple motets for the 11:00 mass. The choir vesting room was completely renovated allowing proper storage and care for cassocks, surplices and choir folders. The choral library is also in the process of being renovated, begun with the purchase of music filing boxes. These projects were completed with additional gifts to the music fund.
Atonement has been the recipient of music libraries from several organists in the past year. I am compiling and cataloging these gifts of music for the Atonement organ library.
In November, as part of the fall benefit, the choir performed it’s first concert in many years.
2012 will be a challenging year as we work within our budget. Though prayerfully temporary, there will be significant changes to our previously growing music program.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles T. Sega
Organist/Choirmaster
Fellowship Hour Report
Thank you all for continuing to make our fellowship hour a wonderful time to meet and greet.
There have been many new people this year and looking forward to many more.
Its very easy and a great way to meet people. You may sign up and take an instruction sheet or call Brenda Williams, Gretchen Bates or myself.
A blessed year to all.
Reta Kikutani
Altar Guild’s Report
Atonement is blessed with a wonderful Altar Guild. Along with our faithful past members, Brenda, Rachel, Gretchen, Mary Kaye, Eric, and Tim, we welcome Brendon and Jackie, who continue to keep our linens beautiful. Br. Ron and Luis continue to help during the week. Another new face is Brent, who has been a tremendous help in keeping all our candles and altars always looking beautiful. Thank you all.
A special thank you to Fr. John David van Dooren and all our priests for allowing us to serve you and God.
Yours in Christ,
Reta Kikutani
Outreach Report
”In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Outreach ministries continued to be an integral part of our parish in 2011. A wide variety of activities involved our parish in the lives of those of our community. Just as important, opportunities for international involvement extended our reach to touch the world.
Food Ministries
2011 was a year that experienced far greater need in our community than in the past. In response The Church of the Atonement stood up to meet this growing challenge.
Our commitment to Care for Real continued with an increased monthly contribution. Added to this were faithful volunteers who committed time and energy distributing food, raising funds and organizing food drives. Weekly collections of food items were supplemented by our 2nd annual Fresh Farmer’s Market to provide fresh fruit/vegetables. Special holiday food collections also continued at Thanksgiving and Easter. And a group from our parish participated in the annual Hunger Walk along the lakefront.
Another vibrant part of our efforts is a growing partnership with the Epworth Shelter. Operated by Cornerstone Community Outreach, this site provides shelter and food to 75 men each night at Epworth Methodist Church. Volunteers provided meals during the year, as well as the opportunity to visit and encourage those who call the shelter “home.” Other essential items (such as basic toiletries, clothing, laundry cards, kitchen equipment and warm weather clothing) were also provided. At the end of the year we assisted in providing funds for a new floor for their kitchen.
New in 2012 was a St. Joseph’s Dinner in March. This time of fellowship and food centered not only on celebrating God’s faithful provision of our own needs, we also collected food items and money for Care for Real and the Epworth Shelter.
Community and Youth
Our close relationship with Swift School continued as we provided 75 backpacks filled with supplies at the beginning of the school year. In December we sponsored 13 families, giving toys and food for their holiday celebrations. Also during the Christmas season we wrapped hats and gloves as gifts, making sure that the children in our community have the means to stay warm.
2011 saw the return of an organized participation in the annual AIDS Walk. A group of walkers and runners represented our parish in this annual event. Another addition was the collection of pet food at our annual pet blessing. Not only was there a good response in participation and food items collected, the parish also received positive publicity throughout the Edgewater community.
International
As a part of our ongoing commitment to the people of Haiti, we partnered with the COGM (Council on Global Ministry) in the Haitian Art project. Raising relief money from the sale of art by Haitian artists, several auctions were held in 2011. One event occurred at St James, attracting a large number of people passing by on a Saturday night.
After much planning and prayer we joined a group of parishes in the diocese for mission work overseas. Working to build churches in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico, we hope to have representatives from Atonement on their trip in 2012.
Free trade products from Bishop’s Blend Coffees and Teas were available during advent, as were a variety of gift items through Episcopal Relief & Development and Care for Real.
Emerging Ministries
2011 was an exciting year as current outreach efforts expanded and new opportunities were developed. In 2012 we look forward to strengthening our ongoing relationships. We also see many new opportunities for ministry. And in the process our parish is the light of God’s presence in this world.
Respectively Submitted,
The Outreach Team
Hebah al-Naser, Jackie Forshee, Barbara Kauffman, Mary Kaye, Phebe Tinker, Helen Klaviter, Prill Nugent, Rachel Pearsall, Amy Youngkin, Dan Cairo, Jeff Eng, Bill Hancox, Tom Kmiecik, Wayne Mitchell, Tom Robb, and Maitland Young
Restoration and Preservation Guild Report
The Restoration and Preservation Guild continued its work to maintain/restore Atonement’s buildings and grounds, using its master list of repair projects as a guide.
Major projects completed during 2011 include:
- Air conditioning of sanctuary
- Installation of rails on steps to altar
- Plaster repair in church and fellowship hall
- Repair of side door to Resurrection Chapel
- Repair of main church doors
- Repair of boiler
- Installation of national landmark status plaque
- Continuing exterior landscaping work
- Renovation of Rectory basement
The Guild received funds from a spring 2011 fundraiser; in addition, a grant for roof repair was submitted to the Episcopal Restoration Association. The Association will grant matching funds, up to $5000, for repair to the roof over the hallway to the Sacristy.
The Guild is especially appreciative of individual efforts to organize, clean, and maintain many areas of Atonement, especially the kitchen and sacristy. Special thanks to Lisa Troglin, Tom Kmiecik, and Brent Nielsen! Also, the Guild recognizes the continued good work of Gerardo Guzman for upkeep of our buildings.
Additionally, the Guild appreciates the work of Suzanne Schaeffer and Gerrardo Guzman, to landscape and maintain our grounds.
Finally, the Guild is very appreciative of the advice, oversight, and support it receives from Adam Colfax. His expertise is invaluable.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Jambor-Smith
On behalf of Guild members Mike Trumbold, Lisa Troglin, Jeff Eng, Peter McGechie, Brent Nielsen
Education for Ministry (EfM) Report
The Church of the Atonement has sponsored an Education for Ministry (EFM) group since September of 2007. EFM is an educational program which was founded and is administered by The School of Theology at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee (an Episcopal institution). The purpose of the program is to prepare people to live out their ministry – based on the belief that all baptized persons are called to ministry in their lives in the world. EfM’s goal is to prepare people in their understanding of salvation history, a growing relationship with God, and an ongoing awakening of the grace-filled connections between our faith tradition and our daily lives, with a grounding in a learning and worshiping community. The program is active in parishes throughout the United States, as well as many countries throughout the world.
EFM is a four-year program, with studies focused on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), New Testament, Church History, and Theology. Class sessions include study of Scripture and Tradition, Theological Reflection, Worship, and Community Building. Students contract for one year at a time; there is a tuition which is paid to the University of the South. The first four-year class at Atonement graduated in June 2011, with seven graduates.
The current class, which began in September 2011, has ten participants. There are two leaders, called mentors – Phyllis Robb and Helen Klaviter. The group meets weekly on Monday evenings in the Elizabethan Room.
New participants are incorporated into the group in September in years when the Year One material is studied (determined by the mentors). There are exceptions if the prospective student has completed some years of EFM at another church and wishes to enter the Atonement group at a level being offered. Currently, there are students studying Year One and Year Three. The mentors and group will determine when the next group of Year One students can enroll. This may be in September, 2013, when the current Year Three people will have graduated.
All of us in the EFM program are inspired and challenged by this dynamic program. Our goal for 2012 is to continue our classes with the hope that we all, students and mentors, increase our faith and live our lives intentionally following Jesus, being his hands, feet and heart in the world.
Phyllis L. Robb and Helen Klaviter, Mentors
Adult Spiritual Formation Report
Our aim is to aid parishioners in cultivating their own spiritual practices by providing inspirational "food for thought" through series of classes offered throughout the year at the 10 o'clock hour on Sunday mornings. We held classes during Epiphany, Lent, Fall, and Advent in 2011.
We began the year in January with a 7-session class entitled “In Chaotic Times: Don’t Panic, Be Still and Get Going,” based on a Biblical pattern of dealing with chaos and crisis from a book by Rabbi Alan Lew. These sessions were led by Jeffrey Ediger and Mthr. Henry.
This Epiphany series was followed in Lent by a variety of sessions presented under the umbrella title of “On Earth as it is in Heaven: Discovering the Sacred in Architecture, Time, and the Body.” For this series, Richard Kieckhefer presented two sessions on church architecture, based on his award-winning book titled Theology in Stone . The Brothers of St. Gregory presented two thought-provoking sessions on “Praying the Hours.” Our seminarian, Ethan Jewett, concluded this series with a fascinating discussion of embodied spiritual practice, titled “Practicing the Postures of Prayer."
In the Fall of 2011, we held a 5-session lecture series titled “Perfectly Flawed Saints.” The series was introduced by Jeffrey Ediger who spoke about “the restoration of imperfect things, be they doors or souls.” In the following weeks, four parishioners explored the "perfectly flawed" lives of four 'saints' (loosely defined). Nioclas Kelly spoke about Francis of Assisi. Luis Garcia spoke about Ignatius of Loyola. Barbara Newman spoke about Charles Williams. Mark Melton concluded the series with a discussion of Temple Grandin's amazingly "creative suffering" and inspirational triumph in the midst of limitations and gifts endured and afforded by her autism. Attendees reported this series as being "helpful." Seeing the lives of these saints presented in all their humanness, they said, helped them experience these saints as approachable.
To complete the year, during Advent, Br. Stephen Wetmore presented three sessions on the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel for this liturgical year. As in the past, Stephen provided solid Bible study directly from the Word.
We have begun our work in 2012 with a class, “Finding Your Way: Spiritual Practices in Everyday Life.”
Members of the Guild:
Jeffrey Ediger, Luis Garcia, Will Harpest, Mthr. Barbara Henry, Catherine Mendenhall, Brent Nielsen, Phyllis Robb.
Society of Mary
Our Lady of the Atonement Report
The Society of Mary, Our Lady of the Atonement meets periodically on Saturday mornings after the 10:00 am Healing Mass. Our meetings are informal and open to all. We generally start by reviewing any guild business and goals, enjoy fellowship with a refreshment, and end with a meditation lead by a volunteer. Our most active witness in the Parish is saying the Rosary each Saturday morning at 9:30 am.
"Christian prayer is response to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit" (the Book of common Prayer. p. 856). The Rosary is an aid to such a response - an aid to Christian prayer. While foreign to many Episcopalians, the Rosary is an ancient form of prayer that allows one to meditate on the Joyful, Glorious, Sorrowful, and Luminous mysteries of the Life and Ministry of Christ. Each week volunteers take turns leading the different decades as we gather to pray. The SOM invites everyone to come and experience this powerful form of prayer. Weather you choose to participate or simply be present in the experience, I think you will find that the Rosary is just one more tradition that makes The Church of the Atonement a very very special place. We pray weekly for our friends, families, church, and communities. If you would like to have a Rosary said for yourself or for someone else, please let me, the office or Fr. van Dooren know and we will gladly include you in our prayers.
In this next year we are working to add a section of recordings to the Parish website to allow those that wish to listen and pray with the voices of our congregation. We are also looking to continue with offering the Rosary several times of the year at 10:30 am before the High Mass on special Feast Days.
Respectively submitted,
Brent Nielsen, Secretary
20s/30s Group Report
This has been a great first year for the 20s/30s+ Group—yes, we’ve added a plus sign for inclusive purposes. Since our kickoff event last March, the 20s/30s+ Group has been growing steadily. Our continued goal is to create a group where existing members of the parish and newcomers can meet, visit, and get involved. For that reason, we’ve worked hard at balancing our calendar of events with both social and service activities.
Since March, we’ve succeeded at having at least one group event a month. Some of those activities include: bowling, trivia night, game night, Fourth of July party, brunch, hosting coffee hours, pumpkin carving party, and a Christmas party. We have also assisted with multiple events within the parish including: Backpack to School, the Thanksgiving potluck dinner, and Glove My Children.
Our goal for 2012, is to map out our calendar of service and social events in three month blocks. We did a lot in 2011. We hope to do even more in 2012. If you have an event suggestion, please let us know by sending an email to atonement_20s_30s@yahoogroups.com. We’re always open to new ideas to serve and socialize. Here are some of our upcoming events:
February: Bowling at the Lincoln Square Lanes (4874 North Lincoln Avenue) after 11:00 am mass on February 26th. This was our first event outside of Atonement. We’re bringing it back, by popular demand!
March: Helping set-up for the St. Josephs dinner held in the Parish Dining Hall on March 17th. Afterward, we will be moving our celebration, in the name of that other saint (St. Patrick), to Dan and Derrick’s house.
April: Wine and Wigs party. Date still to be determined. Stay tuned for further details.
We are also looking into hosting another coffee hour and helping out with preparing a meal for the Epworth shelter. We will let you know when those service events come around. As always, we are grateful to have found such a wonderful parish where the enthusiasm for service and the desire to get involved is always well-received. We look forward to the awesome things to come in 2012.
Sincerely,
The 20s/30s+ Group
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