Wow! this is the second story to get “press” from the releases I was sending out last week… ironically, it’s based on a shorter, earlier version that I had edited down to remove some of the quotes in the hopes that it might be more likely to be run as a shorter item. It was sent to the same publisher, different little suburban paper.

Bishop to visit Episcopal church in Elk Grove :: Lifestyles :: PIONEER PRESS :: Elk Grove Times
Bishop to visit Episcopal church in Elk Grove

January 17, 2008

Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will celebrate Sunday Eucharist at 9 a.m. Feb. 3 at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Elk Grove Village

Bishop Katharine, as she prefers to be known, is internationally known as the first woman primate, or leader, of a national church in the world-wide Anglican Communion. She is a supporter of the Millennium Development Goals for the reduction of world poverty, and is a strong defender of the church’s liberal stance concerning its gay and lesbian clergy and members, while seeking dialogue with more conservative elements in the US and abroad.

St. Nicholas is an inclusive and welcoming mission parish of The Episcopal Church USA.

The church is located at 1072 Ridge Ave., Elk Grove Village. For information, call the church (847) 439-2067 or check church Web site www.onebreadonebody.org

Even better, it was picked up by Episcope: looking over the Episcopal Church, which I’ve read via Bloglines since the day it was first announced. So I’m happy to see Fr Steve’s and my efforts paying off. I think this is pretty much word-for-word what I sent a couple of weeks ago… I remember the awkwardness of the last line and meant to fix it somehow.

Also, I noticed that the Chicago Tribune published the little “church news” item I sent their religion page editor, Phyllis Benson. It correctly notes that tomorrow, we’re going to do a Liturgy for Healing at Asbury Court retirement home. I like going and singing the hymns…. the residents are not shy at all and are pretty enthusiastic singers as long as it’s a tune they know. They don’t like this modern stuff.

It’s very moving when people approach Father Paul, who conducts the services, for the healing and/or Eucharist. Simple human contact seems to be of more comfort than the words we read, although Paul always prepares large-type New Testament and Gospel readings for the bulletins we hand out.

So far, we’ve been playing to a packed house – the chapel accomodates about 50, and we always have to use the overflow out the back. We’re still trying to get the “house” sound system set up right so that readings are more audible, though. We think we’re giving the daily Scrabble set a run for their money – they always talk really, REALLY loud during the half hour service.

Here’s the item I managed to get the Trib to run (AT LAST!). I’ll be able to send a monthly update on it easily.

DES PLAINES

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Elk Grove Village will offer an ecumenical Eucharist or an anointing for healing service the third Saturday of every month in the chapel at Asbury Court Retirement Home, 1750 S. Elmhurst Rd. This next service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Call 847-439-2067 or visit www.onebreadonebody.org.

I’ve been posting various comments here and there which led to this… which started out having a lighter tone chiding the church (me) for sending out so many enthusiastic press releases and comments. Susan was kind enough to adjust the tone after I sent her a note of contrition.

Meanwhile, I’ve been tinkering with Facebook, playing with the little toy-like applications and “friending” people. It’s pretty fun, but also like the immersive world of Second Life. Where I can go to virtual church.

Sunday, we had a spontaneous breakdance and flydance after “SL church,” because we had a special announcement, and then the leader turned on some really great music. Wow, way more fun than coffee hour in some ways. At “RL church, (Holy Moly),” I sometimes can’t enjoy coffee hour because the choir director insists I practice and not hobnob or conduct an actual short meeting on this “Inviting” thing I’m supposedly leading. Oh, well.