It’s that time of year again. Fall is here and we start to think about Thanksgiving feasts with family and friends. Our Soup Kitchen Committee is doing the same! We are looking for a few friends and family to help us cook and serve a Thanksgiving Feast to the people who attend the Soup Kitchen at Trinity Church in Aurora.

On the fourth Thursday of every month we at St. Charles’ Episcopal have a ministry to the homeless. We serve lunch to a group that ranges in size from 80 to 120 people who would probably go hungry without our help. Thanksgiving falls on that fourth Thursday every year and we are blessed with the opportunity to provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal to those who need one.

During the year the people who participate in this ministry include those who donate food, cook on Wednesday night and those who drive down to Aurora to serve on Thursdays. We realize not everyone can be there to serve because of work and school obligations during the rest of the year. Here is your chance to be the hands of Christ (as most people have Thanksgiving off).

Beginning October 28^th you will find a special sign up sheet in Ludtke Hall. Please put your name somewhere on the list. We need donations of food and help. We will be cooking on Wednesday, Nov. 21^st after the Thanksgiving Eve service at approximately 7:30pm. Because the Northern Illinois Food Bank has changed their program, we will also need seven people to cook a 11-12 lb. turkey (saving the giblets and drippings for gravy) so we can slice them on Wednesday evening. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Liz Ryan or Barbara Ross.

This is a large undertaking every year and we are thrilled to say this parish has always risen to the occasion. We truly live the Prayer For St. Charles’ Episcopal Church. The Holy Spirit has “filled us with love for those outside the church and deepened our understanding of their needs”.

Let us continue to be a true light in our community. Sign up to help for Thanksgiving!

As I write this, I am just back from two and a half days of retreat with other clergy from the Diocese of Chicago. It was a beautiful time apart, with plenty of time to walk around a scenic lake, to kick leaves under a canopy of fall color, to sing and make music together with colleagues from across the Diocese. It was restorative. What I noticed first was the lack of computer screens, television, and phone calls. (Though I confess to checking out the Red Sox’ score on Sunday night!) We all need such times. Times that call us back to a simpler way. Time to enjoy the people and the world around us. Our speaker this year was the noted Baptist sociologist, Tony Campolo, who shared his thoughts about what he sees as the problems facing Christians today. The bottom line, according to Dr. Campolo, is that Americans have way too much stuff. STUFF, he says, distracts us from our relationships with others and with God. As our stuff begins to own us, those people who to walk the way with us often take a back seat.

This month, we people of the Diocese of Chicago will elect a new bishop. We will gather and seek to bring a new member into the family. A family member who will love us, guide us, and lead us into the 21^st century. As we discern who might best serve as our chief pastor, we must put away all our stuff – and be present for each other as we listen, and pray, and come to consensus. Incorporating this new member into our family will require patience, prayer, and understanding. I hope that we will have the good sense to cast out all our stuff so that we can put our energies into the relationships – and make them work.

As we progress into the month of November, keep an eye on your stuff. Does it run your life? Set the stuff aside and look at who is important to you. If we consciously try to set aside the stuff, our relationships with God and our friends and families will improve exponentially. God is indeed the Great Provider. It is a time to offer praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings of this life. I am grateful this month for each one of you; for your commitment to this place, for your willingness to serve, and for your companionship. Thank you.

In 2004, the Board of Directors at Hesed House was faced with a crisis: the numbers of homeless persons exceeded the number of available beds and the number of persons was continuing to climb.Demonstrating incredible leadership and courage, the Board decided NOT to find a way to increase the number of beds at Hesed House, but to instead focus all of its resources and energies on finding ways to help people become X-Homeless and thus reduce the number of homeless persons.

The following table lists some of the forty-seven (47) outcome measures that PADS tracks. As you can see, the fiscal year just ended June 30^th has a watershed year for PADS.

Outcome

Fiscal Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

Obtain identification

105

Reunite with family

Resolve legal issue

Successfully address

mental health issues

163

Successfully address

substance abuse issues

147

Successfully address

medical issues

154

Obtain employment

104

140

249

Obtain educational goal

Obtain housing

123

127

133

241

Total of all 47 outcomes

816

1005

1061

1834

Building a machine capable of ending homelessness on a massive scale takes time. But, as the table above attests, it can be done.

This fall, PADS and Waubonsee Community College have joined forces to provide employment skills training classes for guests and residents of Hesed House, hoping to reduce homelessness through employment readiness, career planning, and job placement PADS existing volunteer program, Working for Success, will work closely with the Waubonsee Employment Specialist, who is now full-time 40-hours per week at Hesed House.This collaborative venture with Waubonsee Community College was the first step in PADS’ efforts to create a campus of social service agencies designed to help people become X-Homeless.

Hesed House is also talking with other agencies about having some of their staff based at Hesed House in order to offer mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, legal services, veteran’s services, and medical services. The response has been so great that Hesed House is exploring the purchase of a building across the street to provide office space for seconded staff and their classrooms.

St. Charles’ Episcopal Church supports Hesed House with an annual cash donation to the operating budget and with 12-16 volunteers each month on the third-Fri-night/Sat-morning … 4 to 6 of us make sack lunches for 80-100 persons with jobs and then 6-10 of us prepare and serve a hearty breakfast to 160-175 persons. Many hands make light work and we do car-pool to in Aurora. If you would like to help us with “the most important meal of the day”, please connect with Phil Dripps or Wink Bangs - wdbangsjr[at]aol[dot]com.

On August 29, 2005, Larry and Bernice Johnson's house in Pass Christian MS was swept away by Hurricane Katrina. The couple have been living from day to day........until August 29, 2007.

What Happened?
On Wednesday, August 29 at 10:30am exactly two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Coast, a group of faith-based groups, nonprofit organizations, and other notables, gathered for a house blessing led by the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. ““This is an occasion to rejoice,”” said Bishop Gray. ““We see in this home the first of hundreds of families who will be restored and who will become the cornerstone of a revitalized Gulf Coast. It is a tangible example of what must be done to heal our people and our region.””

The Johnson’s new home is the first house built through the Hallelujah Housing program, a collaboration between Episcopal Relief and Development, the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, Delta/ Hope Community Credit Union (HOPE), and Enterprise Corporation. An additional 400 homes are planned to be built by 2015 with 100 homes reserved for single mothers by 2009 in the coastal Mississippi counties of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson.

The Johnsons expressed their joy of moving into their new home. “We cannot express how much this opportunity means to us,” said Larry Johnson. “We would still be stuck in limbo if Hallelujah Housing had not decided to do something about creating real solutions for people.” “I’m looking forward to having our own space and something that feels permanent after two years of always feeling like things were hanging by a thread. My only regret is that so many of our neighbors are still waiting for a miracle like ours”, said Mrs. Johnson.

What can you do?
Make a contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development, visit http://www.er-d.org/

We here at St. Charles’ Episcopal Church, the church with a big heart, once again have a chance to be part of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angel Tree Program. We can make a difference for families in need in the Tri-City area by providing gifts of clothing and toys for children. Last year we provided gifts for over 50 children! If you would like to participate in this wonderful program, just take an angel tag off the Christmas tree in Ludtke Hall and return the unwrapped gifts by Dec. 9^th when they will be delivered to The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Joe K. Anderson Community Center on 7^th Avenue in St. Charles.

Fall finally arrived here in the rain forest. The high today was only in the low 80's and the rain was not accompanied by thunder and lightning so I guess that must mark te end of summer. I miss the change of seasons (palms don’t change much), the Cubs perennial pennant run (sure), the QB controversy and, of course, all your bright and shining faces. I guess that would be backs of heads for those of us inclined to hide in the choir. We hope you all are well, prosperous and growing and look forward to spending time with you this Christmas.

The Friends of the St. Charles Public Library will send books to our soldiers in the Middle East. If you know of a soldier who would like to receive regular shipments of books for him or her and friends, please contact Merilee Curtis at 630-584-0076, ext. 240, or MLCurtis@stcharleslibrary.org

We will have gorgeous poinsettias and live evergreen wreaths for sale beginning Sunday, November 4^th. Both poinsettias and wreaths will be available in several different sizes.

Orders will be taken beginning Sunday, November 4^th and will continue through November.

Order pick up will be on Saturday, December 1^st and Sunday, December 2^nd in Ludtke Hall.

On Saturday, November 17^th, the Elgin Choral Union will sing Handel’s entire Messiah at the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College. We will be joined by the Janus Ensemble, a renowned period-instrument orchestra that specializes in Baroque music. We’re billing this concert as “The Messiah You’ve Never Heard” because it is intended to be a historically-informed performance of this famous work – it is a performance that has been conceived to be as true as possible to “Messiah’s” 1742 world premiere in Dublin, Ireland, which was conducted by Handel himself.

This is your chance to start your holiday season off early and see a magnificent performance of this wonderful work – in a way you probably haven’t seen it done before. If you would like tickets, see Kristen Balisi, Kathy Heikkinen, Dick Hattan or Phyllis Andrew. We can get them at a group rate of $15 (10 to a group); or for the regular prices of $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $15 for students. Kids 10 and pay only $5 with an adult admission.

WE NEED YOU!!!!!

This is your opportunity to serve.

There will be four openings on the vestry for next year. This is your opportunity to serve and make an important difference in your church. If not you, who? If not now, when?

Please talk to one of the wardens - Bob Parks or Bo Smith - if you are interested or just have some questions.

Thank you,

Bob

We have more should you need one. Take one home, and let it be a family project. Give a quarter whenever you thank God for something!

Give your pocket change each nights as you say grace. The UTO ingathering occur on December 16th. When you donate to Untied Thank Offering, our coins and bills are used to award grants to organizations that are engaged in mission and need a leg up. Just think, your box of nickels, dimes, and quarters might help buy mosquito nets for children in a refugee camp, or put a roof on a women's shelter, or pay for supplies for student who cannot pay. Your imagination is the limit! Envelopes are also available if you would prefer to write a check.

What if we could provide an opportunity for veterans to gather and be honored by students for their service to our country? That is exactly what the students at St. Charles North High School are striving to do with a The Veterans Celebration Concert. A musical celebration of American music presented to our veterans. This is not a St. Charles-only event, it is a celebration for all veterans.

Bring a non-perishable food item and/or toiletry article to help the veterans homeless shelters.

Monday, November 12, 2007 at 7:30. Please contact Beverly Nesbit (630-584-3150) if you need to reserve a block of tickets.

The International Order of St. Luke teaches the principles of healing prayer that Jesus taught – and healing prayer itself. Informational workshops on the OSL and its teaching curriculum will be offered on the first Thursday evening of November 1st, All Saints Day, and on the last Thursday evening, November 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact Dick Hattan or Fr. Bill Kruse. Attendance at the workshops does not involve any commitment to join the OSL classes. The only pre-requisite for the workshops is a small willingness to learn the Way of Healing Prayer as Jesus taught it.

To make editing the newsletter a little easier, the new deadline for submitting articles will be the 20^th of each month.

The St. Charles Singers will offer a mix of works that are new to their repertoire, along with top selections from past concerts – including their traditional closing - "Silent Night" by David Wilcocks.

Single concert tickets are $35 (premium seating), $25 (general admission), and $20 for seniors 65+ and full-time students 23 and under.

For concert tickets and information, call (630) 513-5272 or visit www.stcharlessingers.com or contact Beverly Nesbit (630-584-3150).

It's interesting what an important month November is in the life of our church, and the impact of what we do this month has on each of us, individually and collectively.

First, this month it is important for each of you to prayerfully consider your ability to serve God and your church by serving on the vestry. We have at least four openings for next year. If you want to feel a part of our community this is how to do it. If you want to understand how our church works, here's your chance. If you want to influence the decisions we make, here's the opportunity. But more importantly, if you just want to feel more fulfilled by serving others, now's the time: just talk to either of the wardens.

Second, November is the month the vestry begins the budgeting process for next year. We are a church with a big heart and we do a lot for others in the communities around our church. Unfortunately, our budgeting process usually involves deciding which outreach or program we cannot do because we don't have the money.

This brings me to the third important event of November and that's the financial part of stewardship. Our stewardship campaign will conclude in November. I must admit that to me financial stewardship within our church should be simple. The Bible is very clear that God expects us to return to His Service the first 10% of what He has given us. So very simply, if each of us gives back to God out of our love and gratitude for all we have and we get as close to 10% as we can, then our church would have all the financial resources we need to do His work in our communities. It is never really a question of how much money the church needs. It's really about how much of your time, talent and money do you need to give back to God. Please prayerfully consider this year's pledge.

Fourth, November is the month that we hope to conclude our search for a new church administrator. By the time this newsletter comes out, we should be almost finished with our interviews and nearing a final hiring decision.

Lastly, this November is a little more special than usual. At the Diocesan Convention this month we will elect a new Bishop to lead our Diocese. The wardens, Deacon Liz, and Father Bill are your convention representatives, so let one of us know your thoughts and opinions regarding this election.

Whew, after we get all this done we can look forward to the quiet month of December.

Please remember that miracles are happening all around you every day. Remember to take time to see them.

Bob Parks
Bo Smith

The Purple Atrium is finishing their own Creation Book after learning the story from Genesis. Then they learn about Noah.

The children in the Green Atrium are learning about the Old Testament, with it’s wonderful stories.

The children in the Blue Atrium are learning about God - particularly God’s power and might! Both the Blue and Green classes are busy thinking of ways to save their pennies for their Heifer Project animals and being thankful by filling their UTO boxes.

The Middlers are discussing Paul and the Acts of the Apostles. Not to mention having some fun times and even an outing! ( more on that from the teachers...)

The Jr. High has been learning to Push their faith to the next level! You know what PUSH means? Pray Until Something Happens!

The High School class is concentrating on Jesus, his genealogy, his life and times and what that means to them.

☺ Look for a new fundraiser - the Sr. High will be selling raffle tickets for something EVERYONE needs! More details to come.

☺ Diocesan Convention is coming up! November 9th & 10th at the Westin Chicago North Shore, in Wheeling. If you would like to volunteer some time, or participate there is still time to register. There are programs for every age. For more information, call the church office or check out the Diocese of Chicago website:www.episcopalchicago.org.

☺Looking for a way to enrich your Thanksgiving traditions? You and your family can help at the Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen at Trinity Church in Aurora. We will be cooking on Wednesday evening Nov. 21st and serving on Thanksgiving day Nov. 22nd . A group will leave the church at 9:30am Thursday morning and we should return some time around 2:30 pm. Sign up to help cook and/or serve or to provide the food items we need on the sheet in Ludtke Hall. For more details see Barbara Ross or Liz Ryan.

➔Nov. 25 There will be no regular Kids’ Formation classes BUT, there will be an Advent Celebration in the Blue Atrium for Preschool through 4th Grade. Kids from the upper classes who would like to volunteer to help the younger children with projects would be very welcome. Please call Liz Ryan at the church or contact her by e-mail: scecyouth@sbcglobal.net

***NOTE: The Christmas Pageant this year will actually be an Epiphany Pageant held on January 6th, Epiphany Sunday. Rehearsals will start in December.