Check out what is happening at church

 (More details on the inside pages)

Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper – February 20 from 6 to 8 pm

Ash Wednesday Services – 6:30 am, 12 noon, 7:30 pm (Feb 21)

Stations of the Cross – (begins Feb 23)Friday at noon

                        (followed by a Lenten Lunch of Soup and bread)

Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, February 17

Clergy Notes

                        Greetings -

Ahhhhhh - February! The red and pink month! The month that retailers across the country entice us with calories and cards! Saint Valentine's Day has long been the day of love, the day for lovers, and the season of chocolate, yet the original St. Valentine was actually two different people. One a priest and doctor from Rome, Valentin, who saw patients even if they could not pay, and the other, Valentin, the Bishop of Terni, who was martyred under the persecution by the Emperor Aurelian. Perhaps it was their love and concern for the people who came under their care that this phenomenon we call Valentine's Day has evolved into a day for lovers.

In February, the church also observes the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is forty days of penitence and preparation for the most important day of the Christian year, Easter. These forty days are a symbolic parallel to Jesus' forty days in the wilderness during which he fasted and prayed. Forty days where he contemplated His humanity and the end of his mortal life. This year, as we are being mindful of the part that our bodies have in the life of prayer, we will be kneeling during the season of Lent during the whole Eucharistic prayer and the post Eucharistic prayer.

This year Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is on February 21^st. On that day, we receive ashes on our foreheads to remember just how very human we are. We use that day to acknowledge our deep need for God's forgiveness and commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines as part of our daily lives.

Many people give up something for Lent. When we desire that which we have given up, we will remember how much more Jesus gave up for each one of us. It is a good way to contemplate the gravity of His sacrifice for the whole world. Many people, however, also take up a new spiritual discipline during Lent as a way of being more intentional in their worship of The Holy One. On Fridays in Lent at noon, for example, you are invited to come to church and walk the Stations of the Cross, and to enjoy a simple soup lunch afterwards. Some people begin the practice of reading the Daily Office as a way to focus more on Jesus' gift to us. This year, I will be leading a weekly series of meditations that will start with Evening Prayer and move into a form of lectio divina that will allow us to be intentional about who Jesus is for us.

However you decide to observe Lent, remember to be intentional.

Remember to treat others as Jesus would have treated you.

Remember His gift to us.

Remember - with intention.

See you in church!

Deacon Liz

From the wardens...

Happy 2007. Boy did last year (2006) pass by quickly. It seems like only a short time ago when we had our annual meeting (2006) and I became your Senior Warden. This year's (2007) Annual Meeting was last Sunday, January 28^th and with Bob Parks' (Senior Warden) and the new Junior Warden Bo Smith's permission I am writing February's Newsletter article.

During our Annual Meeting we elected 5 new members to the Vestry, Bo Smith as Warden and Colin Campbell, Cathy Koch, Dick Hattan and Katie Thomson as Vestry members. I thank them all for their willingness to serve God and lending their leadership skills to the wonderful thing we do here at St. Charles'.

I would like to thank the retiring vestry members for their help, support and dedication to their ministries at St. Charles. Please help Bill Churchwell, Sharon Miller and Marina Morrow ease back into regular church worship. Also to the present vestry members Christy Becker, Mary Benjamin, Michelle Moore, Henry Mora, Bob Parks, Mary Zupke and Kevin Thomson - thank you for your continued service and dedication to your ministries at St. Charles'. I would also like to thank Tom Miller (treasurer) and Jim Bachman (clerk) for their service to the vestry.

Our construction project is in full swing and moving along. The new outside doors with the added windowpanes make the area more open and inviting, allowing more natural light to enter the building. Soon the new toilets will be installed and in short time functional. I would like to thank everyone for their co-operation during the construction. We are in need of a new roof for the church and hopefully that will be replaced before the rain starts.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in our Stewardship drive to help support the work we do at St. Charles' Episcopal Church. We fell a little short in our goal for this year, but with the secondary pledge drive we have almost reached that goal. Thank you for your support of the ministry here at St. Charles.

There are a few social get-together events coming this month, such as Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday Pancake dinner, check the newsletter for times and dates.

One last thank you to Lela Lowe for all her help this past year.

God Bless and see you in church

Joe 

Joe Ryan

Bob Parks (Senior Warden)

Bo Smith (Junior Warden)

Women’s Book Group

Please join the Women's Book Group in Ludtke Hall at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 15^th to discuss Lisa Samson's book Church Ladies. The March selection for the 15^th is Lauren Winner's Girl Meets God: a Memoir. Please call Deacon Liz Meade with any questions.

Receptions after Funerals

Like to host family celebrations or the neighborhood open house? Like to do dishes? Well, maybe not LIKE to do dishes. The funeral reception committee is continuing to look for new helpers under the leadership of Liz Ryan and Wendy Bangs.

In 2006, we served many family and friends following the funeral of a loved one. Remember, Christ performed his first miracle at a wedding...a miracle of hospitality.

Join us in this special ministry.

We set up, serve donated and purchased refreshments and then we go into high gear as we cleanup, do those darn dishes and get to know other parishioners in the fellowship center of most homes and churches - the kitchen.

Check the sign up table in Ludtke Hall for ways to get involved in the gift of hospitality, or call Liz Ryan

at 584-2596 or Wendy Bangs

Lenten Program

If you haven't decided on a Lenten discipline, please consider joining us Tuesday evenings in Lent as we contemplate who Jesus is for us.

We will start with Evening Prayer at 7:30 PM,

then move into a kind of lectio divina, or divine reading, which will allow us to see and live with Jesus in new ways.

Tuesday evenings: Feb 27, Mar 6th, Mar 13th, Mar 20th, and March 26th.

Questions? Call Deacon Liz or e-mail her at scecdeacon@sbcglobal.net.

MARDI GRAS MARCH:

A walk-a-thon to benefit

Suicide Prevention Services

Come walk in Aurora on Saturday, February 24^th from noon to 3:00 pm to raise awareness and funds for Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia.

Print out your sponsorship form on their website www.spsfv.org or call Deacon Liz Meade for forms.

Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia is dedicated to saving lives and raising awareness of suicide in the Fox Valley.

NEWCOMERS' LUNCHEON

on Sunday, February 11^th

Come be our valentine at the first Newcomers' Luncheon for 2007!!!

We are a small church with a BIG HEART and this is our chance to celebrate (ALMOST) Valentine's Day together.

Although we call this a Newcomers' Luncheon (and we especially extend an invitation to all who are "new" to our faith community to join us), it is also an opportunity for any parishioner to gather with vestry members and wardens (old and newly elected) and staff in a celebration of Christian fellowship.

As always, food, friends and fellowship go together. Comestible contributions are heartily accepted.

Please call Liz Ryan and let her know if you are coming and what tasty treats you can bring. Sign up sheets are also available in Ludtke Hall.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Thursday evening, February 1 and March 1 at 7:00 pm in Ludtke Hall and on Tuesday morning February 20 and March 20 at 10:00 a.m. Help us share God's love, strength, and healing power through this ministry to many within the parish, our community, and beyond. We welcome newcomers! For more information, contact Christy Becker at 630-377-4369 or knitterchristy@sbcglobal.net

New Photo Directory!

New Photo Directory is coming!

We need a new photo directory to help us all know each other better--especially with all our new members! Everyone will get a copy and a free 8" x 10" photo. But, we will need you to come to church for a sitting. There is no obligation to buy anything. We will announce the exact dates as soon as possible through the Pulse, our website, and the March newsletter. We expect that the photos will be taken in mid-March, before Spring Break. And, if you do order any photos, they will arrive in plenty of time for Mother's Day.

Ministry Fair

Anyone with an interest in ministry is encouraged to attend the Ministry Fair on Saturday, April 21 at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. The fair combines the former vestry school and ministry discernment day with focused workshops on stewardship and communications to create a dynamic offering of learning opportunities for members of vestries and bishops committees, Christian formation leaders and teachers, clergy, youth and young adult ministers, lay leaders, and search committee members, and anyone with a ministry in the church. The fair begins with registration at 9 am and ends at 4 pm. Lunch will be provided. A schedule with full descriptions of learning opportunities will be available shortly.

Contact Anne Cothran atacothran@episcopalchicago.org or 312-751-4206 to receive your copy.

What’s Up in Kids’ Formation?

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Now I wonder if the Groundhog will see his shadow???

The number of children in the Green Atrium has become so large we have had to split the class! We have added a Purple Atrium to teach the 9 Preschool aged children. They have their class in the room formerly used by the Middlers and that class (the Middlers) has moved up to the Parlor. What a wonderful growth spurt we’ve had!

The children in the Blue Atrium are studying about the Sacraments of Unction and Reconciliation. If you don’t know what they are ask a student from that class!

The Middlers’ class has spent the month of January talking about Christian Responsibility and Hunger and what they can do while promoting their Annual Food Drive which concludes with the delivery of everything they have collected on February 16^th just after Valentines’ Day.

The Jr. High did a great job on the Christmas Pageant!!! Who knew they were so talented?! Thanks for all your hard work gang including Jr. High leaders Lisa Parse, Sarah Travis & Cory Blane as well as Katie Thomson and costuming assistance from Maria Foran. (Another thank you to all the kids from the other classes who participated.)

The High School is continuing their study of the Episcopal Church with their games competition. Their Annual Super Subs fund raiser was a huge success thanks to you! They sold 120 subs!

Announcements:.

           ☺    Ludtke Scholarship Applications were made available to graduating Seniors on Sunday Jan. 7^th Duplicate copies are available from Liz Ryan.

           ☺    Happening - a retreat weekend for High School students will take place March 2-4 at The Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady. Cost of the weekend $45. Applications due no later than Feb. 16^th.

           ☺    Have you seen our new Episcopal t-shirt? They are still for sale for the reasonable price of $15 each and benefit the High School’s Mission/Pilgrimage Fund. See Liz Ryan any time.

Looking ahead...

☞          February 16^th - The Middlers deliver the Food collected to the Salvation Army Food Bank.

☞          February 20^th - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!

☞          February 21^st - Ash Wednesday - services 6:30am, 12 noon, 7:30pm

Happy Anniversary

Feb 2  Jamie & Cathy Koch

Feb 4  Jim & Linda McGaan

Feb 10      Gary & Sally Punch

Mar 12      Ed & Kathryn Manning

Mar 15      Henry & Ann Mora

Mar 16      J.D. & Judy Adams

Mar 28      Erik & Kristen Balisi

Happy Birthday to...

Feb 3        Michaela McDaid

Feb 7        Brittany Hildebrand

Feb 7        Gerald Mertes

Feb 8        Scott Lyng

Feb 8        Adam Lander

Feb 11      Diana Brown

Feb 12      Barbara Ross

Feb 12      Anna Weyman

Feb 12      Gary Meade

Feb 13      Marina Morrow

Feb 13      Derrick Englehart

Feb 15      Mike Zupke

Feb 16      Valda Hansen

Feb 17      Paul Heinemann

Feb 18      Susie Robinson

Feb 18      William Zupke

Feb 19      Kristen Balisi

Feb 22      Jack Heffron

Feb 22      Sandra Owen

Feb24       Jack Kerr

Feb 25      Jerry Becker

Feb 26      Bill Nesbit

Feb 26      Elizabeth Madura

Feb 27      Michael Hansen

Mar 1        Bill Johnson

Mar 1        Adrian Travis

Mar 1        J.D. Adams

Mar 2        Matthew Druffel

Mar 3        Amanda Travis

Mar 5        Christine Lyng

Mar 5        Ian Rhead

Mar 5        Nate Becker

Mar 13      Scott Judd

Mar 16      Jack Clarke

Mar 17      Bernice Bunker-Ludtke

Mar 18     Aidan Manning

Mar 20     Ellen Johnson

Mar 21     Mat Elfring

Mar 21     Thomas Johnson

Mar 22     Jane Van Nortwick

Mar 22     Judy Clarke

Mar 23     Janet Samuels

Mar 27     Ryan Thomson

Mar 30     Anne Lander

Our Deepest Sympathy to...

...to the family of the Rev. Robert Wayne Locke who died on December 1^st. (Memorial Service to be in June).

...to the family of Jane Hutchings who died on December 5^th.

...to the family of Chloe who was the 2 ½ year old daughter of Kevin and Chris Lester and the granddaughter of Marge Mejia. She died on December 13^th.

...to Karen Hattan on the loss of her mother, Mary “Rusty” Blandford who died on Dec 13^th

...to the family of Linda Laighton Bahr (a former parishioner) who died on Jan 20^th.

A Thank You

I would like to thank everyone for their love and support during my recovery. I greatly appreciate the support you also gave Rob and the girls. I was in good hands and so were they. Our family is truly blessed to be part of this community.

Sarah Travis

Charles I Resolution

The parishioners attending the 2007 Annual Meeting on January 28 passed the following Resolution and Supplement:

Resolution: That a commission of three members of this parish be appointed to read Geoffrey Robertson's book, The Tyrannicide Brief, and other relevant material, and report back to an all parish meeting within three months with a response to the question, "Is King Charles I of England worthy of the title of patron saint and namesake of this Episcopal Church?"

Supplement: Regardless of the findings and/or recommendations of the commission, no action relative to a [parish] name change be allowed before the Annual Meeting, January 2008.

All those wishing to volunteer for this Commission should submit their names to Lela Lowe via phone or e-mail no later than February 15, 2007. The Rector and Wardens will appoint three people from this list of volunteers.

Mardi Gras

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Ludtke Hall

6:30 pm Social Hour

7:15 pm Dinner

Tickets are $20 per person.

All adults of the parish are invited to join us for our annual Mardi Gras celebration. This is a tradition of the parish that goes back nearly 25 years! As always, we will be featuring traditional Cajun cusine starting with a Lousianna crawfish boil, followed by red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo and French bread. For the less adventurous, fried chicken and a green salad will also be served. The celebration feast does not stop there! Homemade beignets, traditional King Cakes and coffee from Café du Monde will top off our menu.

Ludtke Hall will transform into a Mardi Gras Krewe's ballroom. We'll enjoy the sounds of Cajun, Dixieland and Mardi Gras music as we crown the lucky Mardi Gras King and Queen. Maybe this year, you will be the chosen royalty! Costumes are encouraged and we have seen some interesting ones through the years! However, costumes are not mandatory. Don't miss out on this fun night of frivolity and fellowship! Also, this is a great night to bring guests to the church!

Tickets will be on sale after all services on Feb. 11th or at the Parish Office.

The Parish Life committee is seeking people to assist with this year's event. Please see the committee sign-up sheet in Ludtke Hall or contact Mary Benjamin. The next planning meeting for the event is Feb. 7th at 6:30 at the church. All adults are welcomed to attend!

Another Year, Another Challenge

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2006 presented Christians with a challenge last year. In that act the U.S. Congress voted to slow the growth of entitlements by $39 Billion in the areas of Medicaid, Medicare, welfare spending, and student loans in the 5 year budget. The reductions in federal money sent to the states for Medicaid and services to the poor, along with additional restrictions, likely increased the load on the ministries we support Hesed House, Lazarus House, Tri City Family Services, Shelter Assistance Committee and The Salvation Army. For example, this law reduced increases in the federal funding for child support enforcement that states use to ensure that child support payments are collected and provided to divorced mothers and their children. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that, because of this cut, $8 billion less in child support payments will be available to the children and their mothers from 2007 through 2016. This will increase the number of fatherless, poor families.

Last year The Washington Post stated that this budget will mean "[w]omen on welfare are likely to face longer hours of work, education or community service to qualify for their checks. Recipients of Medicaid can expect to face higher co-payments and deductibles, especially on expensive prescription drugs and emergency room visits for non-emergency care. More affluent seniors will find it far more difficult to qualify for Medicaid-covered nursing care."

Also last year the U.S. Congress voted to keep the tax rate reductions on dividends and capital gains passed in 2003. These and other tax cuts will amount to $70 billion in reduced federal revenue over 5 years. The Tax Policy Center concluded that the bottom 80 percent of households receive 15.8 percent of the tax cuts' benefit. The top 20 percent receive 84.2 percent of the benefits. These tax cuts give us an opportunity to relieve some of the burden that the budget cuts will impose on the ministries we support. (Those ministries can only help pick up those who have fallen through the "safety net." They can do little to prevent the fall.) Look at the "your total tax" line on your 2005 Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return and subtract it from "your total tax" line on your 2002 return. All else being equal, this is an estimate of what the 2003 federal tax cuts meant to your family in 2005. How much of this federal largess are you willing to use to support the ministries effected by the cuts in federal spending? That's a challenge we Christians should not ignore.

Jim Bachman

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

It’s coming! On Tuesday Feb. 20^th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. you can look forward to fluffy pancakes, yummy sausages and drinks to wash them down! Our traditional pancake supper will be held in Ludtke Hall and your family, friends and neighbors are invited. Please sign up on the Pancake Poster on the kitchen door or on the list on the sign up table so we can be sure to have enough for everyone. Cost of the meal is: $5 per person. (Children 3 and under eat for free!)

VESTRY

Bob Parks, Senior Warden

Bo Smith, Junior Warden

2008                        2009                        2010

ST. CHARLES’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rt. Rev William Persell, Bishop

The Rev. William R. Nesbit, Jr. Rector

The Rev. Elizabeth G. Meade, Deacon

Dan Williams, Director of Music

Liz Ryan, Director of Youth & Children’s Formation

Lela Lowe, Administrative Assistant

phone: 630-584-2596

Fax: 630-584-8633

email: scecoffice@sbcglobal.net

Web site: www.stcharlesepiscopal.org