Published monthly (except July and August) by St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church

Washington and 11th Streets, Lockport, IL 60441 (815)834-1168 www.stjohns-lockport-il.org

Rector............. The Rev. Denzil Luckritz

Deacon.......... The Rev. Roberta Molony

Deacon............ The Rev. John Whennen

Director of Music............. Thomas Secor

Secretary.................... Melanie Anderson

Sexton............................ John Glasscock

 

Vestry

Sr. Warden.......................... John Larson

Jr. Warden........................ Tim Williams

Treasurer.......................... Jim McMillan

 

Vestry Members

Terry Arient, Sr................... Clark Davis

Sue Drake....................... Mark Kowalski

Antonine Megger................... Ken Porter

Mark Secor.......................... Todd Sheetz

Pat Steiner............... Clerk-position open

 

Parish Ministry Contacts

 

Acolyte Warden........... Terry Arient, Sr.

Sacristan......................... Mark Kowalski

DOK............................... Wendy Stewart

Education............................ Susan Drake

............or........................... Lisa Luckritz

Episcopal Ch Women...... Susan Meehan

Lector Warden................. Chris Peterson

Helping Hands.................. Pamela Carter

Hospitality Guild............ Lillian Hensley

Membership........................... Patty Paris

Men’s Club.......................... Main Office

Newsletter........................... Main Office

Outreach................................ Patty Paris

Steering Committee............. John Larson

Senior Choir..................... Thomas Secor

Dear Friends,

 

The season of Lent generally echoes nature. Just as we begin to feel

the last grip of winter, when the brightness and warmth of the sun are

most needed, the scriptural texts and mood of worship call us to

contemplate who we are and what it means to be the person of God.

As light and warmth return and tiny buds begin to form, the darkness and the destructive forces of death and human broken-ness become central themes.

 

At the imposition of ashes during the Ash Wednesday service, we are reminded of our mortality and invited to the "observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." (The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 265). God's grace and forgiveness, our Redeemer Jesus Christ's passion, takes us by the hand and leads us to the Risen One.

 

Examining our life and pondering God's presence, contrasting our sinfulness and God's forgiveness, acknowledging our hatred and God's Love, can be a profoundly healing activity.  Ignoring or pretending that any one of these components is not a reality can undermine an individual's or community's capacity to function effectively in the world or to enter into meaningful relationships. Ours has become a culture which tends to blame others and enables the avoidance of responsibility for our failings. It seems that it is always someone else's fault. As a result it is difficult to see our personal responsibility in helping to determine the quality and spirit of our world. Things can even appear to be hopeless.

 

Take some time before this Lent ends and reflect upon how you relate to others. How often do our complaints and blaming another impact the quality of our lives? How often do we give thanks?  Do we express our concern or appreciation? Do we acknowledge the hurt we may have caused?  Once we admit our responsibility, and our Christian call, our true human dignity will be restored. We will better understand our responsibilities and have more compassion for each other.

 

Lent does not have to be only a dark and sorrowful time. It can be a time of healing. The choice is ours. It can be a time of transformation. Easter has no meaning apart from Lent.  Here in the last grips of winter we look toward spring. Let the remaining days of this Lent be a time in which you pause . . . to heal, to grow, to bloom. Do not be afraid to journey into the depths of  your being. It is in those depths that God meets us, walks with us, and leads us into the springtime of the spirit!

From the Rector