Chapel News

The Interim Search Committee and the Vestry are pleased to announce that Fr. Rob Nichols has accepted our offer of the position of Interim Rector.

Fr. Rob comes to us from Mobile, Alabama. He grew up Episcopalian in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Millsaps College in 1977. After some work experience and a brief experiment with law school, he attended Virginia Theological Seminary and received the M.Div. in 1988. He was ordained priest on 26 October 1989, the Feast of Alfred the Great.

Further studies led to a D. Min. from St. Luke’s Seminary (University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee) with an emphasis in Christian Education and Ethics. He also completed Interim Ministry training in 2003. He has served parishes in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas. He has also served as a hospital chaplain.

Fr. Rob’s family will not accompany him to Champaign-Urbana, but we hope to welcome them among us during his sojourn here. His wife, Diana, works for an advertising firm in Mobile; and they have two teenage daughters, Bess and Kate.

The agreement between Fr. Nichols and St. John the Divine is that he will serve us for one year, during which time we will complete a parish profile and search for a permanent rector.

These are the facts, but they don’t tell you much about the person. The Interim Search Committee was impressed by many things: Fr. Rob’s understanding of interim ministry; his forthrightness about how hard we will be working as we move toward the selection of a permanent rector; his sense of humor; and his commitment to his Christian vocation and to Christian education. When Carol Symes and Ruth Wene traveled to Mobile to meet with him in late August, those qualities that were apparent during the Search Committee’s telephone interview were even more apparent during our visit and conversations. Fr. Rob is energetic, open, and direct in his interactions with people. He is an engaging preacher and his presence at the Eucharist is prayerful and reverent.

He sent us this message to include:

“I am energized about being a part of St. John the Divine during this period of vacancy. The role of the interim is to be the clergy presence until such time as your permanent rector is called. This is an exciting time for your parish and I look forward to our time together. See you at Morning Prayer on Wednesday 21 September.”

Our Choir has been invited to participate in a Choral Festival at First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, Indiana, on March 5-6. We’ll miss their presence here that Sunday, but we’re happy that we can share their glorious sound.

Children's Eucharist: 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve

St. John's talented young musicians provide music for this service, and children help set up the Creche. They may want to bring a favorite stuffed animal or doll (not too large) to join the shepherds and animals at the manger.

Festal Choral Eucharist: 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve

This service is one of the most beautiful of the year, with music by the Choir, incense, and lots of congregational singing. We invite you to join us for this joyful celebration.
Childcare is available in the Nursery at the west end of Canterbury House adjacent to the Chapel.

Our Social Action Committee is sponsoring a dinner in support of our Millennium Development Goals (MGD) Project. We ask that you contribute an amount equivalent to what you'd pay in a restaurant. Proceeds will be directed to Wellbriety, a program of the White Bison Movement among American Indians. The Episcopal Church has recently become a partner of the White Bison Movement.

Please join us at St. John's for our Patronal Festival Celebration on Sunday, October 17. A Solemn Eucharist will be held at 10:00 a.m featuring the Canterbury Choir. Following the service, there will be a Special Coffee Hour on the Lower Level of Canterbury House. St. John's has been serving Episcopal students at the University of Illinois for a 100 years. We have a rich history of worship and service, and we invite you to celebrate with us!

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Parking 2010-2011.doc

We are taking applications for parking spaces in the St. John’s Parking Lot for 2010-2011. If you want a parking spot in the St. John’s lot”, please let us know ASAP.
For more information, call Justine Schoeplein church office: 344-1924 or E-Mail us at stjohns@chapelsjd.org.

Pentecost is a Feast second only to Easter in importance. As always, we’ll read the gospel in as many languages as we can—a sign-up sheet will be available the Sundays before Pentecost. We’ll also be having our traditional and festive Pentecost Picnic, a potluck at Canterbury House. Get in the spirit and plan ahead to wear your favorite “red” outfit or accessory and bring your favorite red foods to share. Hot dogs and red drinks will be provided.

On Rogation Sunday, a festive rite occurs immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service, as the altar party leads the whole congregation to the Morrow Plots. Prayer, hymnody, and a blessing express our hopes for a good growing season on God's green earth.
The Morrow Plots, located in the heart of the campus at the University of Illinois, are the oldest continuous agricultural research fields in the United States. Established in 1876, the Morrow Plots Site was designated a National Historical Landmark by the Federal Government on September 12, 1968.

The Chapel's own Jacob Lessing will present a Harpsichord Recital at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, in the Memorial Room at Smith Music Hall. Benjamin Hayak and friends present An Evening of Viol Music in the Chapel at 5:00 p.m.on Saturday, April 17. The Tudor Voices, Milliken University's Premier Early Music Ensemble, offer their Spring Concert on Friday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. The University German Choir presents its Spring Concert on Sunday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m.

Easter Celebrations begin with the Great Vigil of Easter ~ Easter Eve at 10:00 p.m.

The service begins in darkness with the lighting of the New Fire and the blessing of the Paschal Candle which burns throughout the Easter Season to symbolize the presence of the Risen Christ. All receive light from the Paschal Candle, and the Vigil continues with prophecies, canticles, Holy Baptism, and the First Eucharist of Easter.

Services on Easter Day

The early morning service, at 8:00 a.m., is a simple, said celebration of the Eucharist.

The service at 10:00 a.m. is Festal Choral Eucharist. Child care is provided at 10:00 a.m. An Easter Egg hunt follows the service.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS is a series of video presentations by contemporary theologians in an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers. The program features a series of 20-minute video segments followed by discussion. Join us anytime since each topic is independent of previous session.

Piper Hodson will facilitate this series which being at 11:30 Sunday mornings in the Choir Room

ANNUAL MEETING ELECTIONS: The following persons were elected to office at the Annual Meeting, January 31st: VESTRY: 3 year terms: Carol Symes, David Krooks, Brant Pope; 1 year of an Unexpired Term: Ruth Wene; 1 year term – Undergraduate: Rebecca Greenlee and Jacob Lessing. Synod Delegates are Steve Vaughan, Ruth Wene, Joanne Wheeler, John Buzard; alternates are Rebecca Greenlee, Robert Delvin, Scott Warren, and Matthew Frank. Deanery Delegates are Steve Vaughan and Joanne Wheeler, and the alternate delegates are Rebecca Greenlee and John Buzard. Congratulations to all, and thank you for being willing to serve!

RETIRING VESTRY MEMBERS are John Paul Buzard, Robert Delvin, and James Fallaw. We’re grateful for their service. Thanks to the Wardens, Officers, and all who served on Vestry for their good work on behalf of the Chapel congregation! Copies of the Annual Report are available from the church office.

Maureen Murchie presents a recital of Baroque violin music, accompanied by Zachary Carrettin, violin, Charlotte Mattax, organ, and Benjamin Hayek, violincello. The program includes music of Bach, Handel, Corelli, Leclair, Locatelli, and Baltzar. The concert is free and open to the public.

Our Annual Meeting begins with brunch after the 10:00 a.m. service on January 31. Its principal business is election of Vestry members and Synod and Deanery delegates. We will also participate in an important survey as the Diocese develops a profile for using in the upcoming episcopal election.