125 West Church St., Libertyville, Illinois 60048, United States
WORSHIP
Hello St. Lawrence!
This is a moment of grace for me amid this pandemic. The socially distanced life has become tedious if still necessary. You have given me the chance to do interesting ministry with a community that I care about, in a way that protects all of us.
I am delighted to work again with your liturgical leadership and look forward to being part of your lovely Sunday morning worship; I am hoping to be helpful as a pastor for any who need such care. I want to support program leadership in formation, for children and adults, in outreach, and in working to build and strengthen community in creative ways, given all that keeps us apart.
I am grateful for your wardens and vestry who have been such amazing leaders in these unprecedented times.
I filled a similar role at my own parish, Church of the Atonement, in Chicago. Our interim priest had left; the new rector had been called but would not arrive for several months. So, with another retired priest from the parish, we became the “pastoral bridge.” I like the term and its connotation about a transition time, about moving together from a familiar place to a new one and tending to each other along the way.
None of us have done ‘church’ this way before and we will learn a lot in the weeks and months ahead. Call or email me when you need anything; give me feedback about how we might do things better.
I am grateful to be part of the St. Lawrence community once again, to renew familiar relationships and to develop new ones.
Stay safe; stay well.
Blessings and Peace,
Joy+
Weekly Evening Services
New Services of Compline – Helpers Needed
Alan Whaley, Music Director, is coordinating a Thursday compline intending to begin this service in September. If there is any interest in a midweek Evening Prayer service, I would need at least two more volunteers. Please let Joy know at joyerogers@me.com
Our Response to COVID19
Suspending In-Person Worship Services
In accordance with Bishop Lee’s direction, and Governor Pritzker’s orders, our operations at St. Lawrence have been reduced to the bare minimum. Our wonderful administrative and finance team is working almost entirely remotely, and the building has been secured and the (many) thermostats turned down. We’ll still be receiving mail, including pledge payments, and paying all vendors. As noted below, the HOPE food pantry continues to operate, under revised procedures, to serve our neighbors in need. You can still call the church office at 847-362-2110 or send an email to office@stlawrencechurch.org.