Save the Date!

Saints Alive! All Saints Lutheran Church – For All to Know Christ

www.allsaintspalatine.org ~ 630 S. Quentin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 ~ 847.991.2080

VBS is Coming!!! Hi! I’m Orville. Are you ready for some High Flyin’ Fun? Then mark your

calendar for SKY VBS 2012! Monday, July 30th – Friday, August

3rd. Watch for More details to come very soon!

Youth Sunday Meeting February 5

Souper-Bowl Sunday February 5

Bring a can of soup for the Palatine food pantry!

Men’s Breakfast February 18 $3 to attend – see Pastor Seth for tickets.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

Youth Sunday Youth Sunday is February 5! Get ready for Youth Sunday! On Sunday, February 5th, our high school youth group will be leading both worship services through music, skits and mini-sermons. This year’s theme, “Honor thy father and mother” is sure to include some humor as well as meaningful witness from your young people. Also on February 5, a special offering will be collected to help with costs for the youth going to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. Bring a friend, and Don’t miss it!!

The High School Youth Group will conduct both services.

The PHD Baby Shower

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and will run through February. The gifts should be brought unwrapped to our baskets located near the bulletin board display in the Gathering Space by Sunday, February 26. Items most needed include: Enfamil Lipil Forumla; Baby Food; Disposable Diapers in sizes 4,5, or 6; onsies; Baby Shampoo, wipes, towels, sweaters, blankets; Rattles; Bottles; Baby Soap; Washcloths; Tee-Shirts; Booties and socks; Baby outfits; Jewel, Target, Walmart or Dominick’s gift cards ($10-$25 denominations) Thank you for your continued support of this program. PHD is always very appreciative of your donations.

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The Social Ministry Committee invites you to join a “heartfelt” baby shower to collect items for the PHD (Preservation of Human Dignity) baby closet. PHD is a Palatine counseling center that provides pregnancy and parenting assistance plus education for women and families. Last year your generous donations helped PHD distribute over 150 layettes, 10,591 jars of baby food, 5,437 dozen diapers, 1,807 bags of baby clothing, and 1,463 cans of formula. Look in the Gathering Space for the pink hearts and pick the hearts displaying the baby items that you would like to donate. The hearts will be available beginning Sunday, February 12

Since 2009, I've been studying and working as part of the ACTS (Association of Chicago Theological Schools) Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Preaching Program. I've gotten to meet wonderful fellow students from across the country and around the world, meet well-known preachers and teachers of preaching, and focus on preaching as the essential part of my ministry. I've attended 3 weeks of classes each of the past three summers. It has been wonderful. And it's coming to an end. I've completed my coursework, I've written my doctoral thesis (just shy of 100 pages, for the curious), and I've even filled out the official application for graduation. I'm awaiting final confirmation from my advisor that my thesis is defensible (hold the jokes, please) and then plan for an Oral Defense in Chicago sometime during March. Assuming that goes well, I will graduate on Sunday, May 13 at 2:30. Some have asked about attending graduation or a party here at All Saints. Both of those things will be coming. Watch here for more information. Thanks to the congregation as a whole and to each of you for your support in this project. It's been wonderful and I'm so glad I've done it. This program (D.Min), just to clarify is a practical doctorate, as opposed to a Ph.D. program. It is not designed for those who want to change course and teach in a college or seminary. It is designed for those who want to continue what they've been doing, to work as a pastor and preacher, but just learn more about it and hopefully do it better. To answer one other question folks have asked through this process: what will my title be. After receiving the degree, when I want to be extremely official in letters I may sign them Rev. Dr. Seth Moland-Kovash. Especially with the double last-name, that's a lot of letters though. Otherwise, Pastor Seth is still good. But mostly, just don't call me late for coffee hour. Pastor Seth

Light from the Pastor: Doctorate Update

Let Us Give Thanks…

A Note from the Pastors

Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers  in  Christ  at  All  Saints:  We  give  thanks  for  the  opportunity  to  serve  God  alongside  you  –  during  times  of  laughter  and  times  of  sorrow  and  very  ordinary  times.  We  are  so  very  thankful  for  your  gift  at  Christmas.  We  also  give  thanks  for  all  of  the  many  ways  that  you  care  for  us  and  our  family.  Peace,  Pastor  Jenn  and  Pastor  Seth    

Little Saints say Thanks!

Nursery Thanks A special thanks is due to many folks who have helped to do some rehab and updating in our church nursery to make it a welcoming place for our littlest saints. Julie Blume, Jane Oppermann, and Linda Foltz have provided advice and cleaning and sorting. Jeff Fredericks, Stan Shearer and the rest of the property committee gave a paintjob and assembled some new furniture. Special thanks to John and Jenna Goldenne along with Tony Barajas for painting the beautiful Noah's Ark mural that covers an entire wall. If you haven't stopped in the nursery to see the mural, do it! Thanks all.

Renewal of Vows Members celebrating “special” wedding anniversaries this year (e.g. 1, 5, 10, 15, 20…50, etc) are invited to participate in a Renewal of Vows Sun, Feb. 12, at both worship services. The congregation is invited to join the celebrating couples for refreshments in the Gathering Space between services. Let us know of your participation and your anniversary date using the signup form in the Sunday bulletin or by contacting the church office (office@allsaintspalatine.org).

“I do.”

The first annual Little Saints Preschool Christmas Tree Light recycling project is complete. We collected nearly 100lbs of Christmas tree lights from our congregation!! Although our recycler only pays .18 per pound, we all can feel good about doing our part in saving our landfills. Furthermore, Little Saints feels we can build on this recycling theme so wait for more project announcements in the future. All proceeds from recycling go towards our classroom expansion program.

JANUARY 2012 Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday, also known as the Feast of Fools (Pastor Seth's favorite) will be on Tuesday, February 21. This year we will have a pancake supper and activities for the whole family. Join together as pancakes and sausage are served from 6-7:30. There will be pancake races around the Gathering Space (bring your own flipper), Mardi Gras decorations, jazz music, a free-will offering for our youth traveling to New Orleans this summer, and lots of other fun. Contact Pastor Seth if you have decadent food or game ideas! The tradition of Mardi Gras it to use up all the fat in the house that will not be used in cooking during Lent, a time of simplicity and sacrifice. We also throw a big party to carry us through the somber

season of Lent until the joyous release of Easter. Following that tradition, we will have treats and goodies and decadence on Fat Tuesday. Then, for our midweek Lenten suppers, we will have simple meals of soup and bread with no dessert. We'll lead all this through to the Easter Vigil and the festive fellowship that happens as we welcome our Risen Savior.

The 40-day journey with Christ to the cross and through the cross to Easter's resurrection begins with Ash Wednesday. This year Ash Wednesday is on February 22. We will have worship with imposition of ashes and Holy Communion at both noon and 7 pm. Beginning then on Wednesday, February 29 (Leap Day) join us for our midweek Lenten series. We'll share a simple congregational soup meal each Wednesday at 6:15 and worship at 7. This season we will have dramatic readings that illustrate many of the Old Testament stories that help us to understand Jesus and his sacrifice for us. Watch your mail for your Lenten packet very soon.

The time is coming to register your kids for lots of great summer camp opportunities. Brochures about all the great opportunities at Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center (LOMC) in Oregon, Illinois and Camp Lutherdale in Delavan, Wisconsin are available at the Welcome Center. You can find more at www.lomc.org and at www.lutherdale.org. Scholarships are available from All Saints. Please talk with one of the pastors

The Monday night Women’s Bible Study will begin a new series on the Gospel of Mark. The cost of the book is $10.00. We will be meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Joan Volberding’s home on February 6. All women are welcome. If you have any questions, call Kay Weir at 847-358-6795

Women’s Bible Study

Church Council Notes December 2011

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great again this year – 220 people served. Many thanks to all who helped in any way; special thanks to Monika Fiedler who took the lead on kitchen and volunteers, Tom Germuska who took the lead on publicity, and Claudia Builta who took the lead on decorating and space, and the Outreach committee for providing welcome materials about All Saints. The cost of this dinner was totally covered by donations. The Stewardship team has put together an evening to serve through Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg in January. All of the spots are full, but we have reserved additional spots for a date in the spring. The pledges for 2012 have increased in both numbers of pledges received and dollars pledged. Thanks to all who participated. The Council approved the use of our Thrivent Choice Dollars of $1184 to be used to fund The Youth Group in New Orleans. 24 kids & 6 chaperones are registered to attend this Youth Group Gathering. The total cost is estimated at $25,000. The $8,000 registration fee has been paid. The Council approved the motion the vacant Nursery Attendant position be tested as a Volunteer Position. Volunteers have been successfully used for the past weeks. If any problems are brought to our attention, we will reconsider. ASLC Mission Focus discussion. We discussed, in length, the many ideas that have been brought forward as ways to add new dimensions to our ASLC mission. It was decided we would continue these discussions and fine-tune them before presenting to the Congregation.

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12 new members were welcomed into The All Saints Congregation in December: Fernando & Dana Aguirre James & Karen Halla Richard & Marsha Miller Larry &Janet Mohr Family Troy & Stefanie Kindle Family AnnaCatsaros Cindy Buelow

There was one Baptism in late November. Ruby Runnion, daughter of Nicole (Kleist) and Don Runnion, was welcomed into the realm of Jesus Christ on November 27th Our Thanksgiving Eve worship was a great celebration and provided at least 20 bags of groceries that we shared with our friends at Bethel for their food pantry. This is helping to bridge gaps and provides some opportunities for our congregations to collaborate more. Pastor Seth reported: November highlights in the Learning realm include Sunday School students preparing for their Christmas pageant while continuing to learn and grow in faith, our Confirmation students serving in a variety of ways. Pastor Seth led the High School youth group one Sunday and both pastors (and Carl) attended the Senior High bowling party on November 20. Our High School youth group also served through the annual bake sale, which netted (including matches from All Saints' MEF and Thrivent) $3100 to split between YHOP and PADS. Pastor Jenn reported: Our Community Thanksgiving meal came off

To view the ELCA Prayer Ventures visit http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Prayer-Center/Prayer-Ventures-2.aspx to download the version that works best for your system. Or simply view them online.

Deadline for the next Newsletter is February 25, 2012. Please send submissions to Jen DeFranco at jtdefranco@sbcglobal.net.

Men’s Breakfast If you like breakfast, if you like conversation, if you like learning about a variety of things, if you're a man (and even that's negotiable), join us for Men's Breakfast. Watch the weekly bulletin announcements and your email for more details for February 18 (New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, and our youth). The cost of breakfast is $3 and the cost for the fellowship and learning is NOTHING!

Chapter One Book Club Our book for February is Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog by Garth Stein. We will be meeting on Monday, February 20th at 7pm at All Saints church. Our hostesses are Carol and Wendy Williams and Sue Carlson will lead the discussion. All are welcome to attend. Please call Tina Keck or Jane Oppermann for information.

Each day (Monday through Friday), Pastor Jenn and Seth write a brief daily email devotional that is sent out via email. The scripture texts for these reflections are based on the daily lectionary, designed to tie in to and build upon the readings from the Sundays. If you'd like to receive these and are not currently, please send an email to office@allsaintspalatine.org. We also have a conversational component for those who wish. You can also read the devotionals at http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Here, you can also leave comments either for the pastors or for other members and reflect back on what we've written. Join in the conversation and make the Bible a part of your daily life. During the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 22, these devotionals will be written by members of All Saints.

Daily Email Devotionals and Conversations

Our sisters and brothers at Bethel Lutheran Church (3839 W Frontage Road in Rolling Meadows) have started a food pantry that works in conjunction with the Palatine Township Food Pantry. Bethel's pantry supplements what clients are able to get from the Township pantry. There are some opportunities for us to help.

1. Our donations from Thanksgiving Eve worship will be brought to Bethel for their "Exchange Table," where clients can trade for things in the standard bags.

2. Food pick-up: Drive to the Chicago Food Depository warehouse in Hoffman Estates on Thursday morning, and drive food to Bethel. On an occasional basis.

3. Pantry Shifts: Saturday mornings 8:30-11. On an occasional basis. If you want to be in touch about volunteering to pick up food on Thursdays or distribute food on Saturdays, contact Pastor Seth.

Bethel Lutheran Church Food Pantry

Who could benefit from having a Stephen Minister? Anyone who wants to talk one on one about a problem such as illness, moving, death, job loss, loneliness, aging, family frustrations, etc. A Stephen Minister is a person, with 50 hours of training, who will not solve the problems, but be an objective listener and pray with you and for you. They know that God is the cure giver; the ministers are the care givers. All conversations are strictly confidential.

Some people find it difficult to decide that they need help, but it can be very healing to talk with someone other that family or friends. If you would like more information or consider having a Stephen Minister, call the pastors or Del Anderson, Dale Gruetzmacher, Joan Volberding or Kay Weir.

Responding to a substantial decrease in guests using the PADS shelter at All Saints in the first half of the season some operating procedures have been adjusted to better utilize our resources.

Through December, on most nights you could count the number of guests in the shelter on two hands and have fingers left over, said Tom Germuska, co-site director for the emergency shelter which supports the work of Journeys form PADS to HOPE. That compares to 12-18 guests each Saturday night in previous seasons, he added.

Monika Fiedler, the shelter’s other co-director, added that the number of guests using all of the 18 shelters that support Journeys also is substantially lower than in previous seasons. The gyrations have caused problems with administration of the shelter.

In mid-January a dozen members of our Leadership Team and interested volunteers held a brainstorming session to identify the issues and develop tactics for coping with the challenge. They identified two primary concerns: First-shift staffing and food (too much or too little).

To cope with the fluctuating guest count we will adjust the number of first-shift volunteers, on nights when there are few guests, by allowing some volunteers to go home early after dinner is served. In addition steps will be taken to adjust food donations to more closely match the expected number of guests. We’re hopeful these tweaks will minimize the possibility of having a staff-to-guest ratio that rivals a luxury resort. We like to think that we run a first class operation but it is, after all, a shelter not a hotel.

PADS adjusts for unpredictable number of guests

Holy Family School Benefit Sparkles with All Saints Members’ Enthusiasm What does an e-reader, a luscious cream afghan, handmade knit scarves and doll clothes, a beer tasting, complete with appetizers and dessert have in common? All Saints members donated these items and more, bringing in $4,770, helping raise more than $170,000 for Holy Family School in Chicago’s inner city. Holy Family’s annual benefit, “Reach for the Stars” was held December 2 at Stonegate Conference and Banquet Center. The evening was, indeed, a sparkling event, bringing together 418 guests, who bid enthusiastically on silent and live

auction items. Attendees enjoyed Holy Family students in song and sharing how the Westside Chicago school has impacted their lives. All Saints members have long been fervent Holy Family fans, contributing toward student scholarships, attending the benefit for more than 10 years, volunteering at the school, and providing school supplies. The school has received many accolades for its innovative and successful practices and was recently featured on PBS’s Religion and Ethics News Weekly. You can go to http://holyfamilyministries.org to learn more about Holy Family school.

Quiet    Your  Life… Return to  yourself…  Embody  your Prayer. Where and When

Sundays, 7-8 PM starting Feb 5. All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S Quentin Rd Palatine Cost and FYIs

* $10 * Bring a mat if you can, or borrow one of ours. * Feel free to contact Karin with any questions or concerns.

Benefits of yoga begin in poses the elderly, the injured, or a child can reach

with ease.

More healing, less exercise. A personal

exploration of ourselves, the

bigger picture, and the relationship

between.

Karin is a certified yoga instructor with advanced training in yoga therapy, yoga and trauma, cancer, and  emotions.    She’s  also been trained as a counselor. This is

a path with heart.

Yoga is a remarkable practice of personal transformation. However,  it’s  often  intimidating,    a  ‘work  out’,  or  too  expensive  to  reach those it could help. This class aims to bring yoga outside of the  studio  and  into  real  people’s  lives. Yoga has been shown to have remarkable healing properties. It makes us stronger, more balanced, and returns us to a sense of aliveness. Those with chronic pain or illness, anxieties, depression, trauma histories, addictions, self esteem or eating issues, even grief and loss have found healing on the mat they may have given up on, elsewhere. Yoga brings our bodies back to balance and health. It blossoms into a deep expression of at-one-ment. Yoga is the felt experience of grace.

At All Saints Lutheran

oga

Karin L Burke, RYT200 * karinlburke@gmail.com * (507) 301 – 5603* returnyoga.org

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JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF This six-week course will explore the tasks of grief, provide the

opportunity to share experiences with others who have lost a loved one, and learn how to cope with loss. Each session will provide both the support of other people and education about this journey.

Grief Support 2012

Facilitated by: Alexian Brothers Parish Services

25 E Schaumburg Road, Suite 106

Schaumburg IL 60194 1-847-981-3514

parishservices@alexian.net

Alexian Brothers Parish Services carries out the healing mission of the

Catholic Church as an Alexian Brothers ministry by

identifying and developing effective responses to the health needs of

those we are called to serve.

Option 1: Daytime: Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Dates: February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27

Location: Alexian Brothers Parish Services Office 25 E Schaumburg Road, Suite 106 Schaumburg IL 60194

Cost: There is NO FEE to attend

Registration is required: Please register by Friday before session

To Register: 1-866-253-9426 or www.alexianbrothershealth.org/alexianconnects

For more information contact us at: 1-847-981-3514 or parishservices@alexian.net

or ABMC’s  Grief  Support  at  1-847-952-7376

Option 2: Evening: Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23 March 1, 8

Location: Alexian Brothers Parish Services Office 25 E Schaumburg Road, Suite 106 Schaumburg IL 60194

Option 2: Evening: Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Dates: April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17

Location: Alexian Brothers Parish Services Office 25 E Schaumburg Road, Suite 106 Schaumburg IL 60194

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Congregational Leaders and Staff Co-Pastors Jenn Moland-Kovash Seth Moland-Kovash Church Council Joe Quinn, President Jeff Witt, Vice President George Buerger, Secretary Troy DeFranco Katie Fedota Monika Fiedler Mary Lofgren Irene Ohlrich Jill Rusten Bob Schneider Ray Winklelmann Financial Secretary: Peggy Hollingsworth Kevin Drucker, Treasurer Staff Church Secretaries: Bev Laseke, Vicky Schnackel Bookkeeper: Sara Cole Music Director: Doug Williams Accompanist: Karen Nedzel

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Youth Ministers: Linda and Kevin Kinsella Karen Goodlow Troy DeFranco Little Saints Christian Preschool Michelle Gutmann, Director Committees/Ministries Confirmation Coordinator: Trina Garcia Cradle Roll: Ruth Spasoff Learning: Ruth Spasoff Loving Hands: Nancy Oakford Memorials: Rosemary Monsen Ministry Endowment Fund: Mike Nedzel Mutual Ministry: New Member Assimilator: Diane Szuberla Outreach: Jon Gray Personnel: Lydia Rohn Prayer Chain: Rosemary Monsen, Carol Marx Property: Jeff Fredericks, Bill Friskics Shepherding: Jon Gray Social Ministry: Cindy Parkin Stephen Ministry Leader(s): Sandy Herweg Financial Support Committee: Kathy Garner Sunday School Superintendents: Margo Ban, Lori Quinn, Sue Carlson Worship/Altar Guild: Janet Lowe, Janine Byrne

Holidays of Note:

February 14 – Valentine’s Day

February 20 – President’s Day

February 29 – Leap Day

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Alleluia Choir 4:15 Confirmation Class 5:45pm

Adult Bells 6:15 Adult Choir 7:30 Women’s Bible Studey 9:30am MEF Comm 6:15 Personnel Comm 7pm

Organ Recital 10:30am/7:00pm @Bethel Lutheran

PADS 7:00pm

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Worship 8:30/11:00 Education 9:45am Youth Group Service Yoga – 7pm

Technology Committee 7pm

Church Council 7:15

Alleluia Choir 4:15 Holden Evening Prayer 700pm

Adult Bells 6:15 Adult Choir 7:30 Women’s Bible Study 9:30am

PADS 7:00pm Contemporary Rehearsal 10:00am PreSchool Board 8:00am

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Contemporary Worship 8:30/11:00 Education 9:45am Renewal of Vows Yoga 7pm

Church Council 7:15pm Valentine’s Day

Alleluia Choir 4:15 Staff Mtg 1:30pm PADS Mtg 7:00 pm Quilting 9:30am

Garden Club of Inverness 8:00am Women’s Bible Study 9:30am Adult Bells 6:15 Adult Choir 7:30

PADS 7:00pm Men’s Breakfast 8:00am

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Worship 8:30/11:00 Education 9:45am Yoga 7pm

Chapter One Book Club 7:00 pm President’s Day

Pancakes and Peeps Fundraiser

Alleluia Choir 4:15 Ash Wednesday Services 12pm/7pm

Women’s Bible Study 9:30am Adult Bells 6:15 Adult Bells 7:30

Newsletter Deadline for February

PADS 7:00pm

26 27 28 29 Worship 8:30/11:00 Education 9:45am Yoga 7pm

Lenten Dinner 6:15pm & Worship 7pm