Altar Guild prepares for the sacred worship at each liturgical celebration. The duties of the altar guild are quite varied, as they include the care of not only altar linens but other liturgical items such as the eucharistic vessels, elements, vestments, candles and small furnishings for the altar. Decorations in the church of banners and flowers that are displayed have also been planned by the Altar Guild in order to create an environment appropriate to each occasion. 

This includes funerals and weddings.

Last June, upon the retirement of our beloved Cheryl Ryniak, I stepped into the position of Interim Director of Children and Youth Ministry here at Transfiguration. Since then, I have endeavored to keep our Children and Youth programs running smoothly and I owe a great deal of thanks to Cheryl and to the Children and Youth Ministry Committee (CYMC) for all of their help.

The Communications Team – made up of Melinda Moore, Becky Hensley and Shari Schmidt – worked to get the word out to the parish and the community about what’s happening at Transfiguration.

Becky produced Transcripts, while Melinda publicized events through traditional means such as newspapers, public-access cable, bulletin boards at area businesses and at Trinity Christian College and Moraine Valley Community College. Shari used her connections to publicize events through more innovative ways such as Craigslist and other social media. Notices also were sent via e-mail to parishioners.

Although our chapter is an integral part of Transfiguration, we’re also members of an international lay order for women, founded in 1885. Women do have a larger role in the church since then, but we’re not a quaint relic of the past. Daughters renew their baptismal vows when they join, and they commit to following a rule of life that focuses on prayer, service, and evangelism. We wear a cross that reminds us of this commitment.

The Palos Park Episcopal Day Care and Learning Center has a current enrollment of 66 families ranging in age from 15 months to 8 years and is a fully licensed facility by the Illinois Dept of Children and Family Services. The Day Care Center has been serving the Palos Park area since 1984 – over 26 years! The Center makes a substantial contribution to the church annually. In 2009, that contribution was over $50,000.

In 2009 I served as deacon in 148 liturgies, 100 at Transfiguration and 48 at Church of Our Saviour in Elmhurst. I preached at Transfiguration four times, and presided at 8 services and preached homilies at 19 services in Elmhurst.

I responded to Bishop Lee’s challenge for the Millennium Development Goals to raise funds to provide school uniforms for children who otherwise would not receive an elementary education, and the parish raised over $2100.

I served on two diocesan commissions throughout the year.

Keeping God’s People Safe training was held on 8.30.09, led by Katherine Hamann and Sue Burke. There were 16 people present.  The training focuses on a proactive approach to illuminating sexual abuse in the church. In order for abuse to occur, there needs to be three elements: perpetrator, victim and environment. As a church we have control over the environment and can act positively to create an environment in which abuse is unlikely to occur. This years’ goal is:

• Continue training anyone who works with the children as well as any other interested parishioner
• Form a committee that would write specific policy and procedures, therefore creating a safe environment for our children