THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

Mrs. Elizabeth Cox, Chairperson November, 2011

The Church of the

Holy Family 2011

Parish Profile

Welcome Home

where . . .

The Spirit is fed,

The Soul is nurtured,

The lost are sheltered,

The love is shared.

We believe Holy Family is a special place. We have witnessed the enduring spirituality of the

liturgy, the kindness of the people and the variety of programs that bring us closer to God.

Although the various aspects of parish life are important and help to remind us what this

community is all about, Holy Family is much more than liturgy, people, music, facilities and

programs. Holy Family is more than anything else, a triangular relationship between God, each

other and our faith community.

The Church of the Holy Family, is a small, diverse and loving community, located 35 miles south

of Chicago‟s loop area. Our parish attracts a diverse population from 14 neighboring communities

with approximately 33% of our members living in Park Forest. We are blessed with a diverse

worshipping community, including several members from Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of the

world. While many of our members are over the age of 50, we are youthful in spirit and eager to

grow in the faith of our Lord as we embrace the challenges of the 21st century.

Our recent congregational self-study has yielded a long-range plan for our parish. Based on the

Church Assessment Tool (CAT) survey, we have established the following goals for the Church

of the Holy Family:

Make necessary changes to attract families with children and youth to our church

Strengthen the process by which members are called and equipped for ministry and

leadership

Work to renew and revitalize the community around the church

Seek to build on our strengths as a

faithful and committed community to

articulate a clarity of mission that will

fuel and direct our passion to live the

Gospel

We are seeking a priest who will move us forward by

bringing new and fresh ideas while understanding our

tradition and working side by side with us in the parish,

community, deanery and diocese.

We are seeking a candidate who:

1. Demonstrates a clear vision for the spiritual life and worship of Holy Family.

a. Invigorates and educates youth and adults through scripture and message based

leadership.

b. Supports and encourages our music programs

2. Understands that pastoral care involves the nurture of our members both educationally

and when they are ill; sharing prayer, fellowship and the Eucharist.

a. Evaluates the purpose and effectiveness of all programs and its leadership to

determine opportunities for improvement; works well with various personality

styles to mentor and develop new talents and maintain cohesiveness within the

parish.

b. Continues a vibrant ministry for shut-ins.

c. Is unpretentious, listens well and communicates easily with others, demonstrating

empathy and understanding.

d. Empowers and delegates responsibility and accountability to lay ministers and

those in charge of education, outreach, fundraising, and social functions.

e. Is pro-active in recruiting members to the various relevant ministries.

3. Believes in outreach in the community and is willing to be an active participant.

a. Involves present members in encouraging new people to come to Holy Family.

b. Welcomes visitors and encourages prospective members to discover the Lord

through the fellowship at Holy Family.

c. Encourages members to share their gifts for the betterment of the larger

community such as PADS, and our companion parish in Mexico .

4. Actively participates in and supports planning regarding stewardship of gifts and of

money.

The spirit is fed, The soul is nurtured

*quotes throughout this document are from anonymous parishioners

Parish liturgy at the Church of the Holy Family combines the talents and dedication of the

priest, deacon and laity. This includes lay ministers, acolytes, altar guild members, greeters,

prayer leaders, lectors, musicians and ushers.

Current Weekend Worship Schedule

Saturday

5:30 p.m. – Eucharist (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5pm)

Sunday

8:00 a.m. – Eucharist (preceded by Morning Prayer at 7:40 am)

9:00 a.m. - Sunday School

10:00 a.m. - Sung Eucharist with Choir

Current Weekday Schedule

Wednesday

9:20 a.m. – Holy Eucharist and Healing service followed by St. Mary‟s Prayer Guild

Morning Prayer is read on Wednesday and Sunday.

Evening Prayer is read daily.

We love each other

and we love God; it’s

evident when we are

here and people are

missed when they are

not here.”*

(quo

(quote from

Music is the “handmaid of the liturgy.” Our liturgical music enhances the spoken word by

allowing each person the opportunity of finding God in a special way. Music at Holy Family

is never an end in itself. We strive to praise God through our music, whether instrumental or

vocal. Our music is always an offering to God, carefully planned to reflect the appointed

readings of the day.

Holy Family supports a beautiful 23-rank Berghaus pipe organ, renovated in 1993. This

organ, the only pipe organ in Park Forest, was recently cleaned and the reed stop completely

revoiced and rebuilt. Based on a north Baroque Germanic organ design, it is completely

unenclosed with a Great, Positif and Pedal division. The organ enhances and encourages

vibrant congregational singing. Although we use a variety of instruments in our worship, the

organ still provides the foundation for excellent singing.

Holy Family offers two choirs: Viva Voce (ages 5 – 12) and a Senior Choir (high school

through adults). The Viva Voce Choir, now in its second year, sings twice per month in

conjunction with the Senior Choir. The choirs and congregation sing a wide variety of music.

With the addition of GIA‟s 1.license.net software program, we are able to download chants,

psalms, refrains, Mass settings and other relevant music on a regular basis. This software

program allows us to combine text with great music. We publish a weekly worship bulletin,

which allows and encourages active participation from all members.

Besides using the organ as the foundation for excellent singing, the church uses an acoustic

piano as well as hand-bells during the liturgy. We have recently started a hand-bell choir,

who accompany chants as well as initiate a Call to Worship before the liturgy begins.

“The music adds so

much to the wonderful

liturgy!”

In addition, we are blessed to engage a professional woodwind quintet, Tudor Winds, for our

Christmas and Easter liturgies. This quintet enhances the liturgy with unique timbres as well

as performing the works of great composers.

Christian Education at Holy Family consists of several programs and events. Our Sunday

School program is open to and encourages all students between the ages of three years

through senior high school. All students participate in class activities from 9:00 to 9:45 am.

Children may then attend the Eucharist with their families to further enhance their learning

experience.

Sunday School activities include an Ice Cream Social celebrating the end of the school year

as well as several “Fundays,” which celebrate different themes and languages. Other youth

programs include a Maundy Thursday overnight lock-in for teenagers and an Easter egg hunt

on Easter Sunday.

For the first time in years, Holy Family hosted a Vacation Bible School during the last week

of August in 2011. The curriculum offered was a program of instruction based on the

parables of Jesus that emphasized guiding principles of life which included Forgiveness,

Compassion, Grace and Gratitude. Prayer, Music, Stories, Skits and Games reinforced each

theme. The children also participated in a service project, assembling school supplies for

children of prison inmates.

“[I like}the

opportunity to

learn about God,

Jesus and the

Disciples.”*

Another focus of Christian Education is our adult education

programs, which include Bible study groups and our Lenten

program, which begins with the evening office, followed by

refreshments, a speaker or group discussion. On Pentecost,

the congregation dresses in red, decorates the church with

red balloons and serves “red food” at coffee hour to

celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit.

The lost are sheltered, The love is shared

Holy Family facilitates a regular in-gathering of food and non-food items for the Rich Township

Food Pantry, offers health check-ups for the community, provides in-house shelter to the

homeless through the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), and solicits donations, gifts and

food for needy families during the Christmas season.

“Observing the

many ways we love

and serve the

Lord amazes me!”*

Globally, Holy Family has developed a

relationship with its companion parish, La

Divina Providencia, in the Diocese of

Southeast Mexico. Several parishioners have

visited La Divina Providencia in past years,

including Deacon Betty and Stephen Lloyd

who visited there in August 2011, taking

pictures, gifts and the prayers of our parish to

the members of La Divina Providencia. These

outreach endeavors distinguish Holy Family

from its counterparts.

Holy Family is comprised of different ministries including community outreach. Coordinated by a strong

and cohesive group of committed volunteers, the ministries are under the direction of the rector and the

Vestry.

Acolyte Guild

Adult and Viva Voce Choirs

Altar Guild

Bread Baker’s Guild

Christian Education

Evening Prayer Readers

Parish Nurse program

Membership

Outreach

PADS ( Public Action to Deliver Shelter)

Pastoral Care

Prayers of the People

Prayer Shawl

St. Margaret’s Guild

St. Mary’s Prayer Guild

Parish Library

The Church of the Holy Family has a combination of lay leaders and professional staff. The rector is the

only full time staff position. While the deacon, administrative assistant, organist/choir director and sexton

are all part-time positions, all work with the rector and vestry to create a seamless administration. This is

supported by a parish of approximately 120 members where more than 85% are actively involved in the

church‟s various ministries providing their time and talent.

Over the past years, Holy Family parishioners have supported and funded all building and grounds‟

upgrades to include a new parking lot and an enhanced state-of-the art organ in 2010. We have no

mortgage debt. This is a major accomplishment. Holy Family has 9 Vestry members and two wardens.

The elected group meets monthly and is chaired by the rector. The treasurer handles the disbursement of

funds and is elected by the Vestry. Currently, two additional committees report to the Vestry: The Long

Range Planning Committee which is charged with planning the direction of the parish over the next five

years and the Search Committee whose purpose is to identify candidates for a new rector for the parish.

Building and Grounds

Endowment

Environmental Stewardship

Website and Facebook Administration

Vestry

Financial Stewardship

“I got an

invitation to

join a ministry;

it made me feel

that I

‘qualified’ to be

trusted as a

member.”*

The 2011 budget totals $199,900, a slight reduction from the 2010 budget of $202,200. The average pledge in

2011 is $2400.00. There are presently 57 pledging units, with an additional 30 other contributors. The primary

reason for the reduction is that during 2011 we anticipated that the position of rector would be vacant for part of

the year. Somewhat offsetting the reduction of the rector‟s salary and benefits are the salary and benefits for an

interim rector and some of the estimated Search Committee expenditures.

Holy Family has no long term outstanding debts and mortgages, all having been paid off several years ago. In

addition, Holy Family has an endowment fund of approximately $600,000, some of the income from which is

used to support parish operations (see footnotes below). In addition, the church currently owns a house adjacent

to the church property.

A summary of the 2011 Budget compared to the Actual Data of 2010 can be found on the following page.

2010 ACTUAL/2011 BUDGET

2010 ACTUAL 2011 BUDGET

INCOME

Envelope Income $145,616 $140,000

Other Income $ 55,004 $ 55,000 (see footnote #1)

TOTAL $200,620 $195,000

EXPENDITURES

Diocesan Assessment $ 19,709 $ 19,560

Good Works $ 1,925 $ 1,760

Worship $ 6,027 $ 4,875

Education $ 2,492 $ 500

Operating $ 42,841 $ 46,400

Staff $ 126,275 $ 124,205

Audit Expense $ 1,600 $ 1,600

Miscellaneous $ 828 $ 1,000

TOTAL $ 207,144 $ 199,900

DEFICIT ($6,524) ($4,900) (see footnote #2)

Footnote # 1: A significant increase in Other Income was realized in 2010 due to a substantial increase of

income from the investments of the Endowment Fund over the previous year. Conditioned on the continued

recuperation of our economy from the recession, the budget projection of Other Income is for an equal or

possibly better return on these allocated Reserve Funds in 2011 over 2010.

Footnote #2: The parish has undergone a net deficit of $6,524 even after efforts were made to reduce this deficit

in the final quarter of the year by a special fundraising campaign to increase envelope income, funds from bake

sales, and other efforts.

The first Vicar of Holy Family was the Rev. John Ruef. The first service was conducted on July 30,

1950. In 1952 the first building, now the parish hall, was completed. It was used as the church at first

with the idea that it would become the parish hall when the church was built. Fr. Ruef resigned in the

summer of 1954 in order to resume studies for his doctorate.

In November, 1954, the Rev. Robert Ruffie, Curate of Christ Church, Waukegan, became Vicar. In

the fall of 1955 the men of the parish built an addition to the original building, now the offices and

kitchen area.

In November, 1957 ground was broken for the new church, which was first used for Midnight Mass

on Christmas, 1958. The church was designed by a young architect, Edward Dart, a well-known architect

in the Chicago area. He also designed several other parishes in the Diocese of Chicago.

In January, 1993 Fr. Ruffie retired after a little more than 38 years as Rector. On November 1, 1994, Fr.

Wayne Carlson celebrated his first Eucharist as the second Rector of Holy Family and served until his

retirement in June, 2011.

On February 2, 2002, the Rev. Elizabeth Lloyd was ordained as a Deacon. The first Deacon called from

the parish, Betty is a long-time member who was raised up by the parish and prepared for ordination by

the Diocesan School for the Formation and Training on Deacons. In the parish, she serves the prescribed

role of a deacon in the liturgies of the church, coordinates the work of the Outreach ministry, schedules

Communion bread bakers, assists the writers of the Prayers of the People, serves on the Altar Guild, and

assists the rector with pastoral care visits to sick and shut-in parishioners. During the time without a

transitional rector, she has taken care of the pastoral needs of the parish. She is the eyes and ears for the

rector. She serves a four-hour shift once a month for the PADS homeless shelter program at Holy

Family, and at a local Food Pantry, also once a month.

“Holy Family is an

inviting community of

caring Christians that

celebrates and

welcomes diversity”*

It is often said that good things come in small packages. At Holy Family, we believe that great results

come from great planning and the generosity of many concerned and loving members. In 1997, several

members of the church met to brainstorm ideas for improving the entire parish plant. After countless

meetings, discussions, phone calls and faxes, we were well on our way.

We met with our architect and thought that $350,000 would provide enough funds to update and repair

our aging plant. Looking back, we laugh at our own short-sightedness. In reality, we needed „way more

money‟ to complete our dreams for the church.

Our first priority was remodeling and updating the undercroft, which houses the church school. But how

were we going to pay for all these upgrades? The vestry was firm that all work would be done with

existing parish funds. Expensive bridge loans and mortgages were never really considered. After

considerable planning, our members took up the challenge and money was raised through a program

called ”Mission Possible”. Members pledged and re-pledged in order to raise the necessary funds. The

more we planned, the more unexpected problems seemed to arise. Who would have thought that

approximately 90 pledging units would have been able to pledge and fund-raise over $600,000. Since

2001, we have spent approximately $700,000 on this project.

With great joy and anticipation, new ceilings, walls, updated bathroom fixtures as well as new furnaces

and de-humidification systems were installed in the undercroft in late 2001, at a cost of approximately

$59,000.

The next task was the roof, furnaces, parish hall, kitchen and parish offices. Our flat roofs were

continually leaking and the internal damage was beginning to take its toll. We met with various architects,

roofing contractors, and other engineers. Mountains of papers, faxes, meeting notes and „sticky notes‟

kept us on task. The task force was frustrated when old plumbing and a sinking foundation needed even

more attention than was first thought. We sometimes forgot that God was there to guide and help us when

we needed it the most. However, we persevered and the result is a beautiful, modern, warm and inviting

parish plant. It is the intention of the Building and Grounds Committee that the new rector will be able to

focus on the spiritual needs of the parish and not have to spend excessive time troubleshooting issues

within the physical plant.

By the end of 2002, we completed the following:

New roofs for the entire parish plant

New lighting in the church with state-of-the-art dimming unit

Canted all flat roofs; eliminating leaking in the church

Air Conditioning in the church, social hall and parish offices

High energy efficient furnaces and de-humidification systems in church and undercroft

Completely remodeled the parish hall, creating a warm, open space for parish functions (dark

walls were completely rebuilt with large windows)

New kitchen and bathrooms

New offices with high energy efficient furnaces and windows

New Deacon and Treasurer Office

New energy efficient windows that utilize natural light

Remodel the undercroft, which houses the Church School as well as the PADS (Public Action to

Deliver Shelter) program

New landscaping to complement our beautiful building

In summary, Holy Family continues to be blessed with loving, faithful members who are serious and

committed in spreading the „good news‟ of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our

remodeling project, we are again reminded that with God‟s help „all things are possible‟. We are still

amazed and proud of the completion of our parish remodeling with such a small group (approximately 90)

of donors! We hope you will come and discover for yourself why our parish is truly a Holy Family!

Park Forest itself has an unusual history, built all at once as a residence for returning World War II

soldiers, sailors, etc. Initially the total population was all of the same generation - young families.

Until recently a large percentage of the population was that same group as they have moved through

the life cycle. Built by American Community Builders, the first houses were occupied in the fall of 1948.

They were constructed far outside of the city without regard for already existing boundaries. As a result,

Park Forest is located in two counties and five school districts.

The Village of Park Forest has been awarded numerous livability citations including two All-America

City Awards, two Governors Home Town Awards and, most recently; its downtown redevelopment

received the Burnham Award for excellence in planning. The 2,000 acres of parks, recreation facilities

and open land in Park Forest are the largest per capita in Illinois. In addition to numerous playgrounds,

ball fields, ice rinks and picnic facilities, the Village contains 26 tennis courts and one of the largest

outdoor swimming complexes in the state. Illinois Theater Center is a 179-seat equity theater that features

enjoyable plays and musicals performed by many of the Chicago area's finest actors. The Village‟s

pioneers planted trees in both parks and along the Village‟s developing road system. The urban forest has

now matured, along with the Village. Today, despite the challenge of maintenance, it provides an

enormous asset to the Village*.

* http://www.villageofparkforest.com

Summary

Committed to and active in all phases of the church life and our nearby communities, we continue to be

rich in Anglican worship and seek to grow our parishioner base.

Church of the Holy Family is an often missed shining star, full of warmth and vibrancy, feeding the

spirits of 120 parishioners. Holy Family seeks the Lord‟s guidance to find and bring a rector of vision

and purpose with a contagious expression of Christian faith to motivate lead and grow our parish.

Members of the Search Committee include: Deirdre Clayton, Frank Danczyk, Mark Downey, Beverly Jones, Lydia Ledesma, Stephen Lloyd, Stephen O’Connor and Beverley Sailer

The Rev. Lynn Ramshaw, Chaplain Dorothy Thomas, Senior Warden Charles Clayton, Junior Warden

Vestry members include: Keith Asare, Emmanuel Imoukhuede, James Jones, Betty Lanko, Lydia Ledesma,

Stephen Lloyd, Donald Phelps and Beverley Sailer