Holy Cross Anglican Church's September activities include hot dogs/chips giveaway, plain-English explanation of worship tradition
Enjoy a late-summer picnic, with free hot dogs and chips while supplies last, and find out the "why" behind the Anglican liturgy at two September events sponsored by Holy Cross Anglican Church in Lake Villa.
Parishioners will distribute free hot dogs and chips, rain or shine from, noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 in the picnic shelter at Lehmann Park, 148 Cedar Ave. in downtown Lake Villa. The park is located on the shore of Cedar Lake, and while parking in the Lehmann Park lot is limited to city residents, non-residents are welcome to park in the Metra parking lots across the street.
The hot dog giveaway is part of the parish's early celebration of Holy Cross Day, which is officially Sept. 14 in the worldwide Anglican Church. "Holy Cross Day recognizes Christ's suffering on the cross for our salvation," said Rev.Ron McGowin, interim rector at Holy Cross. "And since it also is the name of our parish, we wanted to celebrate the day by reaching out to the community and offering free hot dogs in the park as a way to savor the beauty of late summer. Whether you are seeking a church community or simply want to enjoy lunch and friendly conversation by the lake, you are more than welcome to stop by."
In addition to the Sept. 15 picnic, the parish will host an instructed liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 inside the church, located at 500 Park Ave., Suite 102 in Lake Villa. Father McGowin will offer a plain-English explanation of how an Anglican liturgy (also known as a service or Eucharist) is structured and the historical reasons behind traditions ranging from the Book of Common Prayer to making the sign of the cross. "We know that new things can appear a little weird at first, but whether you are a seeker or a cradle Anglican, this liturgy will answer the common questions people have about a typical Anglican worship service," Fr. McGowin said. "While the Anglican tradition is officially Protestant, it's also known as via media, the Middle Way, combining the best of Roman Catholicism (liturgy and tradition) and Protestantism (authority of Scripture and justification). Interfaith couples will find a friendly home at Holy Cross."
Holy Cross Anglican Church is affiliated with the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the Anglican Church in North America. The parish church and offices are located in the brown, one-story brick office park in Lake Villa, on the west side of Illinois Rt. 83 and about two blocks south of Illinois Rt. 132 (Grand Ave.). Following the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Eucharist is a coffee and social hour. Visitors are welcome. To learn more, visit www.holycross-anglican.org or www.facebook.com/HolyCrossAnglican/ or call (847) 356-1901. For more information on the Anglican Church in North America, visit www.anglicanchurch.net.