HR0616

LRB096 14630 GRL 29470 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate the congregation 
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of the St. Columba Episcopal Church on the occasion of the 
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church's 50th anniversary on September 26, 2009; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The first services at St. Columba Episcopal Church 
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were held by Rev. John F. Plummer on September 13, 1959; Rev. 
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G.P. Burrill served as the church's first bishop; for its first 
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several years, the church was little more than a makeshift 
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arrangement in either a vacant building or at Woodland Heights 
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School, with a revolving seat serving as the original pulpit 
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and a small table serving as the church's first altar; a 
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baptismal service on October 18, 1958 featured 4 children and 
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74 attendees in a room that was so crowded that the priest 
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could barely avoid stepping on children during the proceedings; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, St. Columba Episcopal Church was completed and 
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dedicated on Thanksgiving in 1964; the new church could seat 
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about 100 people; in the following years, the church's 
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congregation grew so much that a school with 6 classrooms was 
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added in 1968; the church later added stained-glass windows; in 
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1985, the church was granted parish status; and

 
 


 






HR0616
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LRB096 14630 GRL 29470 r




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    WHEREAS, Today, St. Columba Episcopal Church is now stable 
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and debt-free, with a loyal and dedicated congregation; the 
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church's current vicar is Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Idicula, who has 
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been serving as pastor since April of 2007 and has a long and 
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distinguished career in the ministry; the church is very active 
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in its community, holding regular fundraising flea markets, 
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aiding the economically disadvantaged, and urging its 
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parishioners to contribute to a local food pantry and women's 
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crisis center; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the congregation of the St. Columba Episcopal 
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Church on the occasion of the church's 50th anniversary and 
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wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Idicula as a symbol of our 
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esteem and respect.