The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 119

Page 5 NEIGHBOR Saturday, January 29,2000 Spiritual center's vision still attracts a following after 20 years Associated Press LOVELAND, Ohio It has been a long time since Janet Kalven slept in a stall in a cow barn or pumped water for bathing. Grailville, the women's spiritual and educational center that she helped establish and where she has lived for much of the last 55 years, has grown a lot less primitive, but its basic vision is unchanged, she said. "When we first settled on this farm, we shared a vision of changing the world through spiritual renewal," said Kalven, 86. "Grail- ville was to be a eountercultural oasis where we integrated manual and intellectual work with spiritual deepening, and that is still true today even though we've adapted to changing times." Kalven was 31 years old when she and 13 other women settled on the 183-acre farm in the rural community of Loveland in 1944. The women belonged to the Grail, an organization of Roman Catholic lay women founded in the Netherlands in 1921 and dedicated to promoting religious and social change.

It came to the United States with a temporary center set up in Chicago in 1940. Four years later, a member's inheritance and a loan from the Cincinnati archdiocese provided the $49,250 to purchase the farm at Loveland, about 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati. The rolling acres of fields, woods, ponds and creeks surrounding a three-story Victorian mansion and numerous outbuildings became the Grail's national home. "We moved the animals out of the barns and ourselves in. I lived the first summer in a box stall 45 by 110 feet," Kalven said.

"We all shared one shower in the main house, which was the only building with plumbing and central heating." The group also used outdoor privies and fashioned orange crates into shelves and washstands. Over time, the buildings were transformed into meeting rooms and living quarters. For years, the private, not-for- profit center remained mostly self- sufficient with as many as 100 women in residence at times. They raised dairy and beef cattle, chickens, corn and wheat and maintained vegetable gardens and an orchard. Catholic rituals, prayer, meditation, study and manual labor made up the daily routine.

But with the societal shifts brought by the 1960s, some Grailville women saw communal living as less attractive than other, newly available opportunities for bringing social change. "The growing interest in civil rights, women's rights and the anti-war movement, combined with major changes in the Catholic church, affected us greatly," Kal- ven said. "It was difficult to see friends leave that was very hard," she added, her voice catching with emotion. "But we survived." Over the next three decades, Grail membership was opened up to women of other faiths, and more married women and divorced women became involved. The Grail, which now numbers about 1,000 members hi 21 countries, also became more vocal on global issues such as peace, social justice, women's rights and ecology.

Grailville now consists of 300 acres and 18 buildings. While only six women live at Grailville, 40 to 50 Grail members living in the region take part in its programs. Most of Grailville's income comes from sales at its bookstore and gardens, lease payments for the farmland and fees for conferences and retreats. "Grailville attracts groups and individuals from all over the world," director Karen Zerhusen said. "I think they are drawn not only by the peace and tranquility of the surrounding nature but also by the energy that seems to flow throughout this place." One of many organizations that have held conferences at Grailville is Cincinnati-based Procter Gamble Co.

A group of women sales executives who met there gave Grailville high marks, said Chuck Moore, a company official. "It allowed them to ratchet down the adrenaline flow and get away from their cell phones and other distractions," Moore said. "At Grailville, they could get to know and support each other better while working and reflecting on bigger issues." The cream-colored Victorian mansion with its high ceilings, stained wood floors and glass- walled dining room still serves as the centerpiece. Grailville can accommodate about 70 people overnight and up to 150 for day meetings, Zerhusen said. The gardens are now completely chemical-free, and Grailville sells an increasing amount of its organic produce to area restaurants.

Community-oriented programs such as the Women's Resource Center, which provides transportation, clothing and other support services to lower-income women attempting to find jobs, are also thriving. "I have been a divorced single mom for 10 years, and one of the things that drew me to the Grail was the support I received," said resource center director Lynn Louchart-Kiefer. "The energy that. flows when women come here is great. They encourage your dreams and aspirations." Kalven agreed.

"The Utopian community may be gone," she said, "but the intensity of spirit that has sustained us through the years is still here." NOTES ON RELIGION RELIGION BRIEFS Continued fromPage 2 Coffee, snacks and fellowship will be shared in the social room following the service. At 12:15 p.m., the sermon discussion group, under the leadership of Ken Gardner, will meet in the basement kitchen. Child care is available for toddlers and infants. For information, call (815) 338-0731. Inf ormational gathering set at living Waters Living Waters Lutheran Church will encourage the community to donate nonperishable food items or make a donation to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's World Hunger Appeal on Sunday.

Last year's efforts generated a record million nationally. This interdenominational partnership began in 1990 in Columbia, S.C. with 22 churches. Now, more than 11,000 congregations will participate. For details, visit the Web site at www.souperbowl.com.

To make a donation, call Marion at (815) 4552424. Living Waters Lutheran Church serves the Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and Huntley areas. Services are held at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, with education classes at 9:30 a.m. at Crystal Lake South High School'Student Center on McHenry Avenue between Randall Road and Dartmoor Drive.

For information, call the Rev. Michael Thomas at (815) 455-2424. Morning Star to offer Super Bowl party Morning Star Ministries will hold an alternative Super Bowl Bash at 5 p.m. Sunday at Benico, 11715 Main Huntley. Attendees can watch the game in on a large video screen with a custom sound system.

Snacks and refreshments will be served. It is smoke- and alcohol-free. If you plan on attending, call Catherine at (847) 669-4800, Ext. 208. Morning Star is at 41W350 Powers Road, just north of the Route 47 exit for 1-90.

For details, call (847) 669-9800 or visit the Web site at www.morningstarwoc.org. Tune in to Christian Science program All are invited to tune into Christian Science broadcasts on Sundays. The "Weekly Bible Lesson" can be seen at 5:30 a.m. Sundays on WFLD-TV, the Fox Channel. On WCKG-FM 105.9, it can be heard at 7 a.m.

This is followed at 7:30 a.m. by the Christian Science Sentinel-Radio Edition. The topics for the remaining Sentinel programs this month are: "Searching for a Good Life? What's God Got to Do With It?" on Sunday; "God's Help in Times of Trouble" on Feb. and "Looking for Love in All the Right Places" on Feb. 13.

MOO to offer annual blood drive The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will hold its annual blood drive from 4 to 7:20 p.m. Tuesday at the synagogue. Staff from Heartland Blood Centers will be on hand. More than 25 members and friends of the congregation gave blood at last year's drive, and the synagogue hopes to top that number this year. "They're in desperate need of blood right now," stated Meryl Homola, blood drive chairwoman.

"Donors need not be members of the congregation, and walk-ins are welcome." For details or to make an appointment, call Homola at (815) 477-8238 or MCJC at (815) 477-1810. On March 6, a public school holiday, the congregation is planning a day of activities for school-aged children, including a bus trip to the Buffalo Grove Jewish Community Center, lunch at a kosher restaurant, and a trip to Chicago to visit the Spertus Museum. Classes will also meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Classes for children in kindergarten through high school are available.

The church also operates a preschool on weekdays that offers a range of programs for children ages 2 to 5. The religious school meets twice a week, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Classes for kindergarten through high school are available.

MCJC also operates a preschool on weekdays that offers a range of programs for 2- to 5-year-olds. A variety of youth group options are available for children, ages 8 to 18. Adult Bar and Bar Mitzvah classes are offered most Tuesday evenings. Sabbath services are held at 6:30 pjn. Fridays and 9 a.m.

Saturdays. Sunday minyan starts at 9:30 a.m. Services are led by Rabbi Jodie Futomick. MCJC is a conservative synagogue. Its membership is diverse and represents various backgrounds, education, lifestyles, income levels and Jewish commitment.

MCJC operates a gift shop that features an array of games, books, picture frames and other items. The gift shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sundays and from 4:15 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays or by appointment. The congregation is at 8617 Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake.

For information, call (815) 455-1810. Knights of Columbus to hold blood drive Knights of Columbus, Thomas Merton Council 7254, will hold its semiannual blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 5 at Resurrection Church hall, on Army Trail Road just west of Route 59 in Wayne. Breakfast will be served to all donors.

For information, call Phil DiDomenico at (630) 289-6382, after 4p.m. Interfaith Alliance seeks nominations for award The Interfaith Alliance Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. The award recognizes individuals whose courageous actions have embodied the values of civility, tolerance, diversity and cooperation in the advancement of public dialogue and public policy on traditionally controversial and divisive issues. All nominations must be received by Feb. 15.

Entry forms are available at www.tialliance.org/tiaf/index.htm. Notes on Religion is listed free. To submit news from your local church, synagogue or religious organization, e-mail us at foxval- fax us at (847) 608-0849 or mail it to the Daily Herald, 440H Airport Road, Elgin IL 60123-9301. Calligrapher gives finishing touches to chapel's marble Associated Press PITTSBURGH Myrna Rosen wouldn't call herself a modern Moses, and she didn't have to lug marble tablets down a mountain, but she is writing on them. Rosen, a calligrapher, recently added the finishing touch to the restoration of the century-old Duquesne University chapel.

On marble tablets she painted not the Ten Commandments, but the names of chapel benefactors. "These were painted before, and if they are 100 years old, they survived two floods and a fire," said Rosen, one of the founders of the Calligraphy Guild of Pittsburgh. The tablets, hanging between the narthex and foyer where few visit, had gone unnoticed during the renovation completed three years ago. The letters had faded and the marble was stained. Rosen was enlisted recently to repaint the Wednesdays names in a different, more rounded style and add names of more recent benefactors.

Rev. Leroy Jenkins bows out of Texas PRINCETON, Texas The Rev. Leroy Jenkins' $1.2 million, seat cathedral-in-progress is for sale. Jenkins, 63, had planned to move his ministry from Ohio to Collin County, but he said animosity from local politicians led him to change his mind. Also, the charismatic minister of what was originally called the Church of What's Happening Now, said he feels he might accomplish more by continuing a traveling ministry.

Jenkins arrived in Princeton eight months ago and announced his intentions to build a church on a seven-acre tract near this town of 2,900. With $700,000 in donations, the conversion of a red brick cattle barn, with 10-foot-high windows, is nearly complete. It sits on a newly blacktopped parking lot. Two nearby smaller structures are nearly finished. The asking price: $850,000.

Jenkins preached just once in Princeton in October when he said he drew 1,500 people to the church site. He claims a ministry of 20,000. Although he hasn't been universally accepted, some businessmen say he has added flavor to the local landscape. "What's past is past," said Cyrus Khab, manager of Millennium Auto Care and Sales adjacent to Jenkins' property. "He's very nice, very easy to get along with and very helpful." The minister paid all of his bills on tune, and in the process made life interesting at Princeton Lum- ber.

"He's a character, and every tune he came by, he would have some- thing interesting to say," owner Dan Mattice said. But Mattice added, "He had a hard time with some of the people around here, I think. This isn't a place to try something different." Historic 141-year-old church under repair RALEIGH, N.C. The First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh has been vacated for renovations, ending 141 years of continuous services. The church was built on Capitol Square in 1859.

During construction, the member congregation will meet for Sunday services and Bible classes in the Meredith College chapel, pastor Daniel Day said. Photo Reprint Service Readers may purchase reprints of any staff-produced photograph that has appeared in the Daily Herald. Please include a copy of the picture as it appeared in the paper. Sorry, we cannot reprint photos that did not appear in the paper or were not taken by a Daily Herald staff member. This includes photos supplied by wire services, such as Associated Press.

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