A Pastoral Note from Abbi

Ever since I started working as a pastor at Fourth Church, people in our group have been talking to me about service opportunities. Some of you volunteer regularly at hospitals or tutor with Chicago Lights. Others of you love building projects, and some of you are looking for a service opportunity but aren't sure where to begin. You are not alone.
 
Service is something our faith calls us to, but it can be hard to figure out how to serve. There are so many service opportunities and so little time! How do we make time? Should I serve in a way that is similar to my day job or different? Can I commit to something more long-term, or am I only able to volunteer short-term right now? What is effective service? Is this about me or the needs I'm seeking to address?
 
These are all questions many of you may be asking, and it might be helpful to explore them together as a group. It can be easier to volunteer with others whom you know, and when serving can lead to powerful experiences, it's meaningful to experience it with your faith community.
 
This Sunday during Gathering, we'll be talking about service and discerning if a regular service opportunity is something we'd like to do together as a group. If you're interested, if you have thoughts on this, or even if this doesn't seem possible for you, come and share your thoughts and perspectives.
 
Meanwhile as you go about this week, may we seek to be the change we want to see in the world (thank you, Gandhi, for these words of wisdom.)
   
With peace,
 
Abbi
 
Gathering: Faith and Service
 
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer? Want to volunteer with the Young Adults group? Linden will be leading a discussion on faith and service and help us discern service opportunities as a group. Come and join the discussion!
 
If you have any ideas for upcoming Gathering topics or you're interested in leading a Gathering, email Abbi .
 
Time and place
Sunday, October 1
12:30 p.m.
Room 5A
 

Fall Bible Study Final Meeting
 
It has been a moving experience gathering together for our fall Bible study and opening ourselves to the challenging word Micah has to offer. This coming Monday is our final gathering of this particular Bible study. We'll wrap up our time together exploring these questions: How can this prophet's words relate to our world today? Where and how does God call us to serve?

We'll be meeting in the Fourth Church Manse, and snacks will be provided. We're looking forward to this community time together for deepening our faith and discipleship!
 
Time and place
Monday, October 2 
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Manse (at Fourth Church) 

Save the Date: October SpeakEasy
 
SpeakEasy, our monthly social bar night, is a great way to catch up with friends, to meet new ones, and to invite your friends and coworkers to check out the great fellowship we enjoy! Stay tuned for the location and possible Halloween-themed details.

As always, we're open to suggestions for new places to try for these monthly nights out, so if you have any ideas (or you just want to return to a past site), please let Abbi know so that we can get some space reserved.
 
Time and place 
Thursday, October 26   
7:00 p.m.
Location TBA

 
Fall Retreat: Koinonia--Building our Christian Community

Koinonia is a biblical Greek word that means "Christian fellowship." We'll be celebrating just that on our upcoming fall retreat!  
 
Through different group-building activities and guided questions, we'll be getting to know one another at a deeper level--sharing stories, listening, and having fun.
 
When the world can feel like a chaotic and toxic place, when the pressure to "perform" at a higher-than-what's-possible level keeps us busy and overwhelmed, when we're unsure how to respond to the suffering we see in the world, we need community. Join us for some Christian community fellowship at this fall retreat. By growing closer, our community of support grows, which helps us feel connected and grounded.
 
We hope to see you there!  
 
The cost for the retreat is $150. To pay and register, click here. 
 
Have any questions about the retreat? Contact Abbi .
 
Time and place
Friday, November 10-Sunday, November 12
New Buffalo, Michigan
 
Sunday School Teachers Needed!

Do you have a heart for kids? Are you interested in volunteering at Fourth Church? Our 11:00 a.m. Sunday School class for three- and four-year-olds is looking for one or two new teachers to join their existing teaching team!
 
Volunteers are asked to teach approximately two Sundays per month, and your particular schedule can be determined with the other teachers on your team. During the Sunday School hour you'd be asked to help children feel welcome in their classroom, escort them down to Children's Chapel for worship time, read them their weekly Bible story, provide them with a snack, and help them with the day's craft. This particular class is small, averaging five to six children, so you would have a good chance to get to know each of them over the course of the year.
 
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please contact Matt Helms (312.573.3362) for more details!
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events

Sunday, October 1
Gathering
12:30 p.m.
Room 5A
 
Monday, October 2
Bible Study 
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Manse (Fourth Church)
    

Thursday, October 26 
SpeakEasy
7:00-10:00 p.m.
Location TBA 
 
Friday, November 10-Sunday, November12
Fall Retreat
New Buffalo, Michigan
 


Young Adults Ministry at Fourth Church welcomes those twenty-two to thirty-five or thereabouts, whether new to the city or native to Chicago, whether single or married, gay or straight.


We provide meaningful ways to connect through fellowship, enrichment, and service opportunities.


Fourth Presbyterian Church 
126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611
312.787.4570  www.fourthchurch.org