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This May we will be hosting a two-and-a-half-day anti-racism workshop: "Analyzing and Understanding Systemic Racism."

The Thursday-to-Saturday, May 24-26 workshop will be presented by Chicago ROAR (Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism) and is designed to reveal how systemic racism plays a role in often unseen ways by creating barriers to true multicultural diversity and racial justice.

Early-bird registration rates are available through today, Thursday, April 26. To receive the Fourth Church discount and the registration link, please contact Vicky Curtiss.

Those who are interested in helping to raise funds to support our anti-racism training efforts are invited to take part in the Gospel Run 5K/10K (which includes a half-mile walk for children) on Saturday, June 2, whether as a walker, runner, or pledger. To register for the Gospel Run or make a pledge to it, sign up at the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism team page at www.raceroster.com/16612 by Sunday, May 15. 

  

 Time:

     Workshop:
     Thursday, May 24, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  

     through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 26

     Gospel Run:
     Saturday, June 2
     8:00 a.m. Kids | 8:30 a.m. Adults 

 

Place:

     Fourth Church (Workshop)  

     Oakwood Beach (Gospel Run)

 

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In the fall of 2016, the Session and Trustees formed a committee to look into the congregation's legacy of providing--throughout its history--housing for the senior pastor of Fourth Church.

After extensive research, that committee recommended to the boards that the best, lowest-cost option for the church to continue that legacy would be to purchase a new manse.

The boards endorsed that recommendation this month and are now bringing it to the congregation for its vote.

A letter outlining the recommendation was emailed to Fourth Church members on April 11 and was followed by a mailing to members on April 12 that included the complete housing proposal. Members are asked to read that proposal in advance of a May 6 congregational meeting called by Session.

The recommendation will then be voted on by members at the congregational meeting on Sunday, May 6 at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Members who were not able to attend the two information sessions on April 15 and April 22 and still have questions about the proposal are invited to email them to the Senior Pastor Housing Committee. 

 

Time and place:

     Congregational Meeting
     Sunday, May 6
     12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary  

 

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Beginning in May, a new men's discussion group will spend time on Wednesday mornings exploring how to hear God speaking personally through the Gospels.

The group will meet for three months, May to July, from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.  

 

The group will be limited to six to eight men, who together will share autobiography and active listening to Jesus' life and teachings. Each week one participant will reflect on the people, places, and events that have shaped his own life, and then a half chapter of the Gospel of Matthew will be read, giving special attention to a phrase or sentence where one feels a heightened interest or personal connection. (No one will be required to relate his "most interesting phrase," but the discussion will be based on the insights that are shared.)

Only two things are required: consistent attendance over the three month period (except when out of town) and confidentiality regarding the life stories told. No knowledge of the Bible, theology, or experience in such a group is necessary. 

 

Leading this experience will be David Handley, a retired minister of the Chicago Presbytery, who has started more than twenty-five men's groups using this format. 

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Fourth Church families are invited to come spend a weekend with one another away from the hustle and bustle of the city!

From Friday evening May 18 to Sunday, May 20, w e'll again be holding Family Camp at Covenant Harbor Camp (in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin). The camp has received rave reviews from our families for combining a woodsy camp feel with hotel-style accommodations at the main lodge--it ends up being the best of both worlds--plus a large gym and climbing wall.

Registration is due by Sunday, May 6, so why not take a moment to reserve your spot now! 

  

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Did you know that Chicago is the largest fair trade city in the United States? Or that Chicago is considered to be the epicenter of a growing national fair trade movement?

For ten years, Chicago has hosted in Daley Plaza the biggest World Fair Trade Day event in the U.S. This year, Chicago Fair Trade is expanding to feature "A Magnificent Mile of Fair Trade" on Friday, May 11, with several of the day's activities hosted by Fourth Church. 

More than twenty locally owned fair trade businesses will be in Anderson Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day for those who want to shop fair trade. There will also be free panel discussions in Borwell Dining Room at 10:30 a.m. ("Beyond Coffee") and at 2:30 p.m. ("Five Ways to Fair Trade Your Life.")

Time:
     Friday, May 11 

     10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Place:
     Anderson Hall 

    

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9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

4:00 p.m.

Worship bulletins

"News and Opportunities"

 

Volunteers to untie blue ribbons from the trees outside the Manse at the end of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month; this Friday morning, April 27

Ushers for the 8:00 a.m. and for the 11:00 a.m. usher teams

Coffee Hour hospitality greeters for a rotating schedule of no more than one Sunday a month

Jazz at Four greeters for the 4:00 p.m. worship service

Administrative volunteer to help the Chicago Lights Urban Farm two to three hours weekly

Chicago Lights Urban Farm volunteers to help at the Farm on Saturdays; the Farm is open this Saturday, April 28 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. for returning volunteers; new volunteers are invited to the required orientation session next Saturday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m., followed by open volunteer hours between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. again that day

Chicago Lights Summer Day volunteers, weekdays between June 25 and August 2

Shower Ministry greeters (men) for rotating Tuesday schedule (1:15-4:00 p.m.)

Current Donation Needs