Dear Friends,
The past 10 days in America have been some of the most dire and challenging. We’ve watched as an already-fragile society has erupted into a state of confusion, of sorrow, of anger, of pain. There are no easy answers or pithy one-liners that any of us can offer in the midst of it all.
At the same time, we cannot remain silent in the face of the ills in our society that have led us to where we are now.
I know that many of you have wrestled with issues of white supremacy and you’ve struggled through studies of books and discussions, sometimes to a point of exhaustion. Our Presbyterian Women group has been a leader in working to acknowledge our collective sin and seek ways for us to be a part of the repentance.
This is difficult work.
But it isn’t close to being over. Like all people who seek to follow Christ, we are facing a fork in the road where we can choose the path toward being a part of the solution, or we choose a different path that ignores the problems. I can tell you that Christ is only down one of those paths.
Where does this path toward solutions lead?
That is a good question. But it starts with our individual willingness to take it. I’m gathering some resources and my first encouragement is going to be for us to each, individually, read a book of our choosing from the list I’ll provide next Thursday. My hope is that you’ll then engage in conversation with one another. I’ll facilitate some of those groups, but I’ll also encourage you to facilitate them yourselves. Many of you already have social groups that meet over Zoom or even in social-distanced backyards. These groups (formal and informal) might be a good starting point.
Second, I am preparing an all-church discussion over the course of two evenings using Zoom. We’ll be discussion two of the confessions adopted by our denomination. I am hoping for as many people to attend as possible. I’ll have the dates next week in the weekly. This is one of those moments where I will encourage
everyone to make every effort to attend
.
I want to also encourage you to
read this statement
issued today by the Presbytery of Chicago. The words are important and they will guide our process as well.
Interestingly, for several months our Mission Committee has been planning a very exciting and encouraging Summer Mission Project that is another tangible way we can love our neighbors.
They’ve organized a MASSIVE book drive to benefit
Bernie’s Book Bank
.
We’ve been soft-launching it the past few weeks, but now we’re ready to go! Our Mission Committee has created this
coloring sheet
for you to print, color, and share with your friends and neighbors - this is a way that we can all provide a tangible benefit to children in our larger community.
The work that Bernie’s is doing in our community is amazing and inspiring.
Over the next few months you’ll hear more about the work and the statistics that guide their effort. Read more about this in the article below, send the flyer to your friends and share on social media and start bringing books to PCWS now (they can be left outside the doors from the parking lot entrance), and throughout the summer!
Finally, I want to remind you that we’d like to share details about graduates from our community, so please do fill out the
graduate information form
so that others can congratulate them!
See you on Sunday as we gather for worship. I'm starting a new series on God's creative ways in the world through lessons from the book of Genesis!
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
P.S.
Thank you to the volunteers who have signed up to help with weeding our landscaping!
Our coordinator, Jane Melilli, gathered the volunteers, trained them on their “zones” (and weed identification) and they’ve started working! Thank you to Mindy McMahon, Sue Eck, Laurie Merrifield, Karen Kennedy, Janet Andersen, Mary Jo Long, and Colleen Sullivan!
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Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
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No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS!
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Summer Mission Project Book Drive!
PCWS is collecting new and gently used children’s books (birth through 6
th
grade reading level) during our summer book drive. Owning quality books is critical to reading-readiness and becoming a proficient reader. Your valuable support for Bernie’s Book Bank enables children to build a home library of quality books so they can read their way to a better life.
- Books for children of color are especially appreciated
- We are NOT able to accept activity/coloring books, dictionaries, textbooks, religious books or foreign language books unless dual language includes English.
You can bring your books to the bins
outside the doors from the parking lot entrance
If you prefer to make a monetary donation please use the
PCWS online donation
site to make an electronic donation selecting the Book Drive option or make a donation by check (note “Book Drive” on the memo line) and drop off or mail to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558. You may contact our
Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers
, with any questions on making an electronic donation.
When books arrive at Bernie’s Book Bank they are sorted, stickered and packed by volunteers. Books are carefully delivered to 360,000 underserved children through over 900 distribution partners in six Chicagoland counties.
If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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Everyone is welcome to join the Mid-Day Prayer zoom sessions. Each day is different. Join by clicking the picture above, or through the Zoom app on your phone, tablet, or computer by entering this Meeting ID: 571 092 483.
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Online Giving
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS by dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558 or
by donating online.
Have you ever considered using online tools as a way to manage your contributions to PCWS? You can use our giving site to set-up recurring or one-time payments (there's no fee when you use your checking or savings account.) Since we’re not gathering in-person each week, this would be a good time to get yourself set-up with electronic payments. Please contact our
Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers
, with any questions or instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time.
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Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba
Our men & women serving our country in the Armed Services
The people of Syria,
and especially the relatives of PCWS’ Interfaith Women’s Book Group
First responders, nurses, doctors, and others
providing care to others
Betty Anderson
Betty Toft
Billye Dvorak
Brent Young,
son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Cheryl Donchez,
friend of Theresa & Condy Dixon
Dorcas Dvorak,
friend of the Merrifield family
Family and friends of Paul,
cousin of Elizabeth Slezak
Family and friends of Wayne Filar,
Candice Mares’ cousin
Gary Mirlenbrink,
uncle of Lori Carsten
Holly Oliver,
daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez,
friend of the Merrifield family
John Kregg
John & Jeanette,
friends of Mindy McMahon
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Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
Kathleen Kircher
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Mary Kate Miller,
step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary,
dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Slesicki,
cousin of Barb Farr & Joe Benson
Nate & Joann Dardick,
friends of Laurie Merrifield
Nathan,
friend of McMahon Family
Norb Mirlenbrink,
Uncle of Lori Carsten
Pat McTiernan,
friend of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Pat White,
friend of Becky Glasscock
Paulette Erickson,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Peggy Mirlenbrink,
aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke,
niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Steve,
friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner,
aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore,
friend of Mike Pelton
Theresa Ybanez,
great niece of Laura Fruit
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
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Stephen Ministers Are Available
We are a congregation that prays with one another and for one another. You are encouraged to pray for the concerns on this prayer list even though you may not know the details. Our Stephen Ministers are praying as well. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister pray for you or with you (over the telephone, or videoconference), please reach out to
Joyce Rodos
, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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5/31 Ryan Maus
6/01 Leslee Mezan
6/02 Lorraine Hoskins
6/03 Rick Hughes
6/06 Linda Murray
6/07 Karen Kennedy
6/07
Gary Garbin
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6/09 Amelia Kohlsaat
6/10 Elena Kovalick
6/10 Michael Kozma
6/12 Marissa Carsten
6/16 Alena Skeels
6/16 Bruce Barnes
6/16 Jonathan Cushman
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What are You Celebrating?
We know there are many milestones happening in our community - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. How have you been celebrating milestones during our time of social distancing and stay-at-home? Send photos to
mhennessy@presbyws.org
for inclusion in the Weekly Connection!
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PCWS Office Closed
The PCWS office remains closed for the immediate future. Our office staff are still working remotely and on a limited basis. If you need immediate assistance, please email
Pastor Erik
or leave a message for him on his church extension which he checks regularly, or call his cell - (708) 505-5409
.
Pastor Erik is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is also now a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
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Amazon Shopping?
In this time, with so many of us ordering on Amazon, please remember to use
smile.amazon
and designate Presbyterian Church of Western Springs as your charitable organization. This does not change your cost, but enables Amazon to contribute a small portion of the sale to the church, above and beyond your regular giving.
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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