Dear friends,
Don’t worry, it isn’t Thursday yet!
We’re sending out the Weekly Connection a day early in order to remind everyone to attend the first of our two Discussion in Community online events taking place this evening at 7 over Zoom. You can
click here
for more information, including instructions for accessing the Zoom. I’ll be logged in by 6:30 if you want to come early to familiarize yourself with Zoom. We’ll start promptly at 7.
I hope you’ll make every effort to attend as we discuss the Confession of 1967.
If you would like to read the
confession
beforehand, it would be helpful.
Last week I introduced five book options. I’m asking that everyone consider choosing a book from this list and join with others to read and discuss. Please
click on this link
and read more about this invitation to engage and grow.
This week we had our first
Walk-n-Talk
hosted by the deacons! As a reminder, these sessions are on
Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m.
and,
starting on July 15, Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.
Just show up for a social-distance observing walk. In addition, see below for more information about our summer wellness Step by Step challenge as we collectively add up our steps and see where they “virtually” take us. Use your time walking to pray, talk to a friend on the phone, or safely walk with someone else. Each Sunday we’ll report our distance walked. Just email your steps or miles periodically to
pcws@presbyws.org
and when you report five times,
you’ll get a PCWS water bottle!
I look forward to being with you for worship on Sunday morning as we continue the Creative God series looking at
Genesis 22:1-14
. As I’ve shared the past two Sundays, the Session has decided that we are going to continue with online-only worship through at least August 30. While I know this news is hard, it does help us all adjust our expectations. In addition, we’re trying to be creative with finding ways for you to connect with others, including some casual in-person interactions following social distance guidelines. For now, we’ll continue to have our time of worship using technology and the Holy Spirit to bridge our distance. I continue to be grateful to our liturgists, musicians (including our Music Director, Stephanie), and Michelle Hennessy for diligently assisting with making worship happen.
This Sunday after worship
I hope you’ll plan on hopping in your car to come to a drive-by welcome parade for Lottie and her husband Jack!
You don’t have to rush over as they’ll be greeting and saying hello for a bit of time after worship. Please enter on Lawn Avenue and be ready to share some PCWS love with them both!!
See you TONIGHT at 7 p.m.!
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
P.S. Be sure to read the articles below! There’s a lot happening, and there’s an amazing update on our progress in the
Summer Mission Project benefitting Bernie’s Book Bank!
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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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Welcome Lottie!
Our new Associate Pastor Lottie MacAulay Friedman started last week! We’ve been anticipating her arrival for several weeks and she’s hit the ground running. Join us
This Sunday
, June 28, for a drive-by opportunity to say hello and introduce you and your family to Lottie and her husband Jack. Feel free to email an introduction to Lottie in the meantime at
lottie@presbyws.org
. Lottie will join Erik in leading worship on Sunday!
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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.
Please bring your books to the bins
outside the doors from the parking lot entrance. To learn more about our book drive,
visit our website
!
As of last night, we've collected
1,906
Books!
If you would like 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.
If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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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
Jan Fortina
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
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Kathleen Kircher
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Margaret and Don Swaar,
aunt and uncle of Kay Kelly and Jill Dold
Mary Kate Miller,
step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary,
dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Liccar and family,
friends of Kay Kelly
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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We Extend Sympathy to
The family of Charles (Chuck) Stegmeir. We just received word that Chuck, died on Wednesday, June 17, in Florida, where they moved after his retirement as head of the math department at LT. Chuck & Jackie joined PCWS in 1976 and were very active members for 25-30 years, until their move to Florida.
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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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6/25 Robert Mansfield
6/26 Mark De Vries
6/26 Natalie Carlisle
7/02 Sue Cushman
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7/4 Diane Wood
7/6 Clete Davis
7/6 John Kregg
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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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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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Amazon Shopping?
In this unusual time, with so many of us ordering on Amazon, please remember to use
smile.amazon.com
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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