Dear Friends,
It seems as though we quickly jumped from chilly to warm and a little muggy! Transitions can sometimes be this way — especially when we’re waiting for them. Like the watched pot that never seems to boil … until it does. I know that for many of you, you’re facing times of transitions and the transitions may feel more suddenly upon you now. And the interesting thing about these transitions is that we typically are able to mark them with something. Memorial Day parades often herald the start of summer, for example. Maybe the most momentous example of transitions being marked by events are graduations. With four of our members completing high school, their graduations are looking a lot different this year. Sure, they’ll be memorable for different reasons and that might be fun to look back on sometime down the road, but for now, it is a challenging transition for them and for their families.
We’ll celebrate, bless, charge, and send-off our high school graduates before they start college, but I’ve been thinking a lot about them and their families this week and heading toward the weekend. It also had me thinking and recognizing that for so many others of you you’re experiencing similar unsettledness with promotions and graduations or weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, moving, vacations and other life events that are being cancelled or changed. On top of that, I also have been thinking about those of you who have had to deal with already-difficult life changes in an even more difficult way by doing the hard journey of grieving without the ability to have a funeral or other gathering, or loved ones in the hospital who you cannot visit. The burdens we are all carrying are different, but we’re all being impacted.
I’m certainly not an expert in dealing with this sort of stress that we’re all under. Frankly, I don’t see how anyone can be! But I’ve also been trying so hard to find answers or ways to help others through this, and what I’m realizing, to no surprise, is that there’s no quick fix and there’s no easy answer to our present situation. There are times when I think: everything would just be better if we were together at church. As I shared on Sunday, I don’t see us gathering in person any time soon. For now and into the coming weeks, we’ll stick with our current plan of worshipping through online means. The Session will be meeting next week and will continue ongoing discussions about our eventual return and we’ll continue to keep you informed.
So, in the meantime, the campus will remain closed and we’ll continue to gather ourselves using electronic means on Sundays, during the week for midday gatherings, for story time, bible study, discussion groups, and even our meetings.
I hope you’re finding ways to stay connected with others and with God.
Please reach out to me if you’d like help doing that.
Our hope remains in the One who promises us that we are in God’s hands - that we are protected, loved, and cherished.
Hope is hard, and sometimes hope is a choice we need to make over and over again. Being with others, even remotely and digitally, can make the hard work of hope feel a little more doable, though.
Okay, now for some fun news!
Last year the Session approved a few projects for 2020 and they’ve been moving forward during the time our campus has been closed! First, a few weeks ago new handrails were installed on the steps leading from 53rd up to the Sanctuary. We received several requests for railing on these steps as a safety measure. They add an aesthetic beauty as well! Second, we received a donation last year to cover the cost of replacing the pew cushions in the sanctuary. We had planned to unveil the new cushions on Easter Sunday, but the pandemic slowed down the manufacturing and delivery (and our ability to use them). The new cushions are arriving soon! We’ll post pictures on social media once they’re installed. Finally, and most significantly, we’ve been planning a refresh of the narthex since early in 2019, and it is finally happening! Matt Mosher, our properties lead, installed recessed lighting, we have new additional light fixtures coming soon, the narthex has been painted, and next week new carpet will be arriving. We’re making some other changes to beautify the space. It will be so fun to see the new space soon!
Finally, speaking of beautifying our space,
would you be willing to help us with some weeding?
Jane Melilli is coordinating a cadre of folks willing to take on responsibility for weeding a section of our grounds. She’ll orient you to your space (and if you don’t already know how, she’ll help you identify the weeds!). You can
email Jane
and she’ll get you started! Thank you for helping us keep the campus beautiful!
Friends, I look forward to seeing you for worship this Sunday -
Pentecost!
Here’s a
fun coloring sheet
for you to print out and use to decorate your worship space!
I would love to have a photo of your “flame” by Saturday morning so that I can include it in our worship service!
(And wear red on Sunday!)
Peace,
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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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Phishing Emails
We have been seeing a lot of Spear-Phishing emails lately. This is when a scammer sends you an email impersonating a person or company you know. Some emails want you to click on a button or link and ask you to fill in personal financial information. Others, like the recent ones directed at PCWS, want you to respond to them and send money, usually in the form of a gift card. Note: If you look closely at the email address, you might see that something is not right.
What do you do when you get one of these emails – they usually sound URGENT?
Don’t Panic!
Don’t Click on anything.
Take your time and read the entire email.
Now, think!
Does this sound right? Would this person do this? Does it look like it is really their email address?
Use your intuition.
If in doubt, try reaching the person or company by phone
(yeah, 20
th
century style). Or call your favorite neighborhood tech guy, like me.
NEVER enter personal information
, like account numbers, etc., into a website you reached from an email.
NEVER give money to anyone who contacts you via email
– this includes providing gift card information.
Here is a link at AARP regarding
spear phishing
. Also, on their
Scams and Frauds
page, AARP lists all the types of online scams and how to protect yourself from them.
Hank Vaughan
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Pentecost Offering
This Sunday, May 31st is the
Day of Pentecost
, one of the most joyful days in the Christian year. We celebrate Pentecost remembering the gift of the Holy Spirit to the first Christians. Those early believers, in receiving the gift of the Spirit, were provided with a new sense of power and courage. Through a renewed sense of mission they set forth to claim the world for God preaching the gospel and ministering to human need. Pentecost is often noted as the birthday of the Church.
The denomination's Pentecost Offering aims to minister in those in need through programs aiding at-risk children, youth and young adults. The funds raised through this Offering allows PCUSA to support youth and young adult ministries, as well as provide child advocacy and programs for children at risk nationwide.
If you are able to provide a gift to the Pentecost Offering it would be greatly appreciated and wisely utilized. You may send a check to PCWS (noting Pentecost on note line) or make an
online donation via the PCWS website
.
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Announcing PCWS Summer Mission Project Benefiting Bernie’s Book Bank!
The Mission Committee is thrilled to announce 2020 Summer Mission project in support of
Bernie's Book Bank
. Through the PCWS book drive, we will help this vital organization process and distribute books to under-served infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout the Chicagoland area. Bernie’s distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to provide book ownership among children. In the 10 years since their founding, they had placed
15
MILLION
books into the hands of children who don’t have books.
Starting our book drive this month seems a perfect time for our housebound congregation. As we continue our 'stay-in-place' protocol during the month of May,
we ask you to check around your home for gently used books that would be appropriate for children from birth through 6th grade reading level.
The books can be fiction, non-fiction, chapter books, picture books and everything in between. Bernie’s won’t accept collecting textbooks, dictionaries, coloring books or religious books. Bi-lingual books are accepted as long as English is one of the languages.
Watch the Weekly Connection and the PCWS website for more information about our summer mission project in the coming weeks and start collecting used and new books!! If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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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
David Young,
nephew of Amy Malone
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 Palmer,
mother of Lori Carsten
John Kregg
John & Jeanette,
friends of Mindy McMahon
Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
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Kathleen Kircher
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Linda Bell,
daughter of Margot Walsh
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Marge Sandrik
Mary Kate Miller,
step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary,
dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Kelly,
friend of Candice Mares
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
The family and friends of Toni Potenza Moya,
daughter of Harriett Potenza & Craig Harris
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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5/28 Ben Sinele
5/28 Mark Dold
5/28 Scott Karstens
5/29 Marcia Buell
5/29 Sheryl Allen
5/30 Neil Pendleton
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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
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Drive By Birthday Celebration
Tuesday, May 19th, was a special day for Joyce Smyers. Due to the Stay at Home order, her daughter Shari arranged for a surprise Drive-By celebration! Many of Joyce's friends joined in the celebration.
Happy birthday Joyce!
We know there are many milestones happening in our community. 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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