Dear Friends,
“In God’s time, we are often waiting for the bigger picture but must be content with each small piece.” (pg. 15*)
In January, a number of small groups in the Church started studying a new book, *Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting by Holly W. Whitcomb. I began this study as well when I met (virtually) for the first time last week with the Spoke Group – a women’s study group at Westminster Presbyterian Home. We had all immediately resonated with the author’s stories of seemingly unnecessary waiting that made her incredibly frustrated. She goes on to talk about how reflecting on those times of waiting, even though impatiently, helped her to start thinking about waiting in a different way, even in a spiritual way.
You are the God of my Salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25:5)
She quoted several scriptures that connote the idea of waiting in God’s time, and how those scriptures helped her realize that waiting was not necessarily a passive activity – something that happened to her and which she had to simply endure. Instead, she started to “wait actively” by considering all that waiting might be leading to, what might be in preparation around her or within her that she couldn’t perceive but might lead to something important, helpful, or even transformational.
I have been an ordained Presbyterian minister for 20 years with 15 of those years in intentional Interim/Transitional ministry and 5 years as an installed pastor in a church that was in all kinds of transition. This first chapter of Whitcomb’s book made me think immediately of how any kind of change or transition happens in Church. There is always an eagerness for it to pass quickly so that the next installed pastor can get in place and help the church feel like the waiting period is over. But there is so much that can and needs to happen in that waiting or transitional period that directly affects the “what next” in ministry, and it cannot be skipped or rushed, but instead embraced as an opportunity for us to “wait actively.” My hope and prayer always is that we can see even the waiting time as a gift from God that invites us to engage it with prayer, reading of scripture, talking and reflection with one another and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit so that we can be a part of all that God is preparing around and within in us that just might be important, helpful, or even transformational.
Blessings,
Pastor Laura,
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In nine months, the pandemic has turned our world upside-down. As people of faith, we’ve tried our best to love and serve our neighbors with whatever gifts we have. In this four-week adult faith formation class, we’ll hear from four different voices who have a particular view of the pandemic. They’ll reflect on what they are seeing and hearing in their field of work/ministry, and share how they think God is using them. Rev. Julie-Windsor Mitchell, a chaplain at Northwestern through United Christian Ministry, will be with us this Sunday, January 10. We meet for an hour on Sunday mornings (8:30-9:30 am) over Zoom, and we’d love to have you join us. Everyone is welcome! (Please click this Zoom link to join the class.)
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Join our former Music Assistant, Cecilia Chow, for a virtual recital!
Wednesday, January 13, 6:00 pm
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For the past 28 years, one of our longtime mission partners Sarah's Circle has sponsored a Winter Walk through their Chicago neighborhood to raise awareness and support for women who are homeless. Like so many other events, this year's walk will be virtual. Between now and February 28, we invite you to take the mile-long Walk in her Shoes with two optional guided audio walking tours that give you the chance to listen to stories from women helped by Sarah's Circle and learn more about the agency's work ending homelessness for women in Chicago. The multi-week fundraising effort will conclude with a virtual event on Sunday, February 28 that will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the agency's newest building at 1005 Leland Avenue. To register for the walk, please click this link and register as a team member. Our team name is First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette and we have set our team's fundraising goal at $500.The desperate need for affordable housing grows more intense as millions of Americans face eviction. Are you passionate about housing and believe every person deserves a home? If so please consider being a part of this important fundraiser on Sunday, February 28th. If you have questions or would like more information...either about Sarah's Circle or about the walk...please contact Mary Watt at mhw1117@gmail.com.
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During the month of February, FPCW members and friends will have a chance to broaden their awareness and understanding of the issues about racial justice that confront our country today. For the past 25 years, February has been officially designated as Black History Month. It is an annual celebration of the achievements of Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Blacks in American history. Beginning on Monday, February 01, and continuing through Sunday, February 28, we will offer a variety of ways to encourage reflection on your own knowledge and perspective about racial justice. Stay tuned for more information about this new February initiative sponsored by the FPCW Racial Justice Task Force. Members of the group include Pastor Jeff Lehn, Bill Bishop, Bob Bobesink, Carolyn Holtermann, Pete Holtermann, Laura Lyman, Amy Russell, and Mary Watt
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Contact Your Church Staff |
Jeff Lehn
Laura Sherwood
Peggy Massello
Lindley Traynor
Sue Sklansky
Scott McElhenie
Madeline Weston
Marvin Behm
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