Dear Friends
On September 30, 1982, a news story broke saying that seven people in Chicago had died from contaminated Tylenol.
Within days, James Burke, the CEO of Johnson & Johnson, flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with the FDA and the FBI. They recommended that all Tylenol in the Chicago area be recalled, but not beyond that, as they did not wish to create panic nationally.
Wisely, Burke chose another path, ordering a nationwide recall that cost Johnson & Johnson over $100,000,000. Writing about this occasion, Daniel Coyle said, “Over the next days and weeks, Johnson & Johnson essentially transformed itself from a pharmaceutical company into a public safety organization.”
Within six weeks, they redesigned their packaging and introduced tamper-proof safety packaging used around the globe today. When asked why they responded so aggressively, Burke said, “Our first responsibility is the people we serve, their safety, their health.”
Great leaders have a knack for cutting through the noise, the extraneous and the peripheral – and getting to the heart of the matter. It’s precisely what Jesus does in this week’s scripture passage. He declares what is essential and what is accoutrement. You can read it here.
Our Re-Opening Task Force has decided to stick with our original plan to go to four services this weekend, at least partly because it will allow more space for us to worship safely. For those who might welcome a fresh voice from the pulpit, our Pastoral Residents will take a leading role at the 8:45 service, with Nikki Zimmermann preaching. Our Fellowship Hall service returns this week with the promise of great music. And the Sanctuary services will enjoy hearing an important announcement about our investment in affordable housing with an interview of Liz Clasen-Kelly, the CEO of Roof Above.
It will be an exciting day. Join us, and bring a friend.
Warmly,
Bob
