News @ Fourth Church: October 18, 2019

October 18, 2019

What’s coming up on the church calendar? Quite a variety of things, including—

Listening sessions about racial equity work that Fourth Church is undertaking; those who are interested in participating in the sessions are asked to email racialequity@fourthchurch.org
Open House Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Center’s free public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to 350 architectural treasures across Chicago—including Fourth Church!—this Saturday and Sunday
Knitting and Crocheting on Tuesday, October 22
Wednesday morning story time with the Day School, for those three and under
Horizons Women’s Bible Study—now meeting twice a month—on Wednesday, October 23
A Women at Fourth monthly gathering on Thursday, October 24, with a program presented by the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being on the topic of transitions and the impact of change on life
A Cornerstones dinner on Friday, November 1 with a panel presentation by Fourth Church senior high youth
A “Keeping Calm during the Holidays” workshop offered by the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being on Saturday, November 2
PhotoYoga with Tom Schemper on Tuesday, November 12

The calendar, which is easily accessible from the home page of our website, also includes direct links to any online registrations (along with an option to make online payment of any registration fees).

Sunday, October 20: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 a.m. Communion

Vicky Curtiss preaching

9:30 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

11:00 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Joe Morrow preaching

As we gather for worship this Sunday, we will continue our six-week sermon series, “Remembering Our Past, Inspiring Our Future,” with a focus on “The Body of Christ—The Beloved Community,” as we look at the effects of structural racism on who we are as a community of faith.

We hope you will join us on this exploration of defining moments in the story of Fourth Presbyterian Church—moments that to this day influence our ongoing commitment to participate in God’s redemptive work and that shape the church we are continuing to become.

If you missed the first three sermons in the series, you can find them online.

If you would like to receive the 9:30/11:00 a.m. sermon in your inbox every week, you can subscribe at www.bit.ly/fpcsermons

More about worship, including bulletins

This Friday is the last day to submit recommendations of members to serve in 2020 leadership roles as Elder, Deacon, Trustee, or as a member of the Officer Nominating Committee or the Chicago Lights Board.

Submit a recommendation online

Today is also the day of our annual Pumpkin-Decorating Night!

Parents and children are invited to join us in enjoying a fall-themed dinner menu, a visit to our indoor “pumpkin patch,” and plenty of awesome crafts and pumpkin painting!

We’ll be gathering this Friday, October 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room. Come join us!

We are delighted to be cohosting with Congregation Sinai an evening later this month with Roots, a nonprofit initiative that builds Jewish-Palestinian relationships as a necessary prerequisite for a future peace settlement.

On Monday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary we will have opportunity to hear firsthand from Shadi Abu Awwad, the Roots Palestinian youth director, and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, one of the founders of Roots.

Come hear their personal, interconnected stories and learn about the groundbreaking work of their Roots initiative, which is fostering a movement of understanding, nonviolence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians.

Learn more about Roots

The following week three notable Chicago religious leaders—Cardinal Blase Cupich, Rabbi Wendi Geffen, and Eboo Patel—will continue our interfaith conversations at a special Michigan Avenue Forum on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Cardinal Cupich, Rabbi Geffen, and Eboo Patel will share their own interfaith stories as well, and as they do so, they will explore how each person’s religious tradition motivates him or her to love God and work toward community.

By considering the unique contributions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity to our culture, they will help guide us toward practical ways that we can live and serve together in our city, as we claim a sense of common ground that promotes both civil discourse and faithful living together!

Free copies of Eboo Patel’s book Out of Many Faiths: Religious Diversity and the American Promise will be available for the first 100 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more about our Michigan Avenue Forum speakers

Candles; easy-to-learn songs from various countries, traditions, and languages; and a period of silence all contribute to a time to reflect and open oneself to God at our Taizé services.

The next opportunity to gather for this service of quiet contemplation will be next Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

The service will be preceded by opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

More about Taizé

Our Board of Deacons encourages you to join them in making your 2020 pledge to the Annual Appeal for Fourth Church and Chicago Lights this month.

Already 100 percent of the Deacons have made their 2020 pledge in advance of Commitment Sunday, November 3. That is the day we will present our pledges during worship and celebrate the particular ways in which this faith community is committed to actively participating in God’s re-creating and reconciling work in this world.

So in the days ahead, please prayerfully consider the investment you will make in your Fourth Church family and its work in 2020 and then join the Deacons in making a pledge by Sunday, November 3: Commitment Sunday.

More about the 2020 Annual Appeal

We are grateful to all who have made gifts in support of our mission and ministry in 2019. Thank you!

These contributions—shown in the monthly report below—along with your continued support will enable us to make a difference in the lives of many as we continue to be a light in the city!

Might one of the following opportunities fit into your autumn schedule? We could use your help!

Individuals to assist in hosting the Presbytery Assembly meeting here at the church on Saturday, November 16 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Tutors to mentor Chicago Lights Tutoring students one evening a week at the church: We have students who are still waiting for a tutor for this school year; if you or someone you know can help, you can learn more at www.bit.ly/cltutor2019
Sunday Night Supper servers: We are currently short on volunteers to help us with our weekly Sunday Night Supper for those in our community who are hungry.