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Indigenous Peoples' Day
Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew
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The second Monday in October is increasingly celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or at least honored as such by Native people in the United States. 2021 marked the first time an American President issued an Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation. Last year, President Biden proclaimed that the day would honor Native Americans, our resilience, and our contributions to American society throughout history, even as we faced assimilation, discrimination and genocide spanning generations. I am one of the 2.694 million Americans who identify as Native American according to the 2020 U.S. Census. My tribal citizenship is in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, one of three federally recognized Cherokee bands. For us, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is both a day of mourning for the losses of culture, language, lifeways, and ancestors resulting from colonial conquest of our lands, and a day of celebration that despite these crimes, our cultures, languages, and lifeways endure, and we are guarding and revitalizing them.
As we mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, please look around your community to see what kind of proclamations, gatherings, or educational events might be available to you to learn more about your Native neighbors who are still here, though many of us do not live on our original homelands. You can learn more about the Native nations on whose lands you dwell here: https://native-land.ca/. You will notice that the State of Illinois is no longer home to any land-based Native communities. Those Native communities that originally called these lands home were removed via Federal Removal policies or coercive treaties, and now dwell in neighboring states or even further away. The Chicago area, however, is home to a large multi-tribal Native community whose presence here has roots in the Federal policy of Relocation enacted in the 1950’s and 60’s. This Federal policy was an attempt to erode traditional tribal structures, promote individualism and assimilation by offering Native people subsidized relocation to urban areas. This policy was disastrous for Native people. Promised assistance with housing or job training never materialized and people lost connection to land and lifeways. Even so, the Native community in Chicago has nurtured and protected these lifeways via organizations like the American Indian Center and the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative.
Please join me next Wednesday, October 12, for our All Conference Chat was we delve into some of the history of United States Indian Policy, beginning with the “Doctrine of Discovery” which pre-dates but informs the founding of our nation, and which was formally repudiated by General Synod 21. And if you are wondering by what logic I’ve used the words Indigenous, Native, and American Indian in this article, come learn more!
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Out & Faithful
Tuesday, October 11, 7-8:30 PM
Honor the past, reflect on the present, and commit to future advocacy at a multi-faith event on National Coming Out Day at Elmhurst University. “Out and Faithful: A Multi-Faith Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Spirituality and a Call to Advocacy” will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, located at 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL. Download the flyer here.
“Out and Faithful” is jointly presented by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, Elmhurst University, and Community Renewal Society. Fifty years ago, Elmhurst alumnus, Rev. William R. Johnson ‘68, was the first openly gay person ordained in a mainline Protestant denomination (The United Church of Christ). We will celebrate and honor Rev. Johnson and give thanks for all who have contributed to the advancement of LGBTQIA+ justice work within religious communities, and who continue to pave the way forward.
A diverse panel of speakers from Chicago and its suburbs will lead a stimulating dialogue focused on the intersections of spirituality and sexuality/gender. Panelists include Rev. Shawna Bowman of Friendship Presbyterian Church (Chicago), Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky of Congregation Etz Chaim (Lombard), Rev. Dr. Eddie Journey of Second Baptist Church (Evanston), Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey of Meadville Lombard Seminary (Chicago), and Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks of San Lucas UCC (Chicago).
In addition to the panel presentation, the program will include liturgies to celebrate and affirm LGBTQIA+ persons and spirituality, to confess and name the places we have failed or fallen short, and to recommit ourselves as people of faith to the work ahead.
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IL Conference Annual Celebration!
October 19 - 2022
The 2022 Annual Celebration is less than two weeks away! This year's gathering is jam packed with multiple opportunities and ways to engage. Registration is $50 per person. There is no fee for retired clergy and youth participants. The registration deadline is Sunday, October 16th. We will be using a new platform from Zoom called Zoom Events. This platform is designed for virtual conferences like ours to keep everything in one central location, as opposed to needing a different link for each individual session. After you register through Realm, the information for accessing Zoom Events will be included in your confirmation email. If you have any questions or issues registering or getting into Zoom Events, email Sarah Lohrbach or call the Conference office (708-344-4470).
WE NEED YOUR PRESENCE! In order to conduct the business of the Conference - approve the budget, approve the slate of nominees - we need a quorum of 100 Voting Members present. If you haven't already signed up, please sign up today! To learn more about the event, click on the links below.
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Climate Hope Cards
The UCC is launching a national art contest for children and youth that will be part of a larger campaign that will generate hope in making a difference when confronting the climate crisis. How to participate: Draw or paint about climate hope, environmental justice, or protecting the Earth. Sunday school class and youth group participation encouraged. Winners will be selected in November! Register Here!
The art contest winners will have their art displayed on the UCC's Climate Hope Postcards. UCC congregations will then collect thousands of postcards to pressure Congress and the White House to take sufficient action to combat the ongoing climate and environmental justice crises. Learn more here.
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Clergy Praycations
Tower Hill & Pilgrim Park
In celebration of Clergy Appreciation Month, we are opening registration for Clergy Praycations. Clergy and their families are invited to register for a 3 day, 2 night stay at Tower Hill or Pilgrim Park for only $60.
This is a time, not to learn something new or acquire another skill, but to take a deep breath. We invite you to step away to renew and refresh, to play and to laugh! We offer this time so our clergy are able to continue to serve our congregations and communities with integrity and vitality, and to respond to the call of God with courage and compassion.
Authorized Ministers & MIDs of the Illinois Conference may register.
Call Tower Hill (269-426-3881) or Pilgrim Park (815-447-2390) to schedule your Praycation.
We are grateful to the Brown Endowment at United Church Funds for making this gift to clergy possible.
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Youth Leader Retreat
October 14-15
Over the last 2 years, you have found ways to care for and support our children and youth in the midst of a pandemic, lock-downs, virtual school, socially-distanced youth gatherings… THANK YOU! We appreciate what you have done and continue to do!
Our gift to you is an opportunity to step away from it all so that you can reconnect with colleagues, with yourself, and with Creation. Through a generous grant from Living Legacy Endowment of the Congregational Church of Deerfield, you are invited to come to Pilgrim Park for a special 2 day/1 night, all expenses paid Retreat.
Enjoy delicious meals, wonderful conversations and take a tour to Echo Bluff. Download the flyer here.
Space is limited so register soon! Click here to register online.
Questions? Please contact Tara Cade at 815-447-2390 or email Tara directly.
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Family Fest & Pumpkin Patch at Burr Ridge! | |
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On Saturday, October 15th, Burr Ridge Community Church invites you to join them for their Fall Family Fest, supporting the National Kidney Foundation and Community Service Programs. The event will take place from 11 am to 4 pm. There will be raffles, food, a bake sale, beer tent, music, and more! There will also be activities for children from 11 am to 2 pm including a hay ride, maze, bounce house and face painting - and you are encourage to come in costume, too! Download the flyer here.
October 15th is also the kick off day for their Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser! There will be over 1000 pumpkins for sale from October 15th to 31st (Sunday-Friday, 11 am - 6 pm and Saturdays, 9 am - 6 pm). Burr Ridge Community Church is located at 15W100 Plainfield Road in Burr Ridge, at the corner of Plainfield and County Line Roads.
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FAITHFUL FRIDAYS is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.
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