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CONTENTS
An Invitation to Mindful Parenting
Face-Painting and Toe-Tapping Fun!
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Worship This Week

Upcoming Music Events
Volunteer
garage An Invitation to Mindful Parenting
Supporting One Another as Parents
Creative and effective parenting is the topic of our monthly Mindful Parenting gatherings led by Fourth Church member Sue Schemper.

Sue brings to our discussions her expertise as a spiritual director and an educator who has worked for more than thirty-five years with children, parents, and teachers.

You, the parents, are encouraged to bring your questions, concerns, joys, and ideas as we journey alongside one another as parents, exploring topics that range from
discipline techniques that develop responsibility to creating a family culture that supports each member in becoming who God intends them to be.
 
Our next thought-provoking time together is this Sunday, January 29 at 9:30 a.m. in the Loft. Come join us!
 
Time:
   Sunday, January 29
    9:30 a.m.

Place: 
    The Loft
    (on Floor 4 of the Gratz Center)


A Morning of Activities for Young Children
Bring your young grandchildren, your nieces and nephews, your children: we're going to have a blast on Saturday morning, February 11 when the Day School hosts "Where the Fun Never Ends!"
 
This year's annual Day School Benefit is free to the public (donations support the Day School Operating and Scholarship Funds) and again promises a lively morning of play, creative face-painting, tasty goodies, friendship, and--back by popular demand--singing and dancing to the music of Joel Frankel.

Time:    
Saturday, February 11
   9:30 to 11:15 a.m .
 
Place:
   Anderson Hall and Borwell Dining Room
 
We've Got Some Recommendations!
Trying to decide what book to pick up next? Looking for suggestions of something to read on the bus or on winter evenings indoors?  

Consider one (or more!) of these three books, about which we'll be hosting conversations in February. Then come join us for the discussion. 
 
The Underground Girls of Kabul
In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan

by Jenny Nordberg
 
Tuesday, February 14
6:00 p.m. in the Bumpus Room 
 
Books by Women will host this discussion of the account by Jenny Nordberg of the Afghan phenomenon of bacha posh: a girl dressed as a boy, temporarily raised as a boy, and presented as such to the outside world. In this book, this Swedish journalist recounts what it means--in a country where the cultural dominance by men translates into the birth of a son being cause for celebration and the arrival of a daughter often being mourned as a misfortune--for individuals to secretly live as bacha posh.
 

Commonwealth 
by Ann Patchett

Tuesday, February 21
11:30 a.m. in Room 5B
   
All those who are sixty or more are invited to join this conversation about Ann Patchett's most recent #1 New York Times bestseller, which explores how "the passage of time is the ultimate plot." With deft insights into family life, especially the blended variety, and seemingly arbitrary decisions, Ms. Patchett pulls her readers into the lives of the Keatings and the Cousins with soaring language and honest emotion.
 
 
It's Complicated, the social lives of networked teens
by danah boyd
 
Tuesdays, February 21 and 28
6:30 p.m. in the Page Smith Room
 
Rocky Supinger, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry, will lead this Academy for Faith and Life-sponsored discussion on social networking, the church, and our youth. Come dig into the questions of what does it mean to grow up in a networked world, and how might that be affecting or changing the church?
threeNanette Sawyer on Meditative Practices
A Friday Evening Dinner and Program
Curious to learn more about Christian meditation and centering prayer?

Nanette Sawyer, our Minister for Congregational Life, will be talking about meditative practices next Friday evening at a dinner program hosted by Cornerstones.
 
Adults of all ages are invited to join this fellowship group--made up of those fifty and more--for their February meal and program. Advance registration is required and must be made by Wednesday, February 1.
 
Time:
   Friday, February 3
   6:00 p.m.
 
Place:
   Borwell Dining Room
 
fourWomen's Ways of Discipleship
A Saturday Morning Retreat at the Church
Women, come weave connections between your personal life, others, and the biblical story when we gather at the church for our annual winter retreat on Saturday, February 4.
 
Our retreat theme, "Women's Ways of Discipleship," will give us occasion to spend the morning together in groups large and small while exploring different modalities--including Bible study, journaling, and discussion groups.
 
Nanette Sawyer will present our keynote address, and there will also be opportunity to take part in the workshops of the day:
  • "Four-Part Harmony: Building Significant Relationships in Four Spaces of Belonging" with Jeanette Banashak
  • "Moving toward Forgiveness" with Vicky Curtiss
  • "Crafting Paths of Discipleship" with Anne Ellis
  • "The Bible and Discipleship" with Anne Stelle
Space is limited to the first seventy-five women who register; register online here. For more information, contact Anne Ellis.
 
Time:
   Saturday, February 4
   8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 
Place:
   Anderson Hall
fiveTake Advantage of Early-Bird Pricing!
--And Enjoy a Festive Evening at the Gala of Hope
Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your Gala of Hope tickets at early-bird rates: make your reservation today!
 
We have a fun evening in store for you on Friday, February 24 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, complete with a three-course dinner; dancing to the music of the Gala-favorite Ken Arlen Orchestra; silent and live auctions featuring, among other things, unique experiences and great getaways; and, of course, a fabulous time with friends old and new.
 
Plus--and even more importantly--your participation that evening helps provide significant support for how we live out our mission in the city: through the life-changing work of our community outreach organization, Chicago Lights, and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.
 
So make your reservations today, enjoy the early-bird rate, and get ready for great time at the 2017 Gala of Hope!
 
Time:
   Friday, February 24
   5:30 p.m.
 
Place:
   Hyatt Regency Chicago
   (151 E. Upper Wacker)

sixSunlight Project and Loyola Collaboration
The Real Story of Sex Trafficking in Chicago
Experts from CAASE (Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation), Selah Freedom, Stop-It, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office will be on hand on Tuesday, February 7 to discuss " Sex Trafficking in Chicago: The Real Story."
 
This panel discussion, cohosted by Fourth Church's Sunlight Project and Loyola University, is free and open to the public.
 
Click here to RSVP for the event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Loyola University at 111 E. Pearson, Regents Hall, 16th Floor.

Time:
   Tuesday, February 7
   7:30 p.m.
 
Place:
   Loyola University
   111 E. Pearson
   16th Floor

worship Worship This Week
Sunday, January 29, 2017
8:00 a.m.
Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss,
Associate Pastor

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Victoria G. Curtiss
Associate Pastor

4:00 p.m.
Jazz Communion
Abbi Heimach-Snipes,
Pastoral Resident 
Worship bulletin
for this coming Sunday is available online at www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html
 
"News and Opportunities"
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/news/2017/012917no.pdf

Sermons
from previous weeks are posted online at www.fourthchurch.org/sermons 

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Concerts at Fourth Church
Friday Noonday concerts are free.  

Saturday, January 28, 2017
Camerata Chicago
7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Tickets available through Camerata Chicago
(use coupon code FPCC for a 40 percent discount)

Friday, February 3, 2017
Avanti Guitar Trio
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

Thursday, February 9, 2017
St. Olaf Choir
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through St. Olaf College

Friday, February 10, 2017
Thomas E. Gouwens, organist
(Associate Organist at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Friday, February 17, 2017
Christopher Atzinger, pianist
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary 
 
A complete concert schedule is available online.
 
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volunteer Volunteer at Fourth Church
There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
 
Current Volunteer Needs
 
Ushers and greeters for 4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion worship

Shopping aides for guests of the food pantry in the Social Service Center
 
Coffee Hour hosts to serve refreshments on Sunday mornings

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them, stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or email volunteerministry@fourthchurch.org.
 
A complete list of volunteer needs is available online