This Week at First Pres!
August 2-8, 2020
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Finding Hope
This week’s eNewsletter feature
was written by Julie Ruchniewicz,
FPCE Parish Nurse.
Greetings!
By now, you have been inundated with messages on the virus: how many tested, how many deaths, possible vaccines, phases of reopening, and how this will affect our lives going forward. You have listened to the news on racial tensions, police brutality, looting, and violence - all valid and extremely important information. Sometimes, however, I find myself sifting through all the words, anxiously awaiting to hear just one:
HOPE! That intangible, but profound, sense of hope.
We here at FPCE have made sure that
HOPE is alive, well, and very tangible through our many ministries. We have heard so many stories, from our staff and from all of you, of the amazing work that is being done to help others. We so appreciate our essential workers, but I hope you recognize that the work you are doing is essential also.
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Rev. Raymond Hylton reflects on our One Church, One Book discussion.
See his letter below.
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We will have an extended Zoom fellowship time after our service on Sunday.
See more info below.
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We have a new online giving and data management tool called Realm®
.
See more info below.
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Our latest email devotional series is underway.
See below for more details.
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A Letter from Pastor Ray
Dear friends,
On Wednesday July 29, our congregation hosted a historic conversation about race and ethnicity inspired by Sarah Shin’s book, "Beyond Color Blind: Redeeming Our Ethnic Journey" (IVP).
I accepted the invitation to host the meeting for a few reasons.
I relished the opportunity to hear the insights of our panel, Dan Shiau, Alyce Claerbaut, Nelda Hobbs and Pastor Henry Coates.
Much of the dialogue about race and ethnicity in the public square quickly descends into the pit of name calling, demagoguery, shame, anger, and division. I wanted our church to set a different tone. I know that we can talk about the tough issues, yet remain constrained by love, believing the best about each other, while disagreeing or asking hard questions.
Finally, I accepted the invitation to host because I love you, the members of our church. The real answer to the pandemic of racism and hate in our culture comes from the greatest commandment—love God, love neighbor, love self.
My only complaint about our 90-minute discussion? Not enough time.
One Church, One Book, is just one, initial conversation. And in order for First Pres to be a bridge for racial reconciliation, we must find additional ways to keep the conversation going.
Our goal is not just about educating the mind. We are aiming for transformation of the heart; and that takes time, effort, your participation, and your prayers.
Stay tuned.
Pastor Ray
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We have a new church record keeping solution at FPCE...
FPCE has made the move to a new kind of church record keeping solution called Realm®. It offers some exciting opportunities to support the way you are involved in our church while helping our administrative staff work more efficiently. It will make it easier for our church family to connect with each other, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of believers.
Everyone in our church gets a unique profile. Your profile contains everything you want people in our church to know about you. Your profile also enables you to join a small group, RSVP to events, track your giving, update your contact information, change family details, set notification preferences, or replace that outdated family photo.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 10 AM
You can find our online worship service by clicking the button on our home page (like the image above) which links to
live.firstpresevanston.org
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Prayer Companions available Sunday!
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Making, sharing face masks for health and safety
Can you sew? Donate homemade masks to the church!
The COVID-19 Task Force is accepting donations of face masks to share with congregational members in need as well as Souper Saturday guests we serve each week.
There is a particular need for children's sized masks for some of our refugee families. If you sew, or have extra face masks please consider dropping them off at the the church on Saturdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the rear door (ring the bell and then you can open the door, drop the masks in the appropriate box and exit. New unused masks only. For guidance on wearing and making face masks please check out the CDC website here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
If you are in need of a face mask please email the COVID-19 task force email at:
covid19@firstpresevanston.org and we can help match you with a donation.
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New Email Devotional Series Underway
Like the readers of the book of Hebrews, Habakkuk and the godly people of his day wondered at the disparity between the promises of God and the fulfillment of those promises. Today, also, we look forward to the time when "
the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea
" (Habakkuk 2:14). God has much to teach us in this time of waiting just as Habakkuk learned from his time of waiting on God. Join us for a daily study of Habakkuk and see what lessons God has for you during this time in your life.
Follow this link
to sign up online if you are not already receiving these daily emails.
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Deacons’ Back-to-School Backpack Project
It’s that time of year again! — or is it? Perhaps you are wondering about our annual Backpack Project? With all the details of the school year up in the air, clearly our Deacons’ collection of school supplies for needy students will have to change this year. We are working with Evanston Family Focus to try to figure out the best way to help out. We know our many faithful contributors over many years may be concerned not to have heard any plans yet. Please be assured we will let you know how you can help as soon as details are pinned down. As ever, we thank you for your generous hearts.
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Mission Prayer
Pray for FPCE mission partners Jim and Karen Hudson and their work in Eurasia. They provide training and technical assistance to Bible translation project teams, mentoring translation consultants-in-training. They also work with translation teams, helping to insure their Bible translations are clear, accurate, natural, and acceptable for the intended audiences. Pray for health and safety during this time. Please also take a moment to pray for their sons, Daniel and David.
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Community "justice mural project" seeks submissions
Evanston Vineyard Church is coordinating a "Justice Mural Project" this season. During this pandemic, with the many challenges and injustices that we have seen in our country we want to bring our community together using our creative gifts to make a difference and bring change. We are inviting our whole church, those from other churches and the community at large to be involved. We would love to have members of the 'First Presbyterian Church of Evanston' to join us in this digital project as well.
The 'Justice Mural Project' is a community-wide artistic call for justice. In an effort to promote respect and love, while seeking to create and be one who encourages justice, peace and change, working together for the common good; the 'Hope for Artists arts community' is currently working on a collaborative mural to be displayed initially in digital format. Our theme for this mural will be, "Justice. Mercy. Love".
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Parish Nurse Book Club meets online August 11
The Parish Nurse Book Club will be meeting again online on Tuesday, August 11, from 1:30-3 p.m. We will be reading
The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg. According to Amazon: When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past—working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War—can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris’s life? Contact Julie Ruchniewicz at
jruchniewicz@firstpresevanston.org for the meeting link.
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Thursday Women's Bible Study
The Thursday Women’s Bible Study meets on Zoom, Thursdays from 5:45 to 7 p.m. It will run through August 13, 2020. Meetings focus on the fruits of the spirit guided by the Hazel Offner study: FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. It is not necessary to purchase the book in order to participate. Please contact Alyce Claerbaut at
a-claerbaut@neiu.edu
to access the link and for any other information.
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Men's Breakfast on Zoom
The Men's Breakfast group continues to meet weekly on Saturday mornings from 8-9 a.m. via Zoom for scripture, prayer and speakers (but BYO Breakfast). Please join us!
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Nourish women's bible study meetings on Zoom
Nourish, a women's Bible study, meets during the summer on alternate Thursdays, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Our meetings focus on the parables of Jesus and include time for sharing and prayer. Women of all ages are welcome to attend and can contact Sally Ivaska at
sallyivaska1@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
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Officer Nominations Invited
The Nominating Committee asks you to suggest elder, trustee, or deacon candidates for the 2021 slate. A candidate must be a church member, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and willing to serve. Confidential suggestions may be given to
Rosemary Mauck or
Richard Bell.
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No clothes donations being accepted
We are not accepting donations for the Deacons Clothes Closet at this time. Donations (other than new masks ), will be discarded.
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Summary notes from the June Session Meeting are available
here
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The most recent summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available
here
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Paper copies are also available in our literature racks.
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1427 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1472
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