News @ Fourth Church: February 16, 2019

February 16, 2019

What’s coming up on the church calendar? Among other things—

A candlelit Taizé service on Friday, February 22
An Enneagram Workshop next Saturday, February 23
LGBTQIA Brunch on Sunday, February 24
Also on Sunday, February 24 TwentiesThirties Brunch
A Women at Fourth gathering, this month on “Optimal Aging: Eat Well, Move Well, Be Well,” on Thursday, February 28
Ash Wednesday worship services on Wednesday, March 6

If you haven’t already, why not bookmark our calendar to keep up-to-date on these opportunities and the many others that are available to you at Fourth Church!

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 17

8:00 a.m. Communion

Lucy Forster-Smith

9:30 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner

11:00 a.m. Welcome of New Members

Shannon J. Kershner

4:00 p.m. Jazz Communion

Joe Morrow

More about worship, including bulletins

The Fourth Church Racial Equity Council, which serves as a catalyst in our intentional pursuit of racial equity, invites you to take part in a variety of upcoming opportunities that are part of our commitment to breaking down barriers and becoming a more racially inclusive community.

The Long Shadow

This Sunday afternoon join the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism for a screening of The Long Shadow, a film about the origins and legacy of slavery. There will also be discussion about strategies for open and nonjudgmental conversations to build greater understanding and promote racial healing.

Sunday, February 17

2:00 p.m.

in Borwell Dining Room

Civil Rights Movement Trip

This autumn journey to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama, and Jackson, Mississippi, with the Racial Equity Council to learn the history of the civil rights movement. Hear powerful stories of the freedom struggle for African Americans; worship at 16th Baptist Church in Birmingham, where a bomb killed four girls; visit museums; and walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Read more...

October 26–November 2

Apply by May 1

Exploring South Side Opportunities

Anyone interested in being part of a working group to explore equitable funding of public schools and employment opportunities for young adults on the South Side is asked to contact Vicky Curtiss.

Gala of Hope tickets will again be available this Sunday during Coffee Hour and can be reserved online today as well.

Also at Coffee Hour and online are tickets for the Peloton bike drawing, for which the winner need not be present at the Gala (making it a perfect opportunity to support the benefit if you are unable to be there!).

A generous sponsor has also provided an opportunity for Chicago Lights to offer partial to full scholarships for guests to attend this year’s Gala of Hope.

Scholarships are limited, so be sure to contact Stacy Jackson (312.981.3562) soon if this is something in which you are interested.

All proceeds help make possible the life-changing work of Chicago Lights—the community outreach arm of Fourth Church—and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.

Friday, March 1

5:30 p.m.

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel

(221 N. Columbus)

Is there a topic or biblical story you’ve always hoped would be addressed in a sermon?

If so, please share that with us by emailing it to sermons@fourthchurch.org

Then look forward to the ways in which the pastors will use these suggestions to shape their “Big Questions” sermon series in May and June!

This Lent the Spiritual Formation Council invites you to join them for “Path of Discipleship,” a six-week Lenten series that explores and applies particular spiritual practices that can deepen our faith journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.

This year the series focus will be the book Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson.

Each Tuesday will begin with a shared catered meal, followed by a forty-five-minute presentation by one of our associate pastors.

Then there will be time for an additional forty-five minutes in small groups sharing thoughts and reflections about the topic. A short worship service will conclude each evening.

Tuesdays, March 12–April 16

6:00–8:30 p.m.

Space is limited, so be sure to register soon!

(No new participants may register after the series begins.)

More about this series

Thank you to those who have already dropped off donations of snacks for guests of Fourth Church Meals Ministry!

We continue to need individually packaged snacks to put in the bag lunches distributed to our neighbors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Particularly needed are chips and fruit cups.

Donations—marked to the attention of “Meals Ministry”—can be dropped off at the church reception desk or shipped directly to the church (Fourth Presbyterian Church, c/o Meals Ministry, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611.2014).

Why do you give?

Our Resource Development Committee would appreciate hearing your responses to that question as well as your reflections on supporting Fourth Church and Chicago Lights.

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete their brief online survey by this Monday, February 18 .

Fifty tutors, each one night a week at the church through May to work one-to-one with Chicago Lights Tutoring students who do not have a tutor; attend a one-session volunteer orientation on Thursday, February 21 or Wednesday, February 27 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Individuals to clean, fold, and prepare liturgical linens and garments that support our weekly Communion services and morning worship (once a month)
Individuals to read occasionally to an elderly member who is blind

You can sign up or learn more by contacting Robert Crouch, Director of Volunteer Ministry

Additional volunteer opportunities.