Reflections on the First Month of the Journey. Progress on the Formation of the WPC Pastor Nomination Committee

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Bernadette Chase
5 years ago
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I have also attended five gatherings two board meetings, two team meetings, and a Bible study.

1 Reflections on the First Month of the Journey It s hard to believe that I ve now been with you just about one month. But it has been an eventful month! I have preached to you and led worship for four consecutive Sundays, have had get-acquainted conversations with many of you and in-depth conversations with many key leaders and staff. I have also attended five gatherings two board meetings, two team meetings, and a Bible study. I also ate ice cream sundaes with our children and burgers with the youth at their end-of- summer parties. And I m even beginning to remember a number of your names all in the first month of our journey together. Whew! It s been a whirlwind of connections, but it s all good as it s contributed to building relationships and establishing the trust necessary to walk this interim journey together. Thank you for opening your lives to me. I have also been concentrating on developing a process by which we can look at your future together. Only then will we be in the best position to help the Pastor Nominating Committee (the PNC ) find a good match for your next senior leader. I presented a 3-prong strategy paper to the session at their August meeting. It was accepted, and we now have a direction in place. First of all, please pass on names of persons of fellow members you believe could be vital contributors to the Pastor Nominating Committee. Secondly, plan to participate in the CAT Survey (short of the Church Assessment Tool) when it is offered in October. You can do this on-line, and it will only take about 30 to 45 minutes of your time. Then on October 21st and 22nd (a Friday night and Saturday morning), we will hold a fun church-wide event to discover the DNA of our congregation, the deepest and truest part of the church s identity. You will do so by reviewing the church s history identifying your heroes, rituals, and visuals that make you uniquely you. This is the church s true north and all congregations are at their best (as are all persons) when we are living from our core selves inner code. So we have an exciting fall ahead as well as one which will yield important insights for those on our Pastor Nominating Committee as they prepare to search for your next Senior Pastor. With anticipation for what tomorrow will bring! Pastor David Progress on the Formation of the WPC Pastor Nomination Committee Dear WPC Members, As we continue our journey through this time of transition at Winnetka Presbyterian Church, we want to provide you an update on the status of our search for a new Senior Pastor. We are embarking on our search for a permanent Senior Pastor for WPC. To that end, the WPC Nominating Committee, comprised of Bill McNair, Scott Martin, Susan Langan and Eric Walker have been meeting to discuss the process for selecting WPC members to serve on the WPC Pastor Nominating Committee ( PNC ). The PNC will be responsible for leading the search for our new WPC Senior Pastor. The goal of the WPC nominating committee is to present a proposed slate of WPC members to serve on the PNC. We hope to have the PNC candidate slate ready for approval at a WPC congregational meeting in mid to late September. This includes getting candidate permission and an indication of willingness to serve on the PNC until a new pastor has accepted a WPC call. We hope to make this process as transparent and interactive as possible in dialogue with the entire WPC congregation. Your nominating committee is looking for PNC candidates moved by the Holy Spirit who can provide good representation of the wonderfully diverse faith and interests of our WPC community. Please let us know if you personally wish to be placed into consideration of serving on the PNC. We welcome any and all feedback and candidate suggestions you may have on people to be considered for serving on the PNC. Faithfully yours, The WPC Nominating Committee Bill McNair, wmcnair2@comcast.net, Scott Martin, smartin@kmrgroup.com, Susan Langan, susanlangan@aol.com, Eric Walker, eewesq@gmail.com,

2 Rally Day September 2016 Winnetka Presbyterian Church 1255 Willow Road Winnetka, IL main fax David Boumgarden Interim Senior Pastor Geoff Duffy Director of Music Associate Director of Worship Nancy Holly Director of Children s Ministry nancy@winnpres.org Rev. Diann Santschi Parish Associate of Pastoral Care & Counseling diann@winnpres.org ext Join us and learn about our friendly and faithful congregation on Rally Day Sunday September 9:45am $10/person $25/family Newcomers are invited as our guests. Cookout! Burgers/Brats Face Painting Rev. Kathy Dale McNair Specialized Minister Mental Health Ministry kdmcnair@comcast.net Dina Price Administrator office@winnpres.org 23 Service & Education Opportunities Balloon Animals Michael Jin Accountant mike@winnpres.org 26 Chris Kenneally Custodian chris@winnpres.org Ice Cream Sundae Bar facebook.com/winnetkapres twitter.com/winnetkapres 2

September 2016 Worship and Music Every Sunday we try to worship in ways that hopefully engage families with

We are inviting families to help lead worship as lectors and prayer leaders.

WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN GET INVOLVED Prepare Communion: Shop for bread and grape juice on Saturday, cut the bread as

Read Scripture or Lead Prayers: Read the Prayer for Illumination and the first scripture reading OR lead the

Junior Ushers: Formally known as PUPS, our junior usher team is made up of middle school (6-8) youth.

3 September 2016 Worship and Music Every Sunday we try to worship in ways that hopefully engage families with children. This year however, we are making an even greater attempt to do that on the First Sunday of each month. We are inviting families to help lead worship as lectors and prayer leaders. children will be invited to join the choir in the choir loft for the first part of the service. WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN GET INVOLVED Prepare Communion: Shop for bread and grape juice on Saturday, cut the bread as a family, and then meet Andy McCausland at 9:15 on Sunday morning to set up for communion. Read Scripture or Lead Prayers: Read the Prayer for Illumination and the first scripture reading OR lead the Prayers of the People. Geoff will provide the script and directions. Junior Ushers: Formally known as PUPS, our junior usher team is made up of middle school (6-8) youth. Oct 2, Nov 6 Dec 4, Feb 5 March 5, April 2 May 7 Singing: Children will have singing on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month in. This year, we will focus on singing the psalms which they will help lead on the First Sunday of each month. The children will also be invited to sit in the choir loft with the big choir for the first part of the service to help lead the singing. If your children are planning on singing, please have them in the sanctuary at 9:05am on the First Sundays. 3

Youth February Cuba Mission Worship Trip September & Music 2016 LAS AMISTADES RENOVADOS EN LA HABANA (FRIENDSHIPS RENEWED IN HAVANA) by Jacques Gordon Twenty-one missionaries from WPC were

4 Youth February Cuba Mission Worship Trip September & Music 2016 LAS AMISTADES RENOVADOS EN LA HABANA (FRIENDSHIPS RENEWED IN HAVANA) by Jacques Gordon Twenty-one missionaries from WPC were commissioned on July 24 th to make the journey to Cuba and to visit our sister church, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada de la Habana. The last organizing meeting before we left was held at Margie and Kirk s McInerney s house. We enjoyed a delicious meal and discussed the logistics involved with getting all our travelers and supplies to Miami, to Cuba and then back again. We were grateful as we realized all the work that had been done by many, many people to send us safely on our way including our trip planners (Scott Martin, Al Diaz, Dina Price), our auction committee (Chimene Pellar, Karen Tokmakoff, Nancy Holly, and a strong supporting cast of donors and bidders), and of course all the spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts (Tracy and Mike Colitte), car washes and other fund raisers carried out by our youth group. And let s not forget to mention the vitamins bought with money raised by the youngest members of our congregation, or the proceeds from the Lewis Brothers concert, and the women s retreat organized by Kathy Fink! We arrived in Miami on the evening of July 29 th and returned very late to Chicago on August 6 th (really the morning of the 7 th!). With just a few exceptions (one lost bag and one canceled inbound flight to Miami) the travel plans worked very well this year. This was the sixth mission trip to Cuba by a delegation from our church and we all felt very privileged to be going. The group was especially grateful that Al Diaz was able to accompany us and to act as translator and guide this was Al s fifth trip with WPC, but he had also traveled to Havana for the 50 th Anniversary of Hector Mendez s ministry last fall, as well as numerous other trips to visit family and friends. (The Diaz family left Cuba when Al was 8 years old). We were also fortunate to have three returning college students and a total of 11 veterans of prior Cuba trips. Cuba will be opening up to regularly scheduled flights from several US cities in a few months, so we got to see Havana before a deluge of visitors begins to arrive. We were met by Associate Pastor Carmina Blasco and by 4 WPC & Cuban Youth in Havana, Cuba The 2016 Cuba Delegation High School: Lara and Will Amedei, Robby Bay, Alex Colitte, Erica Diaz, Kate Holly, Philip and Lydia Martin, Sophia and Anna Pellar, Alex Tokmakoff College-bound: Alex Martin In College: Kelsey Curran, Lauren, Holly, Skip Wiltshire-Gordon Chaperones: Al Diaz, Jacques Gordon, Scott Martin, Margie and Kirk McInerney, Chimene Pellar the two buses that had been hired to take us to all our destinations. Unlike prior years, there was no official work crew assignment waiting for us. Our mission was to make friends, enjoy Christian fellowship, help plan and participate in a youth service, attend prayer meetings, and learn what we could about Cuba and the church s ministry there, and then to share our experiences with others when we returned. We saw and learned so much! An after-church bonus hour on August 14 th gave the congregation wonderful insights into our activities, the relationships that were formed and renewed, our reactions to the people we met and the many sights we saw. We spent many wonderful hours each day with the Cuban youth, with their Senior Pastor, Hector Mendez, and with Associate Pastor Carmina. The warmth of spirit and kindness of our hosts was

September 2016 Youth Cuba Mission Trip inspirational.

and many who were still in school, but who took time off from their summer jobs to spend time with us.

constantly evolving, despite the ongoing embargo and the US migration/visa policies that make travel back and forth to the US problematic for Cuban citizens.

5 September 2016 Youth Cuba Mission Trip inspirational. The Cuban youth group included three voice students (studying to become opera singers), a ballet teacher, an army officer heading into seminary, an artist, several software engineers, a retail clerk, and many who were still in school, but who took time off from their summer jobs to spend time with us. A highlight of the trip for the WPC youth included a briefing by the cultural attaché at the US Embassy, who explained the official and unofficial status of US-Cuban relations and how they are constantly evolving, despite the ongoing embargo and the US migration/visa policies that make travel back and forth to the US problematic for Cuban citizens. This briefing, arranged in advance by Al Diaz, was very enlightening in that it helped explain what we were seeing and hearing from our Cuban hosts. Other highlights of the trip included a trip to the Hemingway House and Museum, the Museo de la Revolución, located in the former Presidential Palace (still riddled with bullet holes from 1956), the ceremonial firing of the cannon at sundown from the Castillo de San Carlos, a trip to the Casa José Fuster (an artist who creates mosaics all throughout his house and his neighborhood), and a wondrous night of Salsa dancing on the roof of the Inglaterra Hotel. For many of us, the most lasting memory will be the youth service on Thursday night where we shared our faith, music and prayer with our Cuban friends. The best opportunities for the youth to really get to know each other and to form relationships occurred during our three trips to the beach (including the world-famous Veradero Beach), our shared lunches and dinners, evening games, singing on the bus, hanging out, and dancing. The group that went from WPC will long remember the friendships we made, the wonderful spirit of the Cuban people (despite great poverty and hardship) and the vibrancy and fun of the youth of Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana-Habana. We thank all of our sponsors at WPC and our hosts at Primera Iglesia for this wonderful experience of Christian fellowship! This trip affirmed that connections don t always need words or language to find success. It is something deeper, a shared love of God, that can connect, Yansel and Skip Wiltshire-Gordon break down barriers and overcome differences. The Holy Spirit was remarkably discernible to me in the loving faces of my Cuban friends, always working to bring us closer. Those in our sister church are focused on what matters: family, friends, and beautiful spiritual relationships I envy. Skip Wiltshire-Gordon 5

Children s Ministry September 2016 Kindergarten - 5th Grade Rally Day, Sunday September 11, marks the first day of Sunday school for our 2016/2017 school year.

Children in grades kindergarten through 5 will begin music with Geoff again on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

These Bibles will be presented during the Moment for the Young and our congregation looks forward to giving this special gift to these children.

Then on Sunday, October 2 these children will receive their first communion on World Communion Sunday.

practice as Presbyterians. Mission We had a very successful book drive for Bernie s Book Bank which we did through New Trier Township.

6 Children s Ministry September 2016 Kindergarten - 5th Grade Rally Day, Sunday September 11, marks the first day of Sunday school for our 2016/2017 school year. We look forward to a fresh, new curriculum, mission and service projects, and lots of fun fellowship events. Children in grades kindergarten through 5 will begin music with Geoff again on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Third Grade Bibles and Sacraments Workshop On September 18 our third graders will receive their personally inscribed Bibles during worship. These Bibles will be presented during the Moment for the Young and our congregation looks forward to giving this special gift to these children. Also on October 1 our 3rd and 4th graders along with a parent will attend a Sacrament workshop led by our new interim pastor David Boumgarden. Then on Sunday, October 2 these children will receive their first communion on World Communion Sunday. Children are welcome to receive communion whenever they wish at WPC but this will be a special time as they will have completed a class that gives them a deeper understanding of the two sacraments we practice as Presbyterians. Mission We had a very successful book drive for Bernie s Book Bank which we did through New Trier Township. WPC delivered 455 new and gently used children s books on Monday August 15. These books will be placed directly into the hands of Chicago area children in need. Our next mission project will be making cards, signs and welcome baskets to give our Family Promise guests a warm WPC welcome when they arrive on Sept. 25. First Sundays Coming this fall are First Sundays at WPC. Every Sunday we try to worship in ways that hopefully engage families with children. We are inviting families to help lead worship as lectors, prayer leaders, and children will be invited to join the choir in the choir loft for the first part of the service. Ice Cream Social Families had fun reconnecting at our 1st annual WPC ice cream social on Wednesday August 24. Over 50 children, parents and friends attended and enjoyed bean bag toss games and making awesome sundaes in our CLC. 6

September 2016 Bonus Hours Only the walker who sets out toward ultimate things is a pilgrim THE HOLY LANDS: HOME OF JESUS September 18 @

Come hear about their experiences and how it invigorated their own faith.

Geoff weaves together his journey to Catholicism with tales and pictures from his Italian pilgrimage last April.

felt a profound connection with God? Have you been astonished by the wonder of God's work in Nature?

7 September 2016 Bonus Hours Only the walker who sets out toward ultimate things is a pilgrim THE HOLY LANDS: HOME OF JESUS September 11:15am - Matt, Stacey, Riley, and Ella Baker From the days of Jesus, the Holy Lands have held a special place in the hearts of both Christians and Jews. This summer, the Baker family retraced the steps of Jesus (and even brought along Flat Jesus ) in Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem. Come hear about their experiences and how it invigorated their own faith. ROME/VENICE: CATHEDRALS AND TOMBS September 11:15am - Geoff Duffy Rome has held a special fascination for Christian pilgrims since the days of the apostles Peter and Paul. Venice has been a place a pilgrimage from the 800 s when Venetian sailors stole the body of the apostle Mark, and brought him to San Marco! Geoff weaves together his journey to Catholicism with tales and pictures from his Italian pilgrimage last April. NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA: FINDING GOD IN NATURE October 11:15am - Andy and Sandy McCausland Have you set eyes on a beautiful landscape and felt a profound connection with God? Have you been astonished by the wonder of God's work in Nature? Join Sandy and Andy McCausland on their spiritual journey though New Zealand and Australia. COSTA RICA/THE NORTH WOODS: NATURE CONNECTIONS WITH GOD October 11:15am - Judy McKee and Marj Steiner As we take in a natural setting, we often experience a greater sense of peace. We may feel more vibrant or alive. Judy and Marj will share their experiences in Costa Rica and the North Woods, helping us all appreciate the beauty, complexity, and wonder of nature that can lead us to a closer relationship with God. 7

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Communion 9:45am Worship & 5 12:00pm Men of the Church, Wilmette Golf Club September 2016 6 12:30am Staff Meeting 7 7pm Yoga Sanctuary 1 8 Rehearsal 2 8pm AA Meeting 9

Meeting 17 18 8:45am Choir Rehearsal 9:45am Worship & 9:45am Third Grade Bible Sunday 11:15am Bonus Hour 19 4:30pm A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen, East Rogers Park 20 12:30am Staff Meeting 7pm Faith,

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Communion 9:45am Worship & 5 12:00pm Men of the Church, Wilmette Golf Club September :30am Staff Meeting 7 7pm Yoga Sanctuary 1 8 Rehearsal 2 8pm AA Meeting 9 8pm AA Meeting :45am Choir Rehearsal 9:45am Worship & 12 7:00pm Missions Team 13 11:30am Senior Club 7pm Stephen Ministry 14 7:15pm Deacon Mtg 7pm Yoga Sanctuary 15 Rehearsal 16 8pm AA Meeting :45am Choir Rehearsal 9:45am Worship & 9:45am Third Grade Bible Sunday 11:15am Bonus Hour 19 4:30pm A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen, East Rogers Park 20 12:30am Staff Meeting 7pm Faith, Hope Recovery 21 7pm Yoga Sanctuary 22 Rehearsal 23 8pm AA Meeting 24 12:30pm Golf Outing 25 8:45am Choir Rehearsal 9:45am Worship & 11:15am Bonus Hour pm Stephen Ministry 7:30pm Book Club 28 7pm Yoga Sanctuary 7:00pm Session Mtg 29 Rehearsal 30 1 October 9:30am Sacraments Workshop 10 th Annual Golf Outing Saturday, September 24 Wilmette Golf Course 3900 Fairway Drive Wilmette Tee times will begin at 12:30pm. All levels and all ages welcome for an afternoon of fun including our usual contests: longest drive, closest to the pin and longest putt. Sign up in the atrium or contact Nancy Holly at or Nancy@winnpres.org by Friday September 16. Cost: $73.00 per golfer and includes practice range balls before your tee time, 18 holes of golf with cart and a whole lot of fun! 8

NEW BEGINNINGS JANUARY 2018 FEBRUARY 2018

NEW BEGINNINGS JANUARY 2018 FEBRUARY 2018 January 2018 NEW BEGINNINGS We re at the place in the annual calendar again January 1st that reminds us we are all becoming a year older and hopefully a year wiser. No doubt, this will be a time for self-assessment