North Shore United Methodist Church October 2018

Transcription

1 Normally during a conversation, it s expected that both parties speak to one another in, preferably, audible tones. But voice is not the only way that we as humans communicate. In our world today, there are more ways than ever to converse with one another: text, video chat, social media, sign language, letter, carrier pigeon...you get the idea! Wouldn t it be great if God would just send us a blessed carrier pigeon every now-andthen with some instructions of what God expects of us? Or, maybe that note wrapped around one of the pigeon s legs could offer us a little bit of direction when facing a challenging, lifealtering decision. Of course, that s generally (as in % of the time) not how it works with God. I don t write 100% because I believe anything is possible for God. Something which has helped me over the years understand more fully how to enter into God s presence is to focus more on resting in God s presence rather than expecting something immediate to happen when engaging in a specific spiritual practice. Some days, this effort seems fruitless and I feel a bit silly trying to place myself before God like this; other days, it s much easier to sense that God is with me in those quiet moments of contemplation and reflection. I d like to offer you all a few spiritual practices which enrich my life, along with a brief reflection after each of how I find it helpful to practice: Praying over the Scriptures: I usually find reflecting on Scripture to be the most tried-and-true way to connect with God. The key is to approach Scripture from a spiritual mindset instead of an academic one. Put differently, it s an intentional effort to place more emphasis on how you experience the Scriptures instead of critically taking the passage(s) apart at every turn (there s a time-and-place for that, but it will get in your way when attempting to pray over the Scriptures). I m usually working through a Scripture-reading plan, and try to stop and pray over passage(s) that jump out at me in the course of the day s readings. If you need a reading plan, check out the app called Bible by Olive Tree. Prayer Walks: Try reading a small Scripture passage before walking out the door. Then, meditate on that passage while walking. This is an old practice of the Christian faith. It s been proven scientifically that physical activity causes parts of the brain responsible for creativity to activate. You may be surprised while walking how the Scripture passage opens up to you. Meditation: Give yourself a set period of time to meditate (start with 10 minutes and work up to 20). Set a timer on your phone, or use an app like Insight Timer (ios). Choose a simple word you can say over-and-over to quiet your mind (I like to use peace or light ). Say that word while anxious and varied thoughts pass through your mind for several minutes. Eventually, you may experience a kind of peace after your mind quiets down. Allow yourself to lift up prayers to God of thanks, concern, and requests once your mind settles. Just like with the variety of ways we can communicate with each other today, try mixing up these spiritual practices to breathe freshness into your spiritual life. Continued on next page 1

2 My prayer for you is that such practices will help you feel a stronger connection with God in the midst of the mundane and burdens of everyday life. Grace and Peace, Pastor Scott S. Himel Dr. Sam and Mary Kormoi will join us in Worship, as they bring us an update about their ministry in Sierra Leone. They will also sing a hymn from Sierra Leone as we celebrate World Communion Sunday and our partnership with Hope United Methodist Church in the Village of Fallay Wujah, Sierra Leone, Africa. Join us for lunch immediately following the Service and hear more about this amazing work. The NSUMC congergation has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with this incredible mission for years! Bring a dish reflecting your own country of origin to the lunch gathering to add to the festivities! Every one of us is well aware of the many advances in communication technology the world has experienced in the last hundred years. North Shore United Methodist Church uses some of these methods; however, the church is updating some of the ways you have employed thus far to contact us. Keep in mind that both new ang old website & addresses are active and can be used at any time - until further notice. ***The office telephone number remains the same ( ) *** NEW/ preferred website & addresses. Website - General box - info@northshoreumc.com Pastor Himel - shimel@northshoreumc.com 2

3 The first Adult Forum after the 2018 summer break took place on Sunday, September 17, It is most fitting that our newly-appointed Senior Pastor, Scott S. Himel, be the first this year to lead a Forum. Scott enlightened the congregation with a recounting of some of the actions that guided him to choose the path of Clergy in the United Methodist Church. Scott was born in the Texan town of Carolton, but grew up in Naperville, Illinois where the family moved to as a result of his father's work at Service Master. Scott was born with Albinism a genetic condition characterized by the absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. The illness, which according to Scott, affects one out of 10,000 individuals. Advances in technology and modern methods to protect the body from the sunlight have significantly increased the chance of survival of those suffering from it (at one time, life expectancy of those with the disease was 25 years). Additionally, new technological advances have made it easier for those affected by the illness to cope with the challenges of daily life, Scott said. Scott has low vision. He mentioned that his biggest challenge in school) was the large amount of reading in preparation for the coursework, especially difficult during college years. Scott comes from a closely-knit family. He has a married sister, who lives in Texas with her husband and two children, Kate and Shawn. At eight years of age, Scott suffered one of the most intensely painful experiences in his life. His 22-year-old brother was killed in a car accident. It was this traumatic experience that moved the entire family closer to God. His father had an early calling to ministry and fulfilled that calling through his work at Service Master, eventually becoming a Local Pastor after retirement from this company. Scott worked with Rev. Arthur Landweir; a well-known UM scholar, who heavily influenced his call to ministry. For his undergraduate work, Scott enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University, then he went on to Duke University, where he obtained his Master of Divinity. He worked as hospital chaplain with the team that fundamentally created palliative care and hospice care, as we know it today. He went on to serve as Associate Pastor at Christ Rockford for 5-years immediately before coming to North Shore UMC this past July.1, Goals for his time at North Shore UMC Scott s goals will be discerned with the community of the church as a process over time. Discipleship formation is a lifelong, steady process to grow in a commitment with Christ. Scott believes that growth in the church is about developing relationships, helping families and individuals feel connected to one another. He is of the opinion that strong growth happens through word of mouth. 3

4 PRHeSS Pan-African Rural Health & Social Services You are cordially invited to the 11 th Annual Banquet &Silent Auction Saturday, October 20, 2018 Auction begins at 4:00 p.m. followed by a banquet/entertainment St. Andrews UMC - Fellowship Hall Riegel Road - Homewood, IL Come and enjoy authentic African cuisine Donate to PRHeSS Fatima Foundation for emergency medical assistance Rev. Dr. Edward J. Morris - Guest Speaker Sr. Senior Pastor Parkway Gardens Christian Church 6600 South King Dr, Chicago, IL Minimum Donation: $50 Make checks payable to: PRHeSS - Pan African Rural Health and Social Services PO Box 1071 Homewood, IL Phone: Fax (708) Online payments accepted at www. Africanhopeanddignity.org RSVP by October 13th, 2017 at / kormoi@yahoo.com. May God Bless you for caring for the least of these. See you there! PRHeSS Ministry is a 5o1(c) (3) public charity. All your donations are tax deductible 4

5 Rev. Scott S Himel was appointed to serve the North Shore United Methodist Church starting July 1, 2018 by the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has been ministering to our congregation since then. On Sunday, September 9, 2018, the North Shore United Methodist Church congregation had an official installation service for him. A reception followed immediately. Below, see a few pictures. The photo on the left shows current Chairperson of the Staff/Parish Committee, Leslie Muir, along with other representatives of the church, officiating in the installation service. Some members of North Shore United Methodist Church welcome Rev. Himel to our midst as they enjoy and participate in the fellowship. Above, Rev, Himel declares his commitment as new pastor of the North Shore United Methodist Church. The 5

6 Sunday, October 28 th immediately following worship. Join us for a Hauntingly Delightful Lunch, Games, Cake Walk. to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief Hurricane Disaster Response. 6

7 October Birthdays 3 Lucy Smith 7 Eliot Moskow 8 Jody Powell 13 E. Scott Javore 14 Sara Paseltiner 18 Morgan Compher, R. Scott Javore 20 Karla Cavanagh 25 Anita Mauro 30 Carlos Figueredo, John Haynor OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS Prayers for Walter Holt; undergoing rehabilitation following a golf-cart accident. Janice Dodd, who is at Warren Barr Northshore, Room 232 Mo Cimbalo; recovering at home after a recent hospitalization. Stuart Phillips, who is at The Arden in Northbrook. A chance to help someone in need By Lisa Goodale Many of you have heard me talk about my friend Valerie who is receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer for a second time. Valerie has worked for years as a social worker, helping many people deal with challenging situations in their lives, and now is unemployed and struggling financially. Although she's very ill, her main concern right now is her much-loved dog, Montana, who helps her keep going, one-day-at-a-time. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of a gift card for Montana's dog food, please see me in church or call/ , thanks! Lisa Goodale: LCGoodale@sbcglobal.net, or

8 As part of the observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month September- as well as the installation weekend for Reverend Scott S. Himel, the Fellowship Committee celebrated with a viewing of the Academy Award-winning film COCO on Friday, September 7. Preceding the movie, all participants shared a delicious Mexicanstyle dinner. The food contributions ranged from a delicious chicken and tortilla soup skillfully prepared by pastor Scott; to sweet, delicious, warm churros provided by Ellen Bryant. Other dishes included a colorful taco salad (Rev. Barb s secret recipe) and a yummy casserole (Judy Phillips Mexican specialty.) Of course, crispy taco chips and tasty salsa (Mary Figueredo) rounded up the menu. 8

9 Former choir director at North Shore United Methodist Church, Dr. Alan Wellman, has been named musical leader of the Arroyo Singers in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Wellman directed our choir from 2016 to Congratulations! October 7: October 14: October 21: Dr. Sam leads this forum (Sierra Leone) Jim and Judi Simmons share memories about becoming a member of the church UPDATE FOR Listening Session of October 20 for Way Forward MEL BROOK S Dinner/Movie Night Friday, October 19, :30 PM Young Frankenstein 9

10 Monday, October 22, :00-8:30 pm ~ Book Study Part 9 & Recap Worship every 10:00 a.m. followed by a time of refreshments and fellowship afterward. Sunday, October 7, 2018 Fellowship with Dr. Sam Monday, October 8, :00-8:30 pm ~ Book Study, Parts 5 & 6 Thursday, October 11, :30 pm ~ Choir Rehearsal Saturday, October 27, :30 am ~ Trustee Meeting 10:00 am ~ Church Council Meeting Sunday, October 28, :00 am ~ Halloween Party Wednesday, October 31, :15 pm ~ A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen Sunday, October 14, 2018 Adult Forum: Judi & Jim Simmons Sharing memories of how people became members of their churches Monday, October 15, :00-8:30 pm ~ Book Study, Part 7 & 8 Thursday, October 18, :00 am ~ Visiting French Priests Friday, October 19, :30 pm ~ Dinner & Movie Night Sunday, October 21, 2018 Adult Forum: Scott & Barb Javore Updates from Listening session for Way Forward 10

11 On Sunday, August 26, 2018, Rev. Scott Himel officiated at the Annual Animal Blessing Service one of the most beloved summer traditions at North Shore United Methodist Church. This year, the well-attended service brought many animals and 40 worshipers to the front lawn of the church on Greenwood Street on this sunny day. As is customary, officer Katie Sweeney provided a poignant and insightful commentary about animal care. 11

12 NORTH SHORE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 213 Hazel Avenue Glencoe Illinois STAFF Senior Pastor Rev. Scott S. Himel Youth/Children Ministries Rev. Dr. Barbara Javore Choir Director Andrew Moore Organist Tomoko Shibuya Secretary Peggy Bucklin Custodian Rick Short Chimes Editor Carlos Figueredo Place label here due date to submit articles for the November 2018 Chimes is October 20 th 12