North Shore United Methodist Church July 2018

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1 He [Jesus] said to them [Simon and Andrew], Come and see. They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o clock in the afternoon John 1:39, NRSV) I begin my pastorate at North Shore UMC with a key assumption guiding my way: God is already at work in your midst and has been for many years! This assumption inspires me: it helps me keep my eyes and ears open to observing how the Holy Spirit is moving within your congregation, throughout the village of Glencoe, and beyond. This assumption also gives me hope that God has many incredible blessings in store for all of us; but, we must be vigilant in looking for the often subtle ways in which the Holy Spirit moves around us. As someone new not only to your church but also to Glencoe, my humble request is that you all will help guide me during these early days in recognizing where God is at work in your congregation and village. I m very much aware that you all are the experts of your church and surrounding community. In time, I hope to understand the nuances of your church s culture, as well as your village s many parking regulations! A quick story: The day I moved in, my father (Rev. Mark Himel, Associate Pastor of Naperville: Grace UMC) and I decided to stop by City Hall to ask the police to clarify how parking works. We had the pleasure of meeting Lieutenant Michael Niemark, who quickly asked if I would like a picture of my father in handcuffs. Like any good son, I quickly replied, Absolutely! Here are the photos: As you can see, Lieutenant Niemark and my father quickly established a close bond with one another (I m sorry, I couldn t resist!). Joking aside, I also pray that, in time, I as your pastor will be able to say to you all, Come and see where God is moving here isn t this amazing? In this process of sharing where God is at work, I believe that we as a faith community will grow both in our dedication to God and one another. Let us celebrate today this new relationship that we are entering into together only God knows what possibilities will be borne forth from it. May each of us aid the other in witnessing where God is at work around us each day. Grace & peace, Pastor Scott S. Himel 1

2 *The 2018 Northern Illinois Annual Conference has special meaning for the North Shore United Methodist Church for two reasons. In the first place, Reverend Glenna Olumstad retired from full-time active service to the ministry on June 17, 2018, and Rev. Scott Himel is appointed to follow her as senior pastor of the North Shore United Methodist Church starting July 1. The second reason is that former educational intern, Caitlyn Butler, received her ordination as Probationary Member in the United Methodist Church during Ordination services. Caitlyn will serve as associate pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park Illinois. The photo on the left shows Bishop Sally Dyck laying hands on Caitlyn. Additionally, Caitlyn s engagement was announced the same week as the ordination. Her fiancé.s name is Nate Nisbet. *The photo on the right shows the stage of the 2018 Northern Illinois Annual Conference, set for the Retirement Service held on the afternoon of June 4 during the first of the three-day event held at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles Illinois. Reverend Olumstad stands behind the podium, as she publicly reaffirms her desire to retire at the 2018 meeting of the Northen Illinois Annual Conference. 2

3 So, what did happen on July 4, 1776? People in the USA celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July. We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. But July 4, 1776, is not the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776). It also was not the day we started the American Revolution either (that had happened back in April 1775). Nor was it the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence (that was in June 1776). It also is not the date on which the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain (that didn't happen until November 1776). Or the date it was signed (that was August 2, 1776) The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, They had been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2nd and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes. July 4, 1776, became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence, and the fancy handwritten copy that was signed in August (the copy now displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.) It s also the date that was printed on the Dunlap Broadsides, the original printed copies of the Declaration that were circulated throughout the new nation. So when people thought of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 was the date they remembered. How did the Fourth of July become a national holiday? For the first 15 or 20 years after the Declaration was written, people didn t celebrate it much on any date. It was too new and too much else was happening in the young nation. By the 1790s, a time of bitter partisan conflicts, the Declaration had become controversial. One party, the Democratic-Republicans, admired Jefferson and the Declaration. But the other party, the Federalists, thought the Declaration was too French and too anti-british, which went against their current policies. By 1817, John Adams complained in a letter that America seemed uninterested in its past. But that would soon change. After the War of 1812, the Federalist party began to come apart and the new parties of the 1820s and 1830s all considered themselves inheritors of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans. Printed copies of the Declaration began to circulate again, all with the date July 4, 1776, listed at the top. The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, may even have helped to promote the idea of July 4 as an important date to be celebrated. Celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common as the years went on and in 1870, almost a hundred years after the Declaration was written, Congress first declared July 4 to be a national holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays, including Christmas. Further legislation about national holidays, including July 4, was passed in 1939 and // 3

4 Farewell Service for Pastor Glenna Olumstad The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit as they grow older, they will stay fresh and green." Psalm 92:12-14 On Sunday, June 17 th, 2018, the congregation of the North Shore United Methodist Church (NSUMC) took part in the final Sunday service in which Rev. Glenna Olumstad presided and preached before her retirement from active ministry to local churches of the United Methodist Church. Glenna, along with husband Marty, came to NSUMC in Glencoe five years ago. As Rev. Dr. Javore reminded us, Glenna has been our pastor, our coworker in Christ, our counselor, our teacher, our friend. It is with joy and sadness that we mark and celebrate the ending of her ministry with us. Several others took part in developing this touching goodbye. The choir, under the direction of Andrew Moore, provided a heartfelt, tender rendition of John Rutter s anthem For the Beauty of the Earth, as well as a warm closing to the service by leading the choir in Peter C. Lutkin s famous The Lord Bless You. Leslie Muir represented the Staff- Parish Community and Mary Figueredo, Chairperson of the Church Council, spoke representing the congregation of NSUMC. Leslie Glenna Mary Many families of the congregation were in attendance at the service, far too many to enumerate in this article. Among these families were dear friends Bev and Wade Fetzer, whose picture appears on the left. The farewell liturgy for pastor Glenna Olumstad came to a close with the entire congregation laying hands on Glenna and reading the following prayer: In Thanksgiving, we praise You for raising up faithful servants among us for the Ministry of Your Church. And we pray that Glenna may continue to exemplify, in word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grant that we, along with her, may continue to serve You in the Church on earth, and be brought to rejoice in your kingdom forever; and that Glenna may always know God s Peace. Amen. 4

5 OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS Prayers for healing for Bev Fetzer s sister. Prayers for Walter Holt and his healing journey. Prayers for healing for Rob, Jody & Claire Powell. Prayers for Janice Dodd who is at Warren Barr Northshore. Prayers for all those affected by violent acts and natural disasters. Helene Moy. Prayers for all those who grieve the loss of loved ones. Linda Fetzer. Stuart Phillips, who is at The Arden in Northbrook. For all those in need of healing. For those who are unemployed and searching for meaningful work. For an end to gun violence and terrorist acts in our communities. For all Refugees and those seeking Asylum. 1 Jessica Compher, Judy Phillips 2 Kayla Kemp 6 Stephanie Foyer, Charlie Muir 8 Samantha Calhoun 9 Nicholas Kacena 10 Chris Cohen, Tomoko Shibuya 14 Claire Powell, Sue West 17 Nancy Cole 18 Janice Dodd, Tom Foyer, Carolina Ibarra 20 Caitlin Kacena, Bessie Kemp 24 Tim Fleming 25 Judy Calder, Ellen Paseltiner 28 Stuart Phillips JULY BIRTHDAYS 5

6 Thank you from Glenna & Marty Dear North Shore UMC Friends and Family, Words cannot express how humbled and overwhelmed we were by the wonderful service and retirement reception given on Sunday, June 17 th. You all have been most welcoming and generous during the five years we have known you. The time just flew by, which is an indication of how much we have enjoyed sharing ministry together with you. Thank you for the generous unexpected monetary check and the lovely garden-themed gifts. Each day as I spend time in the garden, I ll be thinking of you and the wonderful years we spent together. Marty and I wish you blessings and All Good Things as you begin another chapter of ministry with your new pastor. Blessings always, love Glenna & Marty Olumstad. Thank you 6

7 Looking Ahead at NSUMC Sunday, July 1, 2018 Pastor Scott Himel s first service at NSUMC Sunday, July 8, 2018 Sunday, July 15, 2018 Sunday, July 22, 2018 Sunday, July 29, 2018 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 7

8 NORTH SHORE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 213 Hazel Avenue Glencoe Illinois A Reconciling Congregation 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 *** The due date to submit articles for the August 2018 Chimes is July 20 th *** 8