C O M M O N C A L L P R E S I D E N T S MESSAGE

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1 Oak Park River Forest Community of Congregations D E C E M B E R C O M M O N C A L L P R E S I D E N T S MESSAGE I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Time to Renew 2 Save the Date: Annual Meeting Nominations for 60 Over 60 Thanksgiving Service 3 Concealed Carry of Weapons in Places of Worship Events of Note 4 Holiday Food & Gift Basket: How You Can Help Christmas is Red, Green....and Sometimes Blue 2013 Midwinter s Tale: Simple Gifts Where has the time flown? Since our beautiful Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at United Lutheran, the days have been a blur. Thanksgiving feasts, family gettogethers. Chanukah is already over. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday are behind us. We are moving into the crush of holiday planning and parties but as we do so let us not forget the spirit that brings us together to do our work nor to take the time we need for reflection and renewal. Let us approach Christmas in a spirit of genuine humility and gratitude. Thanksgiving: Thank you to Pastor Dennis Bushkofsky of United Lutheran and all who participated in making the Thanksgiving service such a wonderful event, including Joe McDonald and the committee. But above all thanks to all of you who attended and lent your voices to the chorus of thanksgiving. Thanks again to Patty Henek and the Food and Gift Basket Program who will serve a record numbers of families this season thanks to the generosity of our community. Annual Meeting: As the year ends we are planning our Annual Dinner Meeting which be held January 30 at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church on Austin Blvd. That evening will carry forward the important work started at our September Community Meeting about "Our Neighbors to the East." See the notice elsewhere in this newsletter and on our website for additional information and how to make reservations. Special Appeal: In order to welcome as many people as possible to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting we are not charging a set price for dinner. Although we are recommending a goodwill offering of $15, some may not be able to make that contribution and, in any event, that will not be sufficient to cover expenses. Therefore I am reaching out to you and your congregations to help to underwrite the event. Please let Katie Avalos know what you can do. You can write her at oprfcoc@gmail.com Change: We are seeking ways to increase participation in the decision making process of the Community of Congregations. Please watch for a special notice within the next couple of weeks regarding proposed changes in the Bylaws to be offered for approval at the Annual Meeting. With best wishes for blessed and meaningful holidays, Leonard Grossman President Community of Congregations

2 Page 2 T I M E TO R E N EW About 50 congregations in Oak Park, River Forest, and surrounding areas participate with the Community of Congregations through membership or support of our ministries like the Holiday Food and Gift Basket, Celebrating Seniors Coalition, and the Annual House of Worship Walk. January marked the start of our renewal season and we hope you will recommit to the Community of Congregations as we prepare for Please consider contributing at one of the recommended levels: S AV E THE DAT E: COMMUNITY O F CON- G R E G AT I O N S 2014 A N N U A L DINNER Common Call Please join us as we continue the dialogue started at our September 30th Community Meeting: exploring ways to build relationships between Chicago s western neighborhoods and the western suburbs. Topics to be covered: Empowering Youth Radical Hospitality Economic Justice Following a brief presentation trained facilitators will lead small groups in identifying opportunities for individuals to get involved, congregations to get engaged, and organizations to collaborate. Thursday, January 30th at 6:30 pm Maguire Hall at St. Catherine s-st. Lucy s Catholic Church 34 N. Austin Boulevard in Oak Park Up to 25 members: $ members: $ members: $ members: $400 More than 200 members: $500 Feel free to send your membership dues to: Community of Congregations P.O. Box 3365 Oak Park, IL Please contact Katie Avalos with questions at oprfcoc@gmail.com. A good will offering will be taken. Reservations can be made by contacting Katie Avalos at oprfcoc@gmail.com. N O M I N AT I O N S FOR 60 OVER 60 DUE DE- C E M B E R 31ST Celebrating Seniors Coalition is requesting nominations for our Class of Nominations of persons over 60 years of age living in Forest Park, Oak Park or River Forest who you believe should be honored, please use the attached form. Send completed forms to our Coalition chair, Jim Flanagan at jflanagan@bentron.comor mail to Celebrating Seniors Coalition at 408 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL Nominations are due by December 31, Submitted by Pat Koko

3 Common Call Page 3 C O M M U N I T Y GAT H E R S T O GIVE T H A N K S From diverse religious traditions, hundreds of community members came together on November 24th to celebrate and give thanks. United Lutheran Church hosted the Community of Congregations annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, themed All That is Alive, Praise! The evening began with a welcome from host minister Dennis Bushkofsky. Clergy members and laity from many congregations and community organizations Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and others led the service and shared scripture and inspirational readings. A combined adult choir made up of several area choirs will take part in the service, as well as a children s choir. United Lutheran Church commissioned a choral work especially for this service based on Psalm 100 and written by Chicago area composer Anne Krentz Organ. The main speaker during the service was Manya Brachear Pashman, a religion reporter at the Chicago Tribune. The plate was passed to benefit two ministries of the Community of Congregations and the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program. After a benediction, the guests proceeded to an abundant reception in United Lutheran s Fellowship Hall. Many thanks to United Lutheran Church for hosting this year s event, and to all involved in bringing neighbors together with the common purpose of expressing gratitude. C O N C E A L E D CARRY O F GUNS IN PLACES OF W O R S H I P? In January 2014, the State Law allowing concealed carry of guns will go into effect. Although the law prohibits concealed carry of guns in certain places, there is no specified prohibition against concealed carry in places of worship. However, a congregation may prohibit concealed carry inside its place of worship by posting a sign (4 inch by 6 inch with specified logo) at each entrance. Shown below is the Illinois State Police specified concealed carry logo. What, if anything, will your congregation do? Should the Community of Congregations offer an opinion?

4 Common Call Page 4 E V E N T S OF N O T E In the Spirit of Taizé December 6 7:30 p.m Ascension Catholic Church 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park More information at Movie Night: The Tapping Solution: The Revolution Starts Within December 13 7:00 pm Unity of Oak Park 405 N. Euclid, Oak Park For more info visit In the Spirit of Taizé November 20 7:30 p.m Euclid Avenue UMC 405 S. Euclid Ave, Oak Park More information at taize.php H E L P BRIGHTEN THE HOLIDAYS F O R Y O U R NEIGHBORS: SPON- S O R S STILL NEEDED FOR HOLI- D AY FOOD AND GIFT BASKET Here s how you can help: SPONSOR Sign up to purchase holiday gifts for one or more families, seniors or single adults and we ll provide you with names and gift wish lists. You shop, wrap and drop off the gifts to us in early December. Contact HFGB at holidaybasket@hotmail.com or x 244. Provide your name, street address, address, and phone number. Let us know how many individuals you will sponsor and we ll mail all the details. DONATE Financial contributions are ALWAYS welcome! Money raised is primarily used to fund the food gift cards distributed in November, which cost the program about $30,000. Help us enable those served to celebrate the holidays with gifts that nourish their physical and emotional health. Checks payable to Holiday Food and Gift Basket may be sent to HFGB, P. O. Box 3365, Oak Park IL VOLUNTEER Drivers are needed to deliver gifts Saturday, December 14 th starting at 8:00 am. Contact HFGB at holidaybasket@hotmail.com for details. Candle Lighting Service December 24 7:00 pm Unity of Oak Park 405 N. Euclid, Oak Park For more info visit Night Watch Service December 27 7:00 pm Unity of Oak Park 405 N. Euclid, Oak Park For more info visit Help spread the word by encouraging your congregation, friends, neighbors, school or business to get involved as well. On behalf of those served by the Holiday Food and Gift Basket, I thank you for your support. Patty Henek HFGB Coordinator L I K E US ON FACEBOOK Like us to get updates on our events and the work of the ministries we support:

5 Page 5 Common Call C H R I S T M A S IS RED, GREEN...AND SOMETIMES BLUE Blue Christmas Longest Night Service, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at River Forest United Methodist Church. Do you know someone feeling sad at Christmas time? Please invite them to a Service of Blue Christmas also known as Longest Night at 4:30 p.m. (sundown) on Saturday, December 21, at River Forest United Methodist Church, 7970 Lake Street. The clergy of our United Methodist cluster offer this quiet service of healing and comfort for persons of any church or no church. There will be Scripture, meditations, healing prayers, peaceful music, and an opportunity to light a candle on this darkest night of the year, the winter solstice. People are invited to stay for refreshments afterward. Pastors will be available for anyone who might want to talk or ask for personal prayers. Contact Pastor Ron Greene at MIDWI N T E R S TALES: SIMPLE GIFTS A CELEBRAT I O N OF THE SEASON IN MUSIC AND MUSINGS Benefiting both Oak Park Festival Theatre and Prevail at 7 PM, Saturday, December 7, 2013, Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois The sense, and well as the joy and peace, of the December holidays is easily lost in our frantic efforts to fulfill everyone s expectations of what and where we ought to be. For the past seven years Oak Park Festival Theatre and Prevail (formerly Oak Park River Forest Walk In Ministry) have offered the entire family an evening of respite and refocus, diversion and delight in song, spoken word and delicious holiday fare. This year s 90 minute Midwinter s Tales contains all new selections on the theme of Simple Gifts. Authors include Andy Borowitz, Winston Churchill, Billy Collins, e.e. cummings, Moss Hart, Garrison Keillor, Anne Lamott, Tom Leher, Lorrie Moore, David Sedaris, and Dylan Thomas. Performers include Festival Theatre family members: Beth Anne and Paul Amandes, Bob Behr, Lucy Carr, Tony Dobrowolski, Paul and Linus Engelhardt, Ella Gill, Jack Hickey, Lavina Jadwahli, Sara Nichols, Mark Richard, Molly Surowitz, Gwendolyn and Miranda Theis and Bob Vogler. They are joined by neighbors: Downtown Oak Park Director Max Austin- Williams, Anti-Gun Violence activist Christine Fenno, Oak Park Food Pantry stalwart Charles Lake, journalist Charles Meyerson, Village Clerk Teresa Powell, philanthropist Tony Ruggerio and the Unity Temple Singers under the direction of Martha Swisher. Following the performance in the glorious sanctuary of Frank Lloyd Wright s landmark Unity Temple, guests will repair to gracious Unity House for a festive reception and an opportunity to win bountiful gift baskets to savor or share. Tickets for the drawing are $5 each or $20 for five. Doors open at 6:30 PM Performance at 7 PM Reception at 8:30 PM Drawing for prize baskets at 9:15 PM Tickets prices are $25 for Adults and $20 for Seniors and Students. There is a $5 discount on all tickets purchased in advance. Tickets are available at: Oak Park Visitors Center, 1010 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL OR On-line at OR by phone at OR at the door on December 7, Submitted by Cristy Harris

6 Page 6 Common Call T H A N K YO U T O OUR RENEW E D CONGREGAT I O N S Ascension Church Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church First United Church First United Methodist Church Grace Lutheran Church & School Harvard Family United Church Oak Park Friends Meeting Oak Park Temple Pilgrim Congregational Church River Forest United Methodist Church Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality St. Catherine of Siena St. Lucy St. Edmund Parish St. Giles Church United Lutheran Church Unity Church of Oak Park Unity Temple West Suburban Temple Har Zion Community of Congregations Executive Committee Officers: President, Leonard Grossman West Suburban Temple Har Zion Vice President, Joe McDonald Ascension Catholic Church Treasurer, Mike Prus Ascension Catholic Church Secretary vacant Past President, Lowell Eckberg First United Methodist Church At-large committee members: Bud Hayes First United Church Marrey Picciotti St. Giles Catholic Parish Jim Robinson Oak Park Temple Delegates Emeritus: Harriette Robinet and McLouis Robinet St. Edmund Parish To learn more please visit: If your organization has a special celebration or activity that you would like to share with the Community of Congregations network, please send your information to Katie Avalos at oprfcoc@gmail.com by the 25 th of the month.

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8 BREAD FOR EVERYONE Blessed are you who hunger, you shall be filled. an Advent retreat day. Saturday, December 14, :00am to 4:30pm with Bro. Joseph Kilikevice, OP at Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality 708 N. Harvey Avenue, Oak Park. Give yourself a quiet day of prayerful reflection and quiet waiting away from the shopping malls. You will go home with the delicious honey whole wheat loaf of bread you made and a deeper awareness of what all people of the world are waiting for. Call for registration details

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10 CHRISTMAS COOKIE WALK (Homemade Cookies Sold by the Pound) Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows 3938 West Frontage Rd. (between Algonquin & Kirchoff) Saturday, December 14 th 8:45-11:00 am Cookies. $10.00 per pound Profits from sale will benefit the Bethel Lutheran Food Pantry Church office: Website: bethelutheran.org

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