THE April 2013 MESSENGER Dear Family of Faith at First, Grace and peace to you. The Peace of Wild Things When despair grows in me and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting for their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. ~Wendell Berry With Easter coming early this year, the month of April has liberty to choose her own topic of faith and life. This year, our elementary children will look upon the earth and try to grasp with poet Wendell Berry what it is to rest in the grace of the world. April 21, not so long ago declared Earth Day, also calls us to be deeply aware of the environment that holds our homes, and keeps our breath. The earth is a gift and so we pause this April to wonder together how we care for this gift, and if we are awake enough about it to be grateful and responsible for it. What do faith and our environment have to do with one another? From the very beginning God called upon human creatures to till the earth and keep it and so it is that the earth s life and human life were to be intimately connected. Humans can do nearly anything. You can plant any sort of living thing in your garden. And yet, it makes sense to be thoughtful and properly prayerful about the power of this permission: what grows well together, what gives back for all it receives, and what conditions are good for life? These gardening questions apply in fact to the soil and in metaphor to our gratitude, hospitality and care of all creation. God must have wanted us to care for the earth in sustaining ways, why else the capacity to do so? This month make sure you spend some time out of doors. Notice what is that did not need to be---color, splendor, beauty. It all could have just been functional, or just productive and not exquisite. Don t just notice---do something for the earth we have been given. Pick up trash that everyone else is saying is someone else s problem. Tend. Bless. Care. Make a conscious effort to change yours and your family s consumption---reuse, recycle, renew---and do it all with gratitude in your hearts and prayers of thanksgiving on your lips. Let us celebrate God s gift of earth together. Pastor Suzan
Page 2, THE MESSENGER, April 2013 As we head into spring, the APNC remains engaged in a Spirit-led effort to discern who God has called to be our next Associate Pastor. We continue to evaluate prospective candidates at various stages in the search process. While a few new Pastor Information Forms were received in the past month, the committee is focused on getting to know potential candidates through phone interviews, reviewing audio/video sermons, and Skype interviews. Through discussion, evaluation and prayer we have identified select individuals, any of whom we believe would bring to our congregation the pastoral skills, energy and love of Christ necessary to serve well as our Associate Pastor. We appreciate your patience and persistent prayers as we approach the final phases of this exciting journey. APNC: Fred Auwerter, Sherri Browdy, Jessie Coe, Jane Coen, John Forlow, Mike Kiss, Robyn Miller
Page 3, THE MESSENGER, April 2013 In this third installment of our Money Matters feature in the Messenger we want to comment on a few of the church expenses. Everyone has utility bills but a church our size has significant expense in just keeping the doors open. In 2012 we spent almost $50,000 on electricity and gas alone, and we are expecting about the same in 2013. As a large customer, we have negotiated contracts to provide these utilities at a favorable price. In addition, communications, water and trash pickup cost an additional $13,000 in 2012. In all, this comes out to about $172 a day for these essential services. Our church is a member of the Presbytery of Chicago, which we support through an annual assessment called Per Capita per capita because it is a fixed amount that we pay in monthly installments to the Presbytery based on the number of FPCD active members. The Presbytery of Chicago is one of 173 units that make up the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Chicago Presbytery includes about 100 churches with 35,000 members. The Presbytery, through the per capita funds, helps congregations with pastoral transitions, trains and supports interim ministers, cares for ministers and Christian educators and their families, and helps prepare candidates for service as ordained ministers. It also supports the work of the church at national, regional and local levels. As our share is based on slightly over 800 members, at $30.68 each, FPCD has an annual commitment to the Presbytery of $25,000. Keep in mind that we have this commitment whether or not members choose to pledge or otherwise support the church financially. We ll be covering other Money Matters in the months to come. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED to Our Network of Caring the family of Don March, who passed away February 27. Don was the husband of Jewel, father to Terri Graham and Don March, Jr., grandfather to Mitchell and Sean Graham, Jack and Max March. the Bleser family in the death of Camille Bleser, mother of Mike and grandmother to Caroline and Grant, who passed away on March 4th. LUNCH BUNCH: We welcome seasoned souls to share a Sunday lunch On April 21 at California Pizza Kitchen at 12:30 p.m.. Communion Service Our brief worship and holy communion service will be held on the 2nd Monday of April (April 8) at 1 p.m. All are welcome at this special service, especially those who cannot attend Sunday worship. Please contact the church (847.945.0560) if you know someone who needs a ride. Please pray for: Charles Blank, Marian Robertson, Marjorie White, Peter Herr Remember our military personnel on active duty : Major Dan Mitchell, Matt Northfell, U.S. Navy
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Page 8, THE MESSENGER, April 2013 Women s Ministries @ Deerfield Presbyterian A place for Presbyterian women to connect MARKETPLACE INDIA Thursday, May 16 Luncheon at Noon in John Calvin Hall Program, Fashion Show and Sale Begin at 1:00 Cost: $15 You are in for a special treat when Pushpika Freitas, Founder and President of Marketplace India, brings the Handwork of India to the First Presbyterian Church. MarketPlace Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not for profit organization which combines the experience of running a business with programs creating meaningful change in the lives of low income women of India. Hear Pushpika s story and mission. Beautiful hand made items of clothing will be modeled by our Presbyterian women. Clothes, home interior items and accessories will be available for purchase. Invite a friend to this special event! April Mission of the Month: A SAFE PLACE A Safe Place is the only non-profit residence in Lake County that provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence. For many years, the women of FPCD have generously supported this organization. During the month of April, we will collect donations of paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, laundry and dishwashing detergent, household cleaners and other paper goods such as napkins, paper plates and tissue. These items may be placed in the designated Mission Closet across from the bell cabinet. Thank you for your support. From the hymn We Have Labored, and We have Baked the Bread Words Ruth C. Duck, Pilgrim Press. We have labored and we have baked the bread. We have woven cloth; we have nurtured life. Now we re weaving a new creation, too. Praise, O god, all praise to you! Clothed in wisdom, may we live robed in love and praise. May our labor turn to joy, as we learn your ways. Song sung at the Retreat on 3/2/12. Thank you to all who attended the Lenten retreat. In addition to the wonderful program, it is the presence of all of you women sharing it that makes the day so meaningful for each of us.
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Don t miss the next concert at FPCD: The Music of Mozart and Haydn April 28, 4:00 p.m. The choirs of First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield and Southminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights, combine to perform Mozart s popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Haydn s Mass #8 in Cmaj (Mariazellermesse). A professional Chamber Orchestra will accompany the combined choirs. CHURCH STAFF Phone: 847/945-0560 Fax: 847/945-6554 Pastor: Suzan Hawkinson Pastoral Assistant: Matthew Schmidt Director of Christian Beginnings: Judy Rundell Director of Christian Education: Thomas Cunningham Music Programs Director: Michael Nelson Organist: Dr. William A. Crowle Director of Youth Choirs: Nick Filipowski Office Staff Office Manager, Financial Services, Member Services: Tamara Santi Administrative Associate: Terri Berardini Custodial Services: Elma Phillips and Raul Lopez Worship at 8:30, 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. www.firstpresdf.org