WCC Messenger, February 25, 2017

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February 25, 2017

Hello <<Parent/Guardian First Name:>>

In this Issue:

Lent Begins...
Servants Mission Trip | March 25-April 1
Budget Meeting | February 26
Men's Fellowship
Family Promise
Canvass Update
Volunteer at A Just Harvest
Adult Enrichment : Islam
Woman's Society Program
40 Days-40 Items
Hearing Challenges

Chamber Singers
Exploring Grief
Membership Orientation | May 7
A Just Harvest
The Status of Women
Join the Floured Apron
Wish Them a Happy Birthday
Prayer List
Parish Calendar
Contact Your Pastors
WCC Staff

Lent Begins…

Lent begins…

Not with bright spectacle or bombast,
Not with lively strains or liturgical luster,
Not with bellicose assertions or bravado,
Not with pleasing platitudes or promises of cheap grace…

…but with ashes.

Ashes that remind us of the fleeting nature of our physical existence.
Ashes that force us to examine the direction of our lives and our devotion to the One in whom we find our ultimate ground and being.
Ashes that starkly, discomfortingly, perhaps even tearfully—but ever so lovingly and ever so honestly—help to reveal the depth of our longing for a closer communion… with God, with our families, with our fellow citizens, and with our sisters and brothers of the world, including those with whom we are embattled.
Ashes that remind us how our minds can be so incredibly willing, but, our bodies, so weak,

And yet, equally and undeniably, ashes…

That—even as they attest to the inevitability of our death—point through to something
Even more potent, even more unspeakably profound:

The assurance of our resurrection.
In Christ.

Lent begins…

Not with bright spectacle or bombast,
Not with lively strains or liturgical luster,
Not with bellicose assertions or bravado,
Not with pleasing platitudes or promises of cheap grace…

…but with ashes.

Ashes in whose lifeless and charred chalk there stirs a haunting-yet-hallowing, barely-more-than-silent, yet audible-in-our-hearts message. A message that calls us…

…Through Lent,
…To and through the Cross
…To and through the tomb
…To Forgiveness
…To Grace
…To Light
…To the Service of a Greater Good
…To Love
…to Life. Everlasting. On earth as it is in Heaven.

Lent begins. With our Ash Wednesday service at 7 P.M. on Wednesday, March 1.

So let us join. “together”. In reverent, reflective spirit. In centering and solemn prayer. In greater number than ever before. That we might begin the journey toward Easter in earnest. And, by so doing, that we might humbly allow the full power of Easter’s promise to take slowly but surely seed within us; and that even the ashes of our lives might become...

…the fertile soil of faith.

God's Peace,

Jeffrey D. Braun, Senior Pastor

Servants Mission Trip 2017: A Soulful Journey to New Orleans, A Collective Chance to Help Good Folks Return Home

This year, on behalf of our congregation, our Servants will travel to New Orleans (March 25-April 1). There, we will partner in rebuilding homes with a truly world-class and salt-of-the-earth organization, called SBP (http://www.stbernardproject.org).

Our common mission is simple but profound: To bring home good and deserving folks who have been displaced by Katrina’s ravaging waters for over 11 years!
It is our Servants who will be traveling to New Orleans, along with Senior Pastor Jeff Braun and our amazing Faith Guides, Steve Huels and Jennifer Guy. In that sense, it is the Servants’ trip. But they do not make this trip alone. Our Servants journey with our prayers, our hopes, and our love. In this sense—and in the collective spirit of our church’s theme and goal of “together”—it is the congregation’s trip, as well!

So, join us! Come stand by and with our Servants as we prepare for, celebrate, and fund this material and prayerful fulfillment of our common Call in Christ! Join in as we empower both our Servants efforts on our behalf, and, through them, the healing work of SBP.

How to Help:

Attend our Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 28 from 5:30 to 7 P.M. in Tolman Hall. (Cajun-inspired costumes, welcome!)
Purchase Mission Stock, when it goes on sale starting Sunday, February 26. (Feel free to buy in bulk!)
Attend worship on Sunday, March 19, 2017 — during which we will commission the Servants before their mission trip through prayer and the laying on of hands.
Attend and bid boldly on items at our Silent Auction in Tolman Hall immediately after worship on Sunday, March 19.
Donate a Silent Auction item. Sports or theater tickets, wine, golf or paddle outings, babysitting, dog walking, etc.! Contact Susan Temple if interested. Auction Signup HERE.

Your heartfelt generosity and Spirit-sparked support will help to make the Servants’ trip a reality, their work impactful, and their memories lasting.

We thank you, in advance, for your support, enthusiasm, and care!

All men are invited to join us for our Irish Spring BBQ Bratfest on St. Patrick’s Day Friday, March 17, 5:00-7:30 P.M., in Tolman Hall. Weather permitting, we may fellowship on the patio as well.

Just bring your favorite brew along with an appetizer or side. A free-will offering is always welcome to help underwrite these festive events. First timer? Just bring yourself to this growing and favorite way for WCC men to socialize in a casual setting.

To RSVP or for more information, contact either of our Leprechauns:
Steve Huels
Brad McLane

Need Family Promise Volunteers: March 5-12

Would you like to get involved? Our church will be hosting 3 to 4 families for 1 week starting March 5th. It’s truly a wonderful experience for our volunteers! Our guests, usually with young children, are currently without a home and trying to “get back on their feet” with the goal of full employment and moving into their own apartment. They will be guests in our church for dinner, after-dinner activities, and overnight (in Sunday school classrooms). After one week they move on to another congregation on the North Shore. See below for the volunteer slots where we still need help. We try to have 2 volunteers (or a family) for each shift. Each overnighter sleeps in a private room (with TV) on a “comfy” mattress. Please add your name to our Signup Genius or send an email to Susan Temple.

Still looking for:
• Extra helpers most evenings after dinner as “Activity hosts” playing with children in the gym. This is a great way for new folks to take a peek at this program! Signup Genius

As of February 23, 2017:

Total pledges received = 186

$ Amount received: $894,275

Goal: $1,050,000

% of Goal: 85%

Balance of goal: $155,725

In response to God's graciousness as lived out in the mission and ministry of Winnetka Congregational Church, I/we offer this pledge to financially support the facilities, staff, and outreach. Click to Pledge.

If you are interested in serving dinner at A Just Harvest the first Monday of any month, please contact Laurie Morse at 847-835-4123.

On two Sunday mornings and four Wednesday evenings during Lent, Adult Enrichment will center on the Lenten theme of forgiveness.

To set the tone, on Sunday mornings, March 5 and 12, we will view and discuss a 2-part DVD on The Power of Forgiveness. From Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, featuring the late Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh; bestselling authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson; and the Rev. James Forbes, this documentary explores the important work of forgiveness and reveals how it can transform our lives.

Join us in the Centennial Room at 8:45 A.M. for Refreshments & Fellowship, followed by Program at 9:00.

Wednesday evening, March 15, we will welcome a local author and friend, Jeanne Bishop, who will discuss her book Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy, and Making Peace with My Sister’s Killer. Join us in the Centennial Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

3-Week Wednesday evening series, March 22, 29 and April 5, facilitated by our Council’s Vice Chair, Fred Gougler, on the late Henri Nouwen’s classic book on forgiveness, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming.

Books available for $10. Contact our Adult Enrichment Liaison, Rev. William Mueller at 441-3400, ext.23. Join us in the Centennial Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Woman’s Society “Let’s Do Lunch!”
Wednesday, March 1

The National Park Service: 100 Years and Counting

Program: 11:00 A.M. in the Centennial Room
Social Time and Luncheon at Noon in Tolman Hall

Our March program is a not-to-be-missed presentation by Bob Blythe, architectural historian, who will give a talk about the establishment of the first national parks in the west in the 19th century and the creation of the National Park Service in 1916. The expansion of the NPS’s mission to include the administration of historical sites and battlefields in the 1930s will be discussed, as well as the substantial expansion of the national park system starting around 1970. Finally, the origins and history of NPS sites in and near Illinois will be described: Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Illinois & Michigan National Heritage Corridor, and the recently established Pullman National Monument.

In celebration of last year’s centennial of the Park Service, we encourage all members of WCC and friends to take this opportunity to learn about our treasured National Park Service, and to share fellowship together. Men are welcome, and encouraged to attend both the lecture and the luncheon.

Please make luncheon reservations by Monday, February 27, by calling Lois-Eve Anderson at 847-272-7107 or email her. Luncheon cost is $15. Also indicate whether you will attend Bob Blythe’s talk.

Forty Days – Forty Items
Wednesday, March 1st is the first day of Lent.

WCC Rummage has a challenge for you!

Each day of Lent, remove one item from a closet or a shelf that you no longer wear or need and put it into this bag. At the end of the forty days, donate these items to WCC Rummage so that they can be shared with someone who can really use them and raise funds for Woman’s Society Benevolence which supports over 40 area 501 (c)(3) non-profits each year. Visit our website for more information about the mission of WCC Rummage.

Monday, March 13
Religious Leaders Discuss Hearing Challenges at Places of Worship: Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer Ph.D. of Congregation Bene Shalom, "The Congregation of the Deaf," along with the Reverend Joseph Mulcrone, Director of Chicago's Catholic Office of the Deaf, will explain their unique work and how they help those with hearing loss deal with the challenging settings in places of worship. Please join us for this informative program in a room equipped with a hearing loop and live captioning. Presented by the North Shore Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. 10 A.M.-noon. North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield. Free. 847-784-6040

Renowned College Chamber Choir Visits WCC

The award winning Chamber Singers from the University of South Dakota will present a concert on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 P.M. in our Sanctuary. Their program entitled Circle of Life, comprises unaccompanied choral repertoire of classical and contemporary selections spanning a variety of languages and cultures. As described by the ensemble's director, David Holdhusen, a former conducting student of our choirmaster Robert Harris at NU, We start the program with music that demonstrates the beginning of life and then journey through the significant life milestones in song.

We urge the congregation to attend this concert and to provide a warm welcome to the USD Chamber Singers and to enjoy an evening of superb choral music. The concert will last about one hour and a half with an intermission where a free will offering will be collected.

Exploring Grief Group Winter Session at WCC

Winnetka Congregational Church
March 6 and 20 | From 7 - 8:30 P.M.

We are pleased to offer our unique Exploring Grief Group. This series provides a confidential, supportive and educational environment to cope with grief.Meetings are led by Joellen Hosler, MDiv, LCPC, who has extensive experience with grief and loss through her work with clients and as a Pastor, Joellen designs a special presentation for each meeting tailored to the needs of the registered group.

For more information or to register for any of the 6-session groups, please contact Joellen at 847-446-6955 ext. 19.

Are you interested in membership at WCC? Would you like to know more about the church, its history and role in the community?
If you have questions about membership or are interested in learning more, please contact: Carrie Alt or Brad McLane.
The New Member Orientations is scheduled for May 7th.

The New Trier Multifaith Alliance (formerly Winnetka Interfaith Council) will soon be sponsoring another of its unique forums exploring the sacred texts of the Abrahamic religions.

This third forum―entitled The Status of Women: Have We Come Far Enough? What Do the Sacred Texts Teach?―will feature Dr. Thomas Mockaitis, as moderator, and four panelists: Ms. S. Valerie Dana, J.D., Bahá’í; Ms. Hind Makki, Muslim; Rev. Heath Howe, Christian; and Rabbi Emily Segal, Jewish. The forum will be held on Tuesday, March 14, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Winnetka Covenant Church, 1200 Hibbard Road (at Illinois Road), in Wilmette. The forum will be free and open to the public.

Panelists in the March 14 forum will select passages from their sacred writings to support their perspective on the status of women. Written questions from the floor will be welcomed and shared by the moderator during the last segment of the forum. Hospitality and light refreshments will be offered afterwards.

The New Trier Multifaith Alliance, which fosters respect and understanding among Faiths, has been a source of positive interfaith relations for 50 years in the Winnetka area. The recent joining of additional Faith communities in the New Trier area made the adoption of a new name, indicative of the expanded reach of the organization, timely.

Please Join the Floured Apron for a Ladies Night out

Wine and Chocolate
Tasting

Thursday, March 9
Bubbly begins at 7 PM | Share
1222 Washington Court, 2nd floor, Wilmette

Sponsored by Share, Guittard Chocolate, Anderson/Gann Wines and the Bottle Shop, Wilmette

Invite Your Friends. We encourage you to bring women that would like to learn about The Floured Apron and have fun at the same time. Let’s spread the word!

BUY TICKETS

I CANNOT ATTEND BUT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION

FEBRUARY
25: Margaret Sudekum, Alexander Davis
26: Pat Hastings, Tom Pratt
27: Eleanor Prince, Mark Vorhees, Lauren Blake, Jackson Katzman
28: Harris Jackson, Lisa Ebersole
29: Alice Kepler

MARCH
1: James Miller, Neva Egan, Deborah Herst, Taft Lewis
2: Susan Wellington, Robert Kyle, Jack Leadholm
4: Nancy Fox, Susan Gillette

PRAYER LIST

Please keep in mind we update our online Prayer List every Thursday. Each week we email a PRAYER LIST to those among our members who request such a list to know about who to be praying for and with. Our Monday afternoon Prayer Group uses the list to hold these persons listed on the Prayer List in their prayers.You too can pray with and for those persons listed by requesting to add your name to the e-blast Prayer List. Contact the Rev. William Mueller at 441-3400, ext.23.

PARISH CALENDAR

Sunday, February 26
9:00 AM	Adult Enrichment: CR
10:00 AM	Worship: S
10:15 AM	Church School (JK-2nd only): EW
11:00 AM	Budget Meeting: TFH
11:30 AM	WCC Singers: MR
4:00 PM	Servants: LL 1
5:30 PM	Youth Musical Rehearsal: MR
6:15 PM	Confirmation Class: Sr. Pastor’s Study
6:15 PM	Navigators: TFH

Monday, February 27
3:30 PM	Prayer Group: CL

Tuesday, February 28
5:30 PM	Pancake Supper: TFH
6:30 PM	Executive Meeting: Sr. Pastor’s Study

Wednesday, March 1
7:30 AM	Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil: LC
9:30 AM	Women of Note: MR
11:00 AM	WS Program-The National Park Service
12:00 PM	WS Luncheon: TFH
7:00 PM	Ash Wednesday Worship Service: S

Thursday, March 2
9:00 AM	AA: TFH
6:15 PM	Bell Choir: Jr.K
7:00 PM	Chancel Choir Rehearsal: MR

Friday, March 3
9:00 AM	Women’s Bible Study: CR
6:30 PM	First Friday: CR

Sunday, March 5 - First Sunday of Lent
	Family Promise
9:00 AM	Adult Enrichment: CR
10:00 AM	Worship: S
10:15 AM	Church School: EW
11:00 AM	Fellowship: TFH
11:30 AM	WCC Singers: MR

Monday, March 6
3:30 PM	Prayer Group: CL
4:45 PM	A Just Harvest: Away
7:00 PM	Exploring Grief: CR

Tuesday, March 7
10:30 AM	Safe Church Meeting: CR
7:00 PM	NAMI - Balance for Success: LL 2
7:00 PM	University South Dakota Choir Concert: S

Wednesday, March 8
9:30 AM	Women of Note: MR

AMP - Amphitheater
AC - Alsdorf Center
CR - Centennial Room
CL - Conference Library
EW - Education Wing
JK - Jr. Kindergarten
L - Library
LC - Little Chapel
LL - Lower Level (Youth Rooms)
MR - Music Room
NN - New Narthex
S - Sanctuary
TFH - Tolman Fellowship Hall
WS - Woman's Society

Dawn Huntsman
Administrative Assistant
847.441.3400, ext. 10

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Braun
Senior Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 16

The Rev. Sarah Walker Cleaveland
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 15

The Rev. Dr. William A. Mueller
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 23

Dr. Robert A. Harris
Director of Music/Choirmaster
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Elaine Clemens
Director of Children’s Music Organist
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Cecelia J. Blue
Director of Christian Education
847.441.3400, ext. 17

Waldek A. Ziolkowski
Publisher
847.441.3400, ext. 27

Lloyd H Culbertson
Office & Facilities Manager
847.441.3400, ext. 12

Ray Koch, Chief Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Mark Dudek, Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Doug Coulter, Accountant
847.441.3400, ext. 13

Paul Allen, Pastor Emeritus
Joseph A. Shank, Pastor Emeritus

Phone: 847.441.3400

Pastoral Care
A reminder: When you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital or other health care facility, please let your pastors know by phone or email. Due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), such organizations are prohibited from providing confidential information to anyone, including clergy. Contact any of us at 441-3400 or via our emails (images are linked)

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