Leadership Team Update

On Sunday, Oct. 7th, our members received the first drafts of the church’s 2019 Strategic Plan and the 2019 Budget. These documents are the fruit of a lot of work and discernment by our Leadership Team (LT), members and regular attendees. 

The Process Each Year
The strategic planning process begins with Pastor David casting a vision for the church's upcoming year. This vision informs the questions we ask our members and attendees at the first of two congregational conversations. Their answers inform our discussion at the LT's annual strategic planning retreat. Out of this retreat comes a draft of the plan and the budget, which is then discussed at the second congregational conversation. The LT revises the plan based on the members’ feedback. Finally, the members vote to approve the final version of the plan and budget at the annual business meeting. 

This Year
For the 2019 Strategic Plan, the vision focused on preparing to move forward into our next decade as a church. At our First Congregational Conversation on September 16th, we discussed needs regarding staffing, communication and space. As usual, our congregation responded with a lot of tough questions and a lot of bold ideas. The Leadership Team Retreat on September 22nd was a full day of prayer and dialogue, along with eating, checking in, and meditating.  I have to give a special shout out to LT members, Sandra Rogers, Susan Sperry, Doug Yee, and Jarrett Yu. We worked two members down, with Pastor David and Monica Ko on leave. Still, the retreat yielded a very ambitious and thoughtful plan.
 
Although we are only halfway through this process, God has shown his continued faithfulness through the way he has spoken through everyone involved. Our next step will be the Second Congregational Conversation, immediately after service on October 28th. Members are required and attendees are welcomed to attend. So, please mark your calendars. 
 
Thank you and bless God!
Dennis Bourne
Leadership Team Chair

Special Bible Study on November 1st

Below is the BIO for our speaker, Lenore Three Stars, at Bible Study on Thursday, November 1st at 7pm. You won't want to miss this! Lenore will share the message that she offered at NPU Chapel on the theme of INFUSED from Isaiah 61. Lenore’s message looks at “INFUSED Creation” from an indigenous perspective. How does scripture treat a worldview that all creation is sacred and that humans have a kinship with each other and with all creation?

Lenore Three Stars is Oglala Lakota, born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota where her father was born. Her mother is Minnicoujou Lakota from the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. After retiring from a federal career in civil rights in Seattle, Lenore moved to Spokane to be an active 
unci, grandmother, and begin her grad studies.  

 

Currently, Lenore is studying indigenous theology (North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies) part-time, through Portland Seminary, towards a missional master’s degree in Intercultural Studies. This has become a journey of decolonzing her theology, allowing her to learn the richness of following Jesus from a native context rather than from euro-western formation. 


Lenore volunteers with Native and denominational ministries, and particularly enjoys her role as a Facilitator on the Journey to Mosaic, an annual 4-day racial reconciliation bus trip with the PacNW Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Your generosity helps our ministry flourish. Please see this fact sheet to learn more about how to give or visit our website to give online. Thank you!

Calendar & Opportunities

Congregational Conversation | Sunday, October 28
The first Congregational Conversation on Sunday, September 16th gave the Leadership Team a lot to take with them to their working retreat this weekend. There will be a second Congregational Conversation on Sunday, October 28 to review the draft of the 2019 Strategic Plan and Budget.

Kids City and Nursery Volunteers Needed
Our kids ministry is growing! We've added a third children's class and we need lots more volunteers! If you're interested in serving in the nursery (6 months-3 years), the Preschool class (3-5 years), or the Kid City class (6 and up), please contact Maggie Swanson at swanson.maggie@gmail.com.


Jackie Robinson Supplies | Sundays until October 28
We are collecting items requested by Jackie Robinson Elementary to bolster their supplies for the start of the year. Please bring to church any Sunday through October 7. Items will be delivered to the school on October 8th. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to get some items!
They still need:
Hand Sanitizer (Big Bottles), Ice Packs, Band-Aids, Neosporin


Special Bible Study Speaker | Thursday, November 1 at 7pm
Lenore Three Stars' message will look at “INFUSED Creation” from an indigenous perspective. How does scripture treat a worldview that all creation is sacred and that humans have a kinship with each other and with all creation?

Community Potluck after Service | Sunday, November 4
Bring something to share and get to know someone new. As a reminder...kids will be in the service with us so our Kid's City folks can join us.


Monthly Basketball | Third Sundays
All are welcome to join a friendly game of basketball in the Kennicott gym after service on the third Sunday of the month. In order to get started quickly, please assist the setup team in putting equipment back and putting up chairs!

Open AA Meeting | Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM
The Chicago Area Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous offers a weekly meeting. The meeting is open to all who desire to stop drinking and is held every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Room 425 of Mercy Hospital at 2525 South Michigan Avenue (312-567-2000).

Google Group
Join our Google Group for unofficial church news, happenings etc.
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