Progressing on St. John's Strategic Plan
About 45 people attended small group gatherings after church on 4 separate Sundays (March 13, 20, 27 and April 3rd). The purpose of these discussions was to receive input from the congregation (both members and non-members) on our draft Strategic Plan, which includes a new vision statement, mission statement, core values, and goals. See draft here.
These meetings were highly successful in gathering input and honest dialog. We want to continue to engage the congregation in our discernment process. We are not rushing to final language. In fact, we intend to incorporate input and address areas of question with further dialog.
On May 22nd during church, we will engage the congregation again on this topic.
Yours in Christ,
Christi Wise
Council President
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Happy Birthday to those born 4/29-5/5
- Kelli VanderPal, 4/30
- Beatrix Bolash, 5/3
- Emily Chittajallu, 5/3
- Sam Rutherford, 5/4
We apologize for any omissions. If your birthday, anniversary, or new intention on the prayer list is not included, please contact churchoffice@stjohnswilmette.com to be added. Please also let us know of any personal or family milestones, including happy occasions or serious lifecycle events that you would like to share with the St. John's community.
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Welcome, Pastor Erik Christensen
We are happy to welcome back Pastor Erik Christensen (he/him/his), our guest preacher and presider for Sunday while Pastor Allison is away. Pastor Erik is the Pastor to the Community and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). He formerly served as Pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square, where he supervised Pastor Allison during her part-time internship. We are so grateful to have him visiting St. John’s.
First Communion/Thanksgiving for Communion Classes
Student Pastor Derek is leading a three-week First Communion/Thanksgiving for Communion class with children and youth. The class meets during Children’s Church time this morning, and May 8th, in person only. We will celebrate and receive first communion on May 15th during the 9:30 am service. All children are welcome and encouraged to participate regardless of whether they’ve received communion previously. If you’d like to volunteer to assist or have questions, please email derek@stjohnswilmette.com.
Adult Forum Completes Book Study - Newcomers Invited
The final part to this book study will be held this Sunday morning, from 11 am to 12 pm, in person. The book is Materiality as Resistance: Five Elements for Moral Action in the Real World by Walter Brueggemann. It is not necessary to read the book in advance. Please contact Peter Knobel at 847-494-2815 if you would like a copy of the book or have any questions.
Family Promise Returns
We are excited to announce that St. John’s will be hosting Family Promise families for three weeks, from May 1-22. Family Update: Currently there are two families in the program (Marcus and his three boys: Marius, 4 yr., Ky, 3 yr. and Maison, 1 yr., and Dulce and her daughter, Jeannette, 21 yr, and daughter, Valerie, 15 mo.) Our youth ministry program is hosting a welcome party this Sunday at 6 pm, which will include supper and getting to know our guests. All are welcome!
For the evenings that follow, we are asking volunteers from St. John’s to sign up to provide dinner and/or spend time with the families. Family Promise staff will stay overnight each night, so overnight hosts are not needed. Please check the Signup Genius link here or contact the church office to sign up to participate!
Considering Matthew Shepard: An Oratorio
In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a young, gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a lonely field under a blanket of stars. Five days later, when Matt passed away, the world was watching. Approaching the eve of the 20th anniversary, Craig Hella Johnson has responded with his first concert-length work, Considering Matthew Shepard. This three-part fusion oratorio speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole. Johnson sets a wide range of poetic and soulful texts by poets including Hildegard of Bingen, Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi. Passages from Matt’s personal journal, interviews and writings from his parents Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Browne are poignantly appointed throughout the work. Tickets for the remaining part can be purchased here
Remaining Performance Date:
Sunday, May 1, 4:00 pm Grace Lutheran Church
(7300 Division, River Forest, IL)
Wilmette’s Sesquicentennial Celebration
The celebration of Wilmette’s 150th birthday includes the improvement of a Village Center alley to provide safe pedestrian access between the Metra parking lot and the shops and restaurants in the Village Center. Part of this work will be a sidewalk with commemorative bricks identifying citizens, businesses and organizations that have been part of the development of the community. St. John’s is certainly one of the foundational organizations dating back to its establishment in 1903 and it would be great to commemorate that fact. The cost of a brick is $150 or $250 depending on its size and so far $50 has been pledged towards a St. John’s brick. If you would like to contribute towards this effort please do so through Jan Wendel in the church office. The deadline is May 31st.
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Sunday, May 1
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with In-person Communion Class
10:30 am Coffee Hour
11:00 am Adult Forum: Materiality as Resistance
6:00 pm Family Promise Welcome Party
Tuesday, May 3
11:00 am Zoom-only Bible Study
Wednesday, May 4
6:30 pm Confirmation Class
Thursday, May 5
12:00 pm Zoom-only Men’s Lunch
Sunday, May 8
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with In-Person Communion Class
10:30 am Coffee Hour
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Sunday Sermon Video
If you missed last week's service or want to watch it again, you can view it here.
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Second Sunday of Easter
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Guest Minister: The Rev. Erik Christensen
Assisting Minister: Alan Swanson
Guest Pianist: Peter Schwendener
Cantor: Stephanie Chee
Minister of the Word: Alla Rusz
Crucifer: Aidan Maglocci
Bell Ringer: Jan Wendel
Usher: Buckley Crist
Altar Guild: Cindi Rachowicz
First Communion Class: Student Pastor Derek Stienmetz
Livestream Camera Operator: Luke Rasmssen
Zoom Host: Luke Rasmussen
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