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This Sunday, we welcome Pastor Elle Dowd (she/they) as she returns to St. John's as guest preacher and presenter. Pastor Elle is a bi-furious ELCA pastor, PhD student at Chicago Theological Seminary, campus minister of South Loop Campus Ministry, and author of Baptized in Teargas. She has visited us several times over the past few years, and this weekend, she will offer her expertise on LGBTQ issues in the church and how we can grow into our value of welcoming all people. Check out the info on her presentation below:
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From Welcoming to Inclusive: What it Means to be Fully Affirming
What does it really mean to be an LGBTQIA-affirming church? As part of our RIC process, we are working on moving from an attitude of “queer people are allowed to be here” to an attitude of “we built this with our queer siblings in mind.” On Sunday, March 5, from 10:45-11:45 am, The Rev. Elle Dowd will lead us in a presentation on the markers of a church that is truly queer-affirming. She will share about her own experiences as a queer person in the church and help us reflect on how the culture of St. John’s can continue to evolve to embody our love for all God’s children.
We hope you will join us after worship this Sunday from 10:45-11:45 am for rich conversation with Pastor Elle!
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Happy Birthday to those born 3/3-3/9:
- Dan Novak, 3/1
- Jill Witt, 3/5
- Caroline Novak, 3/6
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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Wednesday Dinner Church during Lent
On each of the five Wednesdays in March, we will gather at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall for Dinner Church. The service will begin with portions of Holden Evening Prayer accompanied by piano and violin and including song, prayer, and scripture. We will continue the service with a soup supper and conversation about topics from the book, Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know about Life and Love and How it Can Revitalize Christianity, by The Rev. Elizabeth Edman. We will watch a 2-minute video of the author sharing about the day’s theme and look at a brief except from the book to spark conversation. Reading the book is not required or expected, but certainly welcome! Books are now available to be picked up at worship or in the church office during the week. A $10 donation to offset the cost of the book is suggested, but not required. If you’d like to read along with the theme for each week, follow the schedule below:
- March 8: Risk & Coming Out – Chapters 3 & 8
- March 15: Touch – Chapter 4
- March 22: Adoption & Authenticity – Chapters 6 & 9
- March 29: Scandal & Hospitality – Chapters 5 & 10
Our RIC Journey: Resources Available, Questions & Comments Invited
This winter and spring, our congregation is doing the internal reflection and learning necessary to become not just welcoming, but fully affirming of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is called the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) process, which our RIC Team (Chris Maglocci, Chad Johnson, Molly Bolash, and Luke Rasmussen) hopes will culminate in an affirmative vote at our June congregational meeting to become an RIC church. Free resources on Biblical interpretation, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and queer terminology can be found on the table in the gathering area. The team would love to talk with you about your questions, comments, or concerns, so please reach out to have a conversation. You may also place anonymous questions in the rainbow box in the gathering area.
CCA Presents J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion
Chicago Choral Artists' once again joins the Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and the Orchestra of Grace Lutheran Church to perform J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Bach's largest vocal work, the St. Matthew Passion is monumental in scale and packed with drama as soloists, two choirs, and two orchestras bring the words of Matthew's gospel to life. Bach is a master storyteller, building tension in the narrative, and knowing when to step back and change the pace with new melodies, new meters, deeper emotions, and infinite invention. Intimate arias and familiar, reflective chorales speak to the heart of the Christian faith, that Christ died for us and for our salvation. This concert is free and unticketed. Performances are on March 25th at 6pm and March 26th at 4pm at Grace Lutheran Church (7300 Division St., River Forest).
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Sunday, March 5
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:30 am Coffee Hour
10:45 - 11:45 am RIC Presentation by Pastor Elle Dowd: From Welcoming to Inclusive
11:00 - 11:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, March 7
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bible Study
Wednesday, March 8
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Lenten Dinner Church
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Church Council Meeting
Thursday, March 9
12:00 - 1:00 pm Zoom-only Men’s Lunch
Sunday, March 12
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:30 am Coffee Hour
11:00 - 11:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal
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Worship Video
If you missed last Sunday's service or want to watch it again, you can view it here.
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First Sunday in Lent
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Presiding Minister: The Rev. Allison Bengfort
Guest Preacher: The Rev. Elle Dowd
Assisting Minister: Chris Maglocci
Minister of Music: Luke Duroc-Danner
Cantor: Audrey Neace
Minister of the Word: Emma Radde
Usher: Alan Swanson
Children’s Church: Luke & Erin Rasmussen, Susan Flachsbart, Alissa Gemeny
Altar Guild: Cindi Rachowicz
Livestream Camera Operator: Michel Hauser
Coffee Hour Host: Molly Bolash
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