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Lenten Book Study Books are In!
This Lent, our congregation will be exploring Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know about Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity by The Rev. Elizabeth Edman. Copies of the book are available for pick-up in worship or in the church office during the week. A $10 donation to offset the cost of the book is suggested, but not required. Grab a book and read along with us!
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About Queer Virtue
As an openly lesbian Episcopal priest and professional advocate for LGBTQ justice, The Reverend Elizabeth Edman has spent her career grappling with the core tenets of her faith. After deep reflection on her tradition, Edman is struck by the realization that her queer identity has taught her more about how to be a good Christian than the church.
In Queer Virtue, Edman posits that Christianity, at its scriptural core, incessantly challenges its adherents to rupture false binaries, to “queer” lines that pit people against one another. Thus, Edman asserts that Christianity, far from being hostile to queer people, is itself inherently queer. Arguing from the heart of scripture, she reveals how queering Christianity—that is, disrupting simplistic ways of thinking about self and other—can illuminate contemporary Christian faith.
A rich and nuanced exploration, Queer Virtue mines the depths of Christianity’s history, mission, and core theological premises to call all Christians to a more authentic and robust understanding of their faith.
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Introducing King Sam Novak
of St. John's Wilmette
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Last Sunday, we were treated to a delicious King Cake for coffee hour in celebration of Mardi Gras, courtesy of Jeff Danielsen. The King Cake tradition was brought to America by settlers from Spain and France as part of the celebration of Twelfth Night (Epiphany). The celebration lasts until Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the eve before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. As part of the celebration, it is tradition to bake a cake to honor the three kings (or magi) who came to visit the baby Jesus. The cakes are baked in an oval shape to represent the unity of faiths and in the New Orleans tradition have taken on the Mardi Gras colors of purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small baby, symbolizing the Baby Jesus, is often hidden inside of the cake with the person who finds the baby being considered “king” for the day and is said to have been blessed with good fortune. Also, that person is traditionally responsible for bringing the next King Cake to the party.
So who found the baby Jesus in their piece of cake? Congratulations to Sam Novak! All hail this year's king!
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Congratulations to Ania Kazakevich and Ryan Kettelkamp, and brother, Walker, on the birth of Willa Rae, born on January 20, 2023.
Happy Birthday to those born 2/24-3/2:
- Allison Fitzgerald, 2/25
- Kristen Danielsen, 2/27
- Dan Novak, 3/1
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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Lenten Dinner Church: Holden Evening Prayer & Queer Virtue
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 1: Identity & Pride – Chapters 2 & 7
- 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
Wilmette Worker Rights Educational Event
This Sunday, February 26, 3:00-4:00 pm, St. John’s Wilmette
Arise Chicago, a multi-faith workers rights organization, is partnering with religious leaders and Wilmette community leaders to promote the Cook County workers’ rights laws. Come learn more about these laws and how we can promote fairness for all Wilmette workers! Questions? Contact Luke Sullivan at luke@arisechicago.org or 872-223-2415.
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.” Next Sunday, March 5, from 10:45-11:45 am, we welcome The Rev. Elle Dowd to lead us in a presentation on the markers of a church that is truly queer-affirming. 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 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. Pastor Elle will also guest preach in worship that Sunday (March 5).
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Confronting the Biblical "Clobber Passages"
On February 12, we welcomed The Rev. Kaari Reierson to lead a discussion on passages in the Bible that are often misused to argue that homosexuality is a sin. The Rev. Reierson was involved in writing the ELCA's social statement on Human Sexuality and has been a resource for other congregations on their RIC journeys. Check out the recording of her presentation below.
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Clobber Passages with The Rev. Kaari Reierson
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Sunday, February 26
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:45 am Coffee Hour
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Arise Chicago Educational Event on Wilmette Worker Rights
Tuesday, February 28
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bible Study
Wednesday, March 1
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Lenten Dinner Church
Thursday, March 2
12:00 - 1:00 pm Zoom-only Men’s Lunch
Sunday, March 5
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:30 am Coffee Hour
10:45 am - 11:45 am From Welcoming to Inclusive: What it Means to be Fully Affirming
11:00 - 11:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal
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Sunday Service Video
If you missed last week's service or want to watch it again, you can view it here.
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Transfiguration Sunday
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Preaching & Presiding Minister: The Rev. Allison Bengfort
Assisting Minister: Cindi Rachowicz
Guest Organist: Sam Reese
Cantor: Audrey Neace
Usher: Buckley Crist
Children's Church: Erin & Luke Rasmussen, Courtney Radde
Altar Guild: Susan Crist
Coffee Hour Hosts: The Danielsen Family
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