Welcoming New Members
This Sunday, we welcome Sam Liebenson and Bronwyn Parhad to the St. John's family during our worship service. Both Sam & Bronwyn have been worshiping with us for several months, and they are happy to be joining as official members. We celebrate this step in their faith journeys with a special reception in the Fellowship Hall following worship.
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Bronwyn Parhad
I am a retired Youth Services Librarian and after some moves am now back in Wilmette living at the Mallinckrodt in the Park on Ridge Avenue. I have two adult children, Darien and Brenna. You may remember Brenna from VBS. I am a former member of Wilmette Lutheran Church many years ago.
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Samuel Liebenson
I am someone who loves music, walking outside and being with my friends and family. I like to help others when I can and try to be kind to everyone. I believe everyone is a child of God regardless of what you believe. I believe in love, compassion, and understanding. I look forward to being an official member of the church.
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A Note from Pr. Allison on Boundaries
Beloved People of St. John's,
My time at St. John's is coming to an end, and saying goodbye is bittersweet. I am excited for the future, but I am going to miss you dearly! I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate, share memories, and wish you well on April 23 after worship.
As I take my leave, I am mindful of the need to clarify the shifting boundaries in our relationship as I move from being your pastor to being your former pastor. When I began at St. John's in 2018, I thought about appropriate boundaries for my role. I agreed on some boundaries with church leadership, including taking at least one full day off each week, not being available at every hour of the day, etc. Now that our relationship is shifting, it's time for our relational boundaries to shift as well.
I know from personal experience as well as from the wisdom of many others that failing to clarify boundaries when a pastor leaves can be problematic. Poor boundaries between a congregation and its former pastor can cause all kinds of difficulties, including hard feelings on all sides, undermining the leadership of the new pastor, etc. I do not have any concerns about us being able to separate well with healthy boundaries, and I know that this begins with clarifying those boundaries upfront.
As Christians, we pattern our lives after the cycle of death and resurrection. At this time, our pastoral relationship is coming to an end. Indeed, it is dying. In order to allow it to fully conclude, to engage in the grief process, and to make space for resurrection, it is recommended by the synod as well as many other experienced pastors that we commit to a one-year season of separation. During this time, we do not need to cut off all communication, but we do need to give one another significant space. After a year has passed, if desired, my relationship with each of you can be resurrected in a new form - no longer pastor and congregation member, but friends.
Below, you will find an agreement approved by Council that gives details on the boundaries we are committing to. This agreement was informed by similar documents from other churches, but was written by me, specifically for St. John's. The agreement covers the purpose of these boundaries, the purpose of the season of separation, boundaries during that season, and boundaries after the season of separation. I encourage to read through it and reach out to me or to Council President Mylene Pollock (mylene.pollock@comcast.net) if you have questions or concerns.
Finally, I want to thank all of you for being so respectful of my boundaries throughout my time at St. John's. Respecting boundaries is a wonderful way to love and support one another, so thank you for that gift. I have no doubt that we will continue to be able to love and support one another in this way.
With significant gratitude, respect, and love,
Pastor Allison
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Happy Birthday to those born 4/14-4/20:
- Gary Anderson, 4/14
- Emily Rutherford, 4/17
- Katie Hauser, 4/19
- Earl Rachowicz, 4/19
- Laura Witt, 4/19
- Trevor Fitzgerald, 4/20
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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RIC Welcome Statement Event
To officially become an RIC church, we need to adopt a welcome statement that names the LGBTQIA+ community. Our RIC Team has drafted a statement, and they would like to share it with the congregation and receive feedback. Please join the RIC Team after worship this Sunday, April 16, in the Fellowship Hall to discuss this statement. Time allowing, we will also review the “Markers of an Inclusive Church” outlined by Pastor Elle Dowd at our March event and continue discussion.
Pastor Allison’s Last Sunday & Farewell Reception
Pastor Allison’s last Sunday and Farewell Reception is next Sunday, April 23. We will gather after that service in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate her 4.5 years with St. John’s. We will toast her time and impact and share memories and stories. We look forward to hearing from everyone!
Soup Kitchen
St. John's is in charge of Soup Kitchen at St. Paul's this Sunday afternoon. They are still following Covid protocols, which means we need to buy meals from a local restaurant and have them delivered to the church rather than preparing and serving the meal ourselves. We will continue to order Gyros and veggie wraps from Hubs in Skokie because they have been really enjoyed by the clients. We do need to collect some funds to purchase the food. Would you please consider making a donation? Just make out a check to St. John's marked for Soup Kitchen. You can also donate through our website here. Thank you so much! Your help is greatly appreciated.
Arise Chicago Virtual Interfaith Service
Arise Chicago will be leading their annual interfaith service virtually on Friday, April 28, from 8:30-9:15 am for Workers Memorial Day. This is a tradition of honoring workers who have died in the past year. The theme of this year's service is, "Let Their Lives Speak to Us." You can register for the service through this link. When you register, you may enter the names of those who have died this past year, and they will be acknowledged during the service.
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Sunday, April 16
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:30 am Reception for New Members
10:45 - 11:45 RIC Welcome Statement Event
11:00 - 11:30 am Youth Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, April 18
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bible Study
Thursday, April 20
12:00 - 1:00 pm Zoom-only Men’s Lunch
Sunday, April 23
9:30 am Hybrid Worship with Children’s Church
10:30 am Farewell Reception for Pastor Allison
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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Easter Sunday
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Preaching & Presiding Minister: The Rev. Allison Bengfort
Crucifer: Aidan Maglocci
Torch Bearers: Nick Danielsen
Assisting Minister: Cindi Rachowicz
Minister of Music: Luke Duroc-Danner
Cantor: Audrey Neace
Minister of the Word: Nick Danielsen
Ushers: Buckley Crist, Brandon Leinberger
Children's Church: Luke & Erin Rasmussen
Altar Guild: Jan Wendel
Coffee Hour Host: Molly Bolash
Bulletin Cover Art: "The Great Commission," by Melani Pyke
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