June 2012 - Presbytery of Chicago

Our Common Ministry
Presbytery of Chicago
www.chicagopresbytery.org
June 2012 • Volume 29 Number 3
Chicago Presbytery celebrates move with worship walk
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do
you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19
abundance. Before leaving to walk to the new office
building, each worshipper was encouraged to look
around the “old” offices once
more and then to select from
a bowl a small stone to carry
with them on their journey,
recalling the twelve stones
the Israelites took from the
Jordan and God’s providential care.
The morning of April 2nd
proved to be bright and
crisp in Chicago; it was a
perfect day to celebrate the
Presbytery office’s halfmile move to its new headquarters at 815 W. Van
Buren. A Service of
Blessings and Processing,
The contingent, led by
led by the Rev. Linda
Moderator Debbie Paton,
Wygant and the Rev.
Presbytery staff and bannerBarbara Carmichael, gave
bearers, began the journey
ample opportunity for all
into the bright sunlight,
those gathered to fully celpausing
along the way as the
The Presbytery Staff gathers for a final photo op at the old offices.
ebrate and dedicate the
move. With
scripture, prayer
and worshipful
words, the
assembled
remembered
and gave thanks
for the myriad of
blessings experienced in the 29
years the
Presbytery
Worshippers offer a liturgy of blessing in the new conference room.
offices were
Spirit led, to offer prayer for the neighborhood and city.
housed at 100 S.
Once inside the new offices, the Christ Candle was
Morgan Street.
lighted and the stones were offered to God in prayer.
The group
The procession continued, moving to each office space,
processed to
several areas of
consecrating them to the service of God with prayers
815 W. Van Buren, the Presbytery's new
the building,
and anointing. The service ended with scripture, a sharheadquarters.
including the
ing of dreams for the Presbytery and its staff, and the
second floor balcony, to pray for the people and prosinging of “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” The worship walk
grams that have been part of the mission and ministry of was a propitious start to the next step in our Presbytery’s
the Presbytery. The liturgy included a blessing of the
journey. To God be all thanks and glory!
space for the new tenants. Both smiles and tears were in
Table of Contents
Presbyter’s Pen 2
Mission Witness 2012 3-5
Presbytery News 6-8
News of our Congregations
Youth Ministry
Mission
Páginas en Español
Witness 2012 Presbyterian Camps
— Pgs 3-5
10-11
12
13-15
16
Changes at Presbyterian Camps
– Back Page
Presbyter’s Pen
The Lost Generation
BY REV. ROBERT C. REYNOLDS, EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER
Many of us are concerned about continuing decline in mainline Protestant churches. Despite strategic efforts over the
last forty years, we have been unable to reverse the trends.
Decline has multiple dimensions, one of which is
the average age of Presbyterians today, which is
somewhere in the mid-late 50’s. This is symptomatic of lost younger generations in our churches.
Several Chicago Presbytery staffers are finding
encouragement against these trends in a newly
published book by Diana Butler Bass entitled,
Christianity after Religion: The End of Church and the
Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening (New York:
HarperCollins, 2012).
Key among Butler Bass’s knowledgeable points is
the church’s centuries old pattern of people joining the Christian community in an ordered
sequence of believing, behaving, and belonging. She
observes this no longer works for younger “lost generations,”
and she describes a reversal which, for them, is a more
engaging sequence: belonging, behaving, and believing.
Robert C. Reynolds
She offers an imaginative introduction to the “The Great
Reversal” (Chapter 7), citing the following poem by a young
woman,
I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
They are not the most important thing in my
life.
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era.
this is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th
anniversary of my divorce.
I do not concede that
I will live in the country of my own making.
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm.
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth.
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic.
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.
And all of this will come true unless we choose to
reverse it. (pp. 199-200)
For a taste of the great reversal, read the poem again, this
time from the bottom up, beginning with, “There is hope.”
After doing so perhaps you will gain an appetite for reading
more about the great reversal—belonging, behaving, and
believing. It describes a potentially brighter future for
Christian faith, particularly among the so-called lost generation.
Diana Butler Bass’s book is powerful in analyzing
Christianity’s history and in contemplating its promising
future. I hope many of you will read it!
For more about Butler Bass, see her website:
www.dianabutlerbass.com or follow her on Twitter
@dianabutlerbass.
OUR COMMON MINISTRY is published five times a year by the Presbytery Coordinating Commission’s Communication
Work Group of the Presbytery of Chicago, the regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church in Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties.
Robert C. Reynolds
Grayson Van Camp
Simeon D. Carson
Noris Caban
Contributors
Executive Editor
Interim Managing Editor
Graphic Design
Spanish Translator
Gale Morgan Williams; Joe Pixler
OUR COMMON MINISTRY
815 W. Van Buren, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60607
Ph. (312) 448-3000
Fax. (312) 488-3044
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.chicagopresbytery.org
Next Issue: Sept. 2012 Deadline for copy: Aug. 1, 2012
OCM invites comments, questions and stories from our readers. Please direct your letters to the Editor, Ms. Grayson Van
Camp at [email protected]. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.
2
June 2012
Mission Witness 2012
his year, the Presbytery’s annual Mission Fair was the order of the day at the April
Presbytery Assembly and was aptly renamed Mission Witness 2012. The three Mission
Priority Leadership teams, Advance Justice, Develop Congregations and Empower
Ministry, invited representatives of 21 Presbytery Mission Partnerships to share their vision
and their ministries. During the Assembly, Executive Presbyter Bob Reynolds invited half
the commissioners to view the Mission Witness while half stayed to hear a presentation on
the theology of mission in the Presbytery and in our congregations. Then the two groups
switched places. It was an effective way for commissioners to meet our mission partners, to
focus on the vital work being done in the Presbytery and to reflect on our witness to the
church, the community and the world.
T
Mission Witness 2012 witnessed to the fact that “Together we can do more.” The
Presbytery’s covenant process has been designed to enable congregations to join together to support Presbyterian mission.
Information about the covenant process can be found at www.chicagopresbytery.org.
Participants not pictured were: The Dakota Partnership, Small Churches, New Church Development Visioning, Dwell/Door,
Presbytery Resource Center and United Campus Ministry at Northwestern University.
ADVANCE JUSTICE
Cuba Partnership
Church World Service
Ghana Partnership
Family Promise
Mission Team Against Child Sex
Trafficking
Waukegan to College
June 2012
3
Mission
Witness 2012
Headline
DEVELOP CONGREGATIONS
Acts 16:5
Proactive Transformation
Grace Commons
Pentecost Offering
EMPOWER MINISTRY
Youth Ministry Mission Team
4
June 2012
Hispanic Ministries Mission Team
Mission Witness 2012
EMPOWER MINISTRY
African American Covenant
LEAD
Worship Alive
GENERAL MINISTRIES
Night Ministry
Agape House Christian Ministry
Presbyterian Camps
Abraham’s Children
June 2012
5
Mission Witness 2012
Supporting the flow of information
Ms. Laura Cathey, who has been serving as Chicago
Presbytery’s Communications and Resource Center
Consultant this past year, has been hired as the permanent
Communications and Resource Center Coordinator. Laura
is an alumna of Grinnell College, with a degree in
Anthropology. She came to the Presbytery with a background in desktop technical support.
The coordinator’s primary responsibilities are supporting
the electronic communications between the various entities,
publishing Preview - an
e-newsletter of upcoming events and managing the Presbytery
Resource Center.
Laura has enjoyed her work in the
Presbytery and is excited about her
new role, “I’m all about collaboration…and free tools. I’ll be coordinating training events on websites,
newsletters, and social media –
and we’ll need both teachers and
Welcome Laura Cathey to
learners for that. I’m not familiar
the staff of Chicago
with every new product and servPresbytery.
ice out there, but, with the members of our Technology Work Group, I can help a church
think through a new hardware or software decision. My
responsibilities in the Presbytery Resource Center are also to
support churches - so advise me! We purchase curriculum,
denominational publications, and materials that many
churches may need to use at some time or another to teach,
tackle problems, and praise God. In a big way, my work is to
support the flow of information into and out of the presbytery office, as well as between churches, strengthening our
wired and face-to-face connections.”
You can reach Laura at [email protected]
Presbytery office relocation aids
churches
Anyone who’s ever moved from a large space to a smaller one
knows there’s never enough room for everything – and the
Presbytery offices are no exception. Once the plans were
made to move the offices from 100 S. Morgan to 815 W. Van
Buren, the Presbytery’s Office Relocation Team began to
make plans to recycle surplus Presbytery furniture for ongoing ministry.
Chairs, conference tables, desks, older Dell computers,
bookshelves, file cabinets, phone systems, a copy machine,
baptismal fonts, light fixtures and other office equipment
were photographed and arranged in a six-page catalogue by
Bob Hutchins and offered to our congregations for use in
mission. Also available were a myriad of printed, audio and
video resources from the Presbytery’s Resource Center.
Churches received pictures of the “give-away” items via
6
June 2012
The offices at 100 S. Morgan were emptied and items donated to
mission in our churches.
email and on Saturday, May 31st, the Relocation Team and
members of the Property Ministry Team were on hand to
help move these resources to their new church homes where
they will be put to good use in mission and ministry.
Special thanks go to the Relocation Team: Ms. Laura Cathey,
Rev. Jan Edmiston, Rev. Eric Heinekamp, Mr. Robert
Hutchins, Ms. Earnestine Norwood and Mr. Glen Wagner.
Many of our churches took advantage of the free resources
offered by the Presbytery Resource Center. The following
churches received furniture and equipment from the
Presbytery’s “give-away” –
Arlington Heights First
Chicago Church of
Christ
Chicago Cornerstone
Chicago Edgewater
Chicago Lake View
Chicago Lake View
Chicago Rogers Park
Chicago Seventh
Chicago Vida Nueva
Cicero Canto de
Esperanza
Downers Grove First
Hanover Park Christ
Hoffman Estate Church
of the Cross
Homewood First
Lansing
Wheeling Evergreen
Is your congregation doing “cutting-edge” ministry?
The September issue of Our Common Ministry (OCM) will
be dedicated to showcasing new initiatives throughout our
churches. Are you doing something your congregation’s
never tried before? Are you involved in a new partnership
with a congregation, institution or community group? If so,
take some photos, jot down what you’re doing and let us
know about it! Tell us your vision, how you got started and
what’s happening now.
The deadline for the September issue of OCM is August 1.
Contact Grayson Van Camp at [email protected] or
(630) 471-4643 about your cutting-edge ministry. Sharing
your good news will be a blessing and an encouragement to
us all.
Presbytery News
Highlights of the April Presbytery
Assembly Meeting
In April, two congregations, Winnetka and Wilmette First,
joined together to host the gathered community of the
Presbytery of Chicago at Winnetka. The two pre-Presbytery
events explored new visions for the church. The Moderators’
Visioning Team invited participants to share their hopes and
dreams for the Presbytery while the Commission on
Preparation for Ministry explored the role of Commissioned
Ruling Elders (Commissioned Local Pastors). Worship featured the Rev. Jefferson Caldiera as preacher, and included a
service of renewal of baptism.
at Wheaton College. The Assembly heard from Rev.
SanDawna Ashley, of the Office of Vocation of the Office of
the General Assembly, on the OGA program “For Such a
Time as This,” which connects new pastors to small congregations. The Assembly also approved revisions to its Manual
of Operations, bringing the “MOO” up to date with the new
Form of Government.
Congratulations to new seminary
graduates under care of the
Presbytery of Chicago!
Jana Blazek; Arlington Heights First; MTS, Dubuque*
Nancy Dolan; Barrington; M.Div., McCormick Theological
Seminary
The meeting focused on mission. The order of the day, and
the highlight of the meeting, was the Mission Witness 2012.
As half the commissioners heard a presentation about the
theology of mission in the church and the Presbytery, the
other commissioners met representatives of twenty-one different mission partnerships of the Presbytery, representing
the Presbytery’s three mission emphases of Advance Justice,
Empower Ministry and Develop Congregations. The combination of meeting our mission partners while pondering the
role and function of mission gave life to our motto:
“Together we can do more.”
Kristin Raley; Elmhurst Yorkfield; M.Div., Harvard Divinity
School
The presenting mission partnerships are:
If we missed anyone, please contact Jan Edmiston:
[email protected].
• Advance Justice: Church World Service, Cuba Partnership,
Waukegan to College, Mission Team Against Child Sex
Trafficking, Family Promise, and Dakota Partnership.
Higgins Committee awards five
scholarships
• Develop Congregations: Acts 16:5, Proactive
Transformation, Small Churches, New Church
Development Visioning, and Grace Commons.
BY THE REV. PAULINE COFFMAN, MODERATOR,
HIGGINS SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
• Empower Ministry: Youth Ministry Mission Team, LEAD,
Hispanic Ministries, Dwell/Door, African-American
Church Transformation Team, and Worship Alive.
• General Ministries: Presbyterian Camps, Presbytery Resource
Center, United Campus Ministry at Northwestern University,
and Agape House and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mission also played a role in the assembly’s business. The
assembly considered, and passed, five mission-oriented
overtures to the General Assembly. The overtures addressed the
plight of (legal) immigrants; supporting refugees in our own
neighborhoods; our covenant relationship with the
Presbyterian Church of Cuba; supporting democracy, peace and
justice in the Congo; and honoring Christ in the way the church
debates difficult issues such as homosexuality. In addition, the
New Church Development Team of the Develop Congregations
Mission Priority Leadership Team invited congregations to
dedicate the local portion of the Pentecost Offering to support
the Grace Commons Missional Faith Community.
The Assembly celebrated the retirement of the Rev. Rose
Taul, and approved Mr. David McNutt for ordination. David
has been called to serve as an Assistant Professor of Theology
Jeannine Oakes; Chicago Fourth, MA in Urban Ministry,
McCormick Theological Seminary*
Ryan Wallace; Deerfield First; MA, McCormick Theological
Seminary
*These graduates have already earned an M.Div. degree.
The Higgins Scholarship Committee met Tuesday, May 15,
2012, to consider applications from seminary students and
those studying in Ph.D. programs for grants for the 20122013 academic year.
Because of the economic downturn, we had only $10,000 to
allocate. Nineteen applicants submitted requests. We were
able to give awards to five outstanding students studying at
McCormick Theological Seminary, the Lutheran School of
Theology at Chicago, and Loyola University. They are: Nathan
Jeremie-Brink, Zaida Rodriquez, Eun Joo (Angela) Ryo,
Jonah Joshua Salim, and Jeffrey Courter.
The Fund was established by William F. Higgins in 1960.
During his lifetime, Mr. Higgins gave financial assistance to
many students at McCormick Seminary. At the time of his
death, he left a bequest to continue his support of those
preparing for professional leadership in the church.
Committee members are honored to carry out his wishes. We
look forward to an improved economy that will allow us to
help more students in the years to come.
Complete guidelines are available on the Presbytery website:
www.chicagopresbytery.org.
June 2012
7
Presbytery
Headline News
Synod of Lincoln Trails offers GA
commissioner orientation
Forty commissioners to the 220th General Assembly from
the Presbyteries of The Synods of Lincoln Trails, MidAmerica and Lakes and Prairies gathered on Saturday, May
Commissioned Ruling Elders
bloom where they are planted
BY REV. DR. LAURA BROOKENS REASON, PASTOR, FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HIGHLAND IN; MODERATOR, PRESBYTERY
OF WABASH VALLEY
“The Mission of the Synod of Lincoln Trails of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) is to develop, nurture and support leaders in partnership with our presbyteries and congregations and coordinate
Presbyterian mission strategy within the synod.” (from the website)
Commissioners found the Synod’s GA Commissioner training very
helpful.
12 in Merrillville, IN to prepare for the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.'s) 220th General Assembly. Leadership was provided
by Carol McDonald, Executive of the Synod of Lincoln Trails
and by Landon Whitsitt, Executive of the Synod of MidAmerica and Vice Moderator of the 219th General Assembly.
Some of the topics explored were: What to expect at G.A.,
Election of the G.A. moderator, assembly worship, seating,
assembly committees, PC-Biz and issues before the 220th
General Assembly. Commissioners were also treated to a video
presentation from the moderatorial candidates. A second
training, for which live streaming was available, took place on
May 19.
Commissioners from Chicago Presbytery were elected by the
Assembly on Nov. 19, 2011. They are:
Teaching elders Rev. Judith Watt, Chicago Fourth (2011 PA moderator);
Rev. Deborah Paton, Chicago Rogers Park (2012 PA moderator);
Rev. Michael Kirby, Chicago Good Shepherd;
Rev. Grayson Van Camp, H.R.;
Rev. Reggie Weaver, Chicago First;
Rev. Dean Lindsey (alternate)
Ruling elders Mr. James Davidovich, Elmhurst;
Mr. Sam Evans, Chicago Fourth;
Ms. Juanita Holley, Wheaton Hope;
Ms. Arrie Jones, Chicago Pullman;
Mr. James Shrigley, Hanover Park.
Ms. Laurie Kaeser, Evanston First (alternate)
Young Adult Delegate Ms. Amanda Gregus, Riverside
Ms. Jean Bonthron, Homewood (alternate)
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June 2012
In the last 12 years, the Synod has provided 5 cycles of twoyear academies of training for ruling elders as part of their
preparation to be considered for commissioning by a presbytery in particular service within a congregation. The participants come from varied backgrounds: they are plumbers,
school superintendents, attorneys, teachers, business people, college deans, policemen, farmers. Almost to a person
they are what PC(USA) Stated Clerk Grayde Parsons calls
“dangerous elders”. They feel drawn to lead in new ways
within the congregation, drawn to being used in unanticipated ways by God. All of them are enriched by this time of study
and enrich the places they go on and serve, be it in a congregation, the presbytery, synod or GA.
Most of the presbyteries within our Synod are eager to consider how the gifts of the Academy graduates can be used
within the presbytery and work in imaginative ways to commission them for service when their training is complete.
These ruling elders are often bi-vocational, willing to serve
part time, serving in places that cannot afford to call teaching
elders. They bring passion, energy and commitment to their
callings. Some work full time in larger congregations as
parish visitors and educators. Those who are especially gifted
are always able to help the Holy Spirit breathe new life and
energy into their ministry setting. They tend to be able to
speak in plain and persuasive ways about their faith and how
God is transforming their lives. Serving beside such ruling
elders in Blackhawk, Southeastern Illinois and now in Wabash
Valley, I see how they enrich and nourish our common life.
They are a constant reminder of the parity that is part of our
polity. Commissioned Ruling Elders give me hope for the
quiet ways in which even now God is birthing a new thing
within the PC (USA) as they bloom where they are planted.
Over the years, the Synod has provided continuing education
support especially for CREs in such areas as systems thinking, changes in the Book of Order, stewardship and preaching and worship leadership. The Synod also has provided
scholarships to national CRE events. All of these events provide fellowship, networking, enrichment and resources.
For more information about Commissioned Ruling Elders (formerly known as Commissioned Lay Pastors) and how a CRE
might be a good choice for your congregation, see www.pcusa.org.
To learn about the Synod’s next two-year training program for
individuals seeking to expand their service to the church and
become commissioned ruling elders, contact Carol MacDonald at
(800)566-5996 or [email protected].
Presbytery
Headline News
Our New Church Development
Visioning Team
immigrant congregations and newly-emerging forms of the
church who might be interested in affiliating with us. There
are many ways to make Jesus known.
Are we as a presbytery…growing or shrinking? Ascending or
descending? Adding or subtracting? We sometimes worry
that we as a presbytery and a denomination are declining,
closing churches and dropping members. At the same time
we also know that many are moving into our metropolitan
area and many others who have lived here for a while are still
unreached by any church. How do we reach these new populations? How do we reach those not reached by any church?
How do we ascend again by touching many more lives for
God?
We invite all new ideas and encourage those with similar passions to make their interest known to the team. You can correspond with David Boumgarden, the Develop Congregations
Consultant for the presbytery at [email protected] or
[email protected].
One of the ways we
do this is by planting new churches.
A year ago, a group
from the presbytery
agreed to go for
training in the
Washington D.C. on
starting new
churches. Coming
The South Asian Fellowship New Church
back, the group has
Development at worship.
formed a New
Church
Development
Visioning Team
under the supervision of the Develop
Congregations
Mission Priority
Leadership Team.
The New Church
Development
Rev. Nanette Sawyer leads worship at Grace
Visioning Team is
Commons Missional Faith Community.
composed of Eric
Heinekamp, Jan Edmiston, John Vest, Sarah Butter, David
Boumgarden, Samuel Akhtar, Nanette Sawyer, and Warren
Wiggins. We are beginning to ask: “How might we be contributors to the initiation of future new faith communities?”
We are grateful for our two existing new churches, South
Asian Fellowship and Grace Commons. And we hope that
more will form in the next five years.
Currently the group is developing a vision paper, looking at
population shifts in the metro area, discussing how to raise
financial resources, and in general determining how to marshal resources for this very important task. It will indeed
take a village of Presbyterians to nurture new churches. This
team will be working alongside a soon-to-be-organized
Worshipping Fellowship Team that will be in dialogue with
Coming Events
• June 19, Presbytery Assembly, 4pm, Chicago Pullman.
Pre-Presbytery, 2pm.
• June 30 – July 7, 220th General Assembly, Pittsburgh,
PA.
• July 15, First Annual Prairie Path Bike-a-Thon and
Fiesta (at Wheaton Hope) to fund scholarships for children and youth in Colombia. Watch for more information in “The Preview.” Youth groups, especially, are
encouraged to participate.
• July 18 – 22, Presbyterian Women Churchwide
Gathering, “River of Hope,” Orlando, FL. Call (800)
728-7228x8015.
• July 29 – Aug. 3, Montreat Youth Conference –Sr. High
Youth, Montreat, NC. Chicago & Blackhawk groups will
share transportation. Register at www.montreat.org.
• Sept. 8, Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team
Meeting, Presbytery Offices
• Sept. 18, Presbytery Assembly, 4pm, Downers Grove
First. Pre-Presbytery, 2pm.
• Oct. 27, Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering, Naperville
Knox
• Nov. 2-4, Senior High Retreat, Covenant Harbor, “Now
is the Time!”
• Nov. 17, Presbytery Assembly, 11am, Oak Lawn. PrePresbytery, 9:15am. Pre-Presbyteries include presentations by the Congregational Transformation Program
and the Multicultural Church Ministry Team.
Planning ahead
• Jan. 25-27, 2013, Mid-High Retreat, East Bay Camp.
• Jan. 27-29, 2013, Clergy Retreat
• Mar. 2, 2013, LEAD 2013, 8am – 3pm, Wheaton First,
Dr. Margaret Aymer, quest preacher
For National PCUSA events, go to www.pcusa.org.
For youth events contact Millason Dailey (847) 362-2174 or
Tom Brown (708) 246-5220.
For more information on other events, call the Presbytery office
at (312) 488-3000 (note new number).
June 2012
9
News of our Congregations
Tinley Park Women’s Retreat
BY LYNN LABINE, MODERATOR OF THE BOARD OF DEACONS, TINLEY
PARK FAITH UNITED
On the weekend of April 20-22, the women of Tinley Park
gathered at the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan
for a wonderful retreat. For more than 20 years this spring
retreat has nurtured and
blessed the women of our
congregation and we are
blessed to be able to invite
others as well. There were
32 women in attendance—
14 from Tinley Park and
the rest from our churches
in Hickory Hills and Park
Forest, plus women from
the Lutheran Church of
the Resurrection. We were
led in study and worship
Women from three churches celebrate more than 20 by Susan Semens. Our
study was about God’s
years of spiritual retreats.
promises to a woman’s
heart. We worked on learning how to forgive – even though
we may not forget. The weather was cool but sunny, perfect to
enjoy God’s creation. Our songs of praise could be heard
throughout the camp and may echo there still.
Wheaton First refurbishes its
1979 Schantz
After a successful year-long fundraising project and eight
weeks of restoration that included two new organ blowers, a
rank of high pressure Fanfare Trumpet pipes, new Trumpet
pipes for the Great division, a complete refurbishing of the
console and other important upgrades, Wheaton First’s
Schantz pipe organ was rededicated during worship on
Transitions
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY
New to Presbytery
• Rev. Ed Dykstra and Rev. Jan Dykstra,
from Whitewater Presbytery back to
Chicago Presbytery, effective 4/24/12;
• Mr. David McNutt, approved for ordination at the 4/24 Presbytery
Assembly. He’ll be ordained as an
Associate Professor of Theology at
Wheaton College.
March 18th. The restoration was completed by the Glen Ellyn
based company Ericksen, Christian & Associates, who have
serviced the organ for the past twenty years.
On Sunday, April 22nd, David Schrader, premier organist of
Chicago’s orchestra hall, kicked off a celebration of the pipe
organ with a concert to mark the official return of the instrument. His was one in a series of free public concerts in celebration of the restoration project.
David A.
Lincoln,
director of
music ministries at the
church, stated, “I feel
that the
congregation has
demonstratWheaton First organ pipes
ed their
support of the music and culture at First Pres. It shows that
people are happy with the worship services and that tradition
is still strong.”
David added that the organ “better supports the congregation’s singing, accompanies the choir more effectively, and
provides a broader tonal palette for interpretation of music
written for the instrument.”
Dr. Paul J. Kirbas, pastor at Wheaton First, remarked,
“Since the earliest days of faith, as recorded in the Old
Testament book of Psalms, music has played a central role in
the worship of God. Here at First Presbyterian Church, the
sanctuary organ has led generations of worshippers throughout the decades. We are thrilled that this important instrument is now in its best condition, and ready to lead worship
here for decades to come.”
Changes in Presbytery
• Rev. Curt Baxter, dissolved as pastor of
Barrington, effective 5/1/12;
• Rev. Bill Bernauer, end designated
pastorate at Berkeley-Hillside, effective 3/30/12;
• Rev. Magdalena Garcia, dissolved as
pastor at Chicago Ravenswood so she
can serve as chaplain at Krome Service
Processing Center in Miami, FL;
• Rev. Leslie Wier, approved as pastor of
Downers Grove St. Luke, effective
1/29.
Leaving Presbytery
• Rev. Le Anne Clausen de Montes –
from co-pastor at St. John’s United
10
June 2012
Church of Christ in Waukegan to John
Knox Presbytery to serve as pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church of
Oregon, WI, effective 1/1/12;
• Rev. Julie J. Gruber Delezenne – dismissed to Mackinac Presbytery to
serve as Co-Director at Michi-Lu-Ca
Conference Center and Camps, effective 2/1/12.
Honorable Retirement
• Rev. Elizabeth Walker, effective
4/14/12.
Deceased
• Rev. Frederick G. Tyrell, died on
March 9, 2012.
News of our Congregations
Three congregations study Kairos
Palestine document
In 2010, the 219th General Assembly of the PC(USA) commended for study the Kairos Palestine document. The document, written in 2009 by a broad continuum of Palestinian
Christian leaders, is addressed to Palestinians, Israelis,
Christians and the world community.
Recently, Chicago Heights,
Homewood and the First
Presbyterian Church of
Highland, Indiana joined
together in a three week
study of “Kairos Palestine: A
Moment of Truth,” a study
guide designed to help
Presbyterians understand
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
and the Kairos Palestine
Leroy Fassett shares his knowledge of
document.
The study guide
the Middle East.
was produced by the
Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN), a grassroots organization of the PC(USA). IPMN was established in 2004 with a
mandate from the General Assembly for the purpose of encouraging wider and deeper Presbyterian involvement with
Palestinian Christians and advocating for the human rights of
Palestinians under military occupation.
The Rev. Dr. Leroy Fassett, H.R., Pastor Emeritus of the First
Presbyterian Church of Highland, Indiana and a member of
the IPMN, taught the class. A graduate of Garret-Evangelical
Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary,
Dr. Fassett has made five trips to the Middle East including
Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine (West Bank), and Israel in
order to dialogue with Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious leaders. During each of his Middle Eastern trips Dr.
Fassett visited refugee camps in Lebanon and Palestine. He
may be reached at [email protected].
Abraham’s Children host fundraiser
BY JON WYLIE, MEMBER, WHEATON FIRST
A committee at Wheaton First spearheaded a project that
involved members of several churches to help bring peace in
the Holy Land. The group calls itself Abraham’s Children, a
term that applies to so many different religions and cultures.
For the past fifteen years it has supported Elias Chacour, a
Palestinian Roman Catholic Archbishop, who has worked
creatively for many years to bring reconciliation and education to students of all faiths. His motto is “Peace begins on
the top of school desks.”
Father Chacour has built a high school and a college for
young people who are unable to enter Jewish higher education because of restrictive barriers. Faculty members consist
of Jews, Muslins and Christians, and peace-building is a
required subject. Wheaton First has been active in Pilgrims
of Ibillin, which supports the high school, and has created
Abraham’s Children to support the college. Over the years
more than one million dollars has been raised for these crucial causes.
Abraham’s Children contacted Bruce
Bradley, a talented actor/director who has
developed a one-man play based on Fr.
Chacour’s book, “We Belong to the Land.”
Bradley has never met Fr. Chacour, but he
brought him vividly to life in the Wheaton
First sanctuary on April 28th. The event
was a benefit program to raise funds for
the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth. This
hospital partners with Fr. Chacour’s college, the Nazareth Academic Institute, for
physical and occupational therapy training.
Abraham’s Children founder
Susan Drinan with Bruce
Bradley.
Bradley’s performance was profoundly
moving. There were moments of anger, anguish and laughter
as he unfolded the priest’s story. Fr. Chacour had to fight not
only intolerance between religions in his town, but even old
feuds among his own flock. And although the Israeli government was determined to keep him from building schools, the
creative, loving paths he forged at each new blockade are a
model of love in action. The fundraiser celebrated that love
and commitment by providing shipping for a huge container
of medical supplies for the hospital.
Girl Scouts’ project benefits
church
BY CINDY STOCKER, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES,
ORLAND PARK
“Operation: Clean and Color” was the name of a special project
led by two members of Orland
Park (PCOP). Sarah Newton and
Maribeth Van Hecke chose to
upgrade parts of the church’s
facility for their Girl Scout Gold
Award. They raised the needed
funds, purchased supplies, and
put in new walls, ceiling tiles, light
fixtures, and carpeting in several
rooms, as well as painting the
rooms and hallways with new
color schemes. On one of the new
walls, Carrie Carlson, also a member of PCOP, designed and paintOrland Park member Carrie Carlson painted a mural, measuring 8.5’ high x
ed a mural on one of the Girl Scouts’ newly
9.5’ wide, based on Matthew 18:20
painted walls.
— “For where two or three gather in
My name, there am I with them.”
The mural is in the “Rec Room” used for Sunday School,
Vacation Bible School, and the W.O.W. Arts for Kids afterschool weekday program.
June 2012
11
Youth Ministry
Presbyterian youth @ AWOL
BY MILLASON DAILEY, YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM MODERATOR
On Friday, April 20th, through Saturday, July 21st, the
Presbytery of Chicago held the annual A.W.O.L. Retreat.
A.W.O.L. stands for “A Work of Love” and is a 24 hour retreat
for both Jr. and Sr. Highs. This year the theme was Caring for
Creation. Eleven
churches
throughout the
presbytery gathered together at
Wheaton First to
reflect on ways in
which they can
practice good
stewardship of
the environment
and then went to
different work
sites to put those
Youth from Downers Grove St. Luke, along with
theories into pracyouth director Megan Polich, work on a craft project tice. Some groups
during the lock-in portion of AWOL.
went to St. James
Farm Forest
Preserve in
Warrenville to
help them get
ready for their
Family Field Day.
Other groups went
to Herrick Lake
Forest Preserve in
Wheaton and
helped to clean up
the grounds. The
retreat was also
AWOL participants preparing for a park clean-up
filled with games,
project at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve.
devotions, fellowship, and a trip to
Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo. A special “thank you” goes out to
Wheaton First for their extraordinary hospitality. The
Presbytery’s Youth Ministry Team, sponsors of A.W.O.L.,
encourages you to consider having your youth group participate in the 2013 A.W.O.L. It truly is a rewarding and lifechanging experience!
12
June 2012
McCormick Names Dr. Reggie
Williams Assistant Professor of
Christian Ethics
The Board of Trustees of McCormick Theological Seminary
has approved the appointment of Dr. Reggie Williams as
Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics.
Previously Dr. Williams was a full-time lecturer in the
Religion Department at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He
has taught as Adjunct Faculty at Azusa Pacific University in
Azusa, California. Williams is affiliated with the American
Baptist Church.
McCormick President Frank
Yamada said, “Dr. Williams brings
us a wealth of teaching experience
and teaching interests including the
incarnational ethics of Dietrich
Bonhoeffer and Dr. Martin L. King,
Jr. He is a welcome addition to our
faculty and his engaging teaching
style will be valued by our students.”
Dr. Williams received his Ph.D. in
Christian ethics at Fuller
Dr. Reggie Williams will Theological Seminary in 2011. His
join the McCormick fac- dissertation was entitled: “ChristCentered Empathic Resistance: The
ulty in July and will
begin teaching during the Influence of Harlem Renaissance
Theology on the Incarnational Ethic
fall term.
of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.” He earned
a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller in 2006 and a
Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Westmont
College in 1995.
Dr. Luis Rivera, Dean of Faculty, stated, “We are enthusiastic
about Dr. Williams joining McCormick’s faculty. As a
Christian ethicist, Reggie takes seriously the congregation as
a locus of ethical formation, deliberation, and action. His
issue-oriented approach to ethical inquiry should resonate
well with our students.”
Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio
Presbytery of Chicago
www.chicagopresbytery.org
June 2012 • Volume 29 Number 3
Presbiterio de Chicago celebra
mudanza con camino de adoración
“He aquí que yo hago cosa nueva: presto saldrá a luz:
¿no la sabréis?” Isaías 43:19
edificio de oficinas, cada persona presente fue invitada
a mirar a su alrededor una vez más las “viejas” oficinas
y luego seleccionar de un envase una piedra pequeña
para llevar con ellos en su viaje, recordando los doce
piedras los israelitas tomaron del Jordán y el cuidado
providencial de Dios.
La mañana del 2 de abril resultó ser brillante y nítida en
Chicago, fue un día perfecto para celebrar la mudanza
de media milla de la oficina presbiterio a su nueva sede
en 815 W Van Buren. Un
Servicio de Bendiciones y
El grupo, dirigido por la
Procesamiento, dirigido
moderadora Debbie Paton,
por la Rda. Linda Wygant
personal del Presbiterio y
y la Rda Barbara
portadores de pancartas,
Carmichael, dio amplia
comenzó el viaje a la luz del
oportunidad para todos
sol brillante, pausando en el
aquellos que se reunieron
camino como el espíritu les
para plenamente celebrar
dirigía, para ofrecer
y dedicar la mudanza.
oraciones por las
Con escritura, oración y
comunidades y la ciudad.
palabras de adoración, las
Una vez dentro de las nuevas
personas reunidas
oficinas, la vela de Cristo fue
recordaron y dieron
iluminada y las piedras
gracias por la infinidad de El personal del Presbiterio se reúne para una oportunidad de fueron ofrecidas a Dios en
bendiciones
oración. La procesión
foto final en las antiguasoficinas.
experimentadas
en los 29 años
en que las
oficinas del
Presbiterio
estuvieron
alojadas en 100
S Morgan
Street. El grupo
se movió a
varias áreas del
Comunidad en adoración ofrece liturgia de bendición en las nuevas
edificio,
instalaciones del Presbiterio.
incluyendo el
balcón del
segundo piso,
para orar por la
continuó, moviendose a cada espacio de oficina,
gente y
consagrandolo al servicio de Dios con oraciones y
815 W. Van Buren
programas que
unción. El servicio terminó con escrituras, un
han sido parte
intercambio de sueños para el presbiterio y su personal
de la misión y ministerio del Presbiterio. La liturgia
y el canto de “Grande es tu fidelidad.” La caminata de
incluyó una bendición del espacio para los nuevos
adoración fue un comienzo propicio para el siguiente
inquilinos. Tanto sonrisas como lágrimas fluyeron en
paso en el viaje de nuestro Presbiterio. ¡Gracias y gloria
abundancia. Antes de salir a caminar hasta el nuevo
a Dios!
June 2012
13
Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio
Bolígrafo del Presbítero
La Generación Perdida
POR RDO. ROBERT C. REYNOLDS, PRESBÍTERO EJECUTIVO
Muchos de nosotros estamos
preocupados por la continua
disminución de las iglesias
protestantes. A pesar de esfuerzos
estratégicos durante los últimos
cuarenta años, no hemos podido
revertir las tendencias. Declive
tiene múltiples dimensiones, una
de los cuales es el promedio de
edad de presbiterianos hoy, que
está en algún lugar entre los 50 y
tantos (finales) años. Esto es
Robert C. Reynolds
sintomático de las generaciones
más jóvenes perdidas en nuestras iglesias. Varios empleados
del Presbiterio de Chicago han encontrando aliento contra
estas tendencias en un libro recién publicado por Diana
Butler Bass titulado Cristianismo después de Religión: El fin de
la Iglesia y el Nacimiento de un Nuevo Despertar Espiritual (New
York: HarperCollins, 2012).
Clave entre los puntos conocidos por Butler Bass es el patrón
de siglos de antigüedad de la Iglesia en que personas se
incorporan a la comunidad cristiana en una secuencia
ordenada de creencia, comportamiento, y pertenencia. Ella
observa que esto ya no funciona con joven “generaciones
perdidas” y ella describe una inversión que, para ellos, es
una secuencia más atractiva: pertenencia, comportamiento y
creencia.
Ella ofrece una introducción imaginativa a la “La Gran
Inversión” (capítulo 7), citando el siguiente poema de una
mujer joven, (traducción libre)
Soy parte de una generación perdida
y me niego a creer
Puedo cambiar el mundo
Me doy cuenta de esto puede ser impactante pero
“La felicidad viene de dentro”
es una mentira, y
14
June 2012
“Dinero me hará feliz”
Así que en 30 años diré a mis hijos
No son lo más importante en mi vida.
Mi empleador sabrá eso
Tengo mis prioridades correctas pues
trabajo
es más importante que
familia
Te digo esto
Érase una vez
Familias permanecían juntas
pero esto no será cierto en mi época.
Esta es una sociedad de soluciones rápidas
Me dicen expertos
30 años a partir de ahora estaré celebrando el 10
aniversario de mi divorcio.
No admito que
Vivo en el país que he creado.
En el futuro
Destrucción al medio ambiente será la norma.
Ya no puede decirse que
Mis compañeros y yo nos preocupamos por esta tierra.
Será evidente que
Mi generación es apática y letárgica.
Es insensato suponer que
Hay esperanza.
Y todo esto se hará realidad a menos que elijamos
invertirlo. (pp. 199-200)
Para un gusto de la gran inversión, lea el poema
nuevamente, esta vez desde abajo hacia arriba, comenzando
con “Hay esperanza.” Quizás después de hacerlo ganará un
apetito para leer más acerca de la gran inversión —
pertenencia, comportamiento, y creencia. Esto describe un
futuro potencialmente más brillante para la fe cristiana,
particularmente entre la llamada generación perdida.
El libro de Diana Butler Bass es poderoso en el análisis de la
historia del cristianismo y en la contemplación de su
prometedor futuro. ¡Espero que muchos de ustedes lo lea!
Para más información sobre Butler, consulte su página Web:
www.dianabutlerbass.com o sígala en Twitter
@dianabutlerbass.
Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio
Así Creemos es nuestro currículo denominacional que
enseña verdades bíblicas a los niños y niñas utilizando la
Biblia y los documentos confesionales de la iglesia. El
currículo lo forman cuatro componentes:
El libro del maestro es trimestral. Necesitará uno para
cada maestro(a). El mismo incluye las inteligencias
múltiples, para que tanto cada niño como niña se sienta
cómodo(a) y tenga la oportunidad de explorar, crecer y
desarrollarse. Además, incluye un diagrama general con
la información de todas las lecciones del trimestre. Cada
lección contiene los antecedentes para el(la) maestro(a),
un plan de lección, y las hojas de trabajo reproducibles
para cada estudiante. El libro está escrito en su mayor
parte en español, aunque las preguntas y los puntos de
partida para crear diálogo en clase siempre se
encuentran en ambos idiomas. Este libro es totalmente
gratis. Para bajarlo del Internet vaya a:
http://store.pcusa.org/Browse-Categories/Asi-Creemos.
Las Hojas para llevar a casa es parte del currículo y es un
material totalmente gratis. Para bajarlo vaya a:
http://store.pcusa.org/Browse-Categories/Asi-Creemos.
Usted puede imprimirlas a color o en blanco y negro.
Estas hojas contienen un resumen de la lección y de las
actividades para realizar en casa que ayudarán a que las
personas con responsabilidades parentales sepan qué se
estudia en clase y, a su vez crea un vínculo entre su hijo o
hija y ellas. Las hojas están escritas en español e inglés.
El Paquete de recursos es un recurso fundamental a la
hora de enseñar la clase. Cada trimestre se pide uno para
cada clase. El mismo contiene artes, juegos, láminas,
carteles y música, entre otras ayudas didácticas. Este
material está escrito en español e inglés. El costo de este
paquete es de $20.00. Para pedirlo, vaya a:
http://store.pcusa.org/Browse-Categories/Asi-Creemos.
El currículo está diseñado para tres grupos de edades:
Párvulos: 3-5 años -En esta edad se asume que los(as)
niños(as) todavía no saben leer. Las actividades e
historias son especialmente apropiadas para niños(as)
que todavía no han entrado al kindergarten.
Principiantes: 6-8 años - Está diseñado para niños(as)
de kindergarten a segundo grado que están comenzando
a leer.
Primarios: 9-11 años - Este currículo está diseñado para
niños(as) que están entre el tercero y sexto grados de la
escuela elemental. En este grupo de edad los(as)
niños(as) están preparados(as) para asimilar el material
bíblico y teológico a un nivel más profundo. A este nivel
pueden desarrollar habilidades para estudiar la Biblia,
como es la lectura de mapas y el uso de fuentes
suplementarias
June 2012
15
Vision Statement
“Chicago Presbytery – A Beacon of Hope, guiding
Leaders, Congregations and Communities.”
Presbytery of Chicago 815 W. Van Buren, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60607
Changes at Presbyterian Camps!
BY CINDI KARSTENS, MODERATOR, CAMP OVERSIGHT AND
DEVELOPMENT WORK GROUP
Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, deposes
kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge
to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden
things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with
him.” ~Daniel 2:20-22
While change can sometimes be difficult,
it can also be exciting and rewarding.
There is much excitement in the air at
Presbyterian Camps. As the season
changes from spring to summer we celebrate the changes in God’s creation and
embrace the changes at the Camp.
With the resignation of our Interim
Director and Spiritual Leader and Camp
Registrar, we immediately started our search for a Summer
Camp Director and Temporary Registrar.
We are pleased to introduce our new Registrar, Vicki Reynolds.
Vicki will fill this position through the summer season. She
comes to Presbyterian Camps with a background in mission,
experience on the camp oversight committee and as a camper.
Vicki started April 30th and jumped in, working alongside
Brad and Chris preparing for the arrival of summer staff and
campers. Vicki is available to help process your registration
and answer your questions. Visit our website at
www.prescamps.org or call (800) 728-1164 today to check registration availability for camp sessions.
Campers will be greeted this summer by our new Summer
Camp Director, Shelley Donaldson. Shelley is a May 2012
graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary. She comes to
Presbyterian Camps with over 10 years of experience in camp
ministry, having worked at Calvin Camp and Conference
Center in Hampton, Georgia; Glacier Presbyterian Camp &
Conference Center in Lakeside, Montana; and Ebert Ranch
Camp in Harper, Texas. Shelley started on May 29th and
immediately began planning staff training and preparing for
our ACA accreditation - the start to a very busy summer. We are
grateful for the gifts and experiences Shelley brings to
Presbyterian Camps and its ministry and are
confident her leadership will provide for a successful summer season.
We give thanks for the many dedicated volunteers who helped with all the physical changes
completed in preparation of a full camping season. Under the faithful leadership of Chris
Mantels, spring retreat groups helped put a new
roof on the Program Center, sanded the floors
in Singapore, installed a new ceramic floor in
Sandpiper and so much more. Memorial Day
Weekend brought an enthusiastic group of volunteers who put
the finishing touches on the camp; BRING ON THE SUMMER
CAMP SEASON!
Amid all the changes, there are some things that never change
at Presbyterian Camps. We hope you will find your way around
the lake and spend some time enjoying the shores of Lake
Michigan; kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. For campers
who enjoy a more relaxing experience, you don’t want to miss
participating in our tie-dye. These fun activities are sure to
create an appetite for our Director of Food Services, Brad Fries’
delicious meals. It wouldn’t be summer without them!
Don’t hesitate, camps are filling up fast! Enroll today and come
help us celebrate change and enjoy the familiar as we celebrate
God’s creation, renew our spirit, nurture our faith and build
community. Come and grow in Christ.