The Record
Second Presbyterian Monthly Newsletter - July 2018
Second Presbyterian Church is building a Christ-Centered Community Through Inspirational Worship, Education Ministry and the Power of Service.
FROM YOUR PASTOR
A church is as large as the lives that are touched
Through a congregation by the love of God.
Caring is the ultimate measure of the size of a congregation.
Carl Dudley
On Monday night, I called our roster of tutoring kids (I called their moms) to inform them of our summer programs. As I told them about our Summer Reading Club and Summer Camp, there were several exclamations:
Pastor, our kids love coming to the church.
Pastor, our kids have nothing to do for the summer. Thanks for providing for our family's needs.
Pastor, your church is such a blessing for our children.
These parents express a sentiment that we all share. There is something special about Second Presbyterian Church. It is not just the art and architecture. It is the people. It is God’s spirit at work in our lives. We are on a journey together. We agree about the things that matter, and don’t let small things get us down. We are united in a cherished bond of faith, hope and love.
Our aim, as one theologian wrote, is to be “a church without walls that loves without limits”.
Do you know how many people our church touches each week? Through serving lunches and tutoring? Through tours and educational events? Through worship, special services and musical concerts? Through being a community center and opening our building to our neighbors?
We have been placed on this street corner to embody the teachings of Jesus; to be the human embodiment of the love of God in Jesus Christ. We hope our warmth, caring and spirit of openness are showing!
When we seek to be “love one another as Christ has loved us” (1 John 4: ) God’s love is perfected in us, and our neighbors are drawn to serve Jesus the Christ in the same mission of love.
David M. Neff
Pastor
JULY 7 ~ YOUNG HEARTS
All members and friends ages 21-40(ish) are invited to join Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers at Kaiser Tiger (1415 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601) on Saturday, July 7th at 12pm for sausage, bacon, and beer! Please contact Leslie (615-630-2495) by Thursday, July 5th if you plan to attend so a reservation can be made.
JULY 10 ~ PASTOR NEFF KNEE SURGERY
Pastor Neff will have a partial knee replacement surgery on July 10th. He will be on sick leave and out of the office for three or four weeks. Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers will preach on July 15th and 22nd. Pastor Neff hopes to return to the pulpit on Sunday, July 29th and return to the office that week. Please keep him in your prayers for a good surgery and a full recovery!
Leslie's office hours July 10-28 will be as follows:
Tuesdays: 9:30-1pm.
Wednesdays: 9:30-4pm.
Thursdays: 2-8pm.
Fridays: 9:30-12pm.
Please contact Leslie during this time.
FOURTH CHURCH URBAN MISSION CAMP
The Fourth Presbyterian Church Urban Mission Camp is partnering with Second Presbyterian Church to offer programs for neighborhood children this summer. Each Wednesday, a youth group and several adult volunteers offer an afternoon of activities for children. Staffed by Leslie Deslauriers, these activities involve gym time, snacks, arts and crafts, bible discussion and singing. Groups participating with us this summer include:
June 27 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville South Carolina
July 4 No Camp
July 11 College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, Vermont
First Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia
July 18 Buffalo Heart Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Illinois
July 25 Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
August 1 First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Minnesota
CALLING ALL SINGERS!!!
The Summer Choir has begun rehearsals each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Directed by Mark Veselack, accompanied by Michael Shawgo, the choir sings each Sunday during the summer, accompanied by a member of the Second Church Quartet. No experience is necessary, just a desire to sing. All are welcome to each rehearsal.
SOUTH LOOP FARMERS' MARKET
Second Presbyterian Church hosts the Farmers’ Market every Thursday night (rain or shine) from 4:00 –8:00 p.m. Approximately twenty vendors sell fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits and other items. Three vendors sell meals. “Tommy Tunes” provides musical activities for children. The church hosts a booth and sells flowers, bottled root beer and Amazing Grace cookies. Friends of Historic Second Presbyterian Church provides free, docent-led tours. Free parking is provided at the Ada S. McKinley lot 1863 S. Wabash. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Elder Vicki Reynolds or Deacon Jane Tiffen.
SUMMER READING CLUB
The Summer Reading Club is a new venture to help our students learn to read and enjoy reading. The congregation has donated age-appropriate books (especially Afrocentric books) and journals, book bags, gift cards and snacks to serve the children. “Reading is fun” is the theme each Tuesday at 1:30pm.
Volunteers or reading coaches are still needed! We also need gift cards to provide incentives for our summer readers. For more information, please contact Pastor Neff.
Volunteers include Annette Adams, Anne Calgano, Helen Smith, Jennifer Kim, Venus Griffin, Angel Dickerson, Jacoby Dickerson, Barbara Crawford, Fran Horn, Vanessa Huff, Shanessa Huff, Maggie McGuire and Officer Jamal Williams.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The Children and Young Adult Education Committee is excited to announce 2018’s Vacation Bible School which will take place July 16-18 from 3pm-6pm with snacks provided. Join us as we experience the ride of a lifetime with God! Registration forms may be picked up at the church office or by going to the church website. All children and youth are invited to participate and we are still seeking adult volunteers to help with Bible Story, Crafts, Recreation, snacks, and music! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers (studentpastorleslie@gmail.com or 615-630-2495) or Elder Eric Annafi (eannafi@gmail.com).
WELCOME NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Ashley McLean is our new office administrator. She is a Chicago native, and a graduate of Bradley University. She has a background as a graphic artist, enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 9:30 a.m.--1:30 p.m. Please welcome Ashley to her new ministry in our congregation.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Summer Reading Club Volunteer Opportunity
The Community Outreach Committee is planning to offer a Youth Summer Reading Club for youth in the neighborhood. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Vicki Reynolds, 312-203-4933 or the church office.
Farmer’s Market Volunteer Opportunity
The Farmer’s Market begins June 14 and runs through September 27 and is held in the church parking lot. Volunteers are needed for set-up, take-down, hosting the Second Church booth and helping with the Kids Zone. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jane Tiffen, Vicki Reynolds or the church office.
Lunch Bag Program
Volunteers are always needed to help with the Lunch Bag Program which Second Church hosts each week Tuesday through Friday. Volunteers are needed between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to pick up food donations at Panera Bread and Pret A Manger early mornings or evenings Monday through Thursday. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Vicki Reynolds, 312-203-4933 Substitute volunteers are also needed.
Return of the Cobb Peace Window
July 29 ~ Rededication Service
WHAT A FABULOUS GIFT!
Over many years of caring membership, Gary Schuetz provided leadership, guidance, ideas and grace to our congregation. He also supported several members of our community with guidance, advice and financial backing. He greeted each person before the service, his friendly smile, his warm glance, his caring handshake and embrace…We miss him in so many ways.
Gary did not want us to forget him…as if we could. He made a very generous gift to the church when he died. Gary, once again, provided us all with a LEADERSHIP GIFT, one that many of us might choose to emulate as our successors continue the work of this great church. Gary’s gift was received by the church in late June.
The Session wants to use Gary’s gift in a way that he will always be remembered. In the past, we have been unable to secure grants through the City’s Adopt a Landmark program. These would have been used to finish the work on the roof on the south side of the building. We need more than $110,000 to complete the roof work and repair two leaks which emerged during the June storms. Until the roof work is done, the garden on Cullerton must remain closed. Gary’s gift gives us a FABULOUS opportunity.
Using Gary’s gift as a cornerstone, we have been able to secure pledges so far of at least $75,000. We need to raise about $44,000 more to be able to complete the work. In addition, a friend of the congregation has made a very generous gift to help restore the garden. Upon completion, the Session and Gary’s family have approved the re-naming of the Garden in memory of Gary.
So, we are asking for your contribution or pledge towards the funds needed to complete the roof work and re-open the garden. Ideally, we would like to complete the construction work this season and complete Gary’s Garden by Fall. If Gary were with us in the flesh, he would help us develop an appealing catchphrase or name for this fundraising.
We are looking for the equivalent $440 from each regular member of the congregation. Gifts of $4.40 or $44 would be equally welcome. Some might feel moved to contribute $880, $1,320, $1,760, $2,200 or $4,400! Please give what you can by making your contribution and marking one of our pew envelopes,
“Gary’s Garden”.
BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY
Please join us for Bible study on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Library. The curriculum is “Living the Word”. A different lesson is highlighted each Sunday morning.
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
Steven Bowman Jr will be playing at the Jazz Institute of Chicago on August 10, 7:00 p.m. as part of the Next Jazz Emerging Artists Project.
Congratulations to Michael Brown upon his retirement from the Chicago Police Department after 29 years.
SUMMER GIVING
During the summer months, as members and friends miss worship for vacation, holidays or family time, our budget usually goes into a deficit. Our expenses and ministries continue during the summer, even when church members and friends are not able to be here. Please keep your pledges and giving constant during the summer months! Thank you for your faithful support!
The Session
ALL INVOLVED POTLUCK, FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
The Hospitality Committee would like to invite everyone to an "All Church Potluck" every first Sunday of the month.
Our next potluck is Sunday, August 5th. Bring your favorite dish to share at the potluck. All dishes are welcome!
We ask in order to minimize the cleanup afterwords, you bring your favorite dish in a foil pan or a dish you will take home. The foil containers will be put in the recycle bin.
If anyone would like to help serve or has any questions please feel free to contact or Barbara Floyd at 312-485-0362.
Thank you for all you do!
Barbara Floyd
ALL-CHURCH PICNIC ON AUGUST 12th
Our annual All-Church Picnic will be Sunday, August 12th. Come to the service that morning in casual attire. Tents will be set up in the north parking lot (park in the Ada McKinley parking lot or on the street). The Board of Deacons will charcoal hamburgers, brats and hotdogs and provide buns, chips, condiments, soda pop, ice water and tea. Please bring a salad, vegetable or dessert! D.J. Michael Brown will provide music. There will also be games for the children. Please join us for the fun and festivities!
TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO DATE 31 May 2018
As expected for this year, we are operating at a deficit although owing to generous giving by members and friends, the deficit is about half what we would have expected at this stage. Offerings are about $20,000 over budget. Member Giving is $2,500 ahead of plan and Non-Member Giving is $18,300 above plan.
Total Operating Income for the YTD to 31st May 2018 has been $139,748.03
Total Expenses, including Loan Repayment installments 147,296.40
Overall Cash Deficit $ 7,520.97
We are operating at a shortfall of about $1,500 per month, all of which might be explained as the result of repaying the principal on the PILP Loan. The Church Leadership needs to consider fundraising ventures which might help to close the deficit.
Our Per Capita Collections are short by about $75, roughly the equivalent of just over two individuals not having paid.
COMMUNICATION
Do you feel like you’re missing out on information on the church? Have you missed a worship service that you would have liked to attend? Be sure to read your monthly newsletter, check your email, read the announcements in the back of your bulletin, check the church calendar (on the website and the bulletin board outside of the kitchen, and above the water fountain) and check social media. The calendar on the church website is a google calendar and you can even sync your phone or tablet so that you’ll never miss another church event! If you’d like more information or would like to update your contact information, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers (studentpastorleslie@gmail.com) or call the church office (312) 225-4951.