The Record
Second Presbyterian Monthly Newsletter - July 2019
Second Presbyterian Church - We are a diverse and inclusive community bringing people to Christ through the power of service, education, hospitality, and compassion.
FROM YOUR PASTOR
As the leaders continue to work toward the goals of the Strategic Plan, the Session has come up with a new Vision and a new Mission Statement. The new Mission statement is:
We are a diverse and inclusive community, bringing people to Christ
through the power of service, education, hospitality and compassion.
A mission statement is something to unite us and inspire us. A mission statement is a statement to propel us into the future.
While some may disagree about the details and fine points to get us there, the secret of a mission statement is that it is broad enough to include a lot of people, strong enough in its ideas and values to build a consensus ; and particular enough to give us a blue print for action.
This is a statement of who we already are: our identity. In many ways, we are already doing these things. This statement makes it more explicit and real.
This is also a statement of who we aspire to be: our hope for who we can become as a people: A more dynamic expression of the body of Christ.
As you look over the words below, perhaps you will hear something that will call you and speak to your soul. This mission statement has something for all of us. The most important words are: Diverse, Inclusive, Community, Engaging, Passionate.
What can you do to help us get there?
- Invite someone to church
- Introduce yourself to someone new
- Make a new friend
- Gently share your faith
- Invite a church member or friend to go out for coffee
- Offer someone a ride to church
- Introduce a newcomer to someone else in the congregation
- Intentionally include others whenever you attend a church activity
- Be warm
- Be welcoming
As we embrace this as our mission, the body of Christ grows into flesh, and spiritual love is unleashed in our neighborhood and world.
David M. Neff
Pastor
JULY 21 ~ SECOND BOOK GROUP MEETS
The Second Book Group will be discussing the book Born a Crime by Trevor Noah on Sunday, July 21st at 9:30am in the 2nd Floor Office. For more information, check out our website.
All are welcome to come and participate in these amazing discussions.
AUGUST 11 ~ ALL-CHURCH PICNIC
Our annual All-Church Picnic will be Sunday, August 11th. Come to the service that morning in casual attire. Tents will be set up in the north parking lot. Parking is available 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. All are welcome.
VISION STATEMENT
Second Presbyterian Church seeks to be a diverse, vibrant and passionate Christ-centered community of hospitality and outreach actively serving the South Loop, the city of Chicago and the world. We accomplish this through inspirational worship in our historic sanctuary, educational ministry to all ages, and the power of compassionate service to our neighbors.
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a diverse and inclusive community, bringing people to Christ through the power of service, education, hospitality and compassion.
ARCHIVES/ RECORDS WORK PARTY
Historic Second Presbyterian Church is cleaning out our records and sorting through photos, files and papers. We need your help! Please join us for a Archives Work Party. We will go through recent years and work our way back to the church’s earlier years. Dates are:
July 13th, 10:30 a.m.
July 27 10:30 a.m.
August 12, 10:30 a.m.
August 26, 10:30 a.m.
There is so much to learn and enjoy while we learn. All are welcome!
FOURTH CHURCH URBAN MISSION CAMP
FOURTH CHURCH URBAN MISSION CAMP’
Second Presbyterian Church will once again enter into partnership with Fourth Presbyterian Church to provide an urban ministry context for work with our children and youth. Each Wednesday afternoon, a different youth group will provide gym activities, storytelling, bible discussion, arts and crafts and music for our children. We will host
July 10 ~ First Presbyterian Church, Chalney, New York
July 24 ~ Park Ridge United Methodist Church, Park Ridge, Illinois
July 31 ~ Harbor View Presbyterian Church, Charleston South Carolina
This program will be staffed by Elder Eugene Leonard, Pastor Neff and Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers.
SOUTH LOOP YOUNG ADVENTURERS CLUB
Volunteers are needed for the South Loop Young Adventurers Club! This summer program for grades 3-8 will be each Tuesday from 2:30—4:30 p.m. beginning on July 9th and ending on August 13th. Reading and writing assignments will supplement field trips to places of neighborhood interest. If you would like to serve, please contact Elder Eugene Leonard or Pastor Neff.
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED
Coffee Hour is an important time to meet with neighbors and friends after the service concludes. There are no requirements to serve coffee hour. Simple refreshments or a light meal. Coffee and paper products are always provided. Please consider hosting a coffee hour on your birthday, for an anniversary or another special Sunday. Or consider joining in with friends to share a coffee hour. A sign-up sheet and a calendar of dates is available in Fellowship Hall. For more information, please contact Elder Barbara Floyd or Elder Argie Johnson.
The Hospitality Committee
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION HOUR
Christian Education Hour is such a special time for children to learn about Biblical themes and stories. It is through Christian Education Hour that children are able to ask questions, learn more thoroughly about scripture, and connect with other children from the church.
Confirmation Class/Post-Confirmation Class: The Confirmation and Post-Confirmation classes are well under way! Eugene Leonard is leading the charge by exploring the Christian values that are prevalent in the New Testament.
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
SOUTH LOOP MEMORY CAFÉ
The SOUTH LOOP MEMORY CAFÉ begins meeting at Second Church Thursday, August 8 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. and will meet the second Thursday of each month thereafter. The Café is an opportunity for people in the community with memory challenges and their care givers to come together for various activities, snacks and camaraderie. Please encourage anyone you know who may benefit from participating in the group to attend or feel free to drop in and check it out yourself.
Attendance is free. Registration is recommended. For questions or to register, please contact the South Loop Village at:southloopvillage@gmail.com
TAI CHI
Tai Chi is still going strong and meeting every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All classes are $10 and it is open to anyone and everyone!
ALPHA TO OMEGA
The Alpha to Omega Club is a group designed to help folks with meeting their goal of reading the bible cover to cover. Rather than discussing specific verses we discuss a general theme of the overall book in the bible. Last year we completed Genesis through Ruth but you can join anytime.
We meet in the fellowship hall on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 9:30am or the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 6:00pm. Listed below are the dates and themes for the readings for Alpha to Omega Club for the first half of the year. We hope you will join us.
DEFENDER BUILDING TOUR
Have you ever wanted to visit the Defender Building (now Revel Motor Row)? Now is your chance! The RIM (Recreation and Interest Ministries) Committee will be taking a group to visit the building on Thursday, August 15th. We will meet at the Farmers Market at 5:40pm and walk over for our 6:00pm tour. To sign-up for this event, go to this link https://forms.gle/G3HCvUeiaxg2era48 and enter in your information.
OPEN MIC NIGHT SUCCESS!
Open Mic Night: On Friday, June 21st, we welcomed 10 performers to our church who did an outstanding job showcasing their talents in stand-up, story-telling, singing, and more! Big thanks to Ramon and Leah Smith for emceeing the event, Michael Brown for providing transition music, and Rich Chubb for being our opening and closing act! We look forward to seeing you at our next Open Mic Night in September. Be sure to check our website (2ndpresbyterian.org) to get the next date!
COFFEE HOUR
The 2019 calendar is now available for you to sign-up to host the next Coffee Hour! Do you want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary? Hosting a Coffee Hour is a GREAT way to do that! If you want to bring warm/hot items, we have chafing dishes with warmers below to keep that food at the desired temperature. Check out the sign-up board in Fellowship Hall to see all available dates!
BACCALAUREATE SUNDAY
On Sunday, June 23rd, the Christian Education Committee recognized and honored our 2019 graduates in worship. Congratulations to each student and their families in this significant achievement!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kendall Marie Holmes-- Dunne Stem School
Iyobosa Osamwanze—Beasley Academic Center
Antonio Smith—Drake Elementary School
Ryan Southworth—Reinberg Elementary School
Madison Vanderbilt—The Latin School of Chicago
HIGH SCHOOL
Savannah Bowman—Kenwood Academy
Steven H. Bowman Jr.—Kenwood Academy
Sydney Donaldson—Oak Park/ River Forest HS
Mia Spillane—Jones College Prep
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Helen Smith—University of Chicago
BLOCK MUSEUM AND BAHA'I TEMPLE VISIT
On Wednesday, June 26th, Howard Tiffen drove a group to the Block Museum at Northwestern then to the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette. The day was full of fun, education, reflection, and fellowship. Those that attended were Howard Tiffen, Barbara and Cliff Crawford, Rowena Balogun, Gwen Sims, Rauf Dalal, Ann Belletire, Ruth Sharpe and Leslie Deslauriers. Check out the photos from our exciting day!
ON THE WATER MINISTRY
On July 21-29, Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers will be taking to the waters in Tennessee as she combines faith and kayaking. On the Water Ministry is an opportunity for folks to gather together, have a worship service, and kayak all at the same time! Leslie will be kayaking Percy Priest Lake, the Harpeth River, Duck River, Caney Fork River, and the Calfkiller River while helping youth and adults connect with God in a new way. Leslie asks for your prayers as she works with churches in the Middle Tennessee area to work on this exciting new venture! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to track Leslie down and ask her!
HUNGER WALK
Second Presbyterian Church is organizing a team to walk in the Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk which is September 7 in Jackson Park. The two-mile walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and will end by 11:30 a.m. At least 15 people must sign up as registered walkers for the Second Presbyterian Church team in order to receive agency credits for the Lunch Bag Program. You may sign up to join the team by entering the following link in your computer browser:
www.chicagofoodbank.org/hungerwalkagencies. Please follow these steps:
1. Click on “Register” then “Join a Team”
2. Search for Second Presbyterian Church and enter your information.
3.
The deadline for registering is August 27th. There are no sign-ups the day of the Hunger Walk.
If the team raises $500 or more, the Lunch Bag Program will receive a $100 match. So, if you are unavailable or unable to walk, you may donate online or by writing a check payable to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and include “Hunger Walk” in the memo line. Contact Vicki Reynolds (312-203-4933) with questions or to be signed up with the team. Join us for a fun morning!
LUNCH BAG PROGRAM
The LUNCH BAG PROGRAM is grateful and sends thanks to Western Springs Presbyterian Church for donating 200 bag lunches to the program last month. They enjoyed the intergenerational project of shopping, bagging and delivering the lunches; and our Lunch Bag guests greatly appreciate the variety of lunches they are served.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Adult Bible study is offered every Sunday morning from 9:30—10:30 a.m. with a curriculum and informal discussion. All are invited to attend!
BASIC BIBLE STUDY ~ THE BOOK OF ACTS
The book of Acts will be our Bible study is on a summer hold. It will reconvene in September. Stay tuned for time and place.
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
Congratulations to Brian Reed upon being admitted to the Second City Conservatory.
BARBARA'S BASEMENT
BARBARA’S BASEMENT is alive and well and open for business this summer. Stop by for all of the South Loop’s greatest finds Tuesdays & Saturdays 10am-1pm. Donations of gently used items may be dropped off during shop hours.
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.