The Record
Second Presbyterian Monthly Newsletter - October 2019
Diverse. Inclusive. Community. Engaging. Passionate.
FROM YOUR PASTOR
The writer Phyllis McGinley traveled to Europe searching for material to write a book on the saints. She went to the birthplaces and sites of their lives. She toured the cathedrals and shrines built in their honor and visited their graves. She visited the convents and monasteries which some of the saints established. All this time, she was inquiring, searching and seeking one consistent theme, one overarching reason that could explain for her: “What makes a saint “a saint?” What stretches a person to become holy? When does a person begin to live a consecrated life? What causes a person to develop an all-encompassing love for God and for the world?
As McGinley searched in depth for the heart of a saint, and explored the many reasons that make the saints tick, she was both thrilled by her studies but also frustrated by her search. As she came to the end of her travels, she had still not found her conclusion.
One rainy morning, she entered a quiet cathedral to pray. As she sat quietly in her pew, the clouds broke outside, the sunlight began streaming through the stained-glass windows, revealing a prism of light and a dazzling array of colors. Then, intuitively, she received her answer. “ A saint is someone who lets the light shine through.”
Frances Ridley Havergal wrote in 1874:
Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
May the light shine through you this fall and always!
David Neff
Pastor
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a diverse and inclusive community, bringing people to Christ through the power of service, education, hospitality and compassion.
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.
OCTOBER 6th ~ CELEBRATION OF AFRICA
Second Presbyterian Church and the Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship will co-host our sixth “Celebration of Africa Sunday” on Sunday, October 6th. Together as one congregation, we will celebrate our African heritage with a lively service of worship and music. We will also celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship Praise Choir will provide special music. All are invited to wear their traditional gowns on this day of celebration. On this first Sunday, all are invited to bring a potluck dish to share.
OCTOBER 13 ~ MARATHON SUNDAY
CHICAGO MARATHON VOLUNTEER WORK
Second Presbyterian Church members will be handing out bottles of water in front of the church during the Chicago Marathon. If you would like to participate, join us on Michigan Avenue between 9:00 and 10:30 on October 13.
ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
The theme for our annual Stewardship Campaign is “God Will Do It-- We Will Help”. A letter with a pledge card has been sent to all members and friends. With joy, we will dedicate our pledges for 2020 to the Lord on October 27th. Please give prayerfully, thoughtfully, thankfully and generously!
WHAT IS A PLEDGE
A pledge is a commitment to express our faith in concrete, tangible ways. We are asked to return to God a very small portion of all the gifts that have been given to us by God. Pledging is not a matter of fundraising; it is a matter of worship. Offering a pledge involves being thankful to God for our material gains and our prosperity. It is a commitment to remembering that God is the source and center of our lives. All good gifts come from God and are given to us as a trust to use wisely and share joyfully. A pledge is a commitment that can be changed at any time as circumstances change. Let us all remember God's many gifts to us and share our blessings through our giving and our living.
The Session
SUNDAY MORNING PARKING AND BEARS GAMES
Street parking is free every Sunday, except for Bears’ home games. One day parking passes for Bears’ games are available in the church office. Ushers also have one-day parking passes. The following dates are for Chicago Bears’ home games.
October 20 - 3:30 parking free until 1:25 p.m.
October 27 - 12:00 no street parking without a pass
November 10 - 12:00 no street parking without a pass
November 24 - 12:00 no street parking without a pass
The north parking lot is available for parking on Sunday worship. We encourage those whose mobility permits to part on the city streets, so as to leave parking lot space for those with more limited ability.
NEW HYMNALS
At the August Session meeting we voted to adopt the new Presbyterian hymnal “Glory to God”. This new hymnal reflects the diversity of the church by incorporating many different music styles: traditional, spirituals, folk, gospel, jazz, contemporary and global music.
The Worship and Music Committee is asking you to assist us in purchasing the hymnals. The cost is $20.00 per book. You can have your hymnal dedicated to honor of, or in memory of a loved one. Order forms are in the Sunday bulletin. You may also contribute on line by visiting the church website www.2ndpresbyterian.org and click on donate. Please indicate that the contribution is for The Glory of God Hymnal.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS SUNDAY MORNING 9:30 A.M.
The Adult Bible Class is discussing the book of Exodus this fall. “God’s World and God’s People”. Taught by members of the group, the texts and topics are relevant for today, providing a word of inspiration for living. All are welcome.
BASIC BIBLE STUDY TUESDAY AFTERNOONS
Have you ever wanted to learn about the basics of the Bible? Join us each Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for a “Basic Bible Study” class. Taught by Reverend Dr. Joel Tolliver, this class focuses on the Book of Acts, chapter by chapter. All are invited to attend and bring a friend.
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 Second Floor Office (Leslie and Ashley's office) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Flea Parker.
SPIRITUALITY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
The Contemporary Spirituality Book Discussion Group is a joint project between Old St. Mary’s Church and Second Presbyterian Church. This fall begins the seventh year of the book group. On October 8th, we will meet to discuss Hallelujah Anyway! Rediscovering Mercy by popular write Anne LaMott. On November 10th, the group will discuss The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen. The group is led by Father Brad Schoberle and Pastor David Neff. Meetings are held at Old St. Mary’s Church, 1500 S. Michigan Avenue at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome.
SECOND BOOK GROUP
Second Book Group will meet on Sunday, October 20th at 9:30am in the 2nd floor office to discuss the book Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The book for November 17th will be Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. All are welcome to our book discussions.
SPIRITUALITY IN THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS
Join Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers as she takes a deeper look into the prayer, meditation, worship, and community life of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, the Baha’i faith, and Sikhism. All classes will meet on Wednesday evenings October 16-November 20 at 6pm in the Church Library. All are welcome to these classes and there are no materials needed! If you want further information, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers at pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com
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: The Confirmation Class for 2019-2020 has begun! All students 6th grade and up who have not yet been confirmed are invited to join this class that meets the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:1 5 p.m. For more information, please contact Eugene Leonard.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSALS BEGIN
The Children’s Choir will be directed by Lisa Armstrong this year. The children will rehearse immediately after worship on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. All children are invited to sing and “make a joyful noise to the Lord” (Psalm 100:1)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TUTORING PROGRAM
The Wednesday Night Tutoring program has begun its sixth year of ministry. Thirty-five students have signed up, with approximately twenty-five adult tutors. The first hour involves help with homework, math, science and reading. Afterwards, a healthy snack is prepared by the group Kids in the Kitchen, followed by an arts and crafts project. The goal is to promote learning skills in a structured, fun environment. Special thanks to the women leaders of the Junior League and all community volunteers who help with this ministry! We still need tutors. If you would like to make a commitment to serve, please contact the church office (312) 225-4951.
OCTOBER 19-20 ~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES FAIR TRADE BAZAAR
The Community Outreach Committee is hosting a Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Bazaar in Fellowship Hall on Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20. The hours are 10:00-5:00 on Saturday and 10:00-4:00 on Sunday. Unique jewelry, hand woven baskets, fashion scarves, toys and games, purses, soaps, coffee, winter hats, mittens, gloves and scarves are just a few of the items that will be available for sale. Invite your friends and families and begin early Christmas shopping!
Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit, volunteer run, fair trade organization that markets handcrafted products made by more than 20,000 disadvantaged artisans from more than 30 developing countries. Every purchase of a handmade gift directly impacts the life and community of its maker in a developing country.
In addition to shoppers, volunteers are needed to help unload the truck on Friday afternoon, October 18 and to reload the truck with any unsold merchandise Sunday afternoon, October 20. Volunteers are also needed to wrap and bag purchases during the sale on October 19 and 20. If you are available to volunteer, please contact Vicki Reynolds (312-203-4933).
OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO
On Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, our sanctuary will be open for all those in the Chicagoland area to come in and explore during Open House Chicago. We typically see over 1,000 visitors during this weekend each year so please be sure to let everyone know that we ARE open and that they should add our church to their tour list! For more information, go to https://www.historicsecondchurch.org/ Open House Chicago is sponsored by Chicago Architecture Center.
CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY HUNGER WALK
The Community Outreach Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the Hunger Walk on September 7 whether by walking or contributing financially. The Hunger Walk was a huge success and the Lunch Bag Program receives food credits which can be used to purchase food from the Chicago Food Depository throughout the year.
NEWS FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee has been meeting to pray and discuss potential candidates to serve as elders and deacons for the coming year. Inserts have been placed in the bulletin inviting nominations to serve. If you feel called to serve or would like to nominate someone to serve (you must first have their consent), please submit the name to the nominating committee. Nominations are due by October 6th. Members are: Rowena Balogun and Barbara Floyd (co-chairs), Nate Battle, Ann Belletire, Tracy Cargo, Lee Jenkins and Chioma Ochiabutor.
HINDU TEMPLE & MORTON ARBORETUM TRIP
The Recreation and Interest Ministries Committee has planned another great trip to visit the BAPS Hindu Temple and Morton Arboretum on Monday, October 14th. We will meet at the church at 8:30am and return by 4:30pm. Cost is $30/person and space is limited! To register and pay, please complete the form at https://forms.gle/qebsyFaNY7werdae8 or you may contact either Cliff Crawford (crawfordclifford@sbcglobal.net), Ann Belletire (annabelle20E@aol.com), or Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers (pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com). Space is limited!!
MONEY SMART COURSE
TAI CHI
Tai Chi is still going strong and meeting every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Your first class is FREE! All additional classes are $10 and it is open to anyone and everyone!
SOUTH LOOP MEMORY CAFÉ
The next South Memory Café will be on Thursday, October 10th from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For more information or to register, please email southloopvillage@gmail.com
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.
EXTENDED TOUR TIMES FOR FRIENDS OF HISTORIC SECOND CHURCH
BARBARA'S BASEMENT
BARBARA’S BASEMENT is alive and well and open for business this fall. Stop by for all of the South Loop’s greatest finds Tuesdays & Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 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 (pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com) or call the church office (312) 225-4951.
EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGE FOR LESLIE DESLAUREIERS
Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers’ email address has changed. Her new email address is PastoralAssistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com please update your contacts as she will no longer be checking the studentpastor email.