The Record
Second Presbyterian Monthly Newsletter - September 2019
Diverse. Inclusive. Community. Engaging. Passionate.
FROM YOUR PASTOR
As our congregation grows, our offerings increase. In this newsletter are many programs and opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and fun! As September arrives, please join us and say “yes!” to participating in the life of faith here at Second Presbyterian Church. You’ll be enriched and blessed, and others will be blessed because of your involvement.
“All the promises of God are yes!” (1 Corinthians 2:7) Happy September!
David M. 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.
SEPTEMBER 8 ~ RALLY DAY CELEBRATION
All children are invited to a special breakfast on Sunday, September 8th at 9:45 a.m. This breakfast will kick off our weekly Christian Education Hour. The 11:00 a.m. the worship service will involve commissioning our Sunday School children and teachers in the new church school year. The Second Presbyterian Church Quartet will sing. Please join us for education and worship as we celebrate the gift of children to the church!
SEPTEMBER 11 ~ TUTORING PROGRAM TO BEGIN
The Second Presbyterian Church Tutoring Program will begin with an Open House for parents and students on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. Tacos, salad and refreshments will be served by our neighbors at La Cantina. Tutoring is free and open to all students in grades 2-8. Students are provided help with homework, encouragement in reading and reinforcement in math and science. Led by women of the Junior League, assisted by members of the larger South Loop community, all students are welcome. The Tutoring Program meets every Wednesday night from 6:00-7: 30 p.m. Registration forms can be found on our church website and on the literature table in Fellowship Hall.
If you would like to volunteer for tutoring, please call the church office (312) 225-4951 or contact Pastor Neff.
SEPTEMBER 15 ~ DEACONS’ BAKE OFF
SEPTEMBER 19 ~ PET BLESSING
INQUIRERS' CLASSES OFFERED
For those interested in affiliating with the church and becoming members, two classes are offered. Taught by Pastor Neff and Pastoral Assistant Deslauriers, the classes cover Presbyterian theology, worship and polity; Second Presbyterian church history, art and architecture; and ways to participate in the mission and ministry of our community of faith. The classes are Sunday, September 22nd and 29th from 9:30—10:30 a.m. in the pastor’s study. If you have questions, or for more information, please contact Pastor Neff or Pastoral Assistant Deslauriers.
SUNDAY MORNING PARKING AND BEARS GAMES
Street parking is free every Sunday, except for Bears home games. The following dates are for Bears home games.-
September 29 - 3:30 parking free until 1:25 p.m.
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
If the parking lot is full, ushers have a limited number of one-game Soldier Field game day passes. Please stop by the church office or ask an usher on Sunday morning for a one-day pass.
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. It could be 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
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 will be inserted in the Sunday bulletin beginning September 1st. 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.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP
The Adult Bible Class meets each Sunday from 9:30—10:30 a.m. to study the Bible the and explore its relevance to our society. The class focuses on a different bible passage each week. In September, the theme is “God’s World and God’s People.”
BASIC BIBLE STUDY ~ THE BOOK OF ACTS
Beginning on September 3rd , Dr. Joel Tolliver leads a bible study on the Acts of the Apostles. We proceed chapter by chapter as we continue through the early history of the first Church. Join us each Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for an inspiring bible study!
SECOND BOOK GROUP
The Second Book Group will be meeting on Sunday, September 15th at 9:30 a.m. in the 2nd Floor Office to discuss the book Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow by Henry Louis Gates Jr. All are welcome to participate in this discussion. The October book will be Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
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 will convene its first meeting of the fall on Tuesday, September 10 at 9:15 a.m. to discuss A Living Gospel by Robert Ellsberg. This book is a story of some of the sacred and secular saints of the church. The group will meet on October 8th 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. Jennifer Perrow, Generis consultant, affirms “this book is required reading for all church leaders”. The group is led by Father Brad Schoberke and Pastor David Neff. The first meeting is at Old St. Mary’s Church, 1500 S. Michigan Avenue.
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.
YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSALS BEGIN
The Youth 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 and youth are invited to sing and “make a joyful noise to the Lord” (Psalm 100:1)
SPECIAL EVENT: SINGING SONGS OF REDEMPTION AND REBELLION
Join us on Friday, September 6th from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. in the parking lot as we Sing Songs of Redemption and Rebellion. Co-hosted by Rev. Tom Gaulke (ELCA) and Rev. Shawna Bowman (pastor at Friendship Presbyterian Church), attendees will learn about the historic and current songs and chants from the various movements. Environmental Justice, Racial Justice, Women’s Justice, Indigenous Justice, Economic Justice, Social Justice, LGBTQAI+ Justice, Worker Justice, Human Rights, Mass Liberation, Reformation, Revolution... Endless generations and countless movements have swelled in spirit and have been strengthened in resolve by spiritual songs, protest songs and varied liberative soundtracks. In these songs, our forebears heard the melodies of a liberated future. Acting in love, they danced. They marched. They spoke truth to power. They organized change.
It seems that these songs contain something of a surplus. Just as those in the Movement before us sang into and through them their hopes and dreams, so, when sung again, we may dream those dreams of liberation today. Singing their songs of revolutionary hope, we may even be inspired to craft our own. Our melodies, our drums.
The event is free and open to the public! Come learn some new songs and sing some old ones too! For more information, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers (pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com).
SEPTEMBER 27 ~ OPEN MIC NIGHT
Mark your calendars, work on your comedy, tune up your guitar and write your poetry. Friday, September 27th is our next Open Mic Night from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. All talents are welcome! We are asking for a $5 suggested donation at the door (this gets you 1 free soda/water/beer and popcorn). Don’t miss out on this exciting event that is sure to make you laugh, pep you up, and leave you wanting more! For more information, please contact Pastoral Assistant Leslie Deslauriers (pastoralassistant.2ndpreschgo@gmail.com).
SEPTEMBER 29 ~ CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER GAME
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, September 12th 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 summer. 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.
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
Congratulations to Brian Reed who was accepted into the Second City Conservatory. His improvisational class work has already begun. Look for him in future shows!
TREASURER'S REPORT
Year to date on an Operating Basis, we have generated an Operating Deficit of $11,320.58 including Loan Repayments of $11,994.11. This is $8,345.33 worse than plan. The shortfall can be accounted for through our share of the Pentecost offering falling $4,400 short of expectations and snow clearance exceeding budget by $4,500. In addition, insurance expenses are running about $3,000 more than expected.
Stewardship is incorporating useful reminders into the Bulletin, the weekly e-blast and notices from the pulpit about the many missions and services being provided at our church as a direct result of YOUR offerings. Please give mindfully and prayerfully as we try to close our shortfall.
A long hoped-for Adopt a Landmark Grant of $371,592 was received on 11th June 2019. Part of this (up to $70,000) will be used to complete the masonry, south parish house wall rose window, north east corner roof and garden projects. $200,000 was used to retire part of the PILP loan on 11th June 2019. $313,915.24 remains outstanding. Our monthly debt service requirement has dropped by $1,315.58 from $3,381.71 to $2,066.13. This will save us $6,577.90 compared to Budget over the remainder of 2019.
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.