|
|
|
|
 Greetings!
Most of you know by now that I've been in California this week on vacation and though it has been a bit chilly so far, it has been a time of renewal. But I've not felt so very far from you all, as you've been in my heart as we learned of the death of Steven Taylor and also been touched by the events in Tucson of the last few days. This is also the anniversary of the Haiti earthquake and personally, the one year anniversary of the death of my children's father. I know that others of you have also been touched by death and tragedy in these early days of the new year. Indeed, our hearts are broken for many reasons.
I'm using part of the time here reading the first book in the Winter Interfaith Conversations series that will begin on February 2. It is a small memoir by Enuma Okoro, a
Reluctant Pilgrim, as she calls herself and her book. She begins the book reflecting on the death of her father ... and the circumstances that separated her from him when she was only 9 years old. But the book is really about her struggle to find a place in the church. She grew up Catholic in New York City, before moving to Nigeria with her family and then on to the Ivory Coast of Africa before settling in the US as an adult and after many spiritual explorations, finding community in a new church start (United Methodist) in Raleigh North Carolina.
Her father died just before her 30th birthday ... unexpectedly ... and she tells of losing the ability to pray. In writing about this she begins with a poem:
I forget that you have this way
of dying over and over again.
And hitting me with the news
in the middle of blue days
and moods and coffeeshops
And all I can do is sit until
the news dissipates and
no longer seems like news
for the moment.
And then she goes on ....
As I processed the news, the God I had clung to so desperately all these years seemed to disappear slowly and suddenly all at once. I couldn't find God anywhere ... I didn't know what I was supposed to say or why people outside were still walking around as though nothing had happened.
Each of us responds to great loss differently ... but none of us is unaffected when tragedy comes. Many things ... maybe all things ... have to be thought through in light of this new reality, and that includes our relationship with God. As we go forward into the days and weeks ahead, I pray that there will be comfort and abundant grace offered and received. And that God's presence will be made known in community and in solitude, in days together and days when we wrestle through sleepless nights and restless days, asking questions and living into the new normal. As Okoro says in another place, maybe our task is to whittle out comfort from asking Christ hard questions and receiving questions in response. In the midst of the disciples' grief and deep longing, Jesus comes ....
As we walk forward, may we know God is with us ... Emmanuel!!!
Your servant and sister in Christ,
Rev. Margaret Gramley
|
Greetings!
Greetings in the name of Our Lord !!!
Although last week was Epiphany, it is still a good time to reflect on the meaning of Epiphany. The Wise men brought gifts to Jesus. They recognized Jesus as "King", bringing him to the attention of the world, revealing and showing who Jesus is. Jesus is the incarnate Christ. They were the first gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as King and Christ. Jesus Christ is the light that shines on the world of all people and all nations. Through this we become aware that God's work is beyond all limitations. God's love is pervasive for all people without distinction. Epiphany is to reveal God's love to people on earth who accept Jesus as Christ. It doesn't matter whether they are gentiles or Jews.
On the day of Epiphany we are reaching out for those in need and showing Jesus as the Christ of all people. We are all connected in Christ. That means we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. That is the real meaning of Christian fellowship in which our separation can be healed. Christian fellowship is based on the trinity in that God exists in the mysterious way of social fellowship. Therefore, in our church, there is no isolation, no division, and no discrimination. That is, we are hoping for our faith community that God wants to achieve.
We have learned of the tragic and the untimely death of Steven Taylor. As a community of faith, we support the Taylor family by our prayer, thought, and presence. Please continue to pray for the Taylor family.
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Sang Hun Han
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Reluctant Pilgrim: A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent Introvert's Search for Spiritual Community by Enuma Okoro is the first book in our the Winter Interfaith Conversations with Beth Am. We'll begin at Kingswood on Feburary 2. This book is a memoir of Okoro's journey from child faith to adult questions and faith in those questions and God's presence in ordinary community. It will be interesting to be in conversation with our Jewish sisters and brothers. Okoro raises many questions for us all.
The March book ... Devotion by Dani Shapiro ... is another memoir that details a spiritual journey and seeking God through Jewish traditions and practice.
The Okoro book will be available at church this week.
|
|
Bible Study
A Study for the New Year
Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
Wishing you had some support and direction as you make New Year's resolutions regarding how you live your life? This discussion class will focus on how we relate our finances and our faith. There will be multiple opportunities to be part of this four-week discussion ... you can sign up ahead of time on Sunday mornings or by calling the church office, but walk-ins are welcome.
Thursday 10am - January 6, 13, 20, 27 led by Margaret Gramley
Thursday 7pm - January 6, 13, 20, 27 led by Harry Brubeck/Sandy Pietrzak
Sunday 9 am - January 9, 16, 23, 30 led by Debbi Dickinson
Winterfest Fridays - Jan 14 & 28 Feb 11& 25, March 11
led by Dave Gerhardt/Mike Goetting
A Life Worth Living
A nine-week study of The Letter of Paul to the Philippians will be offered Monday evenings from 7:00 pm to approximately 8:30 pm beginning February 7. The course is called A Life Worth Living. Gary and Mary Ann Genge will facilitate the course. Sign up sheets will be available in the Fireside Room. There is no cost for participation and just a few verses of pre-reading from Philippians is suggested for class preparation.
Living the Questions Part 2
The 2nd 7 week session of Living the Questions will begin in February. There will again be a class offered on Sunday mornings at 9 am and a class on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. These classes will be led by Gary Genge. You do not have to have been in the first sessions to be a part of the second sessions.
Look for sign ups to this after the first of the year.
Winter Wednesdays
Body-Mind-Spirit Integration
January 19 at 7pm
Rev. Im Jung will lead us in a session of gentle
movement and meditation.
February 16 at 7:30pm
Laughter is the Best Medicine
March 16 from 4-9pm
Walk the Labyrinth
|
 Jewel Cookware Sticker Donations
Time is running out to redeem the Jewel reward stickers for cookware. Please drop off any remaining stickers you may have in the front kitchen or church office by Sunday, Jan. 16.
|
 Winterfest
Friday, January 14 6:15-8:30pm
Sock-Hop, music, games and craft project.
Dress in your best 50's clothes.
Dinner 6:15-7:00pm. Mac and Cheese, salad and garlic bread.
Children's Activities 7:00pm
Adult discussion -7:00pm Enough, Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity led by: Dave Gerhardt and Mike Goetting
Sign up for the next Winterfest evening, Friday, January 28
|
|
KAAN Winter Movie Series
The African Queen is showing Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7pm.
What better way to start off the KAAN winter movie series than with the 50th anniversary of this classic movie?
All adults are invited to relive or see this film for the first time, share favorite moments, indulge in some trivia and fellowship.
Questions or comments Contact Pam Gish @ pam_gish@hotmail.com.
|
 New Women's Group-Date Set
Date: Monday, January 24, 7 - 8:30 pm, Room 114 A & B
RSVPPlease reply to Elizabeth's email: hicks_eg@hotmail.com by 1/15/11
Let us know if you can or cannot attend.
|
 Pancake Breakfast
Boy Scout Troop 401 is hosting its Sixth Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The breakfast will be held at Kingswood in conjunction with the church's celebration of Scout Sunday. 8 a.m. to Noon $12 per family $5 per person / $3 Child (3-8 years)
Includes: Pancakes, Sausage, Coffee, Juice, Milk Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Children's Games, Bake Sale
|
 Family Bowling
Saturday, January 29 - from 2-4pm Beverly Lanes, 8 South Beverly Lane, Arlington Heights Price of bowling is $8.10 per person and includes shoes. Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives.
|
 KUMC Book Club
The next meeting of the KUMC book club is on Friday, January 21 at 7 pm at Deer Park Barnes and Noble. The book club will discuss The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family's Florentine palazzo. A child of the Renaissance, with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the painter's abilities.
But their burgeoning relationship is interrupted when Alessandra's parents arrange her marriage to a wealthy, much older man. Meanwhile, Florence is changing, increasingly subject to the growing suppression imposed by the fundamentalist monk Savonarola, who is seizing religious and political control. Alessandra and her native city are caught between the Medici state, with its love of luxury, learning, and dazzling art, and the hellfire preaching and increasing violence of Savonarola's reactionary followers. Played out against this turbulent backdrop, Alessandra's married life is a misery, except for the surprising freedom it allows her to pursue her powerful attraction to the young painter and his art.
The Birth of Venus is a tour de force, the first historical novel from one of Britain's most innovative writers of literary suspense. It brings alive the history of Florence at its most dramatic period, telling a compulsively absorbing story of love, art, religion, and power through the passionate voice of Alessandra, a heroine with the same vibrancy of spirit as her beloved city. For more information contact Karen Wernette, 224-677-5277 or kmwernet@umich.edu.
|
Sweetpea Beauty Event - VeggieTales
A girl after God's own heart.
Moms and daughters a princess party is being planned for Friday, February 4 from 7:00-9:00pm.
The premiere showing of the new Veggie Tale "Sweetpea Beauty" will be shown. The evening is planned for a "girl themed" night. Sign-up for this girly night out during coffee fellowship.
|
|
|
|
This Sunday in Worship
Scripture:
Phillippians 4:4-9
Message:
Enough: Simplicity
Music:
Kings Men
Chancel Choir
(10:30am)
Sunday School
Regular Class Schedule
Senior High Sunday School at 10:30am in the Manna House
|
|
Prayers, Joys & Concerns
The Family of Steven Taylor who died last Thursday. Steven is survived by his parents, Alison & Paul, his twin brother, Peter, older brother, Simon, and sister, Lucy.
Bob Kohm, who had knee replacement surgery.
Charlotte Cassel (Ruth Hoffman's mother) had a bad fall and is in great pain facing weeks of therapy.
Mike Barber's mother, who had a stroke.
The family of Norman Pfeifer (uncle of Beth Bryan) who died this week. Please pray for his children ... their mother died last month.
Congratulations to Ruth and David Anderson on the birth of another grandson ... Trenton Daniel Anderson ... on December 23, 2010. He is welcomed home by mom and dad, Treva and Ryan, and big brothers Gavin, 6, and Holden, 3.
We also congratulate Pat and Lanny Gray, who celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in December.
Betsy, Marilyn and Mary ... close friends of a member ... all being treated for cancer.
JoAnn Tompkins who is undergoing chemotherapy for her cancer that has returned. She has returned to Florida where she is continuing her treatment.
Betty Anderson (mother of Mary Beth Johnson and wife of retired pastor Rev. Thoburn Anderson) has been placed in hospice care as she continues to struggle with Alzheimers.
|
|
Acolyte Traning
Acolyte Training Class:
All 3rd through 5th grade children.
Saturday, January 22 from 9:30-11:00am.
It is important parents bring their children on time.
|
|
Meals on Wheels
Sign up for Meals on Wheels this Sunday.
Please sign up to deliver a meal to the homebound clients of the Wheeling Township Meals on Wheels program during the month of February. PIck up is scheduled for 11am at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights. For more information contact Wendy Avner at 847-537-2978.
|
|
Office Closed
The church office will be closed Monday, January 17
in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events |
Friday, January 14- Winterfest 6:15pm Wednesday, January 19- Rev. Im Jung Meditation Session 7pm
Friday, January 28- Winterfest 6:15pm
Saturday, January 29- Family Bowling 2-4pm KAAN Movie Night "The African Queen" 7pm Monday, January 31- Youth Work Camp Meeting 7pm room 135- All youth entering high school in August 2011 and those currently in high school are encouraged to attend with at least one parent. Wednesday, February 2 - Winter Interfaith Conversations with Beth Am Congregation. Facilitated by Rev. Gramley and Rabbi Bellows, the group will discuss Reluctant Pilgrim by Enuma Okoro at Kingswood. Sunday, February 6- Kingswood Cares Packages- Please fill out a form if your young adult or active duty military personnel did not receive a November 2010 care package. |
| Contact Information | |
Rev. Margaret Gramley
Senior Pastor, Kingswood UMC
847-398-0770
Click on this link to forward to a friend not the one below:
|
|
|
|
|
