News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

March 24, 2011

Greetings!

A Word from the Pastor

The world continues to be in turmoil ... though some things are looking better in Japan, there is still tragic loss and the fear that the nuclear radiation danger is not over; in the Middle East the US is involved in Libya in ways we could not have anticipated; and now in Israel the tensions in Gaza are spilling over to Jerusalem. And as many of you know, even as you receive this, some of us from Kingswood are gathering at O'Hare to leave for Israel tonight.

The most frequently asked question I've received in the last few days ... even before the bomb blast in a Jerusalem bus station yesterday ... has been about whether we are nervous about going. And my answer has been that we are aware of the tensions, we trust our guides and tour company to not put us in danger, and that people fear coming to Chicago because of the news they hear about shootings here and that it is similar there. The shootings in Chicago remind us to be careful about where we go in the city ... but it doesn't stop most of us from going to work or school or play there. The trouble in Israel also reminds us to be alert to our surroundings and careful (trusting of our guides) about where we go, but at this point it should not keep us from going forward with our plans.

The other thing that I think is worth saying is that we live in a part of the world that is not typical of the rest of it. Many millions of people around the world ... and in Chicago ... live and work and go to school and travel and play with constant fear and awareness of terrifying danger ... not only danger from violence, but from hunger, disease, poverty, environmental degradation, drought, floods, political terror. We could make a long list. Part of leaving the familiar environment of home is to experience some of what the rest of the world knows and experiences daily. Months ago a friend alerted me to the "edge" I would experience in Israel ... an atmosphere of edginess and anger. At least that was his experience. Perhaps the jitters we are experiencing as we leave today are the beginning of understanding a little more of where that edginess might come from.

I hope to send e-mails with pictures from various places on our journey. In the meantime, please pray for us ... not only for our safety, but also for our learning and faith as we join together as a temporary community and walk where Jesus walked. We are Nancy Robey, Nancy Neal, Cheri Stark, Lynn Schreiner, Laura Boshart and myself (all from Kingswood). Also with us are Sheryl Rosen and Barbara Krupp from Temple Chai and Sharon Paskievicz ... a friend of Laura's, Kay and Randy Lewis from St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Barrington, and Larry and Judy Pullin from a United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. We'll be joined in Philadelphia by a group of 10 Lutherans from Westerville Ohio under the leadership of Rev. William Hartfelder. That will make us a group of 23 as we leave Philadelphia for Tel Aviv at around 9pm tonight.

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Lenten Studies

Lenten Study led by Rev. Sang Hun Han

Tuesdays, March 15 through April 19 at 7pm in the Library

Thursdays, March 17 through April 21 at 10am in room 115

Sign up this Sunday.

Walk with Jesus on his final day. Sit beside him at the Last Supper. Pray

with him in Gethsemane. Follow him to the cross. Desert him. Deny him.

Experience the Resurrection. This class is to help you better understand the

events that occurred during the last 24 hours of Jesus' life, see more

clearly the theological significance of Christ's suffering and death, and

reflect upon the meaning of these events for your life.

No single event in human history has received more attention than the

suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The book we'll study, 24

Hours That Changed the World, by Adam Hamilton, is designed to help you experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you never have before.

Whether you are a longtime Christian or simply curious about the story of

Christ's crucifixion, you are invited to join us on this inspiring journey.

Keeping the Faith -- Contemporary Spiritual Practices for Contemporary Christians

Beth Jayapalan will lead this lenten study on Sunday mornings at 9am begining this Sunday. The study will be 4 weeks, Sunday March 27 through April 17.

Lenten Podcasts

Listen in to the second week of our Lenten podcast series. Over the six weeks, Kingswood staff is reflecting on Psalm 23. Today, Rev. Sang Hun Han reflects on verse 4 which begins...even though I walk...

Click on one of three links below to listen:

Network Channel

Podcast Feed

Mobi URL

And speaking of Lent .... Holy Thursday will be here

before you know it. We'll need help setting up the Activity Center for the Holy Thursday observance. Please contact Anita Cannella if you'd like to help her set the tables for this meal of remembrance. anitasguesthouse@comcast.net.

Director of Communication We thank Anne Marie Gerhardt for serving Kingswood as Director of Communication for the past several years. Her journalistic talent and skills have been a great asset to the ministries here as she's cared for our print and digital communications ... as well as frequently been part of electronic media for worship. She's accepted the position of Director of Communications for the Northern Illinois Conference ... doing for the whole conference what she's been doing for us. So it is only a partial loss for us because she'll still be serving the church but at a different level.

NIC eNews - New Communications Director Named

We welcome Elizabeth Hicks as the new Director of Communications. She'll be picking up most of the responsibilities that Anne Marie had.
Elizabeth has been a member of Kingswood for 5 years and has served on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, as chair of the Welcoming Team and is part of the leadership team of the new women's group, Companions on the Journey. She has an undergraduate degree in Communications from The University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana. She has worked in various Customer Relations, Marketing, and Customer Support positions at Ameritech. She has also worked at Motorola start-up division as the Customer Support and Training Manager. She is looking forward to her new role at Kingswood.

Krist Neumann Stars in 'Jesus Christ Superstar"

Some of you may already know, but Krist is currently in rehearsals for the MOS & Theatre Nebula Production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.

click here to read more...

Joshua Magno
Watson Fellowship

Congratulations to Joshua Magno on being awarded the Watson Fellowship.

The Watson Fellowship is a one year grant for independent study and travel outside the United States.

Joshua will travel to Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Egypt, Uganda and India. He will explore dance as a community service by volunteering at non-profit organizations, learning choreography and performing with innovative artists.

Senior High Sunday School
10:30am -Manna House

Come join us in Sunday School for lively conversations about our beliefs.

Join us on March 27: What does it mean to be Christian?

Hope to see you soon.

Women's Group Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended "The Companions on the Journey" meeting on Monday.

The next meeting is coming up quickly. On April 4, Reverend Im Jung will lead us in a 2 hour Spiritual Self Care/Wellness presentation and activity. We will be sitting on the floor and doing light activities, so wear appropriate clothing. Bring a pillow, yoga mat or anything that will make you comfortable on the floor.

The recipe of the month is Nanaimo Bars, a Canadian treat.

Mark your calendars for April 4 at 7pm

If you haven't been able to join us we hope you will give it a try!

If you have question please email Elizabeth Hicks at ehicks@kingswoodumc.com

Card Sale

Kingswood Krafters will be selling their

Easter and Springtime cards

on Sunday, April 3 in the Fireside room.

Come and see our new selections for the

new season!

In This Issue

Lenten Studies

Lenten Podcasts

Communications DIr.

Krist's Performance

Watson Fellowship

Senior High Sunday School

Women's Group

Kingswood Krafters

This Sunday

Prayers & Joys

New Emails

This Sunday in Worship

2nd Sunday in Lent

Scripture:

Psalm 23

Message:

You are with Me

Music:

Adult Bells

Chancel Choir

(10:30am)

Sunday School

*Open House
April 3 -9am
3rd Grade
April 10- 9am
1st & 2nd Grade

Senior Sunday School

10:30am Manna House

Lenten Midday Service

Tuesdays at Noon in the Sanctuary

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Doug Johnson (Jeff's father) who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The family is exploring options.

Condolences to the family of John Kreidich (father of Lida Kreidich Ducko) who died suddenly on Tuesday last week.

Rebecca Berry who is home. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY: Rebecca is asking for persons who might be willing to drive her to appointments. She is not able to drive and needs help with transportation. If you would be willing to be on a list to be called, please contact the church office.

Lois Beckert, Paula Swanson's grandmother who passed away

March 10.

Karen Rogers (cousin of Sheri Miller) who is a teacher in Yamatsuri Fukushima, Japan. Emails from her father indicate that she is staying in Japan for now.

Mary Jo Reid who is home but still in some pain from earlier hip surgery.

Jackie Smithson (sister of Marion Stickley) who is battling colon cancer.

Congratulations to Anne Marie Gerhardt who has accepted the position of Director of Communications for the Northern Illinois Conference!!

Ray Koch, who is at the Lutheran Home for rehab after a hospitalization last weekend.

Don Schmidt (father of Susan Gordon) who is recovering from eye surgery.

Norma Smith is at home with hospice care and appreciates receiving cards. Her address is 1182 Auburn Lane, Buffalo Grove.

JoAnn Tompkins who is undergoing chemotherapy.

Duane Tompkins, who is undergoing tests.

The family of Paul Bucek (Cheryl Gibson's brother-in-law) who passed away on Friday after a 4 year battle with lung disease.

Ministry Quick Links