News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!!

June 23, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

learn to live freely .....

As we approach Independence Day and the 4th of July holiday weekend, the language of freedom is frequently used. We celebrate the courage and faith of the men and women who stood up to the British Empire and embarked on the daring project of building a new nation ... a nation of the people, for the people and by the people.

Building a society that is "for the people" has been the work of this country from its beginning, and as "the people," we enjoy freedoms of thought and association, speech and action that are unprecedented in the world. We are a nation of laws ... and are not at the mercy of leaders who cannot be held to account.

And yet, we are well reminded that we don't always make good choices. It is our religious teachings that remind us that we often act in ways counter to our good intentions: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15) Paul is speaking of personal failures, of course. But I think that as a corporate body ... as a nation ... and too often as the church, we find ourselves acting and even organizing in ways that do not reflect our highest ideals. Our do-it-yourself culture often leads us to forget that we aren't in this alone or only for ourselves.

As we come to this weekend's celebration of our freedoms, let us pray to remember that it is only through God's power that we can truly live "freely," as we take on the "yoke" of Christ. Jesus makes a similar point in this Sunday's gospel:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. .... Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. .... Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Blessings!!!! Rev. Margaret Gramley

Breakfast Potluck on the Patio

On Sunday, July 3rd come at 9am and join the "Breakfast Potluck on the Patio" and then worship at 10:30.

Bring a breakfast dish to share , bring your lawn chairs and eat on the front patio. There will be games for the kids after we eat. Then we will all worship together at 10:30am. There will be just one service that day.

Summer Interfaith Book Conversations

The Faith Club

A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew --- Three Women Search for Understanding in The Faith Club. Ranya Idliby, an American Muslim with Palestinian roots, wasn't sure how to answer her son's questions after the attacks of 911. One morning, as she waited with other mothers at the pre-school bus-stop, she asked Suzanne Oliver if she'd be interested in working with her on a project of writing a children's book about the connections between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Suzanne, who grew up Catholic and was now worshipping at an Episcopal church, asked her Jewish friend, Priscilla Warner, if she'd like to join them. Thus began a journey of years ... into deep friendship, difficult and delightful conversations, and an examination of their personal faith and the religion they claimed. Their journey is shared in this book which we will discuss at the July meeting of the Summer Interfaith Book Conversations. Rev. Gramley and Rabbi Bellows will facilitate our discussion. Books available in the church office and Fireside Room. We'll meet on July 13 at 7pm at Kingswood.

Summer Kids Camp - Sunday School Schedule

Summer Sunday School
has started and goes through Sunday September 4.

Children age 4 through 5th grade will meet in room 116B/C at both 9am and 10:30am

This week, July 3 - There will be games after breakfast on the patio.

July 10 - Team Spirit Day - wear your favorite sports team hat, jersey or shirt.

July 17 - Wear your pajamas to Sunday School.

July 24 - Christmas in July

July 31 - "Breakfast and a Movie"

Food Pantry items are cooking oil, spaghetti sauce and pasta.

Nursery care is available for infants through age 3 at both services.

ravinia logo

KAAN Ravinia Events

Bev has picked out lovely CSO evenings for some wonderful music under the stars! We will designate a spot and meet with our picnics to enjoy the entertainment and fellowship. We have access to special lawn ($5) and pavilion ($12.50) pricing and students are free. If you are interested in joining Bev for any of these evenings, please contact her at bevmodlin@sbcglobal.net

July 7 - Lang Lang, Liszt and Friends

July 24 - Brahms & Beethoven

July 31 - Tchaikovsky Spectacular 1812 (including canons)

August 6 - Itzak Perlman conducts Fleisher

August 9 - Concerto for 5 Pianos

Are you a "Lord of the Rings" fan? Ravinia is sponsoring a very special night Friday, August 19, at 7:30pm. The CSO will be playing the Oscar-winning score as the film "The Fellowship of the Ring" is shown on screens in the pavilion and on the lawn. If interested in organizing or being part of a group, contact Pam Gish.

KAAN's Summer Tours Go "Behind the Scenes"

June Yates, Pam Gish, Richard Lake, Cheri Stark, Pat & Lanny Gray and Carol Hansen at the Pullman Neighborhood Tour. Dave Gish took the photo.

July 13 - Fermilab & Oberweis Dairy, Batavia. Let's see what is going on inside this world famous lab and then get practical at the dairy (Wednesday 10:30 - 3pm, $3 + lunch)

July 20 - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Madir Complex, Bartlett. Come experience this Hindu temple which is a masterpiece of exotic design built by over 1,700 volunteers. (Wednesday, 10 - 2pm, $0 + lunch)

July 24 - Chicago "L" Tour. Ride the train with author Greg Borzo and learn about its history and see historical sites along the ride. (Leave after services on Sunday, 1-5pm, $11 + lunch)

August 13 - Backstage in "Broadway in Chicago" Haven't you always wanted to see what goes on backstage? This tour will take us backstage at the Oriental, Cadillac or Bank of America Theaters. (Saturday, 11 - 1pm, $13.60 + a Millennium Park stroll?)

****Groups will decide on travel and lunch arrangements****

Are you curious about how things are made or designed or what happens behind closed doors? Then we have some trips for you this summer! Sign up for 1, 2, or all of the following adult trips. Most group sizes are limited, so sign up early by contacting Pam Gish at pam_gish@hotmail.com or call her at (847) 438-08955

The Prayer Labyrinth is Completed!

labyrinth kids

The construction is complete on the labyrinth. Tommy Gates led a group of Scouts, Kingswood Youth, friends, family and other volunteers in building an outdoor prayer labyrinth on the western edge of the Kingswood property. This is his Eagle project and he has been working for several months making plans, getting approval and learning about prayer labyrinths. If you are in the area, stop by to see the final product.

Youth Mission Trip

The Senior High Work Camp trip is to Galveston, Texas from July 31 to August 6, to work on homes devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008. They will be working with One Mission Initiative.
You can sponsor a youth using the donation link in the right hand column. Select "Youth Mission Trip", and please add the youth participant's name where designated.

The youth mission team appreciates the generous donation of the 2011 mission team t-shirts from Don and Maryann Harkess!

In This Issue

July 3rd Potluck

Interfaith Book Discussion

Summer Sunday School

KAAN Ravinia Events

KAAN Summer Tours

Labyrinth Project

Youth Work Camp

This Sunday in Worship

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:

Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew 11:28-30

Message:

Live Freely and Lightly

Special Music:

Bev Modlin & Susan Hines

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Jim Gibson and his family upon the death of Jim's mother last weekend after surgery for a broken hip.

Sherian Rupsis, who suffered a heart attack a couple of weeks ago.

Jane Leichty as she continues to recover from surgery and consider possible radiation thereapy.

Anne Bluder, continues to undergo tests.

Congratulations to Stefani & Istvan Abdai on the birth of their 2nd child. Trynn Torrey Lodi Abdai was born on June 15. Trynn has an older brother Ryker. Grandparents are Pat and Lanny Gray.

Ministry Quick Links