News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

Steam shovel

July 21, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

The kingdom of heaven is like ....

In Matthew, we find Jesus talking about the kingdom of God using the phrase "kingdom of heaven." Because of this, we've often misunderstood God's kingdom as something that will come after life ... because we think of heaven in terms of up there, out there ... the place that we go after we die.

But Jesus tells us in this week's stories that the kingdom of God, the reign of God --- the kingdom of heaven --- whatever language you use, is not somewhere or sometime else. It is right now, right here ... but hidden. The parables in this week's lesson tell of the kingdom of heaven as like a mustard seed or yeast put in the dough, like a treasure hidden in a field or like a merchant searching for fine pearls. We don't have to make the kingdom of God happen .... we couldn't, in any case. We need to watch for it ... for it is right here but often comes as a surprise when we finally notice it.

It has been a season of sadness for many ... including in my own family. But there have been moments when one is surprised by the presence of God in the midst of it all: the words said of love and care that don't get spoken often enough; the gestures of kindness and support that are offered by someone you hardly know; a family that rallies and gatheres around; the promise that is realized in the planning of a baptism; the drink of cool water that is offered on a hot and dry day. There is evidence of God's presence --- of God's goodness and grace and love --- everywhere. And sometimes we notice.

And so we pray:
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.

Blessings!!!! Rev. Margaret Gramley

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, GIFT AND BLESSINGS

Dear Kingswood friends,

I moved and settled well in Lanark.

I feel like I am still traveling but this is a good trip. Also, I often feel I still have to drive to Kingswood on Sunday mornings.

The past year at Kingswood was a precious gift to me from God to worship with you all. I pray that God continues to bless us through our worship and fellowship wherever we are. I will miss you all Choi at the pulpit a lot!! - Choi

Lanark United Methodist Church

405 East Locust St.

Lanark IL 61046

e-mail: choimoni@gmail.com

Summertime goes so fast...June is gone and July is almost passed.

Here are just a few pictures of our most recent Kingswood activities.

On Sunday, July 17, Gary Genge delivered The Message and Krist Neumann read "Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst for Story Time.

Gary preaching

Krist very bad day

Kingswood hosted a Conference workshop for worship planners and leaders on Saturday July 16. A small group from puppet team participated and accompanied the musicians by signing the song.

Puppet Team Members: Erin O'Donovan, Megan O'Donovan, and Alex Dungan

The Patterson Family; Tim, Tracey, Matt and Patrick, presented The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krause for story time during worship on July 10.

Patterson's Carrot Seed Presentation

Summer Kids Camp - Sunday School Schedule

Summer Sunday School is underway and continues through Sunday September 4.

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

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.

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.

The group will be recognized during the church service on Sunday in preparation for their upcoming trip.

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

Adopt-a-Highway July Clean up Date Filled

The July Adopt a Highway date has been adopted by Regan Frieling and nine of her friends. They will be cleaning up Dundee Rd on July 30th for Stevenson High School service hours. Thank you to the Regan Frieling team!

Ali Castriano and friends from Stevenson High school have adopted the September clean up date!

Any other groups that would like to adopt the last 2011 road clean up date for November please contact sheribrubeck@comcast.net. The group may choose their own date and time. If no group signs up for November the date will be November 13 at 11:30am. Everyone in middle school and older are welcome to help including friends, family, neighbors, etc. Please wear hard-soled, closed-toed shoes and gloves that will protect your hands from broken glass.

Interfaith Summer Reading Group - The Faith Club

18 persons from Kingswood, Beth Am and Temple Chai gathered last week for the first of what may be a series of discussions of the book The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner. We risked asking each other some hard questions and listened to hear what was hard in the asking as well as to begin answering the questions. One person asked: do you (Christians) blame us (Jews) for killing Jesus. That isn't fair!!!! Another asked, what does the crucifixion mean and if you eat the body and blood, isn't that like cannibalism? Whew!!! We discussed these last night and decided we had only begun so will gather again on August 24. Questions we've identified to discuss so far are: how do Jews in the US relate to Zionism? and what is the deal with Jews being "chosen?"

So ... if you didn't finish the book (most hadn't in the discussion last week), keep going and join the conversation on August 24 at 7pm at Beth Am.

Congratulations!

Jill and Glenn Turner celebrate the marriage of their daughter Amber Joan Turner to Greg Paull on July 24^th in an evening outdoor ceremony in Kildeer, Illinois.

Amber and Greg live in San Mateo, CA. Amber teaches 7-8^th grade science in Redwood City,CA and Greg works for ICE (Homeland Security/US Customs Service) in San Francisco.

What are you doing this summer?

Kingswood Connected would like to see pictures of what you are doing this summer. Send pictures and information about your summer activities to ehicks@kingwoodumc.com.

Watch for vacation pictures in upcoming Kingswood Connected emails.

Usta-Be-Younger outing to Chicago Botanic Gardens and future activities

We will go to the Chicago Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, July 27, carpooling from church at 11:30am. We will enjoy lunch in the cafe at the gardens and then those that choose may stroll through the beautiful gardens at their leisure. Folks who wish may enjoy a tram ride around the grounds for a small fee. We should return to the church by 4pm. The entry fee is $25 per car, however members with stickers on their car get in free. Please sign up in the fireside room and check if you are a member and will drive to the gardens. Questions? Call Connie at 847-537-9114.

Future UBY activity suggestions include lunch on Bangs Lake in Wauconda at Lindy's Landing followed by shopping in Wauconda. We plan to go to the Royal Oak Farm near Harvard, Il. for lunch and purchasing fresh apples. Other suggestions include a bus trip to the Covenant Village of Northbrook including lunch and a tour of the facilities. Other places of interest include a play at the Skokie Theater, lunch at East of Eden in the Harris Bank in Palatine, lunch at Hackneys in Lake Zurich and a board game day.

The UBY group is made up of those who Usta-Be-Younger and those who are young at heart who enjoy fellowship with Kingswood members and their friends. Questions? Call Connie at 847-537-9114.

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 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"

Fermilab Outing

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

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****

Tom Gates and the Labyrinth featured in the local paper!

Labyrinth Article in Buffalo Grove Patch

Tommy Gates