News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

October 6, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

Rejoice greatly! Again, I say, rejoice!

As we approach the conclusion of the
preaching series on Philippians, Paul returns to the theme of rejoicing. We've explored three topics thus far ... worthiness, humility and the call to keep moving along in our faith journey. But throughout this book and now again, in this final chapter, Paul puts all of that in the context of rejoicing.

It seems an odd topic for a man in prison to take up. And he's writing to a people under Roman occupation, who are suffering in many ways ... and who are also struggling to simply get along with each other. That is how it still is, isn't it? There is the larger context of suffering ... an economy still teetering, wars around the world, violence in our streets, political dissension that increases fear .... and the closer-in context of suffering ... worries about our children or parents or both, news of tragedy in families we know and love, job concerns, financial woes, perhaps illness or injury, and then the everyday struggle of getting along with each other.

There is an old story from one of the early church teachers ... an abbot whose monks come to him complaining about their life. They tell him that they just can't live like this anymore. When asked the problem they responded that they couldn't stand each other. "Why?" they were asked. "What is it that bothers you?" And they responded, "It is just their ordinary irritating presence that makes it so impossible to live this life."

I think that Paul must be dealing with something of the same thing because, though he is far away, and in prison, he has received word that there is conflict in the community at Philippi ... he even names names in this letter. "Eudonia and Syntyche, puleeeeese, learn to get along."

But all of this is in the context of rejoicing. He's not talking about happiness ... there are days that happy just isn't in the cards. And it is not about some kind of euphoric numbness to the suffering within and around us. So what is he talking about? He's talking about that deeper knowing that we are being held in God's hands, that we are loved and forgiven and free in the love God has for us .... for each one of us .... love that we know in the self-giving love of Jesus Christ, and that we can experience in learning to love the ordinary, irritating presence of those whom God has given us to know in this journey of life and faith.

Shalom, Shalem, Peace,

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Your reflections on this topic ... or another ... would be happily received at margramley@sbcglobal.net or just "reply" to this email.

The Pumpkins are Here!!!!

What a great afternoon it was ... sunny, warmish and fun.

(Sorry about using last year's pictures --- Elizabeth has had a flood today so Margaret is filling in.)

Senior High Youth Gathering

Dinner, Games, and S'mores with the S'Methodists

What: Gathering for all senior high youth. Come have dinner, hang out, play games, and more! Games will be played outdoors, weather permitting.

When: Sunday, October 9 from 6 - 9 p.m.

Where: The Hicks' Residence

610 Twisted Oak Lane

Buffalo Grove

For more information contact Luke Pepper, Minister of Adult and Youth Formation (lpepper@kingswoodumc.com)

Harvest Fest Volunteers

Harvest Fest is coming...Saturday, October 15, 10AM - 4PM

Harvest Fest is an annual community and church event that offers fun for the whole family: petting zoo, children's games and bouncy castle, and pumpkin decorating, craft fair and bake sale, snacks and a barbeque lunch. Music provided by our very own DJ as well as K-LOVE radio streaming onsite. It closes with a special 3PM performance by the Glory Fingers puppet team and Praise Band.

We need your help to make this event a success. Volunteers are needed in all areas. Confirmands can earn service hours too! Sign up sheets are available between services or if you have questions about how you can help, call Lida Ducko at 847.520.9182.

Harvest Fest Bake Sale

The Harvest Fest Bake Sale is being sponsored by UMW and we need of a lot of wonderful baked goods to sell to the Harvest Fest visitors. Cookies, brownies, Rice Krispie treats and cupcakes are favorites. Fruit pies (no cream pies for health reasons), cakes and sweet breads always sell well. Please mark your calendars and remember to drop your goodies off in room 122 by 7 p.m. on Friday, October 15 or 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 15. We will need help calling bakers the week before, pricing and packaging on Friday before the sale and to work the sale on Saturday. Signup sheets are available on Sundays in the Fireside Room. Questions please contact Susan Kenski-Sroka - in the evenings call (847) 459-9743 or email susanks9@gmail.com. With your help, this will be the best Harvest Fest yet.

Fair Trade Sale

Check out the Fair Trade Cart!

Regular and decaffeinated whole coffee beans for sale. Milk chocolate and orange flavored chocolate bars for sale.

Children's Choir has started!

The Children's Choir under the direction of Tim Semanik, has started for the fall. The children rehearse at 10:00 a.m. in room 135.

Come join the fun!

Temple Chai Open House Invitation

Dear Friends...in the spirit of all our good work together, Temple Chai would like to invite you and your entire church community to a Sukkot Open House at Temple Chai on Sunday, October 16 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. The biblical festival of Sukkot, or the feast of the booths, has long been know as a festival of hospitality and in the spirit of that teaching we hope that you will join us for this celebration.

"Kingswood Cares" Packages

for College-aged Young Adults

Youth Ministries wants to keep our young adults connected to their Kingswood family after they graduate from High School. Congregants are encouraged to sponsor a young adult and send them a care package filled with homemade goodies, school supplies and a personal note from the sponsor. Care packages will be $20 each, and assembled and shipped on Nov. 6, 2011 and February 12, 2012.

SIGN UP: Parents, sign up your young adult and they will also receive a birthday note with a gift card on their birthday from their Kingswood family. If your young adult has a birthday prior to Nov. 6 please send sheribrubeck@comcast.net an email with their name, current address, birth date and store preference, (Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, CVS, McDonalds, or Starbucks.) Forms for the November care packages will be available starting in October in the Welcome Center Kiosk.

Donate School Supplies, Gum and Candy for College-Aged

Young Adult Care Packages

While you're out shopping for school supplies pick up extras and donate them to the "Kingswood Cares" Packages. Donations may be left in the small kitchen, please label them "Care packages." Donations must be small enough to fit into a 7 inch square box. Suggestions are highlighters, pens, mechanical pencils, post its, gum, candy, etc. Thank you for your support of the important connectional ministry.

Make a Difference Day!

October 22

"Make a Difference Day" is an annual program -- on the fourth Saturday in October -- in which volunteers nationwide mount special efforts to help those who need it. This year we are making a special focus on some of the Mission Kit items requested for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) which help fill many needs. By concentrating our collection effort between October 16-23, we jump-start our new ongoing collection effort in celebration of Make a Difference Day. Some kit items needed are: Bedding (flat full-size sheets, pillowcases), Health (comb, toothbrush, soap), Cleaning-bucket formerly called flood-bucket (scrub brush, sponge, clothesline). Single items or completed kits may be deposited in our Mission Kit Collection Box, where the complete list of contents for the kits is posted. Copies of the lists are available at the Mission kiosk for you to take home or share with others. Monetary donations can be given through the Kingswood United Methodist Church office or website.

If you are looking for additional ways to volunteer for "Make a Difference Day," Hands On Suburban Chicago has partnered with local organizations to list ways to get involved. Find the list of projects at www.hoc,volunteerinfo.net.

In This Issue

The Pumpkins are Coming

Sr. High Youth Gathering

Harvest Fest Volunteers

Harvest Fest Bake Sale

Fair Trade Sale

Children's Choir

Temple Chai Open House

"Kingswood Cares"

Make A Difference Day

This Sunday in Worship

17th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:

Philippians 4:1-9

Message:

Radical Rejoicing

Ministry of Music:

Chancel Choir (10:30)

Allelus

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

John Huffaker, son of Paula and Greg Huffaker (Paula was formerly director of Children's Choirs and Bell Choir at Kingswood), was in an automobile accident last week and is being treated at Lutheran General Hospital. The Huffaker family is grateful for all of the prayers from their Kingswood family and they request that only immediately family visit at this time.
Cards for Greg & Paula Huffaker & John and Kira Huffaker
can be sent to:
7524 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60656

Charlie Shepherd is in Hospice Care at The Brentwood in Deerfield.

Ministry Quick Links