News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

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pumpkins

October 13, 2011

A Request From the Church Council Chair Debbi Dickinson

To All -

Charles Schulz has managed to amuse and bridge generations with his characters, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Pig Pen, and company. With their own special brand of charm, they often provoke laughter and pause for thought, as Lucy constantly doles out unsolicited advice. You may remember the episode when Charlie Brown seeks psychiatric advice from Lucy. Lucy tells Charlie Brown that life is like a deck chair on the cruise ship of life. What you have to decide, Lucy says, is whether you want your deck chair to face backward so you can see where you have been, or if you want your deck chair to face forward so you can see where you are going. Exasperated, Charlie Brown responds, "I'm having trouble just getting my deck chair unfolded!"

We are blessed at Kingswood to have our deck chairs facing forward. As a critical part of our look forward, the church is engaged in a process to identify what the key 'big picture' priorities should be for our church in the coming years. Please give some thought to what you see ahead during the next five years. Please then take a moment to describe one or two things you would like to see happen in our church, which contributes to fulfilling our God-given mission. I am eager to see how God is speaking through our hearts, as we express and share our hopes and visions for the future.

I would request that you reply via email directly to Denise Gibson denisewgibson1@gmail.com or to Debbi Dickinson debbi.dickinson@comcast.net by October 21 . Your comments will become part of the collective input to this process and will be treated anonymously.

Thank you for your service to Kingswood and for your participation in this important process.

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

Things I Love About My Church

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Thanks to all who have shared their thoughts about what they love about this church. On Sunday we were blessed with "witness moments" from Lindy Carlberg and Laura Wharton. The theme of kindliness emerged in both of their reflections.

And that same theme emerged in the cards that many in attendance filled out describing the "things I love about my church." But there were others and I want to share a sample of them here:

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY CHURCH

This church strengthens my faith and puts things in my life in God's perspective instead of my own. I love the feeling of family and support that Kingswood offers.
Loving Reciprocal Relationships - listening, caring friends - members willing to lead and teach classes. Joyful singing - choirs.
I love the wonderful children's ministries, the puppet ministry & community outreach such as Harvest Fest. I love how Kingswood reaches out to those in need thru PADS & our Food Pantry. Kingswood is a place our family can continue to grow in our faith!
That we all love and serve the Lord from the inside out.
We feel welcomed & leave looking forward to return.
The Puppets are a fantastic asset to the church! Sheri does a terrific job in sharing God's word and working with all the kids involved.
Barb and all the great children's ministries that she coordinates!
It's peaceful and calm. I like that it is so oriented to being involved in social issues. Thanks for weekly communion.
I have wonderful spiritual friends.
Adult Book/Bible Studies; Music -- all of the choirs; Friendliness of the church.
Pumpkins -- Puppets

More of these will be posted on the west wall in the Fireside Room on Sunday. Take a look. And if you would like to add your own "loves" to these thoughts, we'll add them to the "heart wall." Your reflections on this topic ... or another ... would be happily received at margramley@sbcglobal.net or just "reply" to this email.

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!

If you have questions about how you can help, call Lida Ducko at 847.520.9182.

There is still time to bake for the

Harvest Fest Bake Sale!

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 14 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. 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.

CROP Hunger Walk

Join the CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Kingswood UMC! Resgistration begins at 1:00 pm. The Walk begins at 1:30pm

Walk or sponsor a walker and support the Kingswood Emergency Food Pantry.

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.

The Pumpkins are Here!!!!

Sign up for a shift to work the sales tent!

Doris Tide wrapped in a quilt selling pumpkins on a chilly afternoon

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.

If you would like more information on UMCOR and all they do visit http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

All Saints Day Observance November 6

The All Saints Day service provides an opportunity to recognize and honor those of our loved ones and "saints" of the church who have passed on in the previous year. Again this year the roll will be called and flowers will be placed on the altar for each person. If there is someone in your family that you would like recognized in this way, please submit their name, the dates of their birth and death, and a picture to the office. You may drop it of or send a digital copy to Charlene at office@kingswoodumc.com.

UNICEF Boxes and Halloween

On Sunday, October 23 and 30 the UNICEF boxes will be going home with the children and youth. They are due back on Sunday, Novermber 6. On Sunday October 30 the children should wear their Halloween costumes to Sunday School and will "Trick-or-Treat" for UNICEF through the Sanctuary at both the 9 and 10:30 services.

Youth Outing to Ghost Tours in Kenosha!

What: All Youth are invited to join us for a night of haunting and fun! Kingswood's own Krist Neumann is involved with the Ghost Tours!

When: Saturday October 29, 6:00-10:30pm

*Adult Drivers/Chaperones needed* *Permission forms needed for those under 18*

Where: Meet at Kingswood to Depart @ 6pm for Kemper Center, Kenosha, WI. Bring $17 dollars for the ticket Combo Pack.

Eat dinner before coming.

http://www.kempercenter.com/

For more info contact: Luke Pepper, lpepper@kingswoodumc.com

Senior High Youth Group Kick Off Gathering

The Senior High Youth did "Dinner, Games, and S'mores with the S'Methodists" on Sunday October 9. The weather was beautiful.

Stay tuned for upcoming Youth events.

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

Rockford Urban Ministries Work Day Opportunity
Saturday Oct. 29, 7:15am-4pm

Rockford New Hope is a not-for-profit low-income housing development started by Centennial UMC about 16 years ago. They purchase and rehab dilapidated housing in Rockford, working to make the building safe, clean and decent, while keeping the rents within the low-income guidelines. They receive HUD funding that covers a portion of the rehab. For their current project New Hope is providing the $29,500 for the professional installation of a new roof and new windows. They need volunteer help for the non professional jobs to conserve resources. Once the rehab is completed they maintain the buildings and offer them for rent to persons or families who qualify as low-income.

This is Kingswood's first work day with New Hope. Kingswood would like to establish a relationship with New Hope sending volunteer teams through out the year to assist with the rehab work as needed.

All church members, families and friends are welcome to help with cleaning and yard work on Saturday Oct. 29th. Please meet at KUMC at 7:15am to carpool to Rockford. Children in elementary school and younger must be accompanied by a parent. Youth in Middle and High school will need permission forms located on the wheel barrow in the coat hallway. Attending adults, please let us know if you are willing to drive and the total number of seats belts in your vehicle.

Attendees will get dirty. Please wear old pants and t-shirts and sturdy closed toed shoes. Bring your own drinks, sack lunch, work gloves for yard work, rubber gloves for indoor cleaning, and protective eye wear and knee pads if you want them. We will also need a few people to bring: Garden spades and pruning shears. The sign up is in the small kitchen.

Questions - Sheri Brubeck at sheribrubeck@comcast.net or Luke Pepper at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com

Can't attend but would like to help?

We need the following supplies for this work day.
Supplies can be dropped off in the black wheel barrow located in the coat hallway by Thurs. Oct. 27.

2 gallons of Kitchen wall degreaser like Mean Green

10 Buckets

Rags and Sponges

4 containers of Comet or equivalent product

20 R95 dust masks

2 Gallons of Murphy's Oil soap

4 cases of paper towels

6 bottles of Window cleaner

In This Issue

Harvest Fest Volunteers

Harvest Fest Bake Sale

CROP Walk

Temple Chai Open House

The Pumpkins are Here!

Make A Difference Day

All Saints Day Observance

The Pumpkins are Coming

Youth Outing

Sr. High Youth Gathering

Urban Ministries

This Sunday in Worship

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 6:4-6

John 13:34-35

Message:

Matters of the Heart 1.0 - Loving Generously

Ministry of Music:

Chancel Choir (10:30)

Kings's Men

Witness Moment:

Michael Maley

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Wendy Avner is home awaiting test results after surgery on Tuesday.

John Huffaker, son of Paula and Greg Huffaker (Paula was formerly director of Children's Choirs and Bell Choir at Kingswood), is stable after an automobile accident a couple of weeks ago He 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.

Ken Borger is home after knee replacement surgery and rehab.

Ministry Quick Links