News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

pumpkin and grasses

October 27, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from the Pastor

Remembering the Future

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Harvest and Stewardship Season has given us the opportunity to not only say thank you for what has been but to also give thanks and "remember" what is yet to be. Many of you have shared visions and hopes for our church .... and are considering your commitments to the ministries of Kingswood in the year ahead. The "extravagant generosity" of God to this community and to the people here is a blessing far beyond what most of us stop to notice. And so this week we'll stop to notice ... giving thanks to God and recognizing the leadership of this congregation for all that they give so extravagantly of their time and talent. And we'll receive the "estimate of giving" cards and dedicate your commitments to God's work happening right here and now and into the future for the larger community and the world. PLUS ... the children will come into worship in their Halloween costumes with their UNICEF boxes ... so bring you loose change (or other currency) to help them fill their boxes.

And speaking of "remembering the future" and visioning for it, I hope you'll consider attending the Church Council meeting tonight (see invitation below) to be part of this conversation.

Blessings and thank you,

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Your reflections on these topics ... or any another ... yould be happily received at margramley@sbcglobal.net or just "reply" to this email.

An Invitation From the Church Council Chair Debbi Dickinson

To All -

The Church Council meets tonight and takes up the work of engaging all of the input persons have offered regarding visions and hopes for Kingswood ministries in the years to come. The meeting begins at 7pm in Room 114 and it is open to everyone. Denise Gibson will facilitate us in the process. You are invited come to observe or engage with others as we shape priorities .... "remembering the future" .... and focus ourselves to answer God's call to service in this community and the world.

Thank you to all for your presence and participation in this important process.

Debbi Dickinson

Volunteers Needed!!!

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

Fourth Friday Feast!

"Singing the Unsung"

Join Us Tomorrow October 27 for

Fourth Friday Feast - "What We Sing"

The evening will start at 6:30 with a do-it-yourself potluck and time for learning and discussion. Bring your own table service (including beverage) and food to share with others (a potluck dish). We'll gather in Room 122... the "glass block room." And besides sharing good food and fellowship, we'll be using a resource featuring John Bell called "Singing the Unsung." This is a video based resource that will lead us through discussions of why we sing, what we sing, congregation as choir, why we worship ... and other topics. We'll also get a chance to sing.

Kingswood to Host Website Workshop

Anne Marie Gerhardt recently attended the annual meeting of the United Methodist Communicators in Albuquerque. While there she connected with Paul Keogan who offered to do a workshop for the conference when he is in the area next week. This is being offered at Kingswood but will be open to any of the NIC churches. But so many of you have shown and interest in improving our website, perhaps you would like to come to this workshop, too.

Come to a free training session to learn how to effectively create a web ministry for your church.

Paul Keogan Date: Wednesday, November 2 from 6-9pm

Location: Kingswood UMC, 401 W. Dundee Rd., Buffalo Grove.

Presenter: Paul Keogan, certified web ministry trainer for United Methodist Communications and one of the principals of Backoffice Thinking.

If you would like to attend please email: Anne Marie Gerhardt, communications@umcnic.org or call 847-931-0710 ext. 14 for more information

Senior High Sunday School

Breakfast and a Movie!

Senior High Sunday School will do breakfast and a movie this Sunday October 30th. We will start in the kitchen at 9am and then move to Manna House.

Children's Sunday School

Wear your Costume this Sunday!

unicef bank On Sunday, October 30 the UNICEF boxes will be going home with the children and youth. They are due back on Sunday, Novermber 6 and November 13.

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

The 2011 Confirmation Retreat was a Success!!

Confirmation Class from left to right Chris Schieler, Joe Galvin, Blake Maley, Kirsten Bosman, Skyler Frieling, Kaylee Gerhardt, Lily Hicks, Danielle Dickinson, Erin O'Donovan, Olivia Horwitz and Cassie Chandler with Luke Pepper.

All 11 confirmation youth plus 5 adult leaders attended the retreat at Reynoldswood Camp in Dixon, IL. The theme for this year's retreat was, " We Are One in the Body of Christ." Thanks to Don Baraglia, Gail Bosman, Lori Chandler, and Sue Pateras for helping me lead the retreat! As well as thanks to Joe Cannella and Mark Rohde for helping with planning prior to the retreat. The devotions shared by the 7th graders and the worship Saturday evening planned and led by the 8th graders was truly inspiring. This is going to be a great year!

Thank You!!

Many thanks to all the walkers and volunteers who made

this year's Northwest Community CROP Walk

another wonderful day!

Kingswood had six walkers/fundraisers:

Jim Kyle

Jo Stone

Luke Pepper

Olivia Horwitz

Teresa Baraglia

Nancy Schadd

Many thanks also to all the volunteers who made the walk possible:

Chris Schieler (who worked both the t-shirt and water tables)

Jill Turner - water table

Beth and Jay Jayapalan - blister bus

Dick Stone (and the Koppenhaver brothers) - route maps and markers.

Last but not least, congratulations to Jim Kyle, the walk's top fundraiser,

who turned in $1206 on walk day, before matching funds from his company.

Congratulations also to Jo Stone -who was one of the walk's top 5

fundraisers.

This year's walk topped last year's total, with more than $7400 turned in on walk day. As matching funds and late contributions come in, we will report the final total and what share Kingswood's food pantry will receive.

If you have not yet turned in your pledge, please make your check payable to "CWS -Crop" and turn it in to Don Baraglia.

Thank you to the entire congregation from Church World Service and from the hungry people of our community and of the world.

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.

Care for Caregivers

Sunday November 6 & 13 at 9:00 am

Is someone in your family struggling to provide care for another family member or friend? It can be exhausting and confusing when you try to figure it all out on your own. Help is here. Join us at Kingswood on Sundays November 6 & 13 at 9 am, as we welcome the staff of Wisdom Flame who will work with you to indentify the needs of your family and ways to build a "care team." There is no charge. The class will meet in room 122.

The Social Event of the Season

The KIngswood Auction!!!!

Don't forget, Social Event of the Season!

Saturday, November 12th

Silent Auction - 6:00 PM

Live Auction - 7:30 PM

$6.00 Admission for Food Pantry

Child Care Available (Please sign up in advance)

AUCTION SPOTLIGHT ITEMS THIS WEEK!!

4 - Chicago White Sox Tickets

3 Rows up from 1st Base

One Week Stay at Time Share

Destination of your choice!

U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean

Chateau Montelena Wine Sampler

Enjoy a selection of aged Cabernet and Chardonnay wines

2006 Chardonnay, 2002, 03, 04, and 05 Cabernet

Chartered Limo for 5 Hours!!

Sporting event? Theatre? Dinner? Roaming Northern Illinois aimlessly?

Let someone else do the driving....you decide where to go!

Save the date!!!!!

Rev. Gramley and Rabbi Lisa Bellows are planning to lead an Interfaith trip to Israel in June, 2012. This journey will continue the relationship the two congregations - Beth Am and Kingswood - have been building over the past several years. This 12 day trip will leave on our about June 10.

Literacy Volunteer Conference

The "Read to Learn" 23rd Annual Literacy/Volunteer Conference is Saturday, November 5 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 South Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Earn continuing eduation credits for attending. If you would like more information visit the the Peacemakers kiosk or table.

In This Issue

Work Day - This Saturday! Volunteers Needed

Make A Difference Day

Website Workshop

Senior High Sunday School

Children's Sunday School

Youth Outing

Confirmation Retreat

Crop Walk Thank you!

All Saints Day Observance

Care for Caregivers

Auction Spotlight

Save the Date!

Literacy Conference

This Sunday in Worship

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Reformation Sunday

Scripture:

Psalm 116

Matthew 23:1-12

Message:

Matters of the Heart 3.0 - Saying Thank You

Ministry of Music:

Chancel Choir (10:30)

Witness Moment:

Recognition and Blessing of Church Officers and Leaders

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Charlie Shepherd passed from this life on Friday afternoon, October 21. Sympathy to his family, and especially to his wife of 53 years, Juelane.

Rita Chandler (Bill's Grandmother) is in the hospital after a fall.

Earl Hanisch (Gail Bosman's father) is having surgery on Monday.

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

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