News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

November 17, 2011

Greetings!

Thoughts from Luke

Sunday School without Walls

This past Sunday we cancelled our regular confirmation and senior high Sunday School class sessions and replaced them with opportunities for service. Beginning at 9 AM, a group of youth went out to volunteer for Adopt-A-Highway clean up on Dundee Rd between Arlington Heights Rd and Buffalo Grove Rd, and also cleaned up the church grounds. After we finished that, we came back to help with moving and sorting all the food donations in Manna House that were collected for the Ingathering Service. It made me reflect on how often we think of learning as something we do in the classroom, and forgetting that serving in church and community is also a great learning opportunity.

In our Thursday Morning Bible Study we have been reading the Gospel of Mark. In reading this gospel, I have been struck by the number of times that Jesus is referred to as Rabbi, or teacher. What is even more interesting to me is that Jesus taught everywhere and anywhere. He was not bound by only teaching in the temple or in the comfort of a building. He taught on hillsides, fields, in the market place, and many more places.

I wonder what would happen if we viewed every place that we go and everything that we do in lives as a new opportunity to learn about how Christ is working in this world. I wonder what would happen if the world became our classroom where we experience the transformation of God in our lives and see how God is calling us to live and be in this world. The church building should also be understood and promoted as a place to learn and grow in faith, but our learning does not stop there.

This Sunday we celebrate Reign of Christ Sunday. This is the last Sunday in the Christian calendar year. It is also a day in which we celebrate the living Christ as our King and seek to live into God's reign of love and peace on earth. Where do you see Jesus at work in your life today? Where are the signs of Christ's reign present in this world? Where are the places where we are learning to live out God's will in the world?

Peace,

Luke

Thank you to everyone that participated in

The Kingswood Auction!!!!

The auction was a huge success, we raised over $19,000 for the church. We couldn't have done it without all the donors, coordinators, decorators, helpers, and bidders. Thanks for making it another successful year!

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration

The Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council will be held on Sunday, November 20,2011, 7:00 P.M. at Saint Mary Parish 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089. The Interfaith Service is an annual gathering of Christians and Jews from many congregations in the Buffalo Grove/Wheeling/Long Grove area giving thanks and celebrating together. The event is open to all residents of local communities whether or not they are members of a participating congregation. A fellowship hour will follow the service.

This year's event will include contemporary bands, bell choirs and choirs from Beth Am, Temple Chai, Beth Judea, Saint Mary Parish and Kingswood United Methodist Church. Clergy speakers are Rabbi Stephen Hart from Temple Chai and Pastor Michael McPherson of Hope Lutheran Church.

New this year to the Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, members of the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band directed by Howard Green will provide instrumental accompaniment to the combined choirs.

This free family event will include performances by combined youth choir, combined children's choir and a puppet performance by the Glory Fingers Creative Ministry Team from Kingswood.

A donation of non-perishable food or paper goods will be taken at the door. All items will be distributed to area food pantries

Adopt-A-Highway was a Success!

This past Sunday 14 youth and 6 adults took worship & Sunday school to the streets! Thanks for all those who helped clean up the roadside along Dundee Rd between Arlington Heights Rd & Buffalo Grove Rd as well as the church grounds!

"Gifts for All God's Children"

"All God's Children" family information sheets will be available in the fireside room following both services Sunday November 20. Please stop by to select a family.

What's Happening with the Youth?

The youth had a great time playing indoor volleyball and dodge ball last Sunday evening!

Upcoming Events!

Senior High Chili Dinner, Cooking for PADS, and Games

When: Sunday December 4th from 6-8:30pm

What: We will cook dinner to be used at PADS as well as cook dinner for ourselves! We will also play games in the activities center. Both meat and vegetarian chili will be available.

Christmas in Chicago:

When: Saturday December 17th

What: Confirmation and Senior High Youth are invited to take the train into the city to enjoy what Chicago at Christmastime has to offer! We will take a private tour of the Chicago Temple, peruse the German Christmas Market, Windows at Macy's (artist formerly known as Marshall Fields), and possibly ice skate at Millennium Park-weather and time permitting. Chaperones needed.

Youth will need permission forms signed in order to attend. More info and times to come!

Interested in more info on youth events? Contact Luke Pepper at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com

Feed My Starving Children Mobile Packing Event

On Saturday December 3, from 12:30-5pm, some of the confirmation youth, leaders, and others will be going to Lisle to volunteer at a food packing event! We currently have 20 spots reserved and have a few extra for interested senior high youth, family of confirmands, and others. Anyone interested in attending should email Luke Pepper at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com and he will determine availability. It is a great event!!

Website Improvements

Over the next couple weeks our website will be changing. The "old" website will be replaced by a temporary site while our new site is under construction. John Gates is heading the team of Debbi Dickinson, Margaret Gramley, Elizabeth Hicks, Jay Jayapalan and Charlene Vanderhulst to make the improvements. Please contact the church, visit our Facebook page, or use email if you need information. Thank you for your patience during construction!

Children's Guidelines

Are you ready for the Challenge! Sunday, November 20 (third Sunday for November) at 9 and 10:30am children age 4 through 5th grade will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of Bible skills. guidleine listeners will be available during Sunday School. Questions contact Kelly O'Neil at 847-368-0648.

Annual Christmas Gift to Parents of Young Children

Mark this date on your calendar , Friday, December 9 from 6:00-9:30pm. Sign-up sheets are available during coffee fellowship starting Sunday, November 13 through Sunday, December 4. This is for children age 2 through 6th grade, at no charge. Children will have dinner and a fun night of games, crafts, and a movie plus a whole lot more.

Christmas Program and Spaghetti Dinner

Sunday December 18

Sign-up sheet are available today in the Fireside Room during coffee fellowship. Sign-up sheets for the spaghetti dinner along with the children to participate in the re-enactment of the live nativity, plus adult volunteers to help with the children at the craft tables and with costume changing are needed. Questions contact Barb Symonds @ 847-666-4091.

Stephanie Gates featured in College Magazine

Click the link below to read the interview with Stephanie Gates in the Millikin Quarterly.

Student Profile in Millikin Quarterly

UBY's November Activity

Let's have a post Thanksgiving celebration with a fellowship luncheon on Tuesday, November 29. We will meet at the Old Country Buffet at 1 p.m. and share a meal together. (You can be good and only have salads and soup, or go ahead and enjoy the entire buffet). It will be nice to share a meal together as we enjoy the friendship of members and friends of Kingswood. No sign-up is necessary, just go to the restaurant on Rand Road in the Southpoint Shopping Center. Questions: call Connie @847-537-9114.

Advent season is about to Advent!?

Adult Education Options During Advent

9am Adult Sunday School: There will be a 9am adult Sunday school offering during Advent led by Joe Cannella. Come ready to learn, share, and discern where God is leading you during this advent season. The study will be held on 3 Sundays during December: 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18. All adults are welcome to attend!

Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 10am: Beginning December 1st the bible study class on Thursday morning will focus on the theme of Advent. The short series will run from 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22. A short reading packet will likely be available starting Sunday November 27th. For more information or to express interest in attending email Luke Pepper, Minister of Adult and Youth Formation at lpepper@kingswoodumc.com.

Interfaith Discussion

On Sunday Nov 20th at 9 AM in Room 122 all adults are invited to attend a group discussion led by Jay Jayapalan, President, Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council, on the importance of Interfaith Dialog in our community and opportunities for doing so.

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.

In This Issue

Auction Thank You!

Interfaith Celebration

Adopt-A-Highway

Gifts for All God's Children

Youth Activities

Feed My Starving Children

Website Improvements

Children's Guidelines

Christmas Gift to Parents

Christmas Program

Stephanie Gates Spotlight

UBY's November Activity

Adult Classes in Advent

Interfaith Discussion

This Sunday in Worship

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:

Matthew 25:31-46

Message:

Reign of Christ Sunday

Ministry of Music:

Adult Bells(10:30)

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Ruth Lance has been at the Claremont doing rehab for a week or so. She hopes to return home soon.

Louise Bates (Kathy DeRosa's mother) has gone into hospice care. She is staying with Kathy.

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

John Huffaker, son of Paula and Greg Huffaker (Paula was formerly director of Children's Choirs and Bell Choir at Kingswood), is now at the Rehab Institute. He is walking and making other kinds of progress. Many prayers have been answered.
Cards for Greg & Paula Huffaker & John and Kira Huffaker
can be sent to:
7524 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60656

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