eNews 11.10.10

Attendance Last Sunday
8:30 - 33; 10:30 - 181

Financial Update Through October 31, 2010
Receipts/offerings through October: $240,609
Expenses through October: $269,856
Difference: ($11,294) loss
Difference through October 2009: (18,581) loss

Tonight - Wednesday, November 10
7:00 p.m. - Brief Eucharist
7:30 p.m. - Second Wednesday Event (Choir Room)
Spirituality in Motion - Carol Schickel
Come for an introduction to the value of movement in spiritual practice. While we often associate spirituality with quiet prayer and meditation, movement can enhance and enliven our experience. We will try some simple Tai Chi and Yoga forms as well as some body prayers that invite an expanded awareness of how we can use our bodies to connect spiritually.

Passavant Hall: Things are Happening!
Preparations for painting/refurbishing are occurring as we write this! A Work Day (priming party) will be held next Saturday; e-mail and let us know if you can help and which shifts work for you (9 - noon; noon - 3, or both). We have raised $3300 toward the estimated cost of $5300. If you'd like to CONTRIBUTE to this project, mark "carpet" on your check to Holy Trinity or donate on our website.

Special Forum: Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Sunday, November 21, 9:30 am - St. Mark Room
Did you know LSSI brings Head Start to homeless children? Do you know LSSI has a program helping formally incarnated woman find housing, employment and reconnections to their families? We serve 22,000 kids across the state in a variety of amazing ways. Our services range from affordable housing for senior citizens to residential treatment facilities for people overcoming addictions to foster care. Come and meet Lutheran Social Services of Illinois' President and CEO, Pr. Denver Bitner and learn more about your statewide social ministry!

Thanksgiving Eve Service and Pie Reception

7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve, November 25.
Please bring canned goods/food items or cash donations for the Lakeview Pantry.

If you are able to help as assisting minister, reader, crucifer, or usher, please let Josh know in the office. We also need about six pies for the reception after the service. Email Josh if you can bring one, and what kind.

Holiday Fair Trade Bazaar

It's time to start saving your pennies for the Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar! Sale will be after each service on 11/28 and 12/12, and in between services on 12/5. This year we will be offering hand-selected goods from SERRV through the Lutheran World Relief Handcraft Project - Divine Chocolate advent calendars, toys for kids, cards, serving pieces, jewelry, ornaments and more! By buying Fair Trade you are supporting a more equitable distribution of the world's resources, promoting global economic stability and world peace. So give your loved one a beautiful hand-made item AND the gift they've always wanted: a bit of Peace on Earth.

Interested in helping out?
We are in need of a few people to help sell goods on any or all of the above dates. Contact Anita Engh if you are willing.

New Member Orientation

Maybe you've attended Holy Trinity a few times or many. Maybe you are looking for a church home. Maybe you have mixed feelings about church and whether it is for you. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at Holy Trinity! Here is a special invitation to learn more about Holy Trinity, what makes Lutheranism unique, meet some other folks, and find out more about our mission and ministry. Orientation sessions are held four times a year. The next session is Sunday, November 21. We will meet from 9:00 - 10:20 a.m., followed by the 10:30 a.m. worship service. We continue upstairs in Passavant Hall over a light lunch, concluding before 1:00 p.m. Sign-up by email or on the yellow slip in the pew rack.

PAWS Chicago Opportunity

Each December, PAWS has an adopt-a-thon, and in anticipation of the large numbers of cats and dogs adopted, PAWS taps its foster network for people to care for dogs and cats before the adopt-a-thon. Fostering would be for a finite period of time (probably 2-4 weeks), and there is no obligation to do more, although people are obviously welcome to continue fostering if they wish. You can request dogs or cats of specific sizes, can already have pets or not have pets, and/or request pets that are child friendly, even for different age groups (eg, a dog great with kids 10+ but not preschoolers, cats who love to be around babies, etc.). If the pet has any medical conditions PAWS covers the cost of treatment.

If people are interested, they would need to attend a foster orientation and fill out an online application. However, PAWS said if we get 12 or more adults from Holy Trinity who are interested, then they will set up a special session for us. If we have fewer than 12, then Beth Morris can work with congregants to get them into the foster network. With questions, contact Beth.

Save The Date: Advent Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 12 @ 4:00 p.m.
Since many Holy Trinity members are away for Christmas, this is a special Advent gathering of our community. The Holy Trinity Choir and Holy Trinity Strings will provide the music. Our newly formed string ensemble is made up predominantly of our own members--what an amazing gift for our congregation!

December gets busy--it's not too early to invite friends or neighbors to join you for this special service of music, readings, and prayer.