The Session of Fourth Church will hold their February meeting today, and on their agenda will be a request from the Pastor Nominating Committee to call a congregational meeting for Sunday, March 2 in the Sanctuary following the 11:00 worship service.

As co-chairs Juli Crabtree and Doug Grissom announced during this past Sunday's Annual Meeting of the Congregation, the PNC has identified a candidate for Pastor whom they want to recommend to the congregation at a March 2 meeting.

Join us this Sunday as five new Academy for Faith and Life classes begin--including "Potpourri: Pastor's Choice!" led by a different member of Fourth Church clergy each week, discussing any topic of his or her choosing, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 5G. To make things even more interesting, the identity of the pastor--and discussion topic--will not be revealed until class time.

"An Ethical Approach to Scripture," led by Kenneth Vaux in Room 5F, and "Jewish and Christian Difference: Same Texts, Different Lenses, Building Understanding," led by Sarah J. Tanzer in Room 5E, will also take place at 9:30 a.m.

Vicky Curtiss will lead "Introductory Overview of the Bible" at 11:00 a.m. in Room 5F, and "Introduction to Buddhism," with Yarina Liston, will be held at 12:30 p.m. in Room 5D.

To register for any of these classes, visit www.fourthchurch.org/academy.

Also this Sunday, author David Holmes will be with us for a one-session presentation on "Faiths of Our Presidents: Then and Now" at 12:30 p.m. in Room 5G.

Last Saturday, at the Presbytery of Chicago assembly hosted here at Fourth Church, John Vest was elected Moderator of the Presbytery.

The Moderator moderates five presbytery assemblies throughout the one-year term. Each of these meetings is preceded by three or more planning meetings, including the meeting of the Presbytery Coordinating Commission, on which John has served as Moderator-Elect for the past year and will continue to serve through the year after his moderatorial term. (The POC provides guidance for the assembly and acts on behalf of the assembly between meetings.)

The Moderator also represents the presbytery at various times, including during services of ordination and installation for pastors. During this term of important service with the presbytery, John will also continue with his responsibilities as Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry.

Congratulations and best wishes to John! 

Congratulations to Joyce Shin, who has been named a recipient of the 2014 Women of Faith Award presented by the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The award honors female members of the PC(USA) whose lives exemplify their Christian commitment through witness, service, and leadership, and Joyce is being recognized particularly for her interfaith work at Fourth Church and with the Presbytery of Chicago.

Joyce, and the two other recipients, will be honored at the Women of Faith Breakfast on Sunday, June 15, during the 221st General Assembly in Detroit. The theme for this year's awards is "Prophetic Women of Faith."

Don't forget to submit notes and letters for the memory box for Calum and Missy! This coming Thursday, February 20 is the last day to send notes thanking Calum and Missy for their ministry among us and wishing them well in the next phase of their ministry. Those reflections can be mailed to the church (Attn. Barbara Cleveland, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611.2014) or dropped off at the church reception desk, or they can be emailed to memorybox@fourthchurch.org.

These private expressions of gratitude, shared memories, and well wishes will be collected and presented to Calum and Missy next Sunday, February 23--Calum's last Sunday at Fourth Church, when he will preach at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. services--as a gift from the congregation. Following the 11:00 service, all are invited to a reception for Calum and Missy in Anderson Hall and the Commons.

Please join us in sharing with Calum and Missy how deeply grateful we are for all that their presence among us has meant!

Learn about how messages of peace and nonviolence are expressed in different religious texts at this Sunday's "Sharing Sacred Texts" presentation at 2:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel. Presented by Sharing Sacred Spaces, an organization of area congregations that facilitates interreligious community-building, "Harmony and Nonviolence" is part of a year-long series of events taking place in a variety of sacred spaces in Chicago.

All are invited to attend this free interfaith discussion. A reception will follow.

Time: Sunday, February 16, 2:30 p.m.

Place: Buchanan Chapel

What happens in your twenties and early thirties may stay with you for a lifetime. Young adults are invited to attend Life 2.0 and think about how it is we claim our adulthood. This half-day conference will be held the afternoon of Saturday, February 22.

Register now with a friend for a discount! A two-for-one offer is available through Tuesday, February 18. To register, contact Sharon Crawford-Tucker.

During this conference, participants will learn how to maximize the "defining decade," either for themselves or to better support friends, family, colleagues, and those with whom they work. The program, offered through the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being and the Academy for Faith and Life, will include talks by young adults and Replogle Center staff, discussions, and a social hour at the end of the day.

Time: Saturday, February 22, 12:00 noon-6:30 p.m.
Place: Buchanan Chapel

Mason Earl Gedey, son of Rod and Shannon Gedey

Evelyn Banks, February 11, 2014

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Friday, February 21, 2014
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Sheridan String Quartet

4:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Ottawa Hills High School Choraliers  

Friday, February 28, 2014

12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Anthony Williams, organist

Friday, March 7, 2014

12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary 

Joanna Turska, flutist

Jaroslav Malanowicz, organist

Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women