Winnetka Covenant Church Network

The Network July/August, 2016

Inside this issue:

Summer Opportunities ... 2

Music Notes, Music on the Steps, Youth .............. 3

Trustee Notes ................... 4

Mission Opportunities, Mission Dinner ................. 5 Women, Book Group ..... 6 Mailbox, Family News, Library .............................. 7 Blood and Bone Marrow Drive ................................. 8

July 13

Music on the Steps

July 10 & 24

August 14 & 28

Beach Services

UR LOVD

This year I drove Micah to school at the Northfield campus of New Trier most mornings. Two or three mornings I found myself following a car with a license plate that reads “UR LOVD.” What a nice gift. What a great way to start the mornings, being reminded of that truth. The effect it has on me is immediate: I instantly relax and become a better driver, giving the person in front of me enough space, instead of riding their bumper, as I’m often inclined to do in the hurried stress of the morning commute. I have also had the urge to follow this car (I haven’t done it, of course), because I’d like to know who this person is. Someone who would choose this as their license plate might be someone I’d like to get to know. It’s just a custom license plate. But its message is profound. This person isn’t reserving it for just certain people – they have no control over who will be following them and reading their license plate. Even the jerk who’s honking at them when the light turns green will see “UR LOVD.” And that’s profound, too. Recognizing how this simple, random act of warmth affects me so positively makes me realize that I can do the same for others. Getting the message from this driver makes me want to do the same for others. I want to give that simple, yet profound message to others – to anyone. To everyone. If I need to receive that message, I know others do, too. How am I doing that? How can I do it more often? These are the questions I’m going to work on for the rest of the summer. Currently, we have a sticker on the side of one of our cars which features Grumpy Cat saying “LEAVE ME ALONE.” A good place to start in sending the message that all are loved is to remove that sticker, don’t you think? Andrea Johnson

2

Fun Summer Opportunities at WCC Summer Walking is Back!

Wednesday evenings at 6:30, running through August 17! We gather at the park bench outside the east wing of the Glenview Senior Center, 2400 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. We will walk through and around Gallery Park. All are welcome! Look for Kitti Steiner or Peter Hawkinson. We will not walk on July 13, so that all can come to church and enjoy the Music on the Steps.

Summer Worship Schedule

During our summer season, we are offering two Sunday worship opportunities – 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. This schedule began on June 12 and continues through September 4.

Some of the 8:00 services will be held at Gillson Park Beach, with the others meeting here at church. The July/August schedule is as follows: July 3: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC July 10: 8 a.m. service at the beach, 10 a.m. service in our sanctuary July 17: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC (bike to church day) July 24: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC July 31: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC August 7: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC (bike to church day) August 14: 8 a.m. service at the beach, 10 a.m. service in our sanctuary August 21: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC August 28: 8 a.m. service at the beach, 10 a.m. service in our sanctuary September 4: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at WCC Come and worship God this summer!

Summer Book Group Fellowship

Join in the fellowship and discussion of the book “Keeping The Sabbath Wholly” by Marva Dawn. A great read! Themes are Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, and Feasting. How can we embrace Sabbath Rest in the midst of active and busy life? Gathering for Thursday evening conversation at the Hawkinson Home on the following dates:

July 7, 7 p.m. – Resting (pp. 51-98) July 21, 7 p.m. – Embracing (pp. 99-148) August 25, 7 p.m. – Feasting (pp. 149-211) Books are available, free of charge. See Pastor Hawkinson. Join one or all of the gatherings. Come when you are able!

Bike to Church

Bike to Church days are July 17 and August 7. Once a month this summer you are invited to bike to church! Then stick around after the worship service to bike together to a close location for brunch/lunch. Those who attend the 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. worship can gather together after the service to coordinate a ride to share a meal. There will be opportunity to extend the ride beyond a meal for those who are interested. Embrace “dressing down” on these mornings and spend some time outside together! This is open to many skill levels; jr. high and high school students, biking enthusiasts, and experts! Invite a friend or two or three. Contact Pastor Christy with any questions.

Co-ed 16-inch Softball

We are looking for men and women (age 13 and up) to play in the Covenant Church Softball League from June through the beginning of August. The league is made up of area Covenant Churches, along with North Park Seminary and others. The games are played at Peterson Park (Peterson and Central Park) in Chicago on Sunday and Monday evenings. You do not have to commit to every game or be a great player, just come when you can. We need people! It is a time of fun and fellowship, with most games followed by pizza!

Please contact Steve Fogel or Kurt Zitzner if you are interested.

3

Music Notes "I was glad when they said unto me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord'"

"Sing joyfully to the Lord with your whole heart!" For the remainder of the summer we rely on volunteers for Special music selections. So far, our special music in July and August includes vocal, piano, violin, and brass by:

Steve & Lydia Braun, Donna Kuhel, Gary & Karen Isaacson, Carolyn Carlson, Kitti & Kim Steiner, and Thomas Martin.

So grateful for all who share their talent! Dates are still available in August – contact Dawn! Praise GOD from whom ALL blessings flow!! Dawn

Music on the Steps

Wednesday, July 13, rain or shine

The Lonesome Theologians, which includes our own Paul Koptak will be giving a concert from the front steps of the church. Lonesome Theologians are a bluegrass band.

Bring a picnic supper and blankets or chairs for a Ravinia-style event. Picnic begins at 6:00, music will begin at 7:00.

This is a wonderful opportunity to bring friends and relatives and children are most welcome. In case of rain, we will move inside.

Youth Opportunities

Incoming 6th graders are warmly invited to join in the Jr. High activities this summer! And incoming 9th grades are invited to attend BOTH Jr. High and Sr. High events! Jr. High July and August:

ü A Just Harvest – July 21st and August 18th. Meet at WCC at 4:15, return by 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups on the bulletin board. ü Bike to Church Days – Sunday, July 17th and August 7th. Bike to church, and then gather with others for brunch/lunch,

depending on timing. Bring your family! ü Six Flags – Tuesday, July 12th. Meet at church at 9:15 a.m. Refer to e-mail to come for more information ü Jr. High Campfire Nights – Thursday, July 7th (@ Geakes) and Wednesday, August 3rd (@ Drimallas). Relaxed

evenings of s’mores and games – bring friends! 7-9 p.m. Sr. High July and August:

ü A Just Harvest – July 21st and August 18th. Meet at WCC at 4:15, return by 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups on the bulletin board. ü Bike to Church Days – Sunday, July 17th and August 7th. Bike to church, and then gather with others for brunch/lunch,

depending on timing. Bring your family! ü Six Flags – Tuesday, July 12th. Meet at church at 9:15 a.m. Refer to e-mail to come for more information ü Sr. High Pool Party and Cookout - Sunday, August 21st @ Pastor Andrea’s house! Head there after church for a

cookout and swimming. Bring your swimsuit, a beach towel and a friend! Jr. and Sr. Highers are encouraged to note the other unique points of connection with each other and the rest of the church community this summer season! Mark your fall calendars!

• Fall Youth Groups Kickoff: Sunday, September 11 • Sr. High Fall Retreat: Saturday, September 24 – Sunday, September 25 • Jr. High Fall Retreat: Friday, September 30-Sunday, October 2.

ONLINE YOUTH CALENDAR! Visit the Winnetka Covenant website (www.winnetkacovenant.org), then select “Ministries” in the side bar. Click on either Junior or Senior High to see a list of up-to-date happenings, including the link to the online calendar.

4

Trustee Notes The Winnetka Covenant Church financial summary through May 2016: As of May 31, our financial summary is highlighted below.

Ø YTD Financials o General Fund Giving through May 31 - $388,951 (5% less than 2015) o Total receipts to date are 4% under planned budget; Expenses are as budgeted; Operating funds and cash are as

planned.

Comparisons to Prior Year and Budget:

2016 Actual 2015 Actual % 2016 Budget %

General Fund Receipts $421,542 $446,113 94% $446,297 94%

Expenses $442,291 $442,383 100% $447,529 99%

Net Operating Income/(Loss) ($20,749) $3,730

05/31/2016 05/31/2015

Cash General Fund $(69,709) $(62,583) Exchange Accounts 86,882 70,377 Petty Cash 125 125 Memorial/Bequest Funds* 3,877 42,994 $21,176 $50,914 *Investments Memorial/Bequest Funds $ 134,649 $93,184 Johnson/Gustafson Memorial 44,987 50,978 Sabbatical Grant (’15 AMJ) 0 22,498 General Fund 522 514 Total $180,158 $167,173

Ø Capital Projects o Trustees approved Castino Services for exterior painting project o WCC was approved for a $250K NCP LOC o The door security system is installed, contact the church office for instructions to use

The WCC Board of Trustees financial reports and meeting minutes can be provided by the church office. Please contact Tom Sharp, WCC Treasurer or Kelly Quackenbush, Financial Secretary, with any questions.

Boards and committees will have a revised schedule for the summer. Schedule is: July – no meetings August – meet on the 23rd September – no meetings October 4 – return to normal schedule

Covenant Companion Named Best Denominational Magazine

The Covenant Companion was recently named the best denominational magazine at the annual Evangelical Press Association convention. The Companion also won second place for publication redesign, among other awards. In total, the magazine won ten awards.

Our church participates in the every-member plan, where we provide subscriptions for each of our church member families. If you are able to reimburse the church for the cost of your subscription ($18.00) it is appreciated. If you are able to give a little extra to help pay for a subscription for someone else, that is also appreciated. You can pay online through the website (www.winnetkacovenant.org) or place a check in the Sunday offering, with “Companion” marked in the memo line.

5

Mission Opportunities

A Just Harvest – July 7th & 21st, and August 4th & 18th at 1:00, cooking in our kitchen. New participants are always welcome to join the cooking crew. On the 21st and 18th we are also asked to send a crew to the Kitchen to serve the food. They will meet at church to depart at 4:30 and return about 7:00. Contact Pastor Andrea to sign up or with questions.

Greater Chicago Food Depository – Volunteer to help repackage food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the 3rd Saturday of each month, 9:00-11:45 a.m. Our next volunteer days are Saturday, July 16th and August 20th. Volunteers must register and sign up online ahead of time (http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/). Contact Pastor Andrea with questions or for help with signing up. Fall Mission Trip – Save the Date – The Mission Committee is planning a long weekend mission trip to the Covenant Mountain Mission Bible Camp for the long Columbus Day weekend, October 7-10. This will be an opportunity for anyone to participate, including families with young children. All the details will be coming soon, but you can put this on your calendars and start planning for it.

Save the date: September 17th

Second Annual International Missions Dinner Take a delicious culinary trip while you support Winnetka Covenant Missions and Missionaries. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17th, 2016!

Sponsored by the Missions Committee, the goal is to raise supplemental funds for missions. No tickets or cover charge is involved. Each participating family, couple or individual is invited to bring a dish to share. A free will offering will be taken.

The event gives church members a closer look at the stories of missions and the missionary families currently supported by Winnetka Covenant, and highlights the countries and states that symbolize the regions they serve.

The evening will begin with each family, couple or individual getting a passport that assigns them to a continent and specific cuisine. They will spend the evening “traveling” among continents to sample different dishes. Since table assignments continually change, people in the church will have the chance to meet and sample food with others they have never met, or would like to get to know better.

Reservations are required and will be taken after church services beginning August 21. You can also sign up via the church website. For those looking for ideas about what to bring, sample dishes will be suggested.

Children age six and over are encouraged to participate with their parents. Child care will be provided for children age five and younger.

Questions? Contact Cindy Buettgen.

Summer Campers Please remember our children, youth and families who will be spending time at camp this summer. Pray for safety, for fun, and for establishing or deepening a relationship with Jesus Christ. In addition to those who were listed in last month’s newsletter, Aidan Jimenez will be attending camp, the McClellan Family will attend family camp, and Allie Rivi, Sarah and Stina Hawkinson will be on staff at Covenant Point. We have gotten word that both Covenant Point and Covenant Harbor have a few weeks where male counselors are needed. If you are at least 18 and have a week or two that you could be available to serve at one of the camps, please consider this opportunity. Contact either of the camps for more information.

6

Following are ongoing groups for the women of the church. They all welcome new participants at any time. Moms Together – The Moms’ Group that meets here monthly will have its fall kick-off coffee on Friday, September 9th from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Child-care is provided. We are having a guest speaker, Jennifer Barnes of JB Organizing, and we invite all moms who are interested in her topic, Raising Responsible Children to join us! Jennifer has spoken to many church and MOPS groups around the North Shore and we are pleased to have her with us. She is also a professional organizer and Hitting the Clutter Hot Spots is another of her frequently requested talks. I wonder if we can get her to speak on raising responsible children to help us avoid clutter hot spots! (Just wondering aloud.) Save the date for a great, informative morning with other church moms. Feel free to invite friends. (Child care will need reservations, however.) Watch for details in the fall program guide. Quilters, Knitters, etc. – Meet on the second Thursday of each month for fellowship and service. Watch the weekly bulletins for location of the meeting.

Women’s Ministries

Recently Retired Group – There is a group forming this fall for, by, and about “recently retired” women. Field trips, lunches, exploring the city, speakers, service projects … lots of ideas have been suggested. If you’d like to have your name included on this list please let Judi Geake know. No obligation, just let us know of your interest in being included. Sharing Group – We cordially invite all WCC women to join us on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon for lunch and fellowship. We will meet on July 28th and August 25th at Baker’s Square. You’ll enjoy the fellowship. Stitch and Study - Stitch and Study, combining prayer, conversation, and craft/ needlework projects, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the home of Marilynn Nelson. New participants are always welcome to come with or without a project. Summer meetings are July 19th and August 16th. Tuesday morning Bible Study – Make your plans for the future to join us in September when we begin a study in the fascinating book of Revelation. Questions: Contact Joann Larson

Bridal Shower – A bridal shower is planned for Saturday, August 27, for Courtney Cameron and Rob Thomas. Rob is the son of Chris and Laurel Thomas, grandson of Carolyn Carlson. All women of the church are invited to join us as we show our love and support to this couple taking this important step. If you are interested in being a hostess for the shower, please contact the church office.

Book group for fall – Early this fall, Judi Geake will be offering both a one-time book discussion and also a several-week group on Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale by Morgan Cron. If you would like to read the book over the summer, Judi has several copies which can be signed out in the church office. You may also purchase the book used on Amazon.com. The book is a fictional account of a megachurch pastor, Chase Falon, who loses his faith in God and struggles to find it again on his life-changing journey to Italy with a group of Franciscan friars. ************************* 20’s, 30’s, 40’s Gathering - the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s group will gather for a picnic following the worship service on July 31st. Watch the bulletins and e-mails for information on location, what to bring, etc.

7

Family News

Mailbox I wish to thank the church ministers, Peter and Andrea, for their visits and prayers on my behalf during my stay in the Glenbrook Hospital and during my physical therapy at the Brandel rehab. I also wish to thank all for their prayers on my behalf. Ken Erickson

Congratulations and best wishes to families with exciting changes:

• Carl Buettgen and Cecilia Kozlowski were married in our church on June 4. Carl is the son of Tom & Cindy Buettgen and they reside in the Washington, D.C. area.

• Jen and Dave Gruner welcomed a baby girl, Sonja Annalie Gruner into their family on June 17 in Nashville, TN. Ron and Debbie Peterson are Sonja’s grandparents.

New Offerings in the Library

Are you looking for some fun summer reading? The WCC library has been gifted with 32 books from the “Tales from Grace Chapel Inn” series, published by Guideposts. “Once you visit the charming village of Acorn Hill, tucked away in rural Pennsylvania, you’ll never want to leave. Townsfolk relax on their porch swings or gather to discuss the day’s events at the Coffee Shop over homemade pie. And you’ll love spending time with the Howard sisters, who have begun a new life together in their childhood home, a gracious Victorian house that is now a bed-and-breakfast called Grace Chapel Inn. Here they rekindle old memories, rediscover the bonds of sisterhood, and meet many fascinating guests along the way.” Each book stands alone; they are not chronological. The village and the characters remain constant. Stop in to experience Grace Chapel Inn for yourself.

Winnetka Covenant Church Network

1200 Hibbard Road Wilmette, Illinois, 60091

847-446-4300 www.winnetkacovenant.org

Our Mission

To be a Christian community and to proclaim the gospel, Worshiping together in love,

Nurturing people in faith, Serving others as Christian disciples,

And building a world of justice and hope in the name of Christ.

Guidelines for Loving Relationships

We hold grace as our highest value. We practice honest, open, direct communication.

We speak the truth in love and listen in love. We believe the best about each other,

valuing others above ourselves, as Christ does. We allow room for mistakes,

acknowledging that mistakes are part of the growth process.

Blood and Bone Marrow Drive Saturday, August 27th, 9:00-3:00 p.m. Upper Room LifeSource Blood Drive - at least 30 people are needed to register ahead of time to donate blood. You may call the office or sign up for a time on our web site. Anyone who is in good health and at least 17 years of age and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days. Bone Marrow Registry - drop-in and free for anyone 18-44 years. It only takes 10-15 min. and involves having your cheeks swabbed. If you are a match for someone, you will be asked to donate blood (which is how stem cells are collected) later at a local site. Stop by with questions for the representative or check out their web site. People needing blood and bone marrow donations are often in a crisis situation. We will pray for the recipients and their families as we give the gift of our blood.