FIRST LOOK

First PresbyterianChurch of Wheaton

715 North Carlton Avenue Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone: 630-668-5147 www.firstpreswheaton.orgoffice@firstpreswheaton.org

October 2020

Thank You Pastor Steve After faithfully serving as Parish Associate for the past year, Pastor Steve’s last Sunday with us was October 4th. Our prayers are with Steve and his wife Linda as they look forward to spending more time together and with grandchildren in the days ahead.

It’s hard to put into words just how much Pastor Steve has blessed our community. From preaching to teaching, care to communion, he’s been a constant source of encouragement and faith; not to mention a voice for the ages! We thank God for his exceptional ministry during an eventful year.

Welcome Rev. Dr. Tassie Green Temporary Associate Pastor

Greetings, First Pres faith family!

I look forward to joining you this fall. My goal is to invite and equip each of you into a discipleship pathway. I hope we study the Bible together in ways that spark your curiosity as a follower of Jesus Christ and that propel you onward in your faith journey. My vision statement is, “I want to help make Jesus real in people’s lives, beginning with our own family.”

We look forward to welcoming Pastor Tassie!

– Rev. Dr. Tassie Green

Reopening PlanScripture calls us to gather in community. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them” (Matthew 18:20).

This Reopening Plan comes from a thought out, prayerful process for the resumption of indoor activities at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton. Having been unable to gather inside the church for many months, this plan supports safely coming together in community through the physical use of our facility. The guidelines we will follow are informed by the CDC and Illinois Department of Health, as well as the Presbytery of Chicago and other local congregations who have resumed indoor worship and ministries. More details can be found at firstpreswheaton.org/updates.

Reopening SundayA limited reopening of our sanctuary is

scheduled for Reformation Sunday, October 25

Facility Reopening We are pleased to announce the

resumption of limited indoor ministry gatherings starting October 19

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A new worship initiative to promote small, safe weekly gatherings in the home of a volunteer host to

watch the Sunday morning livestream, enjoy fellowship together, and build community with each other

Wednesdays through November 4 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom

October 7 & 14Led by Dr. James Natter

Executive Director, Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center

October 21 Led by NAMI DuPage

October 28 & November 4

Led by First Pres member, Angela Stephenson,Living Abundantly Ministries

How can we be the church while enduring a global pandemic, praying for an end to racial injustice and systemic poverty, and managing the challenges of daily life? For all of us, the gathering of our church community on Sunday mornings offers a balm to the heartaches of this world. We recognize that virtual worship has continued to offer a sense of connection, but many of us still desire a deeper experience of community. We’re excited to announce that a reopening of our sanctuary is scheduled for Reformation Sunday, October 25. Since attendance will be limited and some may not yet be ready to return, I began to ask – is there another way to continue to foster the richness of our worshipping community in a COVID-19 safe environment? Is there even a way that we can grow and share our ministry with new people?

After a time of prayer and visioning, we’re excited to also offer Church@Home. This is a worship initiative to promote small, safe weekly gatherings in the home of a volunteer host to watch the Sunday morning livestream, enjoy fellowship together, and build community with each other. Church@Home gatherings could be with an established small group or a new group of First Pres friends. We envision this as a fresh, new way to strengthen our worshipping community and grow our presence in the community. We can’t wait to see how God uses this opportunity to invite all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ. More details will be shared in upcoming weekly emails, including ways to register and information about hosting. Email karmstrong@firstpreswheaton.org if you have any initial questions. – Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music and Worship Experience

G AT H E R I N G S

ADULTEDUCATION

Our new Adult Education series focuses on

spiritual wellness and mental health

Join us for engaging conversations on coping with the ambiguity and anxiety of life in these challenging days. A Zoom link will be provided by email and at firstpreswheaton.org.

Christmas Sharing

As the 51st year of the Christmas Sharing season begins, we pray you can open your hearts by taking a small step towards ending systemic poverty. The executive board of Christmas Sharing had a unanimous vote to alter our program this year. First Pres, along with seven other area churches, will be supplying food purchased from the NIFB and purchasing $100 Walmart gift cards for each family in the program. No used goods will be accepted this year. Our congregation has demonstrated time after time how strong we are when we serve together by helping those less fortunate in our own community. Please join together with us once again by donating neces-sary funds or volunteering early on Saturday, December 12. All donations will be given without the guest leaving their car to minimize contact. Please visit firstpreswheaton.org/onlinegiving or mail a check to First Pres Wheaton with Christmas Sharing in the memo. Your generosity is such a gift to the families in our own community! Email Sharon Carroll at smc803@live.com for any questions or to volunteer.

– Sharon Carroll and Tanya Downing Christmas Sharing Coordinators

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Mission Abundant Compassion

DuPage Pads

Since the pandemic began, PADS has been operating by housing guests in three local hotels. With up to 115 emergency hotel rooms, and a need to provide nutritious meals for up to 150 families and individuals experiencing homelessness, this is an incredible opportunity for us to serve with our mission partner! First Pres is scheduled to provide meals to 55-65 guests at the Red Roof Inn (1698 W. Diehl Rd, Naperville) on Tuesdays, October 13, November 10 and December 8; the second week of each month. We will need up to eight volunteers on site at the hotel beginning from 4:00-5:30 p.m. We will provide individual meals for 55-65 guests; the meals can be frozen grocer or restaurant (including caterers or other licensed food providers) prepared dinner meals, and the guests have microwaves in their rooms. If you would like to contribute, you can send a check to the church office with PADS in the memo, or donate online at firstpreswheaton.org/onlinegiving. If you, your family or small group would like to sign up for on-site delivery to each room, please reach out by emailing Anth.Lechiara@gmail.com or phone 630-251-1955. These are very difficult times for all of us, and those most in need in our community are even more cut off from the rest of the world than ever before. Let's not forget them! – Anth Lechiara PADS Ministry Leader

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October Book ClubThursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. via ZoomThe Music Shop by Rachel Joyce is the October selection for our FPC book club. Read this book, and see if you will ever listen to music the same again. Music has an immense power – to move you, to break you, to raise your spirits, to plunge you into the depths of despair, to fill your heart with joy. Set in 1988, on a dead-end street, in a run-down London suburb, there is a music shop, owned by Frank, who has a way of connecting each customer with just the right piece of music. The shop attracts all kinds of people: lonely, homeless, lost, and even a mysterious woman named Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Both have secrets, emotional baggage and wounds threatened to be reopened. Email Mary Kinsey at marykinsey79@gmail.com for more information. Join us for fellowship and great book discussions the last Thursday of each month.

Kids TogetherKids in preschool through 5th grades are gathering safetly in-person on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this time of fun and fellowship. Contact Chandra Gravit at cgravit@firstpreswheaton.org to RSVP.

Students Together Middle schoolers are invited to join us for our in-person midweek program on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We will spend time in large and small groups (socially distanced) with fun activities that center around a Bible theme, followed by a time of interactive games. RSVP to the church office at office@firstpreswheaton.org if your student is coming!

Sundays as announced – 4:00-5:45 p.m. WF high school students will gather on the church lawn for our in-person fall program. Our time together will be a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us during these difficult times. We’ll spend time in large and small groups with social distancing. Meet near the First Pres Sanctuary and please bring a chair or blanket, face mask and water bottle. Email the church office at office@firstpreswheaton.org with any questions. Watch for future scheduling updates.

High SchoolMinistry

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Boy Scout Troop 23

Like everyone else, Boy Scout Troop 23 has adapted and continued our important missions during Covid-19. Last spring, the boys met with their patrols via Zoom, worked on advancements and merit badges at home with virtual meetings with counselors, and participated in numerous service projects, including making meals for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, food collection, fundraising for the CROP walk, and conservation projects/refuse clean up on trails, neighborhoods and parkways. We enjoyed a reformatted and successful week of summer camp at Camp Freeland Leslie, where 26 scouts and 14 leaders worked together within revised guidelines. Not a single case of Covid-19 was reported from any camper or leader of any troop! This gave our troop the confidence to begin meeting outside at Blackwell Forest Preserve and Northside Park in person for our weekly meetings with the same guidelines. The scouts are working on advancement, and enjoying kayaking, canoeing and fishing, plus games and sports. We currently have 64 scouts and 36 leaders. Our meetings are on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. We plan to continue to meet all year outside as able, dressed and prepared for the weather. Always be prepared! Last month the scouts had a two-night campout at Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin where we hiked, kayaked, swam and canoed, as well as worked on advancement and prepared and cooked all our meals. In October, we have a shooting sports day camp planned at Silver Springs, and a biking campout at Cantigny is in the planning stages. Troop 23 has held two Eagle Courts of Honor at Cantigny, presenting four Eagle Scout awards. Many more will be honored soon with this grand achievement. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 shutdown, the scouts have had 41 rank advancements and earned 152 merit badges.

Troop 23 Christmas Wreath Sales The wreath sale will look different this year, with most scouts opting to sell solely online. Church members are welcome to support the troop by purchasing Christmas greens, something the church troop has been doing since 1966. We will also be taking orders for our “Fallen Heroes Wreaths” and are planning our annual Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of Pearl Harbor Day, December 7 at the Wheaton Cemetery. Please contact Doug Kurtz at dougkurtz@sbcglobal.net or Julee Lockard at julee@JAL5.com with any questions or to express your interest in purchasing greenery. We appreciate your prayers and support of our boys’ activities.

Giving GardenThe First Pres Giving Garden has yielded multiple harvests of beautiful, nutritious vegetables this season. Vegetables were donated to the People’s Resource Center for distribution to community members in need. Thank you to our wonderful team of faithful gardeners for your dedication and efforts this season!

– Julee Lockard Troop 12 Liason

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Women's Ministry OpportunitiesCircle Leaders & Meeting Times

If you are looking for a way to enjoy fellowship and share your time, talents or resources – Women’s Ministry has several ways to connect with other women in the church and share God’s love by caring for others. Email Susan Drinan at blackthorne369@att.net or Erin Schnack at erinschnack@yahoo.com to join a circle.

ELIZABETH / REBECCA 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Leader: Susan Drinan

GRACE 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Leader: Dianne Lambert

HANNAH 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Leader: Erin Schnack

JOY 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Leader: Donna BoydRUTH 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. Contact: Susan Drinan

SARAH Fall: 1st & 3rd Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Spring: 2nd & 4th Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Leaders: Erin Froebe and Laura Kommers

First Light Men’s CollaborativeVirtual Bible StudySaturdays at 7:00 a.m. via ZoomYou’re invited to join a group of faithful men who gather each week. It’s a great opportunity for Bible study and exploring your personal faith with others. Contact Mike Weatherred at mike.weatherred@gardnerdenver.com.

D.E.N. For Men (Dads with Emptying Nests)Thursdays through December 37:00-8:00 a.m. – Virtual until further noticeThis group is for committed working fathers transitioning to life as an empty nester. The group offers a forum for men with similar circumstances to discuss challenges related to this transition, including loneliness, balance, integrity, relationships with spouse and children, money, time management, temperament and self identity. Email Chris Carroll at csc803@live.com for details.

Finding FathersFridays through December 47:00-8:00 a.m. – Virtual until further noticeFinding Fathers is a group for committed working fathers with school age children (K-12). The group offers a forum for men with similar circumstances to discuss challenges related to balance, integrity, relationships, money, time management, temperament and self identity. Email Chris Carroll at csc803@live.com for details.