north shore united methodist church february 2015 · 2015-01-27 · north shore united methodist...
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North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 1
Hello Friends!
As February begins, we are entering into a time of great
excitement and business. The new Bible study, using
Adam Hamilton’s Making Sense of the Bible, will be
progressing rapidly through the Bible. During this
study, we will be exploring how to approach the Bible
itself and how to deal with difficult topics that arise in
scripture.
February is also the time this year that we enter into the
season of Lent. As we mark our entering into the
season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, we begin to enter
into a time of remembrance for the ministry and
sacrifice of Christ. This is the time of the year we
typically apply additional focus to our devotionals.
Having just completed a class on Christianity during
the Middle Ages, I have recently become aware of the
vast array of devotionals that were used during this
time period. Most often lay members, looking to more
quickly secure or better understand salvation, created
these devotionals. After the devotional gained
popularity among the lay members, the church would
accept it as its own. This gave rise to the use of the
rosary, labyrinths to mimic pilgrimages to holy sites for
those who could not afford to attend, and many other
similar practices.
One of the devotional practices used frequently by
mystics was that of fasting. Fasting means different
things to different people, and often has different
guidelines for each person who intends to embark on a
fast. In general, “to fast” is to spend a significant part
of the day, sun up until sun down, with a very limited
intake of calories. Some mystics are rumored to only
have consumed the Eucharist throughout their fasting
periods. During class, our professor admitted that he
had difficultly fasting, because whenever he tried he
would find himself thinking more about food than
devoting his attention to God, which was his intended
goal for the fast. This led to a discussion among the
class about our ability to fast, or lack of ability to do so.
Our discussion quickly shifted to our modern
perception of fasting that many commit to during the
season of Lent. This tradition involves giving up
something that we see as a typical part of our everyday
life in honor of the sacrifice Christ has given. As a
child, I vowed to give up luxuries such as chocolate or
soda. Often, we “fast” on items that are extras and are
not difficult to live without. More recently, many of my
peers have fasted on Facebook or other social media
outlets. These are also substances that one can typically
live without quite easily.
Because of this fasting on items that we quickly adapt
to and whose absence we no longer take notice of, I
have encountered a principle of adding a meaningful
practice to one’s lifestyle during Lent. Last year, I
partook in this by writing letters or emails to a person
each day of Lent whom I have found to be a blessing in
my life, and to have had a profound influence on me.
Others have added new devotional practices or acts of
centering to remind them of the great blessings that
God has provided. As we enter this Lenten season, I
hope you join me in discovering an act that is
meaningful for you and assists your remembrance of
Christ’s gift.
Blessings,
Caitlyn Butler
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 2
Lent is a solemn
time of the year
and one of the most
wondrous and
mystic religious
season in the entire
liturgical calendar.
Lent begins with
the observance of Ash Wednesday
throughout the churches in the Christian
denominations.
The season of Lent covers the 40 weekdays
(Sundays excluded) following Ash
Wednesday and goes through Holy
Saturday, the Saturday of Holy Week and
the day immediately before Easter Sunday.
During this season of penitence, it is
customary for many Christians not to eat
certain foods, as well as to abstain from
some activities, as a way to remember the
suffering of Jesus Christ. According to the
Concise Oxford Encyclopedia, a number of
these traditions have become somewhat
relaxed in some churches, except for the
“fasting” tradition in the Eastern Orthodox
Church, where adherence to it remains
strict.
“Mardi Gras,” a French term known in
English as “Fat Tuesday”, refers to events
of the Carnival celebrations which
culminate on the day before Ash
Wednesday. Popular practices of Carnival
(such as indulging in rich foods and
merrymaking) are in full force before the
fasting and religious obligations of the
penitential season of Lent begin. “Shrove
Tuesday” is also used to refer to Fat
Tuesday. It is widely known as Pancake Day.
The word “shrove” is a form of the English
Tuesday, coming from the word shrive,
meaning "obtain absolution for one’s sins by
way of Confession." Pancakes are associated
with the day preceding Lent (Fat Tuesday),
because they were a way to use up rich foods
such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the
obligatory fasting in the Lent season started.
The North Shore United
Methodist Church has
altered the traditional
Shrove Tuesday
celebrations by moving
them from the Tuesday
prior to Ash Wednesday to the Sunday
immediately preceding it, holding a pancake
breakfast that day and calling the Sunday
Demarche Gas (Fat Sunday). The alteration
was made to maximize attendance, as the day is
used by this church as a major fundraising
opportunity during the year.
Additionally, as part of the fundraising efforts of
the Sunday, the legend of the “Olney Pancake
Race of 1445” is reenacted (somewhat): the
legend tells of a woman who was cooking
pancakes. Upon hearing the church bells calling
to attend the morning service in observance of
the day before Ash Wednesday, she ran out of
her house with skillet and batter still in hand,
wearing an apron around her dress. No one is
positive about the accuracy of the legend, but it
surely adds to the fun and interest of “Fat
Tuesday” celebrations▣
Ash Wednesday February 18, 2015
Pancake breakfast – Sunday, February 15 @ 11:15 AM
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 3
Join fellow church member in this annual event. Come to Barbee Hall ½ hour prior to kick-off time. Bring
food to share with others – chips, dip, chili, hot dogs, coke, popcorn, ice cream are suggested –
Don’t miss the fun!!!
February 1, 2015
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 4
OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
For the family of Alison Moon and for Harold Peterson on the loss of Alice.
Ed Kemp and family.
Linda Fetzer.
For all those in need of healing.
Tull Monsees, who is at The Mather in Evanston.
For those who are unemployed and searching for meaningful work.
Ruth & Bob Woods.
For an end to gun violence in our cities.
For the Refugees of the Middle East.
Dinner/Movie Night
Be sure to mark your calendars and come join us
Friday, February 13, 2015 Barbee Hall – 6:30 PM
"Sleepless in Seattle"
President Barack H. Obama congratulates Second Lieutenant Jesse R. Bryant at his
graduation ceremony from West Point Military Academy, May 28, 2014. Jesse is the son of
Robert G. and Joy Bryant and grandson of long-time members of North Shore UMC,
Ellen Bryant and the late Robert H. Bryant.▣
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 5
****Correction needed to the
Nominating Committee list****
The following individuals appear listed under the FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE in the list printed in the January Chimes. This is an error. These names should be
listed under MISSIONS, instead.
Nancy Haynor Donna Kemp
David Langenbach
We apologize for the error. Please, make this correct to your list of volunteers.
~ Looking Ahead at NSUMC ~
Sunday, February 1, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Worship Service
11:00 a.m. ~ Adult Forum: "Fish Out of Water", Part I
Monday, February 2, 2015
10:00 a.m. ~ Bible Study 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study
Sunday, February 8, 2015
10:00 a.m. ~ Worship Service 11:00 a.m. ~ Adult Forum:
"Fish Out of Water", Part II Pastor Glenna at John Wesley Theological
Institute through Feb. 11, 2015.
Monday, February 9, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Bible Study 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study
Friday, February 13, 2015
6:30 p.m. ~ Dinner/Movie Night: Sleepless in Seattle
Saturday, February 14, 2015 9:00 a.m. ~ Trustee Meeting
10:30 a.m. ~ Church Council Meeting
Sunday, February 15, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Worship Service:
Caitlyn Butler, preaching Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, February 15, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Worship Service –
Caitlyn Butler, preaching Pancake Breakfast
Monday, February 16, 2015
10:00 a.m. ~ Bible Study 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
7:00 p.m. ~ Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday, February 22, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Worship Service
Adult Forum: Loretta Bariffe, Director Family Focus – Englewood Barbara Javore out of office
Feb. 22 - Feb. 28, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015 10:00 a.m. ~ Bible Study 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
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The first Adult Forum of 2015 was held on January 11 and featured speakers from the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). Reverend Bonnie Beckonchrist is the Board Chair of the RMN and Bridget Cabrera is the Deputy Director. Bonnie spoke first and gave an overview of the history of the issues in the United Methodist Church surrounding the insertion of language in the Book of Discipline that is discriminatory toward homosexuals. The RMN works to create safe spaces for gay and lesbian members of the United Methodist Church. Bonnie said that there are 660 churches that have joined the RMN. By adopting a Reconciling Statement, a church becomes a Reconciling church. Such a statement can contain a number of categories of persons that the church chooses to specify are welcome. The Reconciling statement must contain at the minimum language that welcomes people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Bridget spoke about the current work that the RMN is engaged in and talked about an effort to effect changes in the culture and educate people about the issues. Just resolutions are sought in cases and people are encouraged to share their stories and reach reconciliation. The Reconciling Task Force is exploring the possibility of North Shore United Methodist Church becoming a Reconciling Congregation. The process will take time and a series of forums will allow members of the congregation to learn more about this issue. If you have any questions or comments, please contact a member of the Task Force: Ellen Paseltiner, Scott Javore, Mary Figueredo, Lisa Goodale, Ellen Bryant, and Joan Wiff.▣
Darlingside returns
arris Paseltiner and the Indie Folk Band “Darlingside” return to SPACE in
Evanston on Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. to play a show along singers Heather Maloney and Tall Heights. Heather and Darlingside played previously at North Shore United Methodist Church in November 2013. Tickets are priced from $12.00 to $22.00, and are currently on sale. Purchase either at evanstonspace.com or 847-492-8860. SPACE is located at 1245 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. For questions, please contact Ellen Paseltiner, 847-251-5529 or [email protected] ▣
H
Harris Paseltiner Heather Maloney
February 1: Part 1 of the movie – "Fish Out of Water” with discussion following. February 8: Part 2 of the movie – “Fish Out of Water” with discussion following.
February 22: Loretta Bariff Director of Family Focus
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
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SHARE THE DREAM
BY DAVID RUBENS
ince the article “Conducting a Dream”
appeared in The Glencoe Anchor, I
have been asked a lot questions about
the North Shore Chamber Arts Ensemble,
how it came into being and have its
performances at North Shore United
Methodist Church, and my relationship
with you all. Well, I’ll begin by saying that
after I returned to help my ailing folks in
2002, I used to go to coffee at 7 o’clock in
the morning at the Cariboo Coffee Shop, a
block away from my folks home at Park and
Greenwood. That got me ready for my day
and kept me sane.
That’s where I met both Bob Bryant and
Tim Fleming. Over time, Bob and I realized
that we shared similar experiences as
colleague professes. After Bob found out
about my musical history, he became intent
on getting me to produce a performance of
Messiah at church. He asked me about it
every morning for three years; if you knew
Bob you know how insistent he could be.
Tim saw how at loose ends I was with my
career; performing and teaching were
pretty much on hold in order to take care of
my folks; so he wanted me to get hooked up
with your organist, Fran Walker and Carol
Brown, the minister at that time, because I
needed a place to begin teaching again. One
thing led to another and Fran and I shared
the expenses taking care of the piano we
taught on in the Upper Room. We enjoyed
performing together occasionally on
Sundays at summer services. I even
conducted the choir for a time for dear Ed.
Fran made sure I picked the right repertory
so no one found themselves in musical
jeopardy.
I have to tell you that as a pre-teen, I was
part of the Scout Troop that met in the
basement of the church, Troop 24. But
that’s not all, the girl I went “steady” with
in junior high school was Carol Buck, that’s
when kids exchanged ID bracelets. She and
her family were members of the church and
contributed to the music program in a big
way – singing and playing – when Ed
Kemp’s father was the Direct of Music.
Carol and I remain lifelong friends. She
lives in Brooklyn now, and plays with many
New York City Symphony orchestras,
chamber ensembles, and for Broadway
shows. So my connection to this
congregation embraces many aspects of
growing up here; from camping with Mr.
Bradley and Mr. Scouts, to first
relationships with special friends, to now.
I have had a lifelong relationship with the
Methodist Church. I have served as soloist
and music director for 5 different Methodist
churches since I was a freshman in college.
The kinship I feel here transcends religious
denominations. It goes to the spiritual
connection that we have shared through
music for more than 5 years. That
connection is what Jenny Weber and I
discussed at lunch one day, and got
everything started for the ensemble. Our
efforts continue with Pastor Glenna, but
without you, and many, many others that
make our concerts possible, North Shore
Chamber Arts Ensemble would not exist.
I hope that answers the questions many
have asked and some that others may have
been reluctant to ask. My dream is that
through our efforts we will move together
to bring folks to the church that might
never know you and this special place.
Blessings,
David Rubens
S
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 8
◆
Few are the time-honored traditions at North Shore United Methodist Church, as
beloved and treasured as the Christmas pageant and the congregation-wide
Christmas luncheon. Both these events were celebrated on December 21, 2014. The
photos below captured some special moments during this festive day.
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 9
St. Valentine’s Day
and its development
February is the month dedicated to love.
Each year on February 14 many people
exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with
their special “Valentine.” This day of
romance is named for a Christian martyr.
But, who was this enigmatic saint and
where did the traditions of the day come
from? The history of Valentine’s Day and
its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. Not
many specifics are known. What we do
know is that February has long been
celebrated as a month of romance and that
St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today,
contains odds and ends of both Christian
and pagan ancient Roman traditions.
Some of these traditions date back to the 5th
century, with roots in the Roman holiday
Lupercalia: a very early, possibly pre-
Roman pastoral festival, observed between
February 13 – 15. The reason for
Lupercalia was to avert evil spirits and
cleanse the city, in order to release health
and fertility.
The Catholic Church recognizes at least
three different saints named Valentine or
Valentinus. One of the legends – and
perhaps the most famous – argues that
Valentine of Rome was a priest who served
in that city during the 3rd century. This
Valentine was condemned to death by
Claudius II, the Roman Emperor in power
at the time. Claudius noticed that single
men made better soldiers than those men
with wives and children, and so, the
Emperor outlawed marriages for young
men in order to build a stronger army. The
priest Valentine (of Rome), realizing the
injustice of the imperial decree, defied
Claudius II and, secretly continued to
perform marriages for young lovers. When
he was found out, he was sentenced to
death.
February 14; however, first became
associated with romantic love in the times
of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle
Ages. Previous to this time, St. Valentine’s
Day was simply a liturgical feast (St.
Valentine’s Day is an official Feast day in
the Anglican Communion and in the
Lutheran Church; a Feast which still exists
today). In 18th century England, the day
developed into an occasion when lovers
expressed their love for each other through
the giving of flowers and gifts. The current
St. Valentine’s Day customs developed in
early modern England and spread
throughout the Anglo-world in the 19th
century.
However, St. Valentine’s Day is not
accepted everywhere, more specifically in
the Islamic world, presenting conflicts both
with religious authorities as well as with
some political parties. In Iran, for example,
the day has been harshly criticized by
Islamic teachers, who see the celebration as
opposite to Islamic culture. Islamic officials
in Malaysia warned Muslims against
celebrating Valentine’s Day, linking it with
cultural pollution. In Pakistan, protests
erupted in Lahore against the celebration of
St. Valentine’s Day, labeling it as a day
aimed more “to consumerism than to love
and to convert the country into a secular
state”. In 2002 and 2008, religious police in
Saudi Arabia band the sale of all Valentine’s
Day items, or anything remotely related to
it, because the day is considered a Christian
holiday.
On the other hand, other countries of the
world have welcomed the day’s celebration.
In China, a man gives chocolate, flowers (or
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 10
Black History Month
Black (African-American) History Month is a month-long, annual celebration observed in the United
States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Both the United States and Canada celebrate during
February; the United Kingdom celebrates in October. The precursor to Black History Month was
created in the United States in 1926. Historian, educator and publisher, Dr. Carter G. Woodson,
founded a week-long celebration he called "Negro History Week." Dr. Woodson selected February
to honor Frederick Douglass and Pres. Abraham Lincoln, both of whose birthdays occur during the
month.
The event had a lukewarm reception. By 1929 The Journal of Negro History was able to note;
however, that with only two exceptions officials with the State Departments of Educations of "every
state with considerable Negro population" had made the occasion known to that state's teachers and
distributed official literature associated with the it." Negro History Week grew in popularity
throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday. In
February 1969, the expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month was first proposed by
the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University.
The first celebration of the Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February
1970. In 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial, the informal expansion of Negro History
Week to Black History Month was officially recognized by the U.S. government. President Gerald
Ford spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often
neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." (Taken from the presidential archives at the University of Texas)
Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987, and Canada's House of
Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1995 and honored black
Canadians.
The usefulness and fairness of this even raises criticism and debates on an annual basis. Morgan
both) to the woman that he loves. In
Finland and Estonia, the day translates into
“Friend’s Day”. As the translation indicates,
the day is more about remembering friends
rather than significant others. The day was
not celebrated much in India until 1992,
when due to programs in commercial TV
channels such as MTV and radio programs
running love-letter-competitions catapulted
the celebrations into the masses.
Even though, many people nowadays still
see Valentine’s Day only as big sales of
flower, candy and cards, a less cynical
approach to St. Valentine’s Day allows us to
view the expression of a most important
aspect of this holiday; that is – love and
appreciation for others – not simply an
abusive exploitation of such noble feelings
as love and friendship..▣
Black History Month stimulates annual debates about the continued usefulness of the month. In The
International Journal of Radical Critic, actor Morgan Freeman said: “I don’t want a black history month.
Black history is American history.” He argues there is no White History Month because the white race
does not want its history relegated to one month of the year only.
The fairness of designating one month to honor a single race has also been questioned. Many people
are concerned about the “hero worshipping” the month focus on. However, some of these fairness
questions have been rectified by the many celebration currently in place; e. i., National Hispanic
Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, LGTB History
Month among them.
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
www.nsumcglencoe.org Page 11
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr challenged us
to build a more perfect union and taught
us that everyone has a role to play in
making America what it ought to be.
After a long struggle, legislation was
signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday
marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. The federal holiday was
first observed in 1986. In 1994,
Congress designated the holiday as a
national day of service.
The MLK Day of Service empowers
individuals, strengthens communities,
bridges barriers, addresses social
problems, and moves us closer to Dr.
King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
Each year, members of the North Shore
United Methodist Church unite their
efforts in service. Below are some
pictures of the 2015 MLK Day of
Service.
MLK
DAY O
F S
ER
VIC
E 2
01
5
MK
L D
AY
OF
SE
RV
ICE
20
15
North Shore United Methodist Church February 2015
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Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . .Rev. Glenna Olumstad Youth/Children Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Barbara Javore
Student Intern. . . . . Caitlyn Butler Choir Director. . . . . Ed Kemp Organist. . . . . . . . . . Tomoko Shibuya Nursery Attendant. .Nancy Gandelman Secretary. . . . . . . . . . Peggy Bucklin Custodian . . . . . . . . . Rick Short
The DEADLINE for March 2015 articles-submission is 02/20/2015. Please contact Carlos
Figueredo ([email protected]) or call him at 773-451-6701.
Church chimes February 2015
February Greeters and Ushers
Greeters Ushers
February 01: Judi and Jim Simmons Rob Powell*
February 08: Cherie, Peter Abels and family Walter Calhoun
February 15: Barb Lepman and Tim Fleming
February 22: Ellen Paseltiner
*Captain
North Shore United Methodist Church 213 Hazel Av., Glencoe, IL 60022 Office: 847-835-1227 Pastor’s cell 847-767-5106 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nsumcglencoe.org
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