Ongoing Response to COVID-19
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-10-14
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
We have a Mission Surprise tonight on our 7 p.m. Wednesday Zoom. See you there.
Wednesday Nights:
1st VESPERS—prayer meeting sponsored by our Worship Team
2nd MISSION TRIP—sponsored by presented by our Mission Team
3rd: DINNER MUSIC—hosted by our Worship Team
4th SUNDAY SCHOOL on WEDNESDAY—a study hosted by our Spiritual Formation Team
5th HAPPY HOUR—social time.
Join our Zoom Gathering each Wednesday at 7 pm
* * *
GOOD NEWS! The DREAAM Big Learning Center comes to First Pres next Monday. DREAAM will use our wifi and Education Building classrooms during the school day Monday-Friday during this pandemic season of remote, online learning. DREAAMers who have trouble getting wifi at home, or who otherwise can’t easily study remotely from at home, will meet at First Pres to do so. Mindy Watt-Ellis is our point person. (ESL currently does not use the space as they are meeting online for now.) This DREAAM program is working in collaboration with Unit 4 of the Champaign Public School District (who will provide food); DREAAM will work within their safety guidelines, the Champaign/Urbana Public Health District, and those of the CDC. Mindy Watts-Ellis is the point person from First Pres; Tracy Dace is the point person from DREAAM. DREAAMers will be divided into three pods, and will total no more than 25-youth and children.
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
Teacher/Student jokes from Carol Penka:
Teacher—Clyde, your composition on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy his?
Clyde—No sir; it’s the same dog
* * *
Teacher—How old is your father?
Kid—He is 6 years old.
Teacher—What? How is this possible?
Kid—He became a father only when I was born.
Good Word:
Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
LET US PRAY:
(Submitted by Jeff Kellam.)
What must I do?
How can I serve you?
Is it true what I do is the way
To be near you?
I’m listening
Though sometimes
I can’t hear you.
Looking around
Fills me with wonder
At the way you can keep
This old world running smoothly.
Thinking of you always
Seems to soothe me.
I know you’re probably
Not a man or a woman
Or a time or a season.
But I’m here, and life is dear
And I guess that’s a good
Enough reason to say—
Just let me do
What you put me here to do.
Let me be what you want me to be.
And I hope it’ll cheer you.
I’m listening,
And I think
I can hear you.
Even when I thought I didn’t believe,
You believed in me.
And everyone is a part of you
And anyone can know you
All they’ve got to do is be.
I’m listening,
And I think
I can hear you.
—“I Think I Can Hear You”
by Carole King
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-10-13
 The Heart of Mission October 13, 2020 Mission is more than volunteerism. It is more than raising money. It is where the world’s greatest need intersects with our greatest gladness. You’ve heard that phrase before from Fredrick Buechner in his book Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC (1973). He said it about vocation, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Generous friends in the community offer free services to our friends as well. Rachel Wilson and others stop in to provide haircuts each month. Joy George comes by every Friday afternoon for an hour to provide notary services. In anticipation of the upcoming election, Jenny Paul has been helping friends who wish to register to vote. Check out our Facebook page for a look at what’s been going on today! A couple of weeks ago, volunteers from area churches served up a fried chicken dinner along with all the fixings. Dozens of people gathered to share food and fellowship, with lots of leftovers for takeout! Several local restaurants, food service firms, and volunteers regularly stop by with snacks, sandwiches, and sweets to share with the Phoenix folks. Miranda Jazdyk, our new Phoenix Coordinator, has been busy organizing and planning for the future. Almost two years ago, Miranda volunteered at the Phoenix. “Since then all I could think of was getting back here,” she related. “Now, lo and behold, here I am!” A full profile of Miranda, along with other new staff, will be featured an upcoming newsletter. Your generous support makes all we do here, including professional staffing and services, possible. We greatly appreciate your gifts and prayers! CYF – STILL LOOKING! Have you ever considered teaching middle schoolers or high schoolers with our own Children, Youth and Families? See Mindy@firstpres.church if you would like to help our educational mission! Signing up is easy! Last month, over 1,100 people from across the world joined Faith in Place for our first-ever virtual Green Team Summit! By hosting the Summit online, we were able to welcome attendees from 49 states and 25 different countries. Rather than one busload of participants from Central Illinois, close to 200 of us were able to join the workshops. Over five days, fifteen speakers with expertise ranging from cell biology to youth empowerment explored the complex issues of climate change, racism, and COVID-19. Breakout rooms in each workshop created space for connection as attendees explored solutions to the crises our communities face. |
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-10-12
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
A friend submitted this poem. Please share with me some of your favorite poems that mark the milestone that is autumn. Thanks.
Covid Poem
When this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way–better
for each other
because of the worst.
– Laura Kelley Fanucci
* * *
News
Men’s Bible Study Tuesdays 8 am
Join Zoom Meeting
Don’t forget these conversations on PUBLIC SAFETY: The City of Champaign is pleased to invite you to participate in a community listening session to share your vision for public safety in our community. All residents, business owners and community stakeholders are encouraged to take part. The goal is to help create better communication and understanding between Champaign Police, City Administrators and community members by allowing you to directly voice your thoughts and expectations around policing. Each session will include Chief of Police Anthony Cobb and Police command staff, City Manager Dorothy David, and elected City officials. The listening sessions will be moderated by Dr. Travis Dixon, an American media studies scholar and Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois.
Determining the future of policing in our community should be a collaborative process involving community partnerships, and the first step in that process is to hear from you. Each listening session will be used to gather information from the public so it can be shared with the City Council as they make future public safety policy decisions to best address the needs, interests, and values of our community. Virtual Listening Session Dates:
· Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the listening sessions will be held electronically using the Zoom meeting platform. More information on how to join and participate, including how to attend via Zoom can be found on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
Two from Marge Olsen:
I accidentally rubbed ketchup in my eye. Now I have Heinzsight.
I visited the monastery and walked past the kitchen where I saw a monk frying potato chips. I asked, “Are you the friar?” He said, “No, I’m the chip monk.”
Good Word:
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
8 Finally, beloved,[a] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[b] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
LET US PRAY:
I know that there’s a reason why I need to be alone.
I need to find a quiet place that I can call my own.
Is it mine? Oh, Lord, is it mine?
(Supertramp)
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-10-09
Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Yesterday I walked 12 times around Westside Park. Counterclockwise. It was a lovely day and I was visiting with another local pastor, a very healthy pastor with strong legs. We talked about the future of the church, of Christendom, of denominationalism. You know about those conversations. You’ve had them before. If you’re not careful, you’ll talk yourself into a nervous breakdown. What is it about the future that makes us anxious?
We ended by reminding ourselves that God still is sovereign. We can trust God with the future. Don’t worry, said Paul. Have no anxiety about anything. Whew—that is always good news.
Our church is thinking about “stewardship” for the next month. How are you going to “spend” your life to God’s glory? I think it’s a great question. I’ve been asking it my whole adult life. But it’s never been just an intellectual exercise; it’s one rooted in praxis.
My love for God and neighbor can’t devolve into just a warm gushy feeling. That love needs to be borne out in action: checks written, handshakes (pre Covid) made, stories swapped, cups of cool water served, concerns shared, miles walked in somebody else’s shoes.
Stewardship. The sty warden taking care of the pig sty, suggests the Old English. It’s a lot to think about. And we have a lot to give thanks for.
See you on Sunday, okay?
Pay attention to God’s activity in the world around you. (It’s there.)
Be amazed.
Tell somebody.
PEACE,
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
* * *
The PHOTO Challenge will resume next week…stay tuned!
* * *
News
Saturdays French Prayer Service 6 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
* * *
Michael Hedges channels Jimi Hendrix…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
A song for the fall…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Abraham Lincoln’s pep talk (w/ Leonard Berstein)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-10-08
Thursday, October 8th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
It was quiet this morning in the sanctuary during our time of prayer and meditation. The sun made all things golden and bright. I’m not a morning person. This morning was glorious.
* * *
News:
Sunday in the Park….This Sunday, October 11, 11 am at Hessel Park. Wear a mask and bring your lawn chairs; we will gather for an hour near the Pavilion at the north end of the park.
Men’s Prayer Fridays 8:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting
Don’t forget these conversations on PUBLIC SAFETY: The City of Champaign is pleased to invite you to participate in a community listening session to share your vision for public safety in our community. All residents, business owners and community stakeholders are encouraged to take part. The goal is to help create better communication and understanding between Champaign Police, City Administrators and community members by allowing you to directly voice your thoughts and expectations around policing. Each session will include Chief of Police Anthony Cobb and Police command staff, City Manager Dorothy David, and elected City officials. The listening sessions will be moderated by Dr. Travis Dixon, an American media studies scholar and Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois.
Determining the future of policing in our community should be a collaborative process involving community partnerships, and the first step in that process is to hear from you. Each listening session will be used to gather information from the public so it can be shared with the City Council as they make future public safety policy decisions to best address the needs, interests, and values of our community. Virtual Listening Session Dates:
· Friday, Oct. 9, 1-3 p.m.
· Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the listening sessions will be held electronically using the Zoom meeting platform. More information on how to join and participate, including how to attend via Zoom can be found on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
Teacher/Student jokes from Carol Penka:
Teacher—Maria, go to the map and find North America.
Maria—Here it is.
Teacher—Correct. Now, class, who discovered America?
Class—Maria.
Good Word:
PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9
1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
LET US PRAY:
Holy God we give you thanks for the angel-song of your grace…
for the sweetness of life,
for blessings too numerous to count,
too subtle for us even to notice,
for the last bright fall flowers,
for lime-green leaves dreaming of an autumn wardrobe of color,
for the holy way others hold us tenderly in their prayers . . .
for these and all our myriad blessings,
accept our praise and thanks.
Amen
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church