Ongoing Response to COVID-19
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-23
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
I hope to see you tonight on our Wednesday Zoom. Pat Phillips will be our discussion leader, so expect to grow! (She’s a great discussion leader.)
What’s your favorite season? Write me so that I can include your words here. My favorite season is the beginning of Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
Share a favorite fall recipe. I’ll share my version of my father’s mother’s Brunswich Stew soon. It’s a little too warm for stew, but soon.
Bless you all…
News:
TAKE ON RACE: Tori Morgan is part of our White Fragility book study and she shares this video that discusses color blindness: https://www.
* * *
WENESDAY VESPERS: Pat Phillips shares this about our Wednesday Vespers tonight (7:00 p.m. All are welcome.) A film featuring Rachel Held Evans will be shared at the Vespers Service Sept. 23. It’s called “Love Is Biblical”; Rachel talks about the new family we’re to be part of creating and whether we’re acting as gatekeepers or welcoming, as Jesus did, outcasts or simply those of whom we may disapprove. As her friend Nadia Bolz-Weber said, “What if the person you’ve been trying to avoid is your best shot at grace today?”
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
* * *
‘‘SUNDAY IN THE PARK” The Nurture Committee invites you to gather in Hessel Park on September 27th. God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. God specifically designed us to have relationships with each other. Therefore, bring your lawn chairs and let’s gather for an hour at 11 am near the Pavilion at the north end of the park. The committee will be available to guide you to our location and provide a safe location following social distancing, sanitation and guidelines such as wearing masks.
Psalms 133:1 NIV- How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
We had 29 people at the Hessel Park gathering on Sept. 13th. We would sure like to see more on the 27th. We plan to do these gatherings every other Sunday as the weather permits.
* * *
PRIVATE PRAYER… Our Sanctuary will be open for private prayer on Thursday, September 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. While there will be no organized service, you may come and sit in the space to pray and meditate. Physical distancing, masks, sign in with temperature check, and registration/contact tracing will be operative. Our worship team will greet and assist you. Only fifty people at a time will be allowed in. Bring your own Bible or hymnals if you wish, as the pew materials have all been removed as a safety precaution. See you on Thursday!
* * *
GOOD NEWS! The Session approved DREAAM to 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.
* * *
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:
· Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m.
· Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m.
· Saturday, Oct. 3, 1-3 p.m.
· 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):
I love your corny jokes. Here are a few from David Hunter:
* * *
If all the cars in this country were red, what would we have? A red carnation.
* * *
What is a soldier’s life like? It’s intense.
* * *
Forbidden fruits create lots of jams.
* * *
What happens when the smog lifts in California? UCLA
* * *
Why can’t you buy the tower of Pisa? There’s a lien on it.
Good Word:
I John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
LET US PRAY:
How can I serve you today, O God?
If you don’t tell me, I’m just
going to be me. I’m just going
to act like myself. I’ll let my
true colors shine on through—
just like the song says.
You may see your face in mine
even if I don’t. And you may
delight in my ministry even if
I don’t know I’m doing any.
I hope so.
AMEN.
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-22
In addition to our Heart of Mission newsletter (below), we have a lot of news for our Tuesday emailer. Hear ye, hear ye…
‘‘SUNDAY IN THE PARK”… The Nurture Committee invites you to gather in Hessel Park on September 27. God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. God specifically designed us to have relationships with each other. Therefore, bring your lawn chairs and let’s gather for an hour at 11 am near the Pavilion at the north end of the park. The committee will be available to guide you to our location and provide a safe location following social distancing, sanitation and guidelines such as wearing masks.
Psalms 133:1 NIV- How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
We had 29 people at the Hessel Park gathering on September 13. We would sure like to see more on the 27th. We plan to do these gatherings every other Sunday as the weather permits.
PRIVATE PRAYER… Our Sanctuary will be open for private prayer on Thursday, September 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. While there will be no organized service, you may come and sit in the space to pray and meditate. Physical distancing, masks, sign in with temperature check, and registration/contact tracing will be operative. Our worship team will greet and assist you. Only fifty people at a time will be allowed in. Bring your own Bible or hymnals if you wish, as the pew materials have all been removed as a safety precaution. See you on Thursday!
GOOD NEWS!… The Session approved DREAAM to 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.
PRIDE FEST PRAYER SERVICE… Happy Pride, Champaign-Urbana! TONIGHT, 7 pm (Tuesday before CU’s Annual Pride celebration) you are invited to an Interfaith Pride Service online. This service is in the spirit of “t’shuvah,” the opportunity for renewal that Jewish people seek during this season in their spiritual life. Our service happens to be sandwiched between the two Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Our Pride-themed Interfaith Service will offer, from a myriad faith traditions, words of renewal for LGBTQ+ folks from faith leaders from around our community. The event will be livestreamed on the facebook pages of Illini Hillel and Community UCC, as well as offered on Zoom.
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-21
Monday, September 21st, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Our dog is 16 and a half. She’s hobbling into the last season of her long life. In the mornings it takes her a while to stand up. Sometimes she moans. We assume she aches. She has accidents a lot now. Her hind legs often give out when she’s coming up or down the three steps into our back door. But her appetite is good, she still likes you to rub behind her ears, and when she hears something through the front screen door, she barks like crazy. Her eyes are dull, but she still fancies herself our guard dog and great protector. We love that about her, and, while I used to hush her sternly when she barked, I never do now. Bark, girl, bark.
Yesterday I spent much of the afternoon sitting with her in the sun on our deck. I wrote, and she watched the squirrels and the breeze stir the branches of the burning bush, pink honeysuckle, and Chinese elm.
There’s something sweet about sitting with an old dog in the sun on a cool, fall day. You take more time to notice things, like the single red maple leaf lying on the grass in our back yard from our maple tree that is full—for now—of still-green leaves. A single, bright, red maple leaf.
These signs portend change. It’s literally in the air. A change is coming for my dog. For me. For the leaves. I am led to believe that God had exactly this in mind when God created the cosmos.
And it’s all, very, very good.
My dog and I are taking note.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell somebody.
News:
Grief and Loss:
https://www.aarp.org/home-
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) website contains a Grief & Loss section with grief-related articles and information.
Tuesdays 8 am Men’s Bible Study
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
Here’s an old chestnut that Brandi Lowe stole from somewhere:
Before he died, Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his plane arrived there was a limousine waiting to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver .
“You know,” he said, “I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?”
The driver said, “No problem. Be my guest!” Billy gets into the driver’s seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap.
The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure.
The young trooper walked up to the driver’s door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving.
He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, “I know we are supposed to enforce the law, but I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.”
The supervisor asked, “Is it the governor?” The young trooper said, “No, he’s more important than that.” The supervisor said, “Oh, so it’s the president.” The young trooper said, “No, he’s even more important than that.”
The supervisor finally asked, “Well then, who is it?”
The young trooper said, “I think it’s Jesus, because he’s got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!”
Good Word:
“LET LOVE BE GENUINE. ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL; HOLD FAST TO WHAT IS GOOD. LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY AND SISTERLY AFFECTION. OUTDO ONE ANOTHER IN SHOWING HONOR.” ROMANS 12:9-10
LET US PRAY:
Open our eyes, O God,
that we don’t miss a moment
of today’s splendor.
AMEN.
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-18
Friday 18 September 2020
Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt like you were in a wilderness? I’ll explore that in my sermon on Sunday.
When I think of “wilderness” it excites and frightens me. I’ve walked a small part of the Appalachian Trail and seen sunsets from beautiful, dangerous overlooks. I’ve explored the Chesapeake Bay on sailboats; an abiding story in my family story book is how Uncle Jim spent the night hanging on to the rudder of an upside down sailboat. Several died in that down-the-bay sailboat race beset by an unforeseen squall before the Coast Guard could rescue the likes of my uncle.
Wilderness.
Been there? Cancer? Fox hole? Pandemic? Do you know a friend in the wilderness now?
Bring your thoughts and your prayer concerns.
See you on Sunday.
* * *
Pay attention to God’s activity in the world around you.
Be amazed.
Tell somebody.
PEACE,
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
* * *
PHOTO Challenge!
From your Nurture Team — Congrats to Naomi Rempe for being the first to guess last Friday’s
Here’s this week’s photo.
Visit http://fb.com/groups/
Please join in the fun! We would like you to select a photo from your younger years (grade school, high school or early adulthood). Photos need not be professional. Candid shots are welcome. Please send your photos to photos@
* * *
Vivaldi. Autumn!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
* * *
Sailing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
* * *
Friday’s song for the refugee (remembering Jesus’ flight into Egypt): https://www.youtube.
* * *
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-17
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Brandi Lowe wants me to share this letter with you. I’m glad to do so:
Dear Presbyterian Sisters,
As a part of First Presbyterian Church Champaign, you are already a Presbyterian woman with your own unique God-given gifts. Today, I invite you to join me and become a part of our Presbyterian Women’s group.
Presbyterian Women (PW) does a lot to enrich our experiences at the church. We nurture faith, build community, support mission, and bring hope to those around us.
When I first joined PW, as a new member at the church in my early 20s. I was immediately welcomed and made to feel right at home. These women have been my mentors and friends ever since. Sometimes, going to circle is hard for me because of my schedule, but I find that every time I go, I never regret it. I am fed by the knowledge of the group and the love we share together. My prayer is that you all will join me this year.
At our Circles, we socialize, share news from near and far, and spend time learning about the bible through writings and discussion. I especially like hearing different perspectives from the others in the group. Nobody’s life is just like mine and we all bring different experiences and lessons with us. I always learn something.
This year’s study is “Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament.” Currently, we have three PW Circles that meet every 4th Thursday of the month. We will be meeting through Zoom (an online meeting place). We hope that you can find a time that fits your schedule. The schedule is located on the back of this letter.
Many women find that even though they want to attend a circle, their schedules don’t allow it. Please see the attached page to find a task that you could do that would take a minimal time commitment. Many women find that this is a way to participate even though they can’t commit to a circle. Please return your completed attached page to the church office in care of Presbyterian Women. Each small act of kindness or service is greatly appreciated.
If you wish to support our with with a financial donation, it can be sent to our treasurer, Carol Penka, in ℅ First Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Church, Champaign, IL 61820. Thank you.
Above all, we could use your prayers. Sometimes, that is all we can do. There may be a number of reasons we can’t commit to a task or showing up to a meeting, but we can pray. Your prayers mean the world to us. Please pray for PW to be effective at enriching lives, nurturing faith, building community, supporting mission, and bringing hope to others.
*Pssst…. men can pray for us too.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Your sister in Christ,
Brandi Lowe
News:
Circle details:
Circles (Groups) meet every 4th Thursday of the month. Our first meeting will be September 24. If you have any questions about PW or how to use Zoom, please contact a Circle leader.
Please join us via Zoom for one of the following times:
Morning Circle of Joy: 9 a.m.
Led by Joanne Walther
Kathy Schoeffmann
Led by Julie Shult
Nancy Pippin
Evening Circle of Peace: 7 p.m.
Led by Carol Penka
Diane Mortensen
** Note: Email zoom@firstpres.church for the links.
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
From Dave Hunter: I have a step ladder. I never knew my real ladder.
From Bill Gamble: A flight had just taken off from JFK, heading for London. The PA came on with this message. “Welcome aboard. This the first completely
automated trans-Atlantic flight. There is no one in the cockpit. Just
sit back and relax, as nothing can go wrong…go wrong…go wrong…”
From Gary Peterson: Why did the pony get sent to his room? He wouldn’t stop horsing around.
Good Word:
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
LET US PRAY:
Use
us
today,
O
God.
AMEN.
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church