Dear friends,
On Sunday morning during worship, we heard from Joann from BEDS Plus who shared about their efforts, along with the efforts of so many other agencies, to help keep people in their homes. If you didn’t have a chance to hear her, I hope you’ll click on the image of Joann below and listen to her words about their important work that continues to grow more urgent.
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You can read more about our Lenten Challenge below and on our website. I’d encourage you to help spread the word, not just about the money we’re raising, but also about the services being provided. Joann asked us to share a flyer that provides information about the eviction prevention services available in our region (not just at BEDS). Click here to visit our Lenten Challenge page where there's more information and the PDF of the flyer.
So, what’s the “challenge” in Lenten Challenge? Our Session is “challenging” the congregation to give as you are able to support this important mission project. To encourage you to give generously, the Session is committing additional funds to match the congregational gifts. What a great chance for us to have a significant impact in our community. This is a short campaign as we’re hoping to wrap it up by March 14. The great news is that several of you have already contributed and we’ve raised over $3,000 already. Jump in as you are able! Again, please read the article below that has more information and a compelling story.
Thank you again to those of you who have prepared our daily Lenten Reflections. I’ve heard from many folks that the reflections have been quite a meaningful way to engage with scripture, read the perspectives of someone in our community, and then spend some time in prayer. If you haven’t had a chance to join in yet, why not start today? Also, a special thank you to Michelle Hennessy for creating the daily emails. It is a great deal of work in addition to all of the other digital communications work that she does for us. Thank you Michelle!
I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. We’ll be considering anger … what a fun topic!? Actually, it is a pretty important topic as it is something we all experience in our lives and something that Jesus had a lot to say about. We’ll be celebrating communion during our service, so be sure to have some bread/cracker and fruit of the vine (juice/wine). After worship there will be Sunday School for our elementary students (see links below).
Also, one more invitation to join us in reading Entering the Passion of Jesus during the next several weeks. Even if you're not up for the early rising, you are welcome to purchase a book and read it on your own. Copies are available for $10 and we've got a few copies left.
Peace,
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Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
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No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS! |
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Let's Continue to Fill the can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
Our regular Monday morning delivery has helped to make a greater impact on the community that 2nd Baptist serves. Please continue to remember our neighbors who struggle with hunger and, as you are doing your grocery shopping, consider adding a couple extra items for the pantry. Food items can be dropped off Sunday mornings or any time during the week in the can near the entrance from the parking lot.
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2021 Lenten Challenge
It was great hearing Joann Boblick, BEDS Plus Care Manager of Stabilization Services during our Moment for Mission this past Sunday. Joann shared about the critical need for BEDS Plus Care services by individuals and families at a critical time in their journey. People in our communities are having lives upended through no fault of their own with the pandemic and circumstances beyond their control. People are unable to keep up with their rent, mortgages, or utilities.
BEDS Plus helped a local family faced eviction when their primary income earner died from COVID-19. He left behind his wife, an elementary school child, and a preschooler. The mom had worked before the pandemic but stopped after schools closed for hybrid sessions. The family suddenly had no income and faced losing their housing almost immediately after the loss of their beloved husband and father. The mother's friends and family rallied around her to help with childcare, and she found employment. BEDS Homeless Prevention program provided four months of rental assistance so the family would be able to stay in their home.
Jackie, a senior, fell behind on her rent after losing her caregiver job when her client passed away. Jackie filed for unemployment and was approved for just over $700 per month in benefits. She rents a small studio for only $640 per month and frequents food pantries to keep her food costs down. Jackie fell behind on rent while waiting for unemployment benefits. With so little income she did her best to pay bills and started looking for work. With the pandemic, caregiving jobs became scarce. BEDS was able to get Jackie caught up on her rent through grants they had received. The caseworker assisted Jackie in reapplying for unemployment to qualify for the CARES Act federal benefit of an additional $600 per week in unemployment allowing Jackie to build her savings. Jackie worked with her caseworker to be better equipped to rejoin the workforce. With this help, Jackie no longer faces uncertainty and possible homelessness but a stable and hopeful future.
The Session approved a request from the Mission Committee to contribute $3,000 of mission funds to the emergency programs at BEDS Plus and we’d like to encourage the congregation to join in supporting with additional contributions. As an exciting inspiration to give generously, the Session has decided to match contributions from you all! This means that for every dollar you contribute, the Session will contribute an additional dollar! You can donate online at presbyws.org/donate (choose “Lenten Challenge”) or by dropping a check off at PCWS marked “BEDS” on the memo line.
We would ask any donations be made through PCWS by Sunday March 14th. We will then send all of the funds to BEDS Plus for their immediate use to help people in great need. If you have any questions contact Pastor Erik, or Ande Anderson.
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IT’S BACK…..
The annual clothing donation opportunity for the Cara Program through CD One Price Cleaners. Each March we share this chance to sort through your closets and take gently used professional attire to any CD One Price Cleaners in the city or suburbs. CD Cleaners will professionally clean all professional attire donations through March 27th. Clothing items will be given to Cara, a non-profit organization helping people affected by poverty find and keep quality jobs while rebuilding hope, self-esteem and opportunity for themselves and their families. Cara has been going strong for 30 years in this critical mission helping people
The most needed items are suits, blouses, ties, sport jackets and dress pants. The detailed list of accepted women’s and men’s clothing is at the Cara website
If you wish to avoid contact with store employees due to Covid, place your clothes neatly in a bag, seal and label the bag “Cara” and drop the bag at one of the donation bins at the select locations in our area:
2425 75th Street, Darien
5555 S. Brainard Avenue, Countryside
640 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove
You can learn more about the Cara Program’s impact as they celebrate their 30th anniversary as a vital mission in employment and life stabilization at their website. If you have questions contact Janet (Ande) Andersen.
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Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba, especially this week we pray for Grecia, Maria Eugenia, Nilda, and Raul
Our men & women serving our country in the Armed Services
The people of Syria, and especially the relatives of PCWS’ Interfaith Women’s Book Group
First responders, nurses, doctors, and others providing care to others
Ann, friend of Joyce & Herb Smyers
Betty Anderson
Bill Ingersoll
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Caryle Aitken Wilkie
Don Heizer, friend of the McMahons
Eva Kelly, mother of Tom Kelly
Family and friends of Wayne Filar, Candice Mares’ cousin
George Bruser, uncle of Donna Kanak & Diane Bonner
H. Edward Jordan, father of Laura Fruit
Holly Oliver, daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez, friend of the Merrifield family
Jan Fortina
John Kregg
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Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
Mary Jo Blough
Mary Jo Long
Mary Kate Miller, step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary, dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael, friend of Jane Norman
Nate & Joann Dardick, friends of Laurie Merrifield
Norb Mirlenbrink, Uncle of Lori Carsten
Pat McTiernan, friend of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Pat White, friend of Becky Glasscock
Paulette Erickson, friend of Carol Ulreich
Peggy Mirlenbrink, aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke, niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Shannon Cavanaugh, niece of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Steve Coates, husband of Stephanie Coates
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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Stephen Ministers Are Available
Does COVID-19 have you feeling some type of way? Depressed maybe? Have you suffered the loss of a job and just can't get back on your feet? Going or gone through a divorce? Grieving the loss of a loved one? Everyone hurts at some point in life and can benefit from a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are specially trained members of our very own congregation who provide one-to-one Christian Care to people who need someone to talk to. All caring relationships are completely confidential, free (meaning no charge), and provide emotional and spiritual support to those in need.
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3/4 Amy Seus
3/4 Dawn Mansfield
3/5 Leah Skjei
3/7 Isabella Bunt
3/8 Barbara Lorsbach
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3/11 Philip Galloway
3/11 Steve Skjei
3/14 Berry Allen
3/14 Jenna Harrison
3/14 Laura Martin
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Ministry Support
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS. There are 2 convenient ways:
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Dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558, or
- Donating online - click the button below.
Did you know you can use our giving site to set-up recurring or one-time payments (there's no fee when you use your checking or savings account.) Since we’re not gathering in-person, this would be a good time to set-up electronic payments. Please contact our Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers, with any questions or for instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
If you choose to use a credit card, we appreciate if you will include the amount of the fee charged by the credit card company.
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Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time.
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PCWS Office Closed
The PCWS office remains closed during the pandemic. Our office staff are working remotely and on a limited basis. If you need immediate assistance, please email Pastor Erik or leave a message for him on his church extension which he checks regularly, or call his cell. Staff is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.
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