Our Tuesday series “Peace in Corona Times” concluded this past week. What a rich gathering of care-full and respectful conversation on our diverse needs and understandings of what’s needed in this fragile and divided time. We had a total of 9 people participate in one or more session, including a number of visitors.  Each week, David Angel and I co-led a session grounded in discussion of Scripture nuggets on peace and related themes, and then shifted to a structured time of sharing and silence on discussion questions.  Thanks to all who shared of themselves!

Special thanks to David Angel for his vision for this and subsequent events which are a part of our grant-funded program “A Deeper Work: Listening, Learning and Leading Together.  We’ll take a break this next week, and then he will be lead co-pilot on the discussions of “Building Community Online” which start July 7 at 7:30pm.

I have amended my vacation schedule in order to serve the Hoppe family in these days, and was so relieved we had not left town yet.  Please hold Nancy and family in prayer, as they honor Don and attend to one another.  I’ll be taking a break tomorrow morning and officially off the afternoon of June 29-July 7th.

We’ll be making a quick careful trip to North Dakota to see my family.  Pastor Krista Paradiso of  Elston Avenue UMC is on call for pastoral emergencies. Contact Deacon Duane Ulrich if you have a need to reach her, at 404-660-8108. Rev. Wayne MacPherson will be preaching July 5th and July 12th. (Tomorrow’s service will be led by laity.)

Peace and love,
Pastor Jacki

PS. Speaking of peace, one of the things that makes for peace for me is the sense of teamwork in the air. Your leaders are working hard to expedite planning on the massive fundraising challenge for this summer.  If you’re interested in joining the Roof Funding Committee (which will include a twin project with sanctuary roof and organ), contact President Ed Thomas (ethomas@zebra.com) or Pastor Jacki (jacki@edenuccchicago.org) by Tuesday., June 30th.  Thanks to Larry, Ed, Linda and Erin for “yes” so far!