At the start of the 2010-2011 school year, the Lake View Presbyterian Church Social Justice Committee braced for another year of gun violence in Chicago. Far too many of the city’s youth were being lost each year, and the church wanted to recognize the names of those who were being killed. A candle was lit in worship for every youth lost. Each week the names were read, and the numbers grew. There were just too many.

But there was another story to tell, too, although it was one the media would never report. Every year for the last 40years, Lake View Academy, a program of Lake View Presbyterian Church, had been educating some of the city’s most at-risk high school students. By the time the 2010-11school year ended, more than 140 of them had graduated from the alternative high school housed in the church – and they were very much alive.

It was important, the church reasoned, not only to remember those who had been lost but also to recommit to those who were being saved. On June 29, about 75 people attended a special service to do just that. They were greeted by rows of t-shirts– one for each of the 77 young people who had been killed by guns during the school year – hanging emptily from steel bars in the church lawn.

Inside, the names of those killed by guns were read as members of the congregation carried lighted candles to the altar. It was a solemn procession that underscored the tragedy of lives lost too soon and taken too lightly.

As the candles burned lower, attention turned to the Lake View Academy students who remained. This time, a procession of members brought flowers forward as Lake View Academy teachers read the names of the 144 graduates. When they were through, the blossoms overflowed their vases and lay in fragrant disarray around the now-extinguished candles.

Building on the growing optimism, LVPC Pastor Joy Douglas Strome announced that a mentoring program for Lake View Academy students would begin in the fall, offering an additional source of encouragement and support. And, she added, the offering from the service would be dedicated to the Academy.

The service closed with the congregation singing “Here I Am, Lord,” a hymn of dedication, commitment and caring. When it ended, those lost had been remembered. Those who were full of life and possibility were remembered too. It was, in short, a powerful way to finish one year and prepare for another.

Call it a “denominational gathering” or “a big, Presbyterian family reunion.” Whatever you call it, the Big Tent was that – and more. The second biennial Big Tent took place June 30 – July 3, 2011 in Indianapolis. Billed as a celebration of ministry and mission, the event was diverse and intergenerational, and offered participants the opportunity to worship together, learn together and experience the rich fellowship of the broader church. Kerry Rice, manager of the General Assembly meeting service remarked, “You won’t get a chance to see as many parts of the church in one place as you will at Big Tent.”

Conferences in the Tent

This year nine church-related groups that typically hold annual or biennial conferences chose to meet during the event.

• Clergywomen’s Leadership Institute/Young Women’s Leadership Development
• Evangelism and Church Growth Conference
• Healthy Ministry Conference
• National Elders Conference
• National Multicultural Church Conference
• Peacemaking Conference
• Presbyterian Communicators Network National Conference
• Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation
• World Mission Matters

The Big Tent drew many participants from Chicago Presbytery. Dawn Koyzis, member of Glen Ellyn First was a first-timer. She was there to network with the Louisville Communications and Funds Development staff, with whom she’s worked on a number of contract projects. When asked what the best part of Big Tent was, Dawn had some difficulty pinning one thing down. “It was all good! Getting to know new people, sharing insights and ideas is always exciting. It was great to experience the exhibit hall, to be able to take workshops I can use back home in my church. And it was heartening to see all the youth programs filled with the next generation of Presbyterians! But I suppose the worship was a highlight for me. At a time when the church is praying for direction and guidance, the messages were hopeful and very meaningful.”

The Multicultural Conference at Big Tent featured Korean dancers. Photo by Danny Bolin.

From Success to Significance

The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II, director of public witness for the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Washington Office preached at the closing worship on Saturday evening. His message was entitled “Moving from success to significance.”

“Truly, this has been a blessed event,” he said. “A time when we can declare the Presbyterian Church is alive and well. And now we are being moved to return to our places and to do greater things.

“Let’s consider moving from success to significance,” Nelson said. “We are at an in-between time,” he said.

“We have a choice. We can live into the mystery of God’s desire for us and what we ought to become. . . . We used to have numbers. We used to have clout. We used to have collection baskets overflowing. . . . We used to be successful, but like the exilic people in the text today (Isaiah 43:14-21), God is calling ourselves back.

“We must understand that identity and imagination must lead our transformation,” he said. “At the core of our challenge is making a new identity…our identity is discovering who we are, not who we used to be.”

The successful candidate will be an accomplished musician, strong organizational skills, and possess musical background and performance skills.  Strong vocal ability mixed with guitar and/or keyboard talent is preferred, along with a minimum of 1-2 years experience in worship leadership.  The candidate must be a strong spiritual leader and team builder who also is willing and able to shepherd volunteers. 

A complete job description can be viewed by clicking on the following link: 

 http://www.firstpreswheaton.org/employment/employment.shtml

 Please forward your cover letter and resume by email to David Lincoln, Director of Music Ministries at:  dlincoln@firstpreswheaton.org

Position available immediately

 Previous secretarial or managerial experience required

 Working knowledge of Microsoft Office required, knowledge of Microsoft Publisher and Quick Books desirable Must be able to work independently without continuous direction and maintain good organizational skills

 Reply to United Church of Hyde Park

1448 E 53rd Street, Chicago, 60615 or e mail resume to uchp1448@yahoo.com

Read the full posting

Location: 1300 West Crescent Ave, Park Ridge, IL  60068

Position:  Director of Youth and Family Ministry

Type: Full Time (~ 40 hrs./week)

Read full post

Name of Organization:  Church of the Cross, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

 Address:                         475 W. Higgins Rd.
                                            Hoffman Estates, IL 60169                                                 

Telephone No.:            847-885-1199

Contact Person;           Apply on the Church’s website :  cotc-pcusa.org/forms

COTC currently is conducting a search for an individual with the ability to equip lay leaders for their educational ministries by organizing, coordinating and administering the necessary training.   

 This is a part-time salary position and responsibilities include relating to the Pastor as the Head of Staff, to the CE Ministry as a contributing member, to lay members as a trainer and administrator, and to nursery attendants as supervisor.  A full position description follows this letter.

 A drug screen and background check will be required. 

 Interviews will be scheduled upon review of applications.

Position Description

It is led by Elder Charlie Johnson.  Part of the reason for this program is that, at least since Louis Armstrong was growing up in New Orleans, young people who are serious about learning their instrument do not have time to hang around on the street.

If you have any band instruments, but no one to play them anymore, please consider donating them to Pine Avenue Performing Arts.

Elder Charlie Johnson can be reached at 773-626-2528 (h) or 773-208-7513 (cell), or you may call or contact Pine Avenue United Church at 1015 North Pine Avenue Chicago, IL 60651-2704 Phone: 773-287-4777.

Job duties include coordinating and unifying the Christian education program, acting as a consultant for all phases of Christian education, recruiting and training teachers, and continuing to work toward the mission of the church. Salary is competitive and is commensurate with experience.

Please email resumes to henrycpc@sbcglobal.net, or mail to First Presbyterian Church, Attn: Mr. Doug Wise or Rev. Henry Kim. For additional information or questions, see Pastor Henry or contact him at pastorhenryk@gmail.com or phone 630-968-5432.

Heritage Presbyterian Church in Carol Stream needs to replace the carpeting in the narthex and would like to know if any other churches may have replaced their old carpeting with tile or other non-carpet flooring recently. Our coffee fellowship hour is held in our narthex, and we are fearing the possibility of increased noise without the carpeting. Anyone with recent experiences or suggestions would be most appreciated. Call me (630-665-8157) or just let me know via e-mail.

Thanks,

Nick Shargo