Congo Connection - Summer 2022

FIRST SUMMER 2022 CBOrinNginGg tOogetCheOr faNithNEcComTmIuOnitNy. VEVES OF LO BIOGRAPHIES OF LI GRACE First Congregational Church of Western Springs | 1106 Chestnut Street | 708.246.1900 | wscongo.org

A PASTORAL LETTER Dear Friends, Friends, this is one of the most engaged and faithful discernment processes I I hope this note finds you full of joy in have experienced in my almost 25 years this Eastertide. As you receive this issue here as your senior pastor. I’ve been so of Congo Connection, spring is now proud of the conversations, dialogue and upon us, and we begin May 22 respect shown by this congregation for worshipping at 9:30 a.m. (Live-streaming each other. I look forward to the will continue.) We fully expect to soon conversation and vote on June 19. enjoy glorious and smile-filled coffee hours under the warm, morning sun. Most of you are aware that I believe this Covenant is one of the ways in which we Our semi-annual meeting will be say to each other, our communities and happening soon as well. On Sunday, the world, that we believe God calls us to June 19 immediately following our 9:30 welcome and affirm all people as a.m. worship, our Moderator Amy created in God’s image. I have been Baldwin will call the semi-annual enriched by your varied perspectives and meeting to order. I hope you will be questions on the Covenant, and hope present, either in person or virtually. We that you have felt heard and valued. will gather together to discern (albeit imperfectly) as faithfully as we are able, So, as we near the date we gather to who God is calling us to be. This is one discern God’s vision for us, I ask you to way in which we strive to “be the hold close our church’s constitution, church.” which states in its opening sentences, “The government of this Church is At the semi-annual meeting this year, vested in its Members acting as a whole, we will receive updates on the and … We believe in the freedom and stewardship of our campus and responsibility of the individual soul and finances and other ministries, and the right of private judgment.” Our discuss and vote on whether or not current church motto beautifully echoes to affirm the Covenant of Inclusion. that vision and our discernment process: I trust you are aware of the numerous Diverse in Thought. United in Christ. opportunities there were to be in conversation with other church See you in church — either online or in members about this Covenant. I person — this summer! estimate that over 150 different individuals have been in small group Yours in Christ, meetings, and dozens more had one- on-one conversations with your pastors. Rich

Featured on the cover (clockwise from top IN left): Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Edith Cavell, Alberta THIS King, Rev. Bill R. Johnson, Dolly Parton, Bryan ISSUE Stevenson and Rachel Held Evans. 04 LIVES OF LOVE, BIOGRAPHIES OF GRACE 07 08 Our summer worship series explores the faith, passion and spiritual growth of several renowned 09 personalities as well as church members. 10 11 ORDINATION: THE SPIRIT. THE WEIGHT. THE WOW. Senior Pastor Rich Kirchherr considers the numerous ordinations over the past 30 years at First Congregational Church of Western Springs. FAITH WITH OUR SLEEVES ROLLED UP Bob Battista discusses the important role of our Mission & Outreach Committee. LOVE, FAITH & TRUST: An Interview with Kelsey Murphy MasterChef winner Kelsey Murphy talks about her culinary journey and roots of her faith in First Congo. RUMMAGE IS BACK! A few members of The Woman's Society share their favorite memories of past sales and look forward to this year's sale. THE POWER OF ENDOWMENTS Rich Kirchherr discusses the purpose of the Endowment Fund and its importance in the church's missions, both now and in the future. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT We talk with the beautiful and amazing Emily Bryan whose volunteerism knows no bounds. MENTAL HEALTH We hear from Clinical Social Worker & Therapist Tara Bradbury about the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing. If you'd like to submit an article for First Congo Connection, email [email protected]. FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 3

LIVES OF LOVE, ORDINATION: BIOGRAPHIES OF GRACE The Spirit. The Weight. by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey The WOW. As Christians, the life, death, and Jesus’s words in Matthew 25: “I was by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr resurrection of Jesus Christ is at in prison and you visited me.” I will the center of our faith. We hope also explore what might seem like A few months back we celebrated in that as we follow him, our lives an unexpected “biography of grace,” our sanctuary the ordination of Rev. take on a gospel shape. Thankfully, the life of Dolly Parton! Meanwhile, Grant Glowiak into the Christian we do not undertake this life of Rich intends to honor the 50th ministry. Grant was raised in our discipleship alone. In addition to ordination anniversary of the Rev. Bill church, and in our tradition, pastors our beloved congregation, we Johnson, the first openly gay man to are ordained in their home share a vast array of spiritual be ordained in the UCC. He will also congregation. He is now one of the siblings and ancestors. This lift up Edith Cavell, who, as an act of associate pastors at Hinsdale Union, a communion of saints includes faith cared for wounded soldiers on United Church of Christ congregation. biblical figures like Moses and both sides during WWI and was Grant was in good company that day. Mary, heroes of the church like executed as a traitor for having done In fact, in the past 40 or so years, our Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Rachel so. Meredith will consider the life of congregation has had 28 members Held Evans, and influential Alberta King, and how her faith and ordained into Christian ministry. Trust Christians like our grandmothers deep passion for justice helped form me on this, that’s an amazing number. and Sunday School teachers. who her son, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Over the years I have been asked by Ordinary or extraordinary, famous King, Jr., became. Members of our denominational leaders, seminaries and or obscure, saints or sinners — church will be encouraged to foundations as to why so many from our these Christians shape our faith. contribute by offering a testimony in congregation? I’ve participated in several This summer we will celebrate worship or writing a devotional studies about this as well. Eventually, the and give thanks for these lives of about a person who influenced your Lilly Foundation (the largest funder of love and biographies of grace. spiritual growth. religious studies in America) interviewed a fair number of the clergy who had In worship each week, the pastors I love these summer worship series been raised in our church, and found will pair a scripture with a well- and am especially excited for the some common themes. known life. For instance, Bryan inspiration and gratitude at the Stevenson is a lawyer who has heart of this one! The Ordination of Grant Glowiak dedicated his career to helping the poor, incarcerated, and Joy in the ministry – the clergy who condemned. I plan to bring his served this congregation modeled for “life of love” into conversation with future clergy that the ministry is a faithful, joyful and meaningful calling. Some churches (especially contentious ones) are sadly called “clergy killers”, but our congregation was described as one that inspired members to follow their call into ministry. FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 4

Ordination (continued) Laying on of hands at the Ordination of Meredith Onion Respect for pastors: This is related to the above congregational characteristic. Our church has a long history of having faithful and civil discourse, as we discern together who God is calling us to be. This congregation, the Lilly Foundation concluded, has an abiding respect for the pastoral office. Someone willing to ask the question: In several of the studies in which I participated, we consistently heard this from clergy. Someone along the way told them they seem to have the gifts for ministry, and asked if they had ever considered becoming a pastor. That was echoed by many of our members who have entered ordained ministry. A candidate for ordination is both spiritually and formally ordained, with the ancient rite of the laying on of hands, as the prayer of ordination is lifted up to God. I’ve heard so many clergy remember something strangely common to this ancient rite, and I too vividly remember the same feeling. I was surprised at the weight I felt on my head and shoulders. Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr on his Ordination Day The weight is literally the hands of other ordained clergy and family members, placed on the ordinand’s shoulders. It is a profound spiritual moment, as those hands represent the presence of the Holy Spirit. The presiding pastor prays these words as you are surrounded and held by a great cloud of witnesses: “With the laying on of hands, bestow on this your servant, The power of your Holy Spirit, let the same mind be in them that was also in Christ Jesus. Enable your servant to nourish your people, fill their speech with truth and their life with purity. Increase their faith in you, strengthen them in the day of trouble, prosper their works and words, so that Your name may be glorified and Your truth exalted.” It’s a “wow” moment. Having been raised by this congregation, I too was ordained in our sanctuary, and on the afternoon of our 100th anniversary as a The Ordination of Rev. Meredith Onion church. It was a festive day and many of the clergy who once had served this church returned for the centennial worship service in the morning and the celebration of the ordination in the afternoon. About 30 clergy participated in the laying on of hands that day. I can still feel the Spirit. And the weight. And the wow. That day was 35 years ago this May 31. In the years since, I learned that the ministry is not only a calling from the Spirit, but following it can lead to an abundant and meaningful life. Yet, I also resonate with what one pastor wrote decades ago: Being a minister can seem a heartbreaking way of making a living, but always I knew that I would not give it up for all the world.” Exactly. Friends, I can count on one hand the number of times I have awakened and not felt blessed to be your pastor. I’ve always wondered why ministry has been such a blessing. I suppose there are hundreds of explanations, but for me, the best one is from a friend, who once said to me: “The ministry is the one calling in which you can go into the living rooms of nursing mothers and the hospital rooms of the dying, and find the hope of our faith in both places.” Indeed. And wow. FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 5

FAITH WITH OUR SLEEVES ROLLED UP by Bob Battista From left: Alan Becker, A group of First Congo Greg Vichick, Don Spangler volunteers with one of our The Mission & Outreach (M&O) Committee, and our mission partners, would like to thank the congregation for & Matt Lloyd partner organizations their abundant generosity. To see how this generosity is put into practice, the M&O committee would like to shed From left: Kelly & Bernie Gawne, Rachel & William Callahan, and light on the discernment process in the selection of our Heidi & Chris Bonjean at the Pillars 100th Anniversary celebration mission partner organizations, and how relationships with our mission partners are maintained. There are four types of giving provided by the M&O Committee. One type is for funds for the Refugee Subcommittee, chaired by Kim Nichol. In 2022, approximately 3% of the $175,000 M&O budget is used to fund the Refugee Subcommittee. These funds are used to help settle refugee families in the Chicago area. Emergency funding is another type of giving. Emergency funding accounts for approximately 5% of the M&O budget. Throughout the year, portions of these emergency funds are typically sent to organizations for natural disaster relief, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. and other emergency situations. For example, some emergency funds were sent to the Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago for Covid relief last year. This year, a portion of the emergency funds were sent to Unicef and International Medical Corps for the war in Ukraine. Throughout the year, various organizations that provide emergency relief are presented to the M&O Committee. Before emergency funds are dispersed, the committee discusses the goals of the organization, the potential impact of the organization and the amount of funding for emergency relief. A third type of giving are funds for denominational giving, which is approximately 23% of the committee’s budget. The funding levels given to these organizations are decided amongst the three pastors of First Congregational Church of Western Springs. These denominational organizations include: Chicago Theological Seminary, Christian Service Fund, Church World Services, Gilead, Global Ministries, Illinois/Wisconsin Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Our Church’s Wider Mission, UCC Outdoor Ministries, San Lucas, and the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance. Finally, most of the M&O budget (69% of the 2022 budget) is dispersed to organizations the Committee has designated as an empowering organization. Empowering organizations are those whose goal is to empower individuals to learn how to help themselves. The M&O committee has a strong vetting process for an organization to be included in this list. The process varies every other year, with a more detailed analysis occurring in even-numbered years (such as 2022). In even-numbered years, grant renewal applications are sent to organizations that received funds the prior year, as well as to potential new organizations that meet the criteria: An organization promoting self-reliance by striving to empower through education, healthcare, employment, etc. First Congo participation in the organization, or a strong potential for Church involvement. An organization fitting into the broad category of an empowering organization as listed in the graphic on the following page. The committee reviews the grant applications to ensure the organization meets the criteria listed above. In addition, each organization is examined with special attention to the following: A financially sound organization An organization that limits one-way giving to emergency situations An organization that receives a large amount of federal funding (if so, then this may negatively impact the ranking of the organization by the committee) The organization has a true impact on its constituents FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 6

Faith With Our Sleeves Rolled Up (continued) The committee ranks each organization as low, medium, or high as to whether the organization should receive funds. Committee members then vote on each organization after a lengthy review and discussion of each application. Next, the M&O chair, vice-chair, and M&O church liaison Meredith Onion determine whether existing or new organizations should receive funds and the amount of funding. Criteria used to make this determination include the rank level, the vote totals, the amount of church involvement, and whether there is over or under-representation of different organizations in the different empowering group types (e.g. Youth, Environment, etc.: see table below). This latter process often results in some difficult decisions. Finally, the M&O Committee discusses the proposed grant amounts and votes to approve or modify the suggested grant funding for the empowering organizations. In odd-numbered years, grant renewal requests are sent to the existing group of empowering organizations from the previous year. No new organizations are added to the list in odd-numbered years. The committee reviews the grant renewal applications and creates a funding level based on the M&O budget for that year. The M&O committee also tries to maintain a relationship with each of the empowering organizations. To do so, each member of the M&O committee is a liaison with at least one of these organizations. To maintain a continuous relationship with the organization(s), each committee member continues the liaison relationship throughout their three-year tenure on the committee. The responsibilities of the committee liaison include site visits to the organization (when applicable), reporting to the committee any major changes in the organization, upcoming fund-raising events, new ways of partnering with the organization, field trips sponsored by the organization, etc. So, hopefully this article sheds some light on the First Congo Mission and Outreach committee discernment process. You can read more about the grant and vetting process at wscongo.org/mission-and-outreach and please feel free to contact Bob Battista ([email protected]) if you have any questions regarding the M&O Committee. FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 7

LOVE, FAITH & TRUST 21 We chat with Kelsey Murphy, Masterchef Winner & former First Congo kid. 3 6 From left: Elsie Stiffler & Joanne Everett (2019) What do you recall of your First Congo days? RUMMAGE My first memories of Congo are from 3 yr old IS BACK! preschool. I remember Orval the bunny and After the two-year postponement Mrs. Bachman. I have vivid memories of first of our beloved biannual in-person steps, Sunday school, and always my donut Rummage Sale, it’s back for in- that would follow church!!! person shopping, and the members of Woman’s Society — and the What sparked your love of cooking and church at large — can’t wait for the desire to pursue the title of MasterChef? camaraderie and fellowship of this wonderful event! Kelsey Murphy My love of cooking has always come from my We thought we’d ask two of our family. Love was always expressed through food, current Rummage Chairs to tell us what Rummage means to them and it always served as a positive family experience. However, it wasn't until I got and our church community and to share fond memories of past sales. to college that my passion and creativity in the kitchen really flourished. I learned I think rummage is one of the most worthwhile fellowship activities in our wonderful Church. It new things by watching Food Network and began experimenting in the kitchen. truly is fun, fellowship and lots of love. It's about people of all ages working together for a What would you like our members to know about the experience? common good to serve others. Those who can't help in person donate food, money and The experience was exhausting but exhilarating all at the same time. I learned prayers. Watching people of all nationalities on sale night getting a bargain and thanking us for so much not only about cooking, but about myself. I felt like I found myself it truly fills me to the brim. It is a blessed event for so many and I'm grateful to be a part of it. again. I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and really saw and felt my — Harriet VerGowe full potential. It really showed me that even though you may be afraid, pushing I’m not sure who I heard say “many hands make beyond the fear can reveal our greatest capabilities. light the work”, but my guess is it was Sybil Gilbert. Sybil and John Gilbert were two of the many What part did your faith and foundation in Christ play in helping you wonderful volunteers I met early on. Jo and Ken achieve your goals and how has winning impacted your faith? Means, Kit Halberstadt, Ingeborg Smith, Roberta and Howard Winebrenner, Marilyn Havlat, I think so much or all of our faith is built on trust. I felt that the only thing I could Barbaree Holben, Nancy Mensen, Alice Parker, Patty & Sam Sampson, Kitty and John Earhart, grasp onto during the experience was faith and trust that this was the right path Sharon and Mike Bachmann, Kent and Peggy Taylor and more. What an incredible group! for me. Since returning from the show and winning, that continues as so many things are happening in my and my family's life, that I have to believe and trust — Mary Ann Skvara that He is showing me the way, and that this is the right direction. KELSEY'S RECIPE FOR SUMMER COUSCOUS SALAD Salad Dressing 1c Couscous 1/4c Olive Oil 1/2 English cucumber, diced 2 tbsp lime juice 1/2c cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced 1tsp Dijon 1/4c red onion, thinly sliced 1tsp honey 1/2c black beans, rinsed and drained 1tsp fresh minced garlic 1/2c corn kernels 1/2 tsp cumin 1/4c crumbled feta 1/2 tsp salt 1/4c chopped cilantro 1/4 tsp pepper INSTRUCTIONS Couscous: 1.Bring 1c water or stock to boil. Add couscous, stir, cover and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff with fork. 2.Add remainder of ingredients and toss together. Season as needed. Dressing: 1.Combine all ingredients in bowl or mason jar. Mix to emulsify. Pour over warm couscous to allow it to absorb. FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 8

the POWER of socially responsible fund excludes investments in many tobacco, alcohol, gambling, weapon, fossil fuel and endowments other socially and/or environmentally controversial stocks. Gifts directed to this new option remain by Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr separated from the broader Endowment assets. It’s a cliché, “You can’t take it with you.“ Yet, it is true. The If you have any questions about the endowment, please end of our earthly lives separates us from all earthly contact any of the Endowment Committee members — possessions. We come into this world with nothing. We Rebecca Smith (Chair), John Rodgers, Eric Walania, take nothing out of it. During our lifetimes, we are part Gary Doten, Bill Sammon, Bill Brandenburg, and Marty of a church, or see power of the church in others’ lives. Keller — or our senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr. Our church’s endowment recognizes that this church MILESTONES has a mission and ministry beyond today as well. Over 30 years ago the congregation established a permanent BIRTHS MEMBER DEATHS: Endowment for the First Congregational Church of Emerson Norlander Janet Casey 4/9/22 Western Springs. Its purpose was, and is, to help assure 3/1/22 Claudia Becker 3/7/22 the ministries of our church, both now and in the future, Ruth Davenport 3/6/22 by providing a source of regular income. BAPTISMS Nancy Mensen 2/8/22 Clara Rankin Ruth Vogele 12/21/21 The endowment has been an essential part of the foundation of our church’s growth. Each year 5% of the WEDDINGS: endowment principal is distributed to the church’s Caroline Schafer & operating income, and has grown to the point where Grant Garber this year, that 5% equals $133,000. It’s astonishing what the generosity of proceeding generations has done to We try to include the milestones of every member. help us continue to tell the story of God‘s love and If we've somehow missed yours, please email justice to the next generation. [email protected] so we can include it in our next edition. There are several ways to imagine the important role the Endowment plays. One is to think of it as a resource that allows us to have a full clergy team. Another is to understand its impact, and consider that the 5% distribution covers the annual cost of all the utilities, upkeep and repairs for the church. The foresight and generosity of those who have gone before us to establish the endowment benefits us in remarkable ways. The Fund's principal grows primarily in two ways. It receives regular estate gifts or bequests from church members, and some members make an annual or one time gift to the endowment during their lifetimes. The endowment Fund is overseen by a committee of church members selected by the executive committee and approved by the congregation. The committee reports annually to the congregation on the fund’s value, the amount of the distribution to the church’s operating budget and its investment strategy. Recently, the Endowment Committee added the option of directing gifts and bequests to a socially responsible fund for those who prefer that vehicle. A FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 9

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: EMILY BRYAN Emily Bryan has been a happy and dependable Emily Bryan volunteer at First Congo’s office for the past 5 months. If you have been passing through the From left: Emily, Ellen & Rich Russell (Emily's mom and building on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, you dad), Amy & Dan Halm (Emily's sister and brother-in-law), may have seen her in action. If you haven’t yet seen Natalie & Ryan Halm (Emily's niece & nephew) her, you’ve probably been the recipient of some of her hard work when you receive mailings, programs, or special holiday projects. Emily really enjoys doing office work at the church and when she was asked what she likes the most, she said she really loves interacting with the nice staff members at the church. Emily loves to act, sing, dance, and meet new people. She enjoys going to the movies and especially loves to go to the movies with her boyfriend, Jason. Emily is a great self-advocate and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Arc of Illinois. Emily moved to Indian Head Park seven years ago, along with her parents, Ellen and Rich Russell. They relocated from North Carolina, which brought together three generations of family. Emily is now closer to her sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Dan Halm, as well as her niece and nephew, Natalie and Ryan. Emily, Ellen and Rich joined the church in 2016. Although they were new to the area, they felt right at home at First Congo because they had been to the church many times when they visited for holidays as well as for Natalie and Ryan’s baptisms and youth choir performances. If you ask Emily about the work she does for the church, she’ll tell you, “I do the shredding, putting labels on cards, and I sort the mail out for everyone. I’m really hoping to get a part-time job here!” (Pastor Rich, get on that.) When asked why she loves working here, Emily replied, “I love everybody in here! And I know everybody. I just love everything about it.” FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 10

LET'S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH by Tara Bradbury, LCSW In my role as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I walk Incorporating breathing and grounding exercises is alongside adolescents and adults who are seeking also helpful. A favorite of mine is 5-4-3-2-1. support as they navigate life's challenges or mental health struggles. The pandemic has certainly Take a few deep breaths and then notice: increased the need for mental health services. 5 things you can see Adolescents and adults alike have struggled with the 4 things you can touch uncertainty that coronavirus has caused as well as the 3 things you can hear grief of numerous losses. 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste I admire people who seek treatment because it is often difficult to admit you need help. One of the first Grounding exercises allow us to get out of our head things I learned in graduate school over 30 years ago and into our body, calming our nervous system. was that it was imperative to know when, as a clinician, you needed to seek help yourself. So, when If you need spiritual support or help finding my daughter struggled with anxiety/depression in resources for you or someone you love, please reach high school, I sought help for her but also for myself. I out to any of our ministers or our faith community found support through regular meetings with a nurse at (708) 246-1900. therapist and I found support, encouragement, and love through a group at First Congo. Pastor Meredith had started a group for moms who were struggling with teens with various emotional issues. Spending time with these strong women helped me find hope when things were difficult. (Contact Meredith at [email protected] if you're interested in joining this group.) If you or your loved one is struggling, I encourage you to ask for help. Seek help from a professional. Psychology Today is a great resource. You can search for a therapist by topic, location or insurance coverage. Asking for help from friends, family and your church is also important. Isolation, which often accompanies depression/anxiety, exacerbates symptoms. NAMI–Metro Suburban also offers support through their Living Room and Community Wellness Center (www.namimetsub.org). Practicing self-care is also imperative to maintaining balanced mental health. Physical exercise, mindfulness, meditation and prayer are excellent tools to improve your physical and mental health. There are some great apps available to help you gain these skills. A favorite of mine is Insight Timer. It allows you to filter meditation practices by time and topic (I often use one to help me fall back to sleep when I wake in the middle of the night). FIRST CONGO CONNECTION | Page 11

First Congregational Church of Western Springs First Class 1106 Chestnut Street U.S. Postage Western Springs, IL 60558 PAID Western Springs, IL Permit #50 Join Us This Summer: Fri., May 6, 4 – 6PM: The Woman's Society Plant Sale pickup Tues., May 10 at 7PM: New Member Orientation Class Sun., May 15 at 9AM: New Members join during worship service Sun., May 15 at 10:30AM: Baccalaureate Worship Service Sun., May 15 at 4PM: Agape Ringers Concert (free will offering) Wed., May 18, 9:30AM – 1:30PM: Red Cross Blood Drive Sun., May 22 at 9:30AM: Summer Schedule begins, one service only Sun., May 22 at 5PM: Words & Music: Getting Away Sun., June 19: Semi-Annual Meeting after 9:30AM worship July 18 – July 22: First Congo hosts Peace Camp Sun., Aug. 28 at 10AM: First Congo Worship and Picnic on the front lawn Sept. 1 – 5: Men’s Canoe Trip to the Boundary Waters – contact [email protected] Every Wednesday at 9am: Faith and Flow Yoga First Congregational Church of Western Springs | 1106 Chestnut Street | 708.246.1900 | wscongo.org