Friday 25 September 2020
 
Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois

Dear Friends, 
 
I’m hearing that our school children are exhausted. Online learning is difficult. Parents are frazzled. Teachers are stretched. Bless them all.
 
How are you doing? Are you breathing, deeply? Have you noticed the cool of the mornings? Nightfall is sooner, and cooler. So many people in our community are feeling tugged and torn.
 
Have you ever walked a labyrinth? Prayerfully, quietly, slowly, and alone you walk into a circular path that winds to a budded center, then you unwind yourself back out, retracing your steps to where you started. It’s not a maze. You don’t have to figure out how to get there and how to get back. You can’t get lost on the path. You simply walk to a centerpoint, then you walk out. 
 
People walk labyrinths to clear their heads. To pray. To unwind themselves from a stressful life. To think. Ideally, one feels calmer and more centered after the exercise.
 
I’m walking and I’m praying for our frazzled flock, for those ‘working from home’ and finding the lines between home/work blurred. I’m walking and I’m praying for those isolated from loved ones across town or across the country/world. I’m walking and  I’m praying for those who are struggling financially, for the furloughed, the laid off, the gigging artists who find themselves without an audience, without a stage, without an income. I’m walking and I am praying for those in hospitals who can’t be visited by their family.
 
Join me. Help me pray for our world.
 
* * * 
 
What are you devoted to? I’ll ask you on Sunday morning in worship. See you at 9:00 at FirstPres.Live
 
* * *
 
After worship, join us for Sunday in the Park. Hessel Park, north/main entrance, Sunday 11:00. Wear a mask and be prepared to be ‘checked safely in’. Bring a lawn chair. I’ll be there rain or shine. 
 
* * *
 
Tom Ulen is excited to invite us to the Wesley Fall Seminar. He says the speakers are stellar. It’s online, so you can join from the comfort of your home. The topic is super relevant. America 2020:  Pulling Apart or Coming Together? See below for all the details. 
 
* * *
 
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 Suzanne McNattin for being the first to guess last Friday’s photo was of Michael Hogue!  

Here’s this week’s photo. 

Visit http://fb.com/groups/firstpreschampaign to make your guesses, or email them to photos@firstpres.church.  Pastor Eric will be taking some time off the next couple weeks, so you’ll have a bit longer to make your guesses.
 
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@firstpres.church.
 
* * *
Join the Wesley Fall Seminar this Sunday…
America 2020:  Pulling Apart or Coming Together?
U of I Professor Emeritus Tom Ulen, Moderator

Join the Wesley Student Center and United Methodist Church online via Zoom and Facebook Live on September 27 at 2 pm as we hear from various presenters covering topics of racism, police brutality, media bias, civil and public discourse and many other topics.

These topics and many more will be presented by Chancellor Jones, Director Michael Schlosser, Professor Brant Houston, Professor Ned O’Gorman, and Professor Jennifer Robbennolt.  Following the presentations there will be a 25 minute Q&A session.  We look forward to having you with us online for this event.

Click on the links to access the Zoom Meeting on the day of or join us via Facebook Live.

Facebook Event…
https://www.facebook.com/events/696537790967368/

Zoom Meeting…
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85958621534?pwd=N0RvaExMT2RWTEVyQlM4eGJ5UytZZz09

Speakers and Program:
Chancellor Robert Jones — Addressing racism
U of I Police Training Institute Director Michael Schlosser — Police Brutality and Police Reform
U of I Professor Brant Houston — The Role of the Press
U of I Professor Ned O’Gorman — Political Engagement Without Political Polarization
U of I Professor Jennifer Robbennolt — Civil Public Discourse
 
* * *
 
‘‘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 27^th. We plan to do these gatherings every other Sunday as the weather permits. 
 
* * *
Japanese pianist in the aftermath of Tsunami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqoV4ZW7xTA
 
* * *
 
Labyrinth:
https://www.historicchristchurch.org/pray/labyrinth/
 
* * *
 
A story about how a man met his wife. (You’ll like this.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW_nwxlwfyo
 
* * *
 
Champaign-Urbana Symphony!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP-K_ZMnXnM

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JATVc72zfH0
 

Thursday, September 24^th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
I mentioned yesterday that Pat Phillips was to lead last night’s Wednesday Zoom. She did a great job. But I mentioned that because she’s a great discussion leader we should expect to “grow.” I ended that sentence with an exclamation point. It made that last word look like this: grow! Some read that “growl.” Well, no one growled and, I think, everyone grew. 
 
My mom taught me how to make my dad’s mom’s Brunswick stew. I’m not a cook, but I make this often. See my recipe after the prayer below. Here’s a poem that I’ve probably shared before. 
 
Brunswick Stew
(A Poem by Matt Matthews
about My Mom)
 
You taught me how to make Brunswick Stew 
from Grandmother Matthews’ family recipe.         
Chicken, limas, white corn, tomatoes, broth,
Worcestershire sauce. 
 
You’d pour a Kilimanjaro of salt into your soft palm 
then dash it in, rubbing your folded hands together, an oblation, 
stirring, taking a taste, then allowing it to simmer a long, long time, 
slowly. The whole house knew what was for dinner. 
 
It’s best the second day after the ingredients begin 
impersonating one another, a communion. Serve it with piles 
of sweet cornbread hot out of the oven, slathered, of course, 
with butter. Or saltines with butter. Or eat it plain.
 
It was perfect for winter’s cold days. I ate it happily as a boy 
though I vaguely remember once secretly feeding the limas to 
the dog and getting busted for it. Shaggy dutifully licked each lima 
but didn’t like them, either, and after dinner when 
 
Dad and me sat in the living room watching TV, 
you found fifty polished limas on the linoleum floor beneath 
my kitchen chair. I remember you getting mad at me for what 
I thought Shaggy should get yelled at for. That dog.
 
You said Brunswick Stew is a catch-all, a base for whatever meat is at hand. 
When your father, my Deda, hunted, squirrel or rabbit filled my Baba’s
stew pot. I’m not game for such additions, but sometimes I add
hunks of polish sausage, feeling like a traitor. 
 
Your version was comfortably predictable, and tame, the same, reliable 
stuff, batch after batch. Who am I to mix it up? So, I make it like you—
this do in remembrance of you—filling our two biggest pots, feeding
hungry people at church, some of whom eat around the poor limas—
 
Shaggy’s ghost nodding his head and wagging that short tail.
When I was a kid, it steamed my face and warmed my hands holding the bowl. 
I’ve always associated its smell and hearty flavors with home cooking, 
and now that you’re gone, with your special brand of practical love.
 
* * *

News:
 
‘‘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 27^th. We plan to do these gatherings every other Sunday as the weather permits. 
 
* * *
 
PRIVATE PRAYER… Our Sanctuary will be open for private prayer on TODAY 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/CommunityConversations. Please feel free to share this invitation with others. The City looks forward to hearing your input during one of these important listening sessions.

Humor (Hard times need godly laughter): 
 
Thank you, Linda Peterson:
 
Knock, knock. 
Who’s there? 
Funnel. 
Funnel Who? 
The Funnel start once you let me in!
 
* * *
 
What do music and chickens have in common?
Bach, Bach, Bach!
 
* * *
 
Where did Captain Hook get his hook? At the second hand store.
 
* * *
 
Good Word:
 
Galatians 5:14                        
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 
 
LET US PRAY:
 
O God, I’m not there yet.
While I want to follow,
I can never imagine following
so ardently and so completely
as your Son.
 
But please, nevertheless, accept 
my stumbling efforts, and by
your grace, guide my steps, 
in the name of the One
 
whose humility and grace
inspire me to serve with
all my heart.
 
Help me, Holy Lord.
 
And thank you, Holy Lord.
 
In Jesus’ name,
In Jesus’ perfect name,
I pray . . .
 
AMEN
 
Much, much love to you all.
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
 
Alice Parramore Matthews’ Bruswick Stew
 
Try this:
 
In a giant pot, pour some chicken broth.
Put in a bag of white corn. Yellow corn, too, if you want. 
Add a bag of lima beans. (If you hate limas, leave this out.)
Stew a chicken (or a bunch of your favorite parts of a chicken; I use a bag of frozen breasts.)
Chop the chicken. Add the chicken.
Pour in some salt, unless you doc says go easy on the salt.
Add pepper.
Throw in Worcestershire Sauce.
Red wine or white wine is good. Put some in the stew, too.
Throw in some sausage, if you want.
If you can’t stir it, add more chicken broth.
Add some canned tomatoes.
Add some chopped tomatoes.
Chop an onion, or ten, if you like onion.
Do you like other spices? Add them to taste.
Bring to a boil, then simmer for a long time. 
When you whole house smells wonderful, it’s ready.
Make cornbread.
Invite friends.
 

Wednesday, September 23^rd, 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.youtube.com/watch?v=xfo1XJDJKSU 
 
* * *
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 27^th.  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. 13^th. We would sure like to see more on the 27^th. 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/CommunityConversations. Please feel free to share this invitation with others. The City looks forward to hearing your input during one of these important listening sessions.

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

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 27^th. 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. 
 

The Heart of Mission September 22, 2020   Environmental Stewardship participated in the Faith in Place Green Team Summit last week. They even won an award! I took a screen shot of the write up and photo from the Styrofoam collection day back in January.               World Mission met last week and I realized I haven’t shared as much about our mission coworkers lately. We learned that Mission Aviation Fellowship has increased their flights since COVID-19 because of the compromised health of some of their constituents and the fact that they fly small planes with higher safety standards. Here is a video link explaining how they aid people around the world who are in isolation and at the same time spread the gospel. https://maf.org/beyond-isolation   We learned that in South Sudan where Kristi and Bob Rice are mission coworkers, August has been a month of flooding as if the coronavirus was not enough. Learn more on their blog – http://bobandkristi.blogspot.com/   Opportunity International has an online summit October 2. On their Facebook page they shared their speaker.             We are thrilled to share inventor and author of the New York Times bestseller The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kwakumba, will be our keynote speaker at the Summit on October 2. William’s life story reminds us of the innovation and drive of many of our clients. In his novel and Netflix film by the same name, William recounts his childhood in Malawi, where poverty forced him out of school and set unimaginable hurdles for his family. He read book after book to fuel his understanding of wind energy, finding a way to help his family fight the drought and famine that was plaguing his community.               Register today at opportunity.org/summit2020.   Jo Ella Holman (mission coworker in Caribbean and Cuba) has retired this month. We will be able to say goodbye to her and the other mission coworkers from the Caribbean at the CPN Summit some of our Cuba Steering committee will be attending online, September 25-27.   Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (mission coworker in Indonesia) writes on her Facebook page (in translation from Indonesian),               Pandemic Covid-19 still haunts Indonesia and global world. There are many impacts from micro level to macro is changing human life as a person and community. But life must go on. Covid control policy-19 through the implementation of health protocol is basic capital for other life activities. In a healthy body there is a soul and spirit working. So keep Indonesia strong and smart in this challenge             Grass root organizations such as Jati Rasa Cooperative Consumer, Griya Jati Rasa, changes to the direction are better. Audit from Fair Trade Indonesia Forum has encouraged the management of Jati Rasa Consumer Consumer Cooperative Organization. Commitment to escort justice equality to employees and cooperative partners is realized in wage improvement and various workforce facilities as exposed in the RI Act No 13 of 2003 on employment. May the independence of Consumer Consumer Consumer of Jati Rasa can achieve its goals. So the discussion of this is done in the working meeting of the boarding school, managers and supervisors on September 4, 2020. Zoom meeting activity is still an option for building public activities in the pandemic period. Together with the Indonesian nation, we all hope to be able to face the present situation without giving up, through wise steps and commitment to continue.   Friends of Presbyterian Education Board shared a recipe for Chai Tea recently on their Facebook page. www.friendsofpeb.org Chai is the word for “tea” in Urdu. Sharing chai is an important part of the culture.             3-5 teabags and 5 Cups of hot water             1 ¼ Cup milk heated             1/3 Cup sugar             4 whole cloves             3 cardamon pods cracked open             1 cinnamon stick             Simmer 10 minutes then strain Peace,   Rachel Matthews, Temporary Mission Coordinator   Our Mission Agency Announcements:   Community Mission Deacons – September 22, 4:30pm, zoom.   CROP WALK – It is virtual this year. HOWEVER, let rachel@firstpres.church know if you want to physically walk. There are three of us so far! I will let you know next week the gathering spot. https://www.crophungerwalk.org/champaignil Or https://www.crophungerwalk.org/champaignil/Team/View/137664/First-Presbyterian-Church-Champaign-FPCC-Mission Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 1:30 PM Zoom Gathering By Computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86161903170 By Phone:        Phone Number: (312) 626-6799        Meeting ID: 861 6190 3170   Cuba Partner Network Virtual Gathering 2020 – The PC(USA) Cuba Partners Network Virtual Gathering: Celebrating our Connections in the Time of COVID, will be held via Zoom webinar, September 25 -26, 2020. Please keep the Cuba People in your prayers and especially Jo Ella upon her retirement.   CU at Home – Again, upcoming Event Highlighting Men’s and Women’s Emergency Shelter, Sept. 30, 12pm. Register with Rob@cuathome.us or Rick@cuathome.us But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”    Matthew 19:26  Would you join us in prayer for a couple who, like many during this COVID time, continue to be under spiritual warfare and facing one trial after another?        Please pray for the mental health of our friends on the street as we move from summer to fall. Would you also pray for a friend without an address who will be getting housed in the next week? This young man has made such progress and will soon have a place of his own!  Thank you God that two of our longtime friends on the street have been able to be housed in the last week!   Praise the Lord for our prayer warriors, community partners, and amazing supporters and donors! We are so excited that 70 new friends, families, and businesses have joined our “Hope Givers” monthly giving campaign! We are well on our way to our goal of 600! Praise to Jesus for those moments in our lives when we are presented with a trial and we are able to keep this perspective: Instead of asking “Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” let’s ask, “What does God want me to learn through this struggle?” DREAAM – I don’t know if you heard but it is worth sharing again:             So honored to announce DREAAM is a recipient of the ICRF (Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund). Thank you to United Way of Illinois and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, all who established this fund. DREAAM, in partnership with The Well Experience, will use this funding to further their work to sustain a culture of achievement, engagement and behavioral health for children, young adults, and families. View the full press conference here –> https://vimeo.com/455971337 [The introduction of our founder, Tracy Dace, starts at 18:14.]   Frontera de Cristo – Coffee & Conversation Continues/Café y Conversacion Continua Mary Gritten and Rachel Matthews attended a tamale making class last Thursday. Sept. 17 de Septiembre: Clase de Cocina: Come Los Tamales Casi Dividio la Iglesia Cooking Class: How Tamales Almost Divided the Church. We have a recipe for tamales now! Did you know there are as many recipes for tamales as there is for bbq? I can hardly wait to make some and share them. They are a very involved and storymaking endeavor!             This Thursday Coffee and Conversation has been postponed to September 30: Sept 24 de Septiembre: Loteira de Frontera de Cristo: Play Virtual Mexican Bingo with us: Have Fun and Learn About the Life and Ministry of Frontera de Cristo. Email “conversation” to office@fronteradecristo.org to get the Zoom link. The reason for the postponement is to focus on a prayer gathering on both borders, September 25, 7-8:30CT (5-6:30MST): Asylum seekers, civil society, people of faith, artists, and local leaders from the U.S. and Mexico will gather on both sides of the border wall just west of the Raul Castro Port of Entry in Agua Prieta and Douglas, to pray for and commit to working toward returning to our historic commitment to asylum seekers, hear testimonies from asylum seekers, receive their claims, reflect, and take action to #SaveAsylum.             The event will be bilingual Spanish/English and will be both in person outside (masks and social distancing required, hand sanitizer and masks provided if needed) and online via facebook live. https://www.facebook.com/fronteradecristo  #saveasylum, saveasylum.org   Restoration Urban Ministries – Please keep Brother Irwin Williams, founder of R.U.M., in your prayers. The ministry is going strong but he has been under the weather.   Other Mission Opportunities around town –   Twice is Nice Thrift Store is  Open for Porch Sales 607 W. Elm St.,  Urbana   Saturdays August 22, 29, Sept.12, 19, 26 From 10am-2pm   Featured Items: Sept 26 Winter apparel, Holiday   We are not closed for good, just exercising extreme caution in these difficult times. We will not be opening the shop itself until we are safe. Your patience is greatly appreciated.   We have missed you and hope to see many old and new friends at one or all of our porch sales. Cash and checks only.   We will be requiring masks, limited numbers on the porch and providing hand sanitizer for use before and after shopping.   Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.   Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:   Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar (Mexico) Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia) Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa) Jo Ella Holman (Caribbean and Cuba) Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)   Our regional and global mission partners:   Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew) Lifeline Pilots Marion Medical Mission Mission Aviation Fellowship Opportunity International Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership Special Offerings of the PC(USA) Theological Education Fund Young Adult Volunteers   Here in Champaign – Urbana:   CU Better Together CU at Home CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE CANTEEN RUN COURAGE CONNECTION DREAAM eMPTY TOMB, INC FAITH IN ACTION JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY THE REFUGEE CENTER RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY SALT & LIGHT   Here at First Presbyterian Church   FPCC Amateur Preachers FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place FPCC Presbyterian Women FPCC ESL FPCC Children, Youth and Families FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve         302 W. Church Street   Champaign, IL 61820   217-356-7238   info@firstpres.church           Attachments: The_Heart_of_Mission_092220.pdf

Monday, September 21^st, 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-family/caregiving/grief-and-loss/?migration=rdrct
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