Ongoing Response to COVID-19
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-11
Friday 11 September 2020
Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Where were you on 9-11?
I was moving quickly through the narrow hallways of our church preschool checking in with teachers who exuded a calm they did not feel. Their smiles were big and plastic. Little children held their legs, as usual, and other kids played with the stuffed animals in their classrooms, building blocks scattered around them like so many fallen towers.
Fathers and mothers had been tearing into our parking lot, asking to see their kids whom they had just dropped off. They wanted to hug them goodbye. One. More. Time.
These young men and women were heading to their duty posts. Most of them were Coast Guard. Some were Navy. Many of those not in the military worked in the Norfolk Shipyard. They were so young and their eyes were so far away.
I assured them their children were in good hands. They left tread in our parking lot.
The morning was amazingly calm. It was another sunny, warm day. Kids were settling in for another morning of play with their friends. And those teachers—so calm on the outside, so loving on the inside—were so amazingly present to the duties at hand.
Where were you on 9-11?
September
(remembering 9/11/01)
Matt Matthews
September comes.
Summer’s haze has been lifting.
The hot days give way
to the sighs of the fall.
The skies are clear blue
above ashes still shifting.
Eight stories of rubble
crane crews lifting it all.
Too busy to notice
the season is changing.
Frost in the meadow,
summer is gone.
September comes.
Summer’s haze has been lifting.
The season is changing—
summer is gone.
* * *
Billy & Loretta Rickett for 911…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
* * *
See you on Sunday.
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 Linda Sandquist for being the first to guess last Friday’s
Here’s this week’s photo.
Visit http://fb.com/groups/
We are getting low on photos, so 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@
* * *
Peter Yau has brought to my and Rachel’s attention this special course offered by the University of Illinois in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This course is offered by faculty and guests of the University. The course is on Sunday evenings at 8 PM (Central Time), it is available FREE to everyone in the community, you just need to register to be able to log in. If you miss a discussion, you will be able to view an archived video on the specific topic.
The url to the website is: https://covcourse.web.
The course schedule is below. You will see that our own Tracy Dace is one of the speakers scheduled for December 6.
9/6 – Pandemics in History
Introduction: Antoinette Burton (Professor of History and Director, Humanities Research Institute)
Speakers: Carol Symes (History) and May Berenbaum (Entomology)
Video recording (coming soon) / Suggested additional reading
9/13 – Infection: Biology and Anthropology
Introduction: Neal Cohen (Professor of Psychology and Director, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute)
Speakers: Jessica Brinkworth (Anthropology), Rebecca Smith (Veterinary Medicine)
Join Livestream
9/20 – Diagnostic Technologies
Introduction: Neal Cohen (Professor of Psychology and Director, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute)
Speakers: Paul Hergenrother (Chemistry), Rashid Bashir (Grainger College of Engineering)
Join Livestream
9/27 – COVID-19 and the Election
Introduction: Rachel Switzky (Director, Siebel Center for Design)
Speakers: Robin Fretwell Wilson (Institute of Government & Public Affairs), Brian Gaines (Political Science)
Join Livestream
10/04 – Mental Health
Introduction: Brent Roberts (Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Social and Behavioral Science)
Speakers: Tara Powell (School of Social Work), Karen Tabb Dina (School of Social Work)
Join Livestream
10/11 – Health Inequities
Introduction: Gene Robinson (Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Director, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology)
Speakers: Ruby Mendenhall (Sociology and African American Studies), Christy Lleras (Human Development & Family Studies)
Join Livestream
10/18 – Families and Other Relationships
Introduction: Brent Roberts (Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Social and Behavioral Science)
Speakers: Leanne Knobloch (Communication), Eva Pomerantz (Psychology)
Join Livestream
10/25 – Arts in a Pandemic
Introduction: Antoinette Burton (Professor of History and Director, Humanities Research Institute)
Speakers: Jason Finkelman (Music), Gabriel Solis (Music and Theatre)
Join Livestream
11/01 – Data Security and Privacy
Introduction: Neal Cohen (Professor of Psychology and Director, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute)
Speakers: William Sullivan (Rokwire), Sanjay Patel (Electrical & Computer Engineering)
Join Livestream
11/08 – Global Impacts
Introduction: Rachel Switzky (Director, Siebel Center for Design)
Speakers: Jerry Dávila (History and Executive Director, Illinois Global Institute), Tim Liao (Sociology)
Join Livestream
11/15 – Food Security
Introduction: Brent Roberts (Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Social and Behavioral Science)
Speakers: Alex Winter-Nelson (Agricultural & Consumer Economics), Craig Gundersen (Agricultural & Consumer Economics)
Join Livestream
11/22 – Higher Education
Introduction: Antoinette Burton (Professor of History and Director, Humanities Research Institute)
Speakers: James Anderson (College of Education), Robb Lindgren (Curriculum & Instruction)
Join Livestream
11/29 – Financial Consequences
Introduction: Gene Robinson (Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Director, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology)
Speakers: Heitor Almeida (Finance), Robert Lawless (Law)
Join Livestream
12/06 – Social Life: COVID-19 and the CU Community
Introduction: Antoinette Burton (Professor of History and Director, Humanities Research Institute)
Speakers: Julie Pryde (Champaign-Urbana Public Health District), Tracy Dace (DREAAM)
Join Livestream
12/13 – The Future with COVID-19
Introduction: Rachel Switzky (Director, Siebel Center for Design)
Speakers: Eliza Forsythe (Labor & Employment Relations and Economics), Derek Long (Media & Cinema Studies), Benjamin Bross (Architecture)
Join Livestream
*Course schedule is tentative and subject to change.
* * *
On a day of remembrance like this, we turn to the Prince of Peace
Another rousing Christmas song from Nigeria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-10
Thursday, September 10th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
This just in: The Nuture committee reports that they are hosting “Sunday in the Park.” Gather with church friends (bring guests) in Hessel Park on THIS Sunday, September 13th. (Grandparents Day). Bring your OWN lawn chairs and wear masks. You may bring food or drink for you, but we will NOT be sharing food.
God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. God 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.
Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ
Psalms 133:1 – How good and pleas- ant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
* * *
Here at the beginning of the school year, we’ve been hearing from each other about our favorite teachers. Gary Wisemen wrote this about two of his beloved teachers.
You asked for teachers that influenced our lives. In seventh grade my social studies teacher was a male, not too common in rural southern Illinois in the fifties. I will never forget the time he pulled me aside and said, “Gary you should become a History teacher.” From that day on I never considered anything else.
Another teacher was also an elementary teacher who was anything but “macho” until he told the class his war story. When the war began, the Air Force made him a gunnery instructor. This was fine until men who had completed their 25 missions and who had never been to gunnery school were rotated back to the States to gunnery school. Mr. Wagner was to teach them how to shoot down a German plane which they had done and he had never seen. So, he was sent to England to fly five missions as a waist gunner in a B- 17and then return to the States as an instructor. On his last mission he parachuted from his burning plane, was captured and spent the war in a prison camp. Needless to say I never saw him as the same man and I hope I learned something about prejudging people.
Thanks for Sunday church. However, we sure miss the old Sundays.
By the way, how does it feel to be upstaged by a white fuzzy puppet?
Thanks again
Gary Wiseman
(Ed. Note: I’m used to being upstaged by everyone. That’s what happens when you associate with talented people like you. And Jip—our newest white-haired, fuzzy friend–is a star!)
* * *
A replay from my wife, who contributed this in the Tuesday, August 4th, emailer:
I’ve been doing a lot of walking lately for my health.
On my walks I pass by people. I try to wear my mask and that gets in the way of my usual smile and nod. I heard on CBS that just making eye contact and saying “Hi” to a stranger can actually increase your Oxytocin (feel good hormones).
We are social creatures. God, Being in relationship, Three in One, created us to touch, shake hands, hug, move in close, laugh together. We are made in God’s image.
Lately, we have been limited in our ability to do those things. So, walking is good, not just for my body parts (and letting go of the many pounds I have to shed!) but for the social body in which I live, move and have my being. Walking is good. Jesus walked. He walked in other people’s shoes with his mind, his heart and his deeds. Jesus showed us who to walk with (our neighbor) and how to walk. He showed us walking could be loving.
That is the heart of mission!
News:
Gathering in Hessel Park (see above). Wear your masks!
Friday Men’s Prayer 8:30 am
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
* * *
This news from Dick Arnould:
Lou Liay, Dick Arnould and various neighbors of Shorty Eichelberger are planning a PARADE of CARS to honor Lila Jeanne on Friday, September 11, 2020 at 4:30 pm. This is being advertised as LILA JEANNE (Shorty) Eichelberger Day in Champaign. Mayor Deb Feinen is presenting a Framed PROCLAMATION that will be given to Shorty in the “Drive-By”.
Those who join the drive by parade will remain in your car and if you have cards or mementoes for Shorty, there will be a few neighbors ready to retrieve them from your car as you slowly pass by. Cars should meet on VALLEYBROOK DRIVE. Please enter from Duncan Rd west on to Valleybrook. (There will be a sign with balloons stating to TURN WEST from Duncan to Valleybrook.) Cars will line up on both sides of Valleybrook At 4:45 the parade of cars we proceed on Valleybrook turning left on Meadow Valley Rd. for 1 block, then turning right back West on to Meadowbrook Drive. We hope to have sheriff deputies to help direct traffic going west one way on Meadowbrook Drive to the western edge of Valleybrook Drive. Yes, you are encouraged to have signs, balloons or decorate however you like. The purpose is to show appreciate for Shorty and all she has done in our community throughout her years since beginning her teaching career here in 1954.
It is NOT HER BIRTHDAY, it is an APPRECIATION DAY.
And, YES, Shorty is aware of the parade and is looking forward to it. She plans to decorate her house. (She loves displaying both Illini and PATRIOTIC symbols). It is 9-11 Day so if you would like to wave a FLAG, that is appropriate. FLAGS, ILLINI STUFF, anything significant!
Two Things you can help the committee with are:
#1 Please send an e-mail to GALE BIUCKEL at the Alumni Assoc.
gbickel@uillinois.edu or text her at 217-412-4612 so we have an idea of how many cars there will be. OF COURSE, we HOPE a lot.
#2 PLEASE, pass along this information to the vast number of friends of Shorty who might want to participate in this special day honoring her, her service and love demonstrated in her 92 years.
Hope to see you in the parade. Barb Barker
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
This from Brandi Lowe: An 80-year-old lady was marrying for the 4th time. The newspaper asked if she would mind talking about her first 3 husbands & what they did for a living. She smiled & said, “My first husband was a Banker, then I married a Circus Ringmaster. Next was a Preacher & now in my 80’s, a Funeral Director. When asked why the 4 Men had such diverse careers, she explained “I married one for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready & 4 to go!
Good Word:
Romans 12:4-5 NIV
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Let us pray:
Pardon our sins, O Lord,
and make us truly grateful
for these and all our many
blessings.
In Christ’s name, AMEN.
(William P. Matthews, Sr.
prayed this prayer over
every dinner he ever ate.
Thank you, Dad.)
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-09
Wednesday, September 9th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
1. When is the last time you read King’s letter from the Birmingham, AL, jail? Note the link below and give it a slow, thoughtful read. When he describes well-meaning white people who want to go slow, he’s talking about me. That’s how I would have reacted to Dr. King back then. I hope it is not how I would react now. Consider joining our White Fragility study group beginning next week. Phone the church office to reserve your slot.
2. Tonight our Wednesday Zoom at 7:00 p.m. will explore a Mission Theme. Join us for conversation and celebration.
3. The school year has begun. I lost some emails, including some of yours. You wrote brief stories about memorable teachers. Here’s one from Diane Mortensen:
Miss Hall, was my sixth-grade teacher. She was not friendly and laughter didn’t happen in the classroom. She seemed very old, even older than my parents, probably almost fifty!
She required us to memorize poetry, to listen to classical music and identify the sounds of individual musical instruments. We had to identify birds and flowers and study details of geography and Greek history. I can still recite the names of the 72 counties in Wisconsin.
I didn’t know then that she would be the teacher I would most appreciate in my adult life. I didn’t know she was teaching me to widen my horizons, to appreciate fine arts and to persevere in difficult situations.
I wish I could tell her that now.
News:
Midweek Gathering TONIGHT 7 pm
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. “LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL”
Martin Luther King’s 1963 letter from prison addresses the urgency for civil rights, and the betrayal of white liberal Christian friends who named support for integration, but did not speak up or act in the struggle for justice.
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
A couple more brilliant jokes from Bill Gamble:
A group of dyslexic Agnostics were sitting around discussing the existence of dog.
And
In 1984, South Africa was awash with jokes about a man named van de Merve.
So van de Merve arrived at a large fancy house to do some repair work.
The owner said to him: “The Jarra-wood floors have just been polished,
and may be slippery.”
To which van de Merve replied: “Not to worry. I’ve got me spikes on.”
And (last one)
Van der Merwe was watching the British Lions test match at Loftus in Pretoria. The stadium was packed – of course – and there was only one available seat, next to – you guessed it; Van der Merwe.
“Is that seat taken?” asked the neighbour.
“Yes, it is for my wife”, replies Van der Merwe.
“Why isn’t she here?” he asked.
“She died”, said Van der Merwe.
“So, you didn’t give the ticket to one of your friends?” asked the neighbour.
“They’ve all gone to the funeral”, said Van der Merwe.
Good Word:
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Let us pray:
A prayer for the morning: O God—help us, help us, help us.
A prayer for the evening: O God—thank you, thank you, thank you.
(Anne Lamotte)
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-08
 The Heart of Mission I receive emails from Presbyterians all over the world. One I received this past week was from the Presbyterian Women in Africa. Yes, the Presbyterian Women are very active in Africa. Tumekutana is Swahili for “Come together.” That is what the Presbyterian Women in Africa have done for the past 13 years in Tumekutana. Women have been at the heart of mission for Presbyterians all over the world for many, many years. Our own Presbyterian Women begin their monthly bible studies this month so we are pleased to join with our sisters from Africa in prayer. This is a beautiful prayer and quite long. I have included the translation in French so please share it with our French speaking friends. Following the prayer in English and French are some mission announcements if you are interested. Peace,
Our Mission Agencies Announcements: 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. |
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-07
Monday, September 7th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Happy Labor Day to you all. Let us thank God for work, and thank both those who do it and seek it. May all our labors be labors of love that contribute to the world’s good.
Almighty God,
you have so linked our lives
one with another
that all we do affects,
for good or ill,
all other lives:
So guide us in the work we do,
that we may do it
not for self alone,
but for the common good;
and, as we seek a proper
return for our own labor,
make us mindful of the
rightful aspirations of
other workers, and
arouse our concern
for those who are out of work;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
forever and ever.
Amen.
PEACE,
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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