Ongoing Response to COVID-19
Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-08-07
Friday 7 August 2020
Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Sunday’s sermon is about “Spirituality.” How do you define that word, that work? Tune in on Sunday for worship and we can think about this together. See you Sunday at FirstPres.Live
* * *
Here’s a fascinating article and video about trees. Yes, trees. What the video, first. The visual is fantastic.
As an added Friday bonus, here are two poems from Robert Frost:
The Sound of Trees
I wonder about the trees.
Why do we wish to bear
Forever the noise of these
More than another noise
So close to our dwelling place?
We suffer them by the day
Till we lose all measure of pace,
And fixity in our joys,
And acquire a listening air.
They are that that talks of going
But never gets away;
And that talks no less for knowing,
As it grows wiser and older,
That now it means to stay.
My feet tug at the floor
And my head sways to my shoulder
Sometimes when I watch trees sway,
From the window or the door.
I shall set forth for somewhere,
I shall make the reckless choice
Some day when they are in voice
And tossing so as to scare
The white clouds over them on.
I shall have less to say,
But I shall be gone.
* * *
Birches
When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.
But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay
As ice-storms do. Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust—
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows—
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father’s trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It’s when I’m weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig’s having lashed across it open.
I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth’s the right place for love:
I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.
I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
* * *
See you on Sunday. Invite a friend.
Pay attention to God’s activity in the world around you.
Be amazed.
PEACE,
Matt Matthews
864.386.9138
* * *
PHOTO Challenge!
From your Nurture Team — There were no successful guesses of last Friday’s photo of Ann Stout!
Visit http://fb.com/groups/
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@
* * *
Friday concert/Robbin Thompson’s Good Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Mellow with Wes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Another kind of chill with Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-08-06
Thursday August 6th, 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Thank you for those who came to last night’s Wednesday Night Prayer Zoom. We prayed for family, our church family, DREAAM, schools, teachers, police, people making changes, health care and business leaders, and . . . Lord, hear our prayer.
Litany for the Church
That we may accept the responsibility of our freedom, the burden of our privilege, and so conduct ourselves as to set an example for those who will follow after;
O God, be our strength.
That we may not be content with a secondhand faith, worshiping words rather than the Word;
O God, be our strength.
That we may find joy in the study of Scripture and growth in exposure to new ideas;
O God, be our strength.
That we may be part of our churches, communities, and presbytery, sharing in the great mission, which you have set before us, and always seeking the common good;
O God, be our strength.
That we may find in your church a prod to our imaginations, a shock to our laziness, and a source of power to do your will;
O God, be our strength.
O God, who gave us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise; send your Spirit among us; that, confronted by your truth, we may be free to worship you and serve you as you have called us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(adapted from The Worshipbook, 1970)
Take on Race:
Antiracism is everyone’s work:
https://www.christiancentury.
News:
Your Covid-19 Response Team meets this evening. Please remember them in prayer as they access how we are doing and when we might begin more face to face activities.
Humor/the body edition: (Serious times call for re-creation, joy, and humor.)
What did one banana say to the other? I find you a-peeling.
GOOD WORD:
Romans 12:
Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;
If your enemies are hungry, feed them;
if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let us pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
PEACE to you all,
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-08-05
Wednesday August 5th, 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
I hope you can take a few minutes today to look around. A cardinal landed on my office window sill yesterday and we had a brief staring contest. Last week I saw for the first time what I’m told was a goldfinch. No matter how busy I am at the office, I will pause for the birds.
Take a moment to look around today.
Tell God you appreciate it.
* * *
This poem was sent to me by my dear friend Scott Paul-Bonham:
Leisure/William Henry Davies
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare
Take on Race:
John Lewis’ last words. Really worth the listen. It’s a love letter to us.
https://www.msnbc.com/the-
News:
The story behind the great video:
https://www.
Remember, HELPING HANDS: The Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian has a committee called “Helping Hands”. The committee’s goal is to check with people in the congregation that might need help with meals or errands for a period of time due to personal or other family events. Examples might be:
- Meals needed after surgery or during an illness
- Help with meals while family is visiting for a funeral service.
- Assistance with grocery or pharmacy pick-ups.
One of our biggest challenges is knowing about those who might need our services. Please help us out by passing on referrals to Marcia or Patty in the church office or to Clemmie Ackermann at coletta.ackermann@gmail.com
TONIGHT Mid-Week Gathering 7 pm
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
Humor/the banking edition: (Serious times call for re-creation, joy, and humor.)
From Dave Bauer. At the Pine River bank outdoor digital sign: What sort of account did the barber decide to open? A “shavings account.”
From Ken Chapman. I heard that Tonto needed capital to start his own business but first he had to satisfy the loan arranger.
GOOD WORD:
Matthew 14:22-33
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
LET US PRAY:
O God,
forgive our wanton waste of the
wealth of the soil and sea and air;
forgive our desecration of natural
beauty;
forgive our heedlessness of those
who shall come after us;
forgive our undue love of money;
forgive our contempt for small things
and our worship of what is big;
forgive our neglect of struggling peoples.
For such wrongs to our natural and human
heritage,
and for many things left undone, forgive us, O God.
(Forgive Us, adapted from Willard L. Sperry)
PEACE to you all,
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-08-04
 THE HEART OF MISSION August 4, 2020 
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! Just yesterday morning I read in Su Voz, our Cuban Partner Network e-devotional, a poem about walking. It talks about what to walk away from which adds a nice balance to all the other walking I am doing. In case you missed it, I will share it again:
Cuba Partner Network – Conversation with Rev. Liudmila Hernández Rev. Liudmila Hernández regularly joins the monthly meetings of the CPN Steering Committee, providing updates on the situation in Cuba. Here is a summary of her report from our July meeting: Most provinces in Cuba have entered Phase 2 of re-opening. With the exception of Havana, where there are still new cases each day, the other churches have reopened and are joyously worshiping, at a distance. The economic situation continues to be dire; severe shortages continue, with long lines for food, hygiene supplies, medicines and other essentials. Restaurants, bars, B&B’s, so helpful to the economy in the last two years, remain closed. In the communities, people have formed WhatsApp groups to communicate on the availability of medicines. The churches continue to provide for their communities however they can. The Steering Committee asked Liudmila what life is like for pastors in the isolated setting of the pandemic. She says that pastors have had to be creative in caring for their congregations through visiting, providing meals, maintaining hope and taking care of the peoples’ physical and spiritual needs. In her experience there is not a feeling of isolation, but rather, there is so much to do and so many to take care of, there is no time to feel isolated or discouraged. Congregations are caring for their pastors and caring for each other. Liudmila sends all of the US churches warm wishes from Cuba. She affirmed that our churches are like a family, always in prayer for each other. Save the date! CPN Virtual Gathering: September 25 – 26, 2020 The Cuba Partners Network Virtual Gathering will be held via Zoom from Friday, September 25 to Saturday, September 26. The CPN Program Committee is working on a full program which will include many items of interest, from advocacy to partner communications. Look for more information and a link to register via email in early August.
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Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-08-03
Monday August 3rd, 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Rev. Dr. Steve Montgomery died in a bicycle accident over the weekend. Last year, he retired from his post as pastor of Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Memphis.
Upon his retirement last year, Montgomery wrote “Twelve Things I Have Learned In The Ministry” for the Daily Memphian. Among them:
- Jesus never used the word “tolerate.” Tolerate one another? Tolerate your neighbor? Tolerate your enemy? Nope. “Love one another.” “Love your neighbor.” “Love your enemy.” There is all the difference in the world.
- I have always grown the most spiritually, intellectually and emotionally from those who are different from me: women, members of the LGBTQ community, Central Americans, Jews, Muslims, African Americans, and yes, evangelicals.
- Children are not the future of the church. Enough of that nonsense. They are the church now. And they need the church’s nurture and advocacy.
- Being Presbyterian, I am all for doctrines and creeds, but it is bad religion to deify them. They are only to be used as signposts and not hitching posts. Doctrines, you remember, supported slavery and apartheid. Some still support the marginalization of women and members of the LGBTQ community. Love alone is the hitching post. Faith can divide, but compassion can unite.
- Whenever you engage with the Bible, make sure others are a part of the conversation, or else we ended up baptizing our own prejudices.
- It really is a joy to be with irrepressible people who are so precisely because they follow the One who said, “I have come that your joy might be full.” Or to be with people of any faith who decide not to be members of the Bystanders Association, but rather embrace life fully. As Bishop Irenaeus said early on: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive!” It is a joy to be loved. It is a joy to love others.
News:
HELPING HANDS: The Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian has a committee called “Helping Hands”. The committee’s goal is to check with people in the congregation that might need help with meals or errands for a period of time due to personal or other family events. Examples might be:
- Meals needed after surgery or during an illness
- Help with meals while family is visiting for a funeral service.
- Assistance with grocery or pharmacy pick-ups.
One of our biggest challenges is knowing about those who might need our services. Please help us out by passing on referrals to Marcia or Patty in the church office or to Clemmie Ackermann at
coletta.ackermann@gmail.com or at 217-377-7901. The other members of this committee are Lola Ruthmansdorfer, Claudia Kirby and Marty Edwards.
Tuesday’s Men’s Bible Study 8 am
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
Humor: (Serious times call for re-creation, joy, and humor.)
Why are elephants banned from swimming pools?
They can’t keep their trunks up.
Good Word:
Matthew 14:22-33
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
LET US PRAY (AN ENCORE):
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
(Thomas Merton)
PEACE to you all,
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
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