Monday, August 31^st, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
Here’s an important message from Kathy Kinser: 
 
Dear Friends, On behalf of my family, I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your comforting cards and letters following the recent death of my husband, Dave. I have been lifted in body and spirit by your prayers and your loving kindness. It has been a great joy for me to be part of our Presbyterian Congregation as well as having children with high-tech ability to guide me wade through a stack of paperwork!  Blessings to everyone.
 
Hugs with Much Love,
 
Kathy Kinser
 
* * *
 
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 or at 217-377-7901.  The other members of this committee are Lola Rutmansdorfer,  Claudia Kirby and Marty Edwards.  
 
News:
 
A message from Sandy Carr.            
“I am ashamed to say how oblivious I was to the many examples of oppression in America. Yes, I knew slavery was wrong. And yes, I knew segregated schools and housing were wrong. But  the day-to-day struggles of Black Americans was not a part of my daily life. Through my reading on the Compassion, Peace, and Justice Committee at church, NOW I know.  And the question is: what am I going to do about this oppressive inequality?”
 
* * *
 
You are invited to a congregation-wide book study on race.

• WHAT? White Fragility: Why Is It So Hard for White People to Talk about Race? by Robin DiAngelo (Beacon Press, 2018).   
• WHEN? The study begins on the week of September 14 (either on Monday night at 7:00, or Thursday afternoon at 11 a.m. Exact times TBA).  
• HOW? Sign up by emailing or calling Patty Farthing in the church office. We will meet on-line via Zoom. 217.356.7238 /  Patty@firstpres.church 
• WHO? Everyone in our congregation and community is invited. Pastor Matt Matthews will facilitate. Our Compassion, Peace, and Justice Committee will host.             
• WHY? Having conversations about race may open us to whole new ways of being “neighbor” and give us ideas about how we can help heal the divisions that divide our nation along racial lines. 

I’m eager to be challenged by this book and by our conversations around it. I have a lot to learn about race, about myself, and about our complicated, beautiful human family. I’m eager to grow. Join us!
 
Those who have studied the book say this:

• It is not a fluff book.
• It is thought provoking.
• There will be uncomfortable parts.  
• It will challenge us to think about things we’d rather not think about. It is a journey of learning and awareness.
• I became aware of little things in daily life I never noticed before. 
• It gives an understanding of our white culture I never had before. 
• It is an opportunity to consider cultural blind spots that might inhibit how fully we live out Christ’s call on our lives as His disciples.

Together we can identify and practice ways to build our capacity to listen and to speak about race, faith and justice in a manner that builds up the Body of Christ. 

Humor (Hard times need godly laughter): 
 
I’m looking for some intellectual humor. Until then, answer me this:
Q: Why was the road nervous? 
Q: Why did the dinosaur refuse to wear deodorant?
 
(Answers on Wednesday! Email me directly if you’re dying to know.)
 
Good Word:
Philippians 2:3-4       
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others
 
Let us pray:
Holy God, 
you call us to venture where 
we cannot see the ending;
Forgive us for not trusting 
you to lead us.
 
You call us to venture by 
paths as yet untrodden;
Forgive us for not 
following you.
 
You call us to venture through 
perils unknown. 
Forgive us for allowing 
fear to paralyze us.
 
Give us faith to go out 
with courage, not knowing 
where we go, but only that
 your hand is leading us 
and your love supporting us. 
 
When we lack trust in you, 
have mercy and patience,  
and help us to be your light 
in the world. 
 
We ask this in Christ’s 
holy name. 
 
AMEN.
 
Much, much love to you all.
 
 Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church