Dear Friends,
I am looking forward to gathering together this week for our July in-person worship service. While I have grown to appreciate the rhythms of our online worship services and the opportunities they offer for videos and conversation, there is something about being together in that space—the stained glass windows, the smell of wood and old hymnals, and voices of the gathered community—that still feels so wonderfully necessary.
We are invited during communion to experience the love of Christ as something tangible; bread and juice that we can see, feel, and taste. The gathering together of the community as bodies in a shared space is also a reminder that the body of Christ exists as a tangible reality. Our aging, tired, young, energetic, healthy, hungry, ill, and nourished bodies are collectively the body of Christ in each other’s lives and in our communities.
Though we are able to be present and attentive to one another in our online worship services, I think there is still a way in which we are able to bring our full selves to the sanctuary that just isn’t possible via Zoom. Perhaps another way of saying it is this: It’s pretty easy to hide when we are are suffering or struggling on Zoom. Mute your microphone and turn off your camera and you can disappear.
Disappearing is OK sometimes. But other times, you need to be seen for who and what and how you really are. And we need to see you. Nurturing community ultimately requires that kind of presence and vulnerability.
We will be sharing communion together again this Sunday. Once again, the bread and the juice will be precut and pre-poured and served in separate cups to help keep all of us safe. (And I will refrain from going down a theological rabbit hole about how I don’t know if communion is supposed to be safe…) But as you take and eat and taste the bread and the juice, please know that God’s love isn’t portioned out.
God is fully present in that moment and in every moment. We are the ones who tend to portion ourselves out to one another.
God is is fully present in that moment and an in every moment, inviting you to be fully present as well. God is always offering you an extra helping of the bread of life. Every once and a while, surrounded by people we love and cradled by this old tradition, we have the courage to say yes.
Grace and peace,
Rob
“Bread of Life” Mural by James B. Janknegt
Join Us In Person for Worship on Sunday, July 25th, at 10:00 am
Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday for our in-person worship gathering as we reflect together on the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes. Music will be led by Winifred Brown and Judy Smith. In addition, we are welcoming Jon and Cynthia Hallas’ son and daughter-in-law Ian Hallas and Nomin Zolzaya as our guest musicians.
Betty Jacobs is our worship leader this Sunday. Marie Durkin and Barb Roberson are hosting our coffee hour in the CCW Lounge.
If you are unable to join us in person, but would like to watch the livestream of the service via Zoom, please click on the button below or go to our website at www.ccwilmette.org and follow the link at the top of the homepage.
Living and Serving Together
Donations for The Crib
Missions and Outreach is continuing to collect donations for The Crib, the Night Ministry’s shelter for homeless youth. Now that warmer weather is here, the youth need white undershirts, socks, sunscreen, and bottled water. Underwear and toiletries are always on the needs list.
Judy Smith is happy to coordinate a time to pick up donations at your home. You are also welcome to drop off donations at the church office.
Prayers of the Community
Please keep the following individuals and families in your thoughts and prayer this week.
Ryan and Dorothea Boyle and their sons George, JJ, and Freddy as they continue to grieve the passing of Ryan’s father Richard Boyle.
If you have a prayer concern that you would like included in the Prayers of the Community, please email me at rrawls@ccwilmette.org.