First Presbyterian Church First Pres Organ Rededicated, Jill … ·  · 2015-06-18at Farewell Concert Held June 14 ... “After so many years of such wonderful service to our church

700 N. Sheridan Road

Volume XVI , No. 6 June 2015

Lake Forest, IL 60045www.firstchurchlf.org

A monthly publication of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

First Pres Organ Rededicated, Jill S. Hunt Honored at Farewell Concert Held June 14

After being part of the music ministry staff at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest for two decades, Jill S. Hunt played her final Organ Concert to a full house on June 14. Along with showcasing Jill’s musical gift, the concert highlighted our 41-year-old Casavant pipe organ that was renovated this past winter.

“ I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to present a recital that celebrated the rededication of the organ and my retirement from our church,” Jill said.

Jill joined First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest in 1995 when she was hired as organist, director of children’s choirs and director of handbell choirs. From 1996-2014, Hunt served as director of music and organist. She is currently organist/director of handbells from which she will be retiring later this summer.

“First Presbyterian is lucky to have had Jill as part of its family for so many years,” said Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian, senior pastor at First Presbyterian. “Her talent and musical leadership will be missed.”

“ After so many years of such wonderful service to our church and community, there is no better person than Jill to re-dedicate the instrument,” added Dr. Thomas J. Tropp, incoming director of music and arts ministry. “This has been ‘her’ instrument for so long that it’s fitting that she brought it back out of the barn.”

Jill’s plaque (pictured below) will be placed in the Organ Loft later this summer.

Final 2014-2015 Program Year Session Highlights

• Session thanked all outgoing Elders for serving and welcomed incoming Elders.

• Bert Tucker, commissioner of Boy Scouts NE Council, presented the Charter for Boy Scout Troop 46 and Cub Scout Pack 46. Bert also presented a nicely framed copy of the Troop Charter application from April 7, 1927. These special documents can be seen on the Scout Honor Wall outside Fellowship Hall.

• Ruth Luke, Preschool director, and Michelle Marx, Preschool treasurer, presented the Preschool Budgets for 2015-2016 as recommended by the Preschool Board and the Children’s Faith Formation Committee, which was also reviewed and recommended by the Finance Committee at their May meeting. Session approved the Preschool Budget as presented.

• Session approved a combined inward ministry and outward mission position as a result of collaborative efforts by Session, Personnel, Youth Faith Formation, College Ministry, Finance and Stewardship. The inward ministry will focus on middle and high school, and our First Pres young adults through college. The outward mission will be to Lake Forest College students. This position will report to Rev. Nick Redmond. Since Jennifer Aycock, director of College MInistry, left in February, her position has not been filled. This approval is contingent on securing funding of $225,000 for three years over our current operating Budget.

• Session officially approved receiving the Annual 2014 Audit with no material issues prepared by Mann Wietz and Associates and recommended by the Finance Committee.

The last Session meeting for the 2014-2015 Program Year that was held May 18 was a full one! Here are some of the highlights:

Dear friends, Summer is off to a great start! Our youth have gone to Michigan and rolled up their sleeves on Work Trip … our children ran around enjoying Vacation Bible School … our guys have enjoyed a BBQ at Corey’s house … our gals are engaged in a weekly Beach Walk time of fellowship.

Sundays are just as joyful, with the whole church in worship together at 10 a.m. Don’t miss these special Sundays ahead: start of Playground Church and honoring Father’s Day on June 21 at 10 a.m.; Jennifer Aycock’s guest preaching on June 28 at 10 a.m., and more. We celebrate God’s generosity and glory in all these ways. I hope you’ll be a part of it!

Every blessing,

Reverend Dr. Christine Chakoian

is published monthly for members & friends of

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

700 North Sheridan RoadLake Forest, Illinois 60045

Submission due date is the 15th of every month.

Church Office(847) 234-6250Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

June 21 Father’s Day

10am WorshipRev. Dr. Christine Chakoian Leading

July 5 10am Worship

Rev. Dr. Dave Bianchin Leading

July 12 10am Worship

Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian Leading

June 28 10am Worship

Jennifer Aycock, M.Div. Leading

WE WORSHIP

Cancer with Grace offers spiritual and emotional support in a confidential setting to help us live each day to the fullest. Our support group is open to all members of the community. This summer, through August, we will meet once a month on the 2nd Thursday, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Parlor. The next meeting is on July 9.

Come join fellow walkers for a devotion and brisk walk down and around the beach on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. through July 24 (except July 2). We meet at the Memorial Garden fountain where we begin with a devotion on God and nature. All are welcome! For more information, contact Joy McGreevy at [email protected].

Beach Walk 2015

Cancer with Grace

Bob and Winnie Crawford invite you to join them for dessert and coffee on June 29 at 7 p.m. with

Rev. Choon Lim and his wife Yen Hee Lim, PC(USA) mission workers in South Korea. The event will be held at 676 Lake Road in Lake Forest. Valet parking is available. This is an important opportunity to learn from them about the impact of Presbyterians in Korea

and their global witness.

Playground Church starts Sunday, June 21! The whole family is invited to worship God by swinging, sliding and playing, as well as through prayer, communion and singing. Worship as a family at Playground Church or have it serve as your children’s Sunday School.

For the last three months, I lived in the constantly moving metropolis of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the third largest French-speaking city in the world. Immersed in the seminary community of West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary/Faculté de Théolo-gie Evangélique de l’Alliance Chrétienne, I was surrounded by students from every francophone African country. Many times I wondered, “What am I doing here?” as I sat alongside seasoned pastors, accomplished theologians, Bible translators, community health providers and political leaders during classes, chapel, shared meals and an inter-national colloquium. My sabbatical was a humbling privilege. The questions asked in classes were never theoretical; many instead held life and death implications. We discussed the ongoing economic enslavement of the continent to Western development initiatives, and increasingly to Chinese investment. When I asked a handful of students and professors their thoughts on the ever-evolving role of China in Ivoirian economics, the reply was the same: “They could care less about us. They just want our resources … which doesn’t include our people.” We wrestled what mission in contemporary African contexts theologically means, and I learned more from professors and students than I can recount.

The colloquium entitled “Churches, Political Elections, and Development in Contemporary Africa,” gathered religious and political leaders from all across the continent who spoke on the role of churches in elections. FATEAC was described as “courageous” for both hosting the colloquium on broadly contentious topics and for making a politically neutral yet peace-making statement during the 2011 post-electoral crisis in the Ivory Coast that split the country violently in two. During one prayer session, a student prayed, “Lord, we have many elections coming in the next three years, but when we hear the word ‘election’ we also hear the word ‘war.’ Give our leaders wisdom and protect our countries in your peace.” Alongside the learning I did over this sobering sabbatical, I also worshiped in a different church every Sunday. I took time to travel north and learn about ministry and mission outside of Abidjan’s perimeters. And, I rested through prayer, writing, play, being with people and having no schedule; it was glorious! God used the text of Philippians 3 in particular to crystallize much of why he took me out of what had become familiar and comfortable to reform me for the next season of life ahead. I am ready and excited!

So on Sunday June 28, I look forward to seeing so many lovely faces that I have genuinely missed in Abidjan! I’ll be preaching on Sabbath Reflections on Identity and Economics from the text of Philippians 3:2-16. My prayer is that this passage will teach us to see ourselves and our value, the complexities of our world, and what is of ultimate importance in life more clearly. I look forward to worshiping and celebrating our good and awesome Lord with you very soon!

Join us on June 22 at 9 a.m. in the Parlor for breakfast and conversation with Rev. Shelvis Smith-Mather and

his wife Rev. Nancy Smith-Mather, who are PC(USA) mission workers in South Sudan. Shelvis is the Principal of the RECONCILE Peace Institute (RPI). Nancy is the Project Manager for the South Sudan education and peace building project, developing peace and advancing education in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, Across, Yei Teacher Training College and RECONCILE International. Our mission resources help support their education and peace building projects. For more information, please contact

Jessica Hawkinson: [email protected].

Catch Up with Jennifer Aycock and Listen to Her Preach, June 28

Master 2 students at FATEAC--all pastors, national church leaders, and professors throughout francophone Africa--gather at the end of a long yet rewarding week of class on African Renaissance, Theology, and Mission.

Breakfast with South Sudan Mission Workers, June 22“Stay in touch” this summer through Pastor Dave’s blog. Early each week he’ll post a reflection based on the sermon that was just preached. It will include a few reflection questions so you can engage the message either in personal or family devotions. Go to firstchurchlf.org to see his posts.

700 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045www.firstchurchlf.org

publication dateJune 2015

Join Us forSummer Worship

10amFollowed by Fellowship

Back in 2004, Pat Johnson was spotted knitting at the Hospitality Desk. Herb Smyers, our former business manager, had an idea that he suggested to Pat: “How about knitting shawls for people in crisis?” And with that, a new ministry was born.

Pat Johnson and Peg Koschman took this idea and ran with it. They gathered the supplies and women who liked to knit or crochet and off they went. Since then, approximately 150 shawls per year have been hand-made and sent to those who are hurting. Lap robes are sent to men; prayer shawls are sent to women; and hats, scarves and blankets are sent to youths—including international students at Lake Forest College who are unable to go home for Christmas. The happy occasion of a new baby is recognized by a pair of hand-knit socks, complete with lace edging and a small cross.

You can find our busy knitters in the Parlor every Tuesday afternoon, after 1 p.m. Also, some knitters work from home and send in their wonderful creations. In addition to sending to congregants, the Prayer Shawl Ministry also honors requests from church members for loved ones who are out of town.

The ladies of the Prayer Shawl Ministry find that the reward is all theirs: giving a tangible hug from God when nothing else can make it better. Plus, they get to do something they love! If you are interested in the group, come to the Parlor on Tuesdays at/around 1 p.m. All are welcome, from beginners to experts, knitters and crochetters. Come knit a hug!

More Than a Decade of Hand-Made Hugs