A message from our Bishop: Prayers for Sutherland Springs

A message from our Bishop:
Prayers for Sutherland Springs

We're reeling once again-this time from a shooting in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Most of the people in the church were shot and over half killed. I envision so many rural churches across all the places I have served in Ohio, Minnesota, and Illinois, and also my own home church, where that could have so easily happened. I can't imagine and yet I do.

What should or can you and your church do about protecting yourselves and each other? Should you have armed guards? Locked doors during worship? Or other means of barring yourselves away from the world? I think it's a worthy conversation at a church council meeting to make sure that you are alert and aren't unnecessarily vulnerable but United Methodist churches are declared gun-free zones in our Book of Resolutions.

We live in a world that isn't completely safe but we are called to be people who trust in God and refuse to live in a cowering, fearful way. So most importantly I hope that you will reflect on this verse with me:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Since there is no ultimate safety or security in this life, let us take courage and could we at least be kinder and gentler with each other on the journey? My prayers are for all who have been victims of gun violence in our communities as well as Sutherland Springs, TX. I pray that these violent events make us more merciful and peacemakers. Read the Bishop's full statement here https://www.umcnic.org/prayers-for-sutherland-springs/

~Bishop Sally Dyck

Pride Worship Location Announced!

On Sunday, June 25th, Berry will join with the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches for a Pride worship service!  

The service will be held from 11:15-11:45 am on the lawn located at the intersection of N. Racine & W. Sunnyside (1197 W. Sunnyside Ave., Truman College). The lawn is outside the Truman parking garage about two blocks west of Broadway on Montrose and a block north on Clifton. If you are at Wilson & Racine, walk south across the campus to the parking garage and you’ll see the lawn. Following the service, we’ll head to our location in the parade lineup and receive our church signs. to carry in the parade.  

Please join us as we witness to God's wide love for all! 

Welcome Our New Little Free Pantry!

Berry is now home to a Little Free Pantry! Our LFP is located on the Giddings side of Berry. The Little Free Pantry utilizes a familiar, compelling concept to pique local interest in and action against local food insecurity. The LFP also offers an opportunity for neighbors to help meet neighborhood needs. Our Little Free Pantry was donated and set up by a member of the Lincoln Square community who used to live across the street from Berry. We will offer a blessing of the pantry on Sunday following worship.

What can you donate? Non-perishables, canned vegetables, proteins, personal care items, paper goods, kid-friendly non-perishables, crayons, school supplies (toward the end of summer). Berry is also accepting gift cards for re-stocking the pantry on “low” weeks.

Berry Offers Hope With Glitter Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, March 1st, Berry UMC offered glitter ashes to commuters at the Western CTA Brown Line station.  This action was an intentional participation in a movement of other welcoming Chicago churches. Berry’s pastor, Rev. April Gutierrez, was quoted in the Chicago Tribune as a proponent of the movement. The glitter ashes were met with surprise by some and gratitude from many, including one man who drove into the city from Elmhurst to receive the ashes.

Parity, a faith-based LGBTQ-oriented organization based in New York City, organizes the Glitter+Ash initiative. From their website: “Glitter+Ash is an inherently queer sign of Christian belief, blending symbols of mortality and hope, of penance and celebration. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance. During Lent, Christians look inward and take account in order to move forward with greater health. At this moment in history, glitter ashes will be a powerful reminder of St. Augustine’s teaching that we cannot despair because despair paralyzes, thwarting repentance and impeding the change that we are called to make.” Read more about Glitter+Ash here.

Berry November 2017 Newsletter

Berry Work Day Saturday, Nov. 19th, 9 am – 1 pm
with First UMC Downers Grove

  We are looking forward to working with volunteers from First UMC Downers Grove at our Church Work Day on Saturday, Nov. 19th! We will focus primarily on painting and mulching, and will also have a variety of smaller projects around the church. We invite your participation as we continue to make our church more hospitable to all.  If you can attend or donate a dessert or drink, please sign up online or RSVP to the church office.  Lunch will be provided. Desserts and drinks can be dropped off at the church office by Wednesday, Nov. 16th.  Thank you!

Save the Date: Seeds of Change Fair Trade Marketplace & Farmers Market

We are excited to host our annual Seeds of Change marketplace and farmers market!  This popular event features local, fair trade certified products around Chicago, a winter farmers market sponsored by Faith in Place, a children’s activity time, homemade chili, and more!  If you’re interested in making chili to sell, please contact Susan Geil. Tickets will soon be available to purchase quarts of chili to take home.

Order Your Poinsettia Today!

Fill out the form here and email it to the church office.  Poinsettias will grace our worship space beginning on Sunday, December 11th. Donor names will be listed in the bulletins on Dec. 11th, 18th, & 25th. The office will bill you after you submit your order form. Each poinsettia costs $14.

Halloween Happenings: Thank You!

On Saturday, Oct. 29th, Berry participated in Lincoln Square’s annual Halloween Happenings festival.  We handed out candy to trick-or-treaters, gave out free picture books, and had Halloween themed temporary tattoos. Over 50 kids came by, and we had a lot of fun meeting them! Thank you to Brent Holman-Gomez and Chuck Fowler for helping out with this event!

Submit Your Favorite Hymn for Sunday,
Nov. 20th Hymn Sing

Please submit your favorite hymn (including verse numbers) to Adrienne in the church office by Wednesday, November 16th.

Upcoming in Worship

This Sunday, Nov. 13th – Re-imagining Generosity
Message offered by Lay Leader Brent Holman-Gomez

Sunday, Nov. 20th – Stewardship Sunday & Hymn Sing

Upcoming Family Advent Events
Sundays, Nov. 20th & Dec. 4th

2017 Pledge Form Now Available

The 2017 Berry Pledge Form is now available!  Forms can be submitted via email, placed in the offering plate on Sunday, or mailed to the church office. Thank you for your giving to our mission and ministry!

Sanctuary Helpers Needed

Pastor April would like help preparing the sanctuary for worship. This could include setting up before each of the new sermon series’, or helping to visually plan the space. Please contact Pastor April if you’re interested. Thank you!

Sign the Petition: End Prolonged Solitary Confinement

Our Sunday School class on prison has joined with thousands of other Christians in speaking out against prolonged solitary confinement.  Join us in signing onto the Statement Against Prolonged Solitary Confinement, or look for the posting at the bottom of the sanctuary stairs.

Desires visitors:

Dave Stewart, at Birchwood Nursing facility in Rogers Park (1426 W Birchwood).

Ralph Weber. Contact the church office for Ralph & Anne’s contact information.

We are Praying for…

-A new living arrangement for Michael A.
-Those seeking life after imprisonment
-Michelle G.
-Donald M.
-Nancy, aunt of Doug R.
-For our country: to listen and care for each other

Healing:
-Scott B.
-Pastor Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, as she continues to recover

Comfort:
-The family and loved ones of Constance, who just passed away
-Jacob, Patti, and Nina as they grieve Teri L.