INTERN JASON BEGINS AUGUST 1 – Very soon, Intern Jason Schultz will begin his diaconal internship at United in Faith as part of his seminary education (master’s degree) to become a deacon (rostered lay minister). From August 2021 through January 2022, he will work with United in Faith – using his gifts, skills, and passions for ministry to develop himself as a future deacon in the ELCA. Deacons are also called Word & Service ministers (whereas clergy are Word & Sacrament ministers). He will be at Livestream and In Person worship beginning August 1 so give him a warm welcome to UIF!

FALL SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Beginning on Sunday, September 5th, we’ll begin our new Sunday schedule! At 9:00am, we’ll offer Coffee Fellowship Time and Sunday School. At 10:00am, we’ll have one combined worship service. On Fall Kick-Off Sunday – Sept 12th – we’ll try to offer an outdoor worship service (weather permitting) and we’ll also have God’s Work Our Hands Community Service projects at 11am (after worship). Beginning on September 5th, our livestream will be available at 10am (video from our in person service; may look a little different than the dedicated livestream). Sunday school will begin on September 19th.

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: As we look toward in person and livestream services combining, we expect to need two A/V people for our Sunday services if we can arrange it: one to advance slides on the laptop for in person (an easier task, but you do have to pay attention) and one to control the MEVO camera from the IPad (this is not at hard as it sounds, but it’s not a 2 minute explanation either). If you can use a smart phone, you can learn how to use the MEVO/IPad. This technology allows us to offer a livestream of our worship service. On Saturday, July 31st at 11am, Pastor Carla will do a training with all interested A/V folks. We need volunteers to ensure we make an effective transition to livestreaming our in-person Sunday worship services. (Another training will be offered later.)

COMPASSION CAMP VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – Monday-Friday, August 2-6, 10am-2pm.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Seeking worship leadership volunteers (Door Usher/Greeter, Assisting Minister). The Door Usher/Greeter will hand out bulletins, invite people to sign in, remind about masks if needed. The Assisting Minister will read the lessons (first, second, psalm) and lead the prayers (Sundays & Seasons prayers are available for use if desired).

DONATIONS FOR Trinidad Lutheran Church (Humboldt Park): I’m still gathering donations for Trinidad Lutheran Church (carload #1 is going soon). Trinidad is in the Central Conference of our synod. Trinidad has a weekly distribution of PPE and other personal items, and they serve a neighborhood that includes homeless individuals (so individually wrapped and easy to transport is important). Items can be dropped off at the table at UIF labeled Trinidad Lutheran donations. Possible donations include:

· Disposable masks

· hand sanitizer (small individual bottles better)

· toothbrushes and toothpaste

· socks

· deodorant

· feminine sanitary products

· snacks (chips, cookies, protein bars)

· water bottles

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: Last weekend, we discussed Good Talk by Mira Jacob. If we want to keep up the graphic novel book discussion (books that are designed like comic books), one recommendation for our next graphic novel to discuss is: Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?, a 2014 graphic memoir of American cartoonist By Roz Chast. The book is about Chast's relationship with her parents in their final years. No date set, but let me know if you want to be a part of this graphic novel book discussion group. Future book possibilities include: Fun Home (Alison Bechdel), They Called Us Enemy (George Takei), The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt: A Tyranny of Truth (Ken Krimstein). We’re open to other suggestions.

MASKING DURING PUBLIC WORSHIP: Our United in Faith council recently affirmed that our policy for public worship still includes a mask requirement (regardless of vaccination status). Many of our adult members at United in Faith are vaccinated, but not everyone is vaccinated. Medically speaking, the unvaccinated participants of our community (including kids that aren’t eligible yet) are more at risk than the vaccinated. Because of our love for every member of the community and our desire to include all in God’s work, we need to maintain some pandemic guidelines (like masking during public worship services) for now. We are safer than ever, but not out of the woods yet.

ONLINE GIVING: To give an online donation, please visit https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/uif On your first visit, you will have to create an online giving account.

DRIVE UP COMMUNION: Last scheduled time - Sunday, August 8th - 12-1pm (back parking lot).

The church office is open on Wednesdays from 10am-3pm in case you want to drop off or pick up anything from church (fair trade orders, borrowed hymnal, food pantry donations, offerings). Jeanne may be in the office at other times, but Wednesday 10-3 is the consistent open office time. (Office hours will change in September.)

You can reach out to me by email (revctp@unitedinfaith.org) if needed. I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers these days as we live as the gathered church in many scattered locations.

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29:

9:30am Livestream

10:30 Virtual Coffee Hour on ZOOM

11am In Person Worship

August 8th VBS Wrap Up at 11am service & Drive Up Communion from 12-1pm

September 5:

9:00am Coffee & Juice

10:00am Worship

September 12:

9:00am Coffee & Juice

10:00am Worship (outdoors – weather permitting)

11:00am Service Projects for God’s Work Our Hands Sunday

September 19:

9:00am Sunday School AND Coffee & Juice

10:00am Worship

September 26:

9:00am Sunday School AND Coffee & Juice

10:00am Worship

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Carla

Looking back:

- Annual Meeting Packet as of 2/28/2021.

Added President's Report

LINKS

WHO - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/uiflc

Martin Luther and His Incredible Response to the Black Plague - https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chorusinthechaos/martin-luther-and-the-black-plague/

Guidelines to Keep in Mind from our State, City, and Denomination

Some Current events:

Online Giving

Vacation Bible School

Join us in striving to be God's Hands, Feet and Voice in the world!

Notes For First-TimeVisitors

We Used To Be A Printing Company ... Then We Converted

A Reconciling in Christ congregation of the

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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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A Member of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod

Email

Updated: July 26, 2021

Address

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Every Sunday, effective March 7, 2021 - In Person Communion Service in Church

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ARE WE OPEN?

Somewhat! See below

We also have several Online Worship Activities

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