Celebrate our Talents at RFUMC

Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter A Message from Pastor Erin I don't know about you, but I am tired. Living in this peculiar time when leaving the house is stressful means we need to find healthy ways to disconnect from constant pain and reconnect with each other. We crave time to reflect on the joy of being alive, rest in the awareness that we are God's creation, and find power in community. And how do we do that? Well, this week we'll try to do that by coming together and showcasing our talents. I know, I know. It's silly. What church hosts a talent show? What church hosts a talent show during a global crisis and does it online? But as followers of Jesus we use our joy as a practice to resist the cynicism that threatens to creep in and the despair that could so easily take us over. So we disrupt our everyday practices and share some silly, quirky, fun time together. I imagine Jesus did just that with his disciples while reclining for long meals together. They celebrated at weddings (John 2:1-12) and crashed tax collector's houses (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus and his friends were known as a rowdy bunch who loved to have fun (Luke 7:31-35).  Our shared moments of joy increase our love for each other across our separate spaces. Our shared experiences, like a virtual church talent show, lift up our hearts to the Lord because it is right to give God our thanks and praise. Even in a pandemic.  So sign up to share a talent. Don't have a talent? Maybe your pet can do a trick. Sign them up! Got a silly "party trick" you do when people are bored around the dinner table? We want to see it! In a time when we are separated by space, we will draw closer together and learn more about each other through shared experiences of joy.  Ideas of talents to share: Perform a magic trick Tell a joke Run through an obstacle course in your living room  Solve a rubik's cube in 60 seconds Juggle Tap dance Show us a recently completed work of art You'll have 1-5 minutes to share your talent. Sign up here.  What to bring? Bring whatever you need to perform  Bring a snack and a delicious drink Wear something festive like a funny tie, a sparkly sweater, a wig, or old Halloween costume (not required, but just fun!) See you Saturday (May 2) at 5 PM. Here is the Zoom link. Or you can call in at 312.626.6799 (Meeting ID: 911 2188 5039).  Oh yeah. And Sunday (May 3) at church, we'll celebrate communion. How did Jesus celebrate the first communion? He used the elements right before him, taking something familiar and giving it new meaning. We will do the same. So get a cup of something to drink. Grab something like bread or a cracker. And let's remember the bread and cup together in this new way. Community Links Virtual Church Talent Show. You can still sign up for the Virtual Church Talent Show here. Or simply attend on Saturday and witness your fellow church members unknown gifts, May 2 at 5 PM at this link or call at 312.626.6799 (Meeting ID 983 3180 0906 and Password: 229359). It's gonna be fun! Craft Group. We are participating in the Citywide Cloth Mask Drive! To volunteer or donate material, please email Yuko Darcy at yukochcago@gmail.com or join the Craft Group on Wednesday at 5 PM at this Zoom link. Young Adult Virtual Happy Hour. Calling all 20-30-somethings! Tired after a long day of staring at screen? Join us for another hour of staring at a screen but this time with a delicious drink in your hand and good company. Log on and hang out with your fellow RFUMC young adults. Thursday evening at 7 PM. Go to this link.  Walking Group. Every week people walk together in our church gym for health and community. But while our building in closed the Walking Group takes their community online. And maybe now you can join their Zoom call to check in, support one another, and pray for each other. 8:30 AM on Wednesdays and Fridays. Go to this link here or dial in at 312.626.6799 (Meeting ID: 771 188 446). Young People's Bible Study. Ages 12-18 are invited to join the Zoom discussion of Jesus stories at 9 AM on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call here and download the story for discussion here. WAYS TO GIVE BACK Inclusive Collective. An inclusive Christian community for college students at UIC. Learn more about how to support their work of helping young adults learn more about Jesus, grow in community, and give back to the city.  Mutual Aid Networks. As individuals struggle to respond to the public health crisis of COVID-19, the Mutual Aid Networks of Lakeview, Andersonville, and Lincoln Square/Ravenswood are hosting a fundraiser to directly help our neighbors with groceries and supplies. Consider contributing here.  Sewing Volunteers and Fabric Donation for Craft Group.  Help us participate in the Citywide Cloth Mask Drive! Know how to sew (even simple things)? We could use your help. Got fabrics around you can donate? Share them with us! We can use washed(!) fabrics and elastic cords for mask materials. To volunteer or donate material, please email Yuko Darcy at yukochcago@gmail.com. UM Foundation. The United Methodist Foundation of the Northern Illinois Conference, Inc. will match $-for-$ your donation to three food banks for a total match of $50,000 during the month of May. Learn how to double the amount of your donation to local food banks with the UM Foundation here.  2020 Census. for every person who doesn't get counted, communities lose about $1400 in funding for critical resources like healthcare, education, affordable housing, school lunches, libraries, fire departments, and senior services, all of which help get us through difficult times. Learn more about the census from the Japanese American Service Committee here.  Giving to RFUMC. Of course, we continue to share our finances to support God's work in our faith community. Support the ministry of Ravenswood Fellowship UMC online and by the mail. Your financial support helps us transform lives and make disciples. Go to our PayPal page here or mail in your gift to 4511 N Hermitage Chicago, IL 60640. Give on PayPal Worship looks a little Different Below are some continued learnings for helping you grow confident and participate in our worship experience. And please remember, our building is closed! Worship. Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday: https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).  Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here.  Want to show your fun personality on Zoom? Check this out to learn how to change your Zoom background to reflect you. Download. Get you bulletin here.  Having trouble? Try logging off and logging back on to Zoom during the video. Or simply log off and call in.  Missed last week? Check out the Facebook Live video on our page here.  Our mailing address is: 4511 North Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Contact us at: ravfelumc@yahoo.com (773) 561-2610 Want to change how you receive these emails? 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