TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Message from Pastor Mori 

Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter    Message from Pastor Mori Dear RFUMC Family  Rev. Carrington Moore has said, "Like many essential workers pastor are pushed to work very hard for very little. It is no surprise that so many of us are tired."    It is true that many pastors cannot avoid feeling overwhelmed and overworked and fatigued, during the pandemic and even before. How can we manage a work-life balance? This was a question that has been on my mind for a while, so I asked my ordination process mentor. She suggested that I track my work hours during September. So, I tracked my September's daily work hours and was really surprised with how many hours I worked. It was a lot more than I had realized. And I noticed that I don't have much personal time for my family or even time for housekeeping work.   I was surprised because it reminded me of people who say, "I am my work." When we put in too many hours, why do we work so much?    Underneath it all is something bigger. The Wall Street Journal gives us two reasons why. First, because we have an emotional attachment to our jobs that exhausts us and squeezes out the other parts of our identity. (Yes, I love RFUMC so much, so I find more and more tasks to do!) The other reason is that for years, we were told to find meaning and purpose at work, while other parts of modern life, like spirituality, receded. Then came the pandemic and for many work has become our lives.    I think this is a good time to find a way to have balance between work and daily life. I need to be more aware of the true meaning of work. I remember Luke 10:38-42: "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."   I think sometimes we wrongly value our labors and lose the signals from our body that we need to take a rest, or we forget the importance of self-care, because we already have a busy schedule.  We need a revolutionary change of values and a reprioritization of life.    If you are tried, let go just a little. And find a place and sit and turn off your device, breathe deeply and talk to God.    God will give you silent peace. And God will give you, "yourself time." And God will remind you of your own self-worth.      Blessings MORI     Give on PayPal   Community Info & Links                        The Night Ministry                                                                       Assembling Meals after Worship Service - Sunday October 10    Following worship service this Sunday, we will be assembling sandwich suppers for distribution with the Night Ministry.  Please stay if you are able to assist.  Thanks to Lisa Goodman for planning and coordinating with the Night Ministry.                                             Halloween Garden Party                                                                                   Candy Donation  Please join us on Halloween to distribute candy to the neighborhood trick or treaters.   We will announce the time when final plans are complete.  If you would like to donate candy or goodies to the Halloween giveaway, please drop them off at the church office during office hours:  Tuesday through Friday 9:30-2:30 or on Sunday after worship service.                                                 Rainbow Sunday October 31                                                      25 Children's Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month                       The United States' National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 until October 15. During this month-long observance, we take time to honor the contributions, history, and culture of Americans whose ancestors are from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The General Board of Church and Society put together a list of stories by Latine and Hispanic authors and illustrators as one way to celebrate this year. Choose a few books to read with the children in your life! These books depict traditional and new stories, biographies and unique characters, and celebrate family, community, and culture. Read more.                                                                                                      Donate essential items such as underwear, toiletries, towels and more to benefit five Black & Brown grassroots-led organizations in Chicago serving youth and their families. See a full list of items and more information here.                                                                                                                                   Afghan Refugee Assistance After the evacuation of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August, World Relief Chicagoland immediately began accessing the needs for the number of Afghan refugees expected to resettle in the Chicagoland area. Not soon after, the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Global Ministries voted to donate $10,000 from the 2018 Bishop's Appeal offering, which raised money for Global Migration, to World Relief Chicagoland to help assist a family of four arriving from the war-torn country. World Relief anticipates welcoming 150 Afghans in the weeks and months ahead. More details will be coming together soon. If your church would like to help, reach out to NIC's Refugee Coordinators, Rev. Jonathan and Rhodalyne Crail at jcrail@firstumc.net, and visit World Relief for volunteer and donation resources at chicagoland.worldrelief.org.                                                 All ages pride prom at UVC Hyde Park- Woodlawn (1407 E 60 st) Head to the south side for an after-party of House music, dancing, fellowship, and rainbow-carpet interview! Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP here                                The Southside  Cultural Tour                       The Southside culture tour is a day spent in Chicago discovering the moves of justice and in-justice, community and culture. History of the past and living history of Today. Hear the stories, see the places and people and understand God's "Required Work" we are called to together. See attached flier. If interested in reserving a spot on the tour, please click here.                                                                  Jonathan Hannau presents his first album of original piano music  Pieces I Wrote on a Cold Winter Night Place-  SPACE, Evanston, IL  Date and Time October 13, 2021 7:30 p.m. doors at 7 p.m. Debut Album Release Party Tickets $15 GA / $25 Reserved Table - Here is the link                                                                    47th Ward Health and Wellness Fair Our Health and Wellness Fair is returning this year, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 at Sulzer Library, 4455 N Lincoln.  Ald. Martin is partnering with the Department of Public Health to host a flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic, and we'll have other health screenings and resources on hand during the event, including blood pressure screenings, "ask the doctor" consultations, mental health services and more.  Flu shots will be available for all ages, and COVID shots are available to anyone 12 years or older (subject to change if the FDA authorizes use for children under 12). While walk-ins are welcome, the Department of Public Health recommends that individuals sign up for an appointment to save time at the event.  Register for an appointment at tinyurl.com/47thwardflu. You can also download an FAQ on the flu and COVID vaccines here.  Walk-in clinics for all ages: There is also a walk-in clinic at 845 W Wilson open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday. Learn more here.                                                                                       Memorial Service                                                                                             Kay Takagishi                                              Saturday October 09 10:00 AM             Ravenswood Fellowship UMC (4511 N Hermitage Ave Chicago IL 60640)                                          Upcoming Meetings                                                      SPRC Meeting                                                   Saturday October 18                                                               Nomination Meeting                                                             TBA                                                    Church Conference                                                   Sunday November 21                                                                                                                                Pastor Mori Vacation                                  Thursday October 21 - Friday October 29                             October 24 Sunday Worship - Rev. Gloria Grasse                                                                                                                    Sermon by Phone service                                                    If you do not have computer access or cannot access our Sunday worship service through a smart phone, we now have a sermon by phone service, which is available at any time! The phone number is (773) 219-0861.  You can listen to a recent version of Pastor Mori's Sunday sermon and it's free!                                                                                  RFUMC Building Ministry                      Ravenswood Fellowship UMC September 2021 Calendar Here October 2021 Here  Church Room Reservation Form (to request use of the common areas of the church Click Here                                                                  After Covid-19 Updates.  Read about the Phases for Re-Opening here. Is that document too long? Read the summary version here. Chicago is currently in Phase 5. Click here to view phase 5 recommendations. Chicago Reopen guidelines Here Cook County Depart of Public Health Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CCDPH                                                   Links for 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).  Let's boost our worship! Please sign-up for Worship service Bible reader Sign-Up here. September Scriptures and sermon titles are here 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 (Meeting ID: 828 2305 3546, One-tap mobile+13126266799) Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here. Download. Get your 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.    Give on PayPal 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? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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