Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter | | Message from Pastor Mori Dear RFUMC Family
As the new year begins, many of us find ourselves in a familiar spot: working at home!! And this is not a joyful experience for everyone. When I am googling the image of new year, the most popular image is a glass of champagne and a balloon that represents cheerfulness.
For many, the new year is often a time of hope, but this year, reality is not like the images that I found on Google. The reality of the new year might be that this is a time of disorientation, confusion, or even loneliness.
For me, this week was challenging also. As I was planning the new year ministry and meetings with leaders of Ravenswood Fellowship UMC and conference co-ministers and friends, I found that many of us are surrounded by not so happy news. Because we don't know what will happen in even a few days, it is hard to make long term plans now.
However, I think this is good time to think about the meaning of 2022. We don't know the future, but we can still make our days meaningful. For me, I try to keep one main scripture verse resonate in my life.
My 2022 main scripture Romans 12:9-16. (NRSV)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
I choose this verse because love and hope are what I need in my life everyday. I printed it out and am trying to use it as my spiritual guideline for 2022.
If you don't have yet your 2022 Bible scripture, I think this January is a perfect time to open your Bible and read and meditate on the word of God with hot herbal tea! (Joe said his scripture verse is Proverbs 3:24b: "When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.")
Scripture will lead you to God's way and help you when you lose the light on your journey
Happy New Year!
Mori
| | Community Info & Links  We will continue using our hybrid worship model which means that both in-person and Zoom will be offered as worship options. As the number of Covid-19 patients increase, we are recommending that if you do not feel well or someone in your house is sick, please join through Zoom. There is no harm in staying home and joining the online worship to protect other members of the congregation and we are very appreciative of you taking care of our spiritual community. Here is Sunday Worship Zoom link :https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040). Worship service scripture readers Wanted! Would you be interested in volunteering to be a scripture reader during worship service? You may read in-person or by using the zoom worship option.
To sign up, please click here.
Click here for the sermon series and scripture information. Thanks for your assistance!
Lake North Leadership Training
 Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 8:30 am to 12 noon Be Alert: Phishing Email Scam
Just in time for the holidays, scammers are at it again pretending to be Bishop Hopkins asking for gift cards or money. Please know Bishop Hopkins would never personally request such donations or any requests to "handle discreetly." One red flag is the sender's email. Bishop Hopkins would not send official emails using an obscure @gmail account. Disregard these phishing emails.
Christmas Tree Recycling  Chicago Christmas tree recycling returns this weekend, running from January 8-22 at 26 locations throughout the city. The closest location in the 47th Ward is at Clark Park, 3400 N Rockwell St. Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted (no garland or wreaths). Because the trees are mulched, all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls. Six locations will also provide free mulch on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Monday, January 10: Lincoln Park, Margate Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, North Park Village, Warren Park, and the Forestry Site. View a map of all locations and see more details here.
Homeless Prevention Program
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of homelessness due to missed payment of rental costs due to unforeseen crises, they may be eligible for the Department of Family and Support Services Rental Assistance Program. The deadline to apply has been extended through January 31, 2022. Learn more and apply here or call the North Area Community Service Center, 845 W. Wilson, at 312- 744-2580. Chicago Vaccine Requirement  Effective Monday, January 3, 2022, any individual 5 years of age or older will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to dine indoors, visit gyms, or enjoy entertainment venues where food or drink are being served. Learn more about the Chicago Vaccine Requirement here. CDC shortens quarantine guidance: The CDC has shortened the quarantine and isoation period to five days. Click here to more guidance about what to do if you've been exposed to COVID-19. Get vaccinated: Booster doses for everyone 16 years and older are now available at all CDPH clinics and even at home! Getting boosted helps keep you and your family protected from the virus.Make a plan for your family at chi.gov/covidvax. Get tested: Anyone, including people who are fully vaccinated, should consider getting tested before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household. Find testing locations here.  As Chicago provides us with new guidance regarding the suggested vaccination of people who are participating in public events, we would like to update our congregational safety survey. In this revised survey, we want to ask three questions to improve safety during the recent spike in COVID-19 infections. . Click hear to take survey Upcoming Meetings
SPRC Meeting
Tuesday Jan 18
7:00 PM (Zoom online)
Early Adopter Team
TBA
Zoom online
AD Council
Sunday Jan 23
11:30 AM (In Person + Online)
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 January 2022 Calendar Soon
Church Room Reservation Form (to request use of the common areas of the church Click Here
After Covid-19 Updates.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced Illinois' first known COVID-19 case caused by the Omicron COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.529), identified in a Chicago resident and known contact of a confirmed Omicron case from another state who visited the city.. Read the full news release here.
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. January 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.
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