The Edgebrook Messenger
Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church
6355 N. Spokane Avenue
Chicago, IL  60646
Phone:  773-763-4230
Fax:  763-2306
Website:  www.edgebrookcovenantchurch.org

With Much Gratitude and Sincere Encouragement:  Some Thoughts on my Upcoming Sabbatical

August 15, 2008 will mark the end of my 14th year of ministry as your pastor here at Edgebrook Covenant Church.  Like most folk, I marvel at how quickly the time has passed and how faithful God has been to me, my family and to our church family during these years.  I now have enjoyed the longest tenure of any pastor at Edgebrook Covenant Church, having exceeded the years of ministry of beloved pastors Robert Liljegren and Clifford Bjorklund (both of these saints served 13 years here).  

You have graciously encouraged me to go on a sabbatical this year.  Before our Pastoral Relations Committee and Executive Board finalized the particulars of that with me, many of you personally urged me (and our church leadership) to make a sabbatical possible.  I am truly grateful for your encouragement and support and I am very excited and ready to take full advantage of this experience!

Just by way of reminder, my sabbatical will be in two parts:  the bulk of the time will be the fall of 2008 and will run from September 1, 2008 until January 4, 2009.  During those four months I will remain primarily in Chicago, except for some retreat experiences, which will probably average a total of a week to ten days each month.  My first day “back in the office” will be Monday, January 5, 2009 and my first Sunday back preaching and worshiping with you will be Sunday, January 11, 2009.  The second part of my sabbatical will involve traveling for 4 weeks during the summer of 2009.  The details of this travel component I will finalize during my fall sabbatical.  

As you have encouraged me, now I want to encourage you while I am away on my sabbatical.  First, work with Rev. Bunny Hughes with the same level of commitment and cooperation as you have always done with me.  Bunny will be serving as the part time interim pastor in my absence and you should view her as your pastor in my absence.  I am confident you will do just that!

Secondly, be willing to give “a little extra” time and effort to the life and health of our church.  Particularly this is true in terms of communicating with one another in a variety of ways, caring for one another and connecting with newer faces that have recently come or will come to our church.  I urge you to be consistently intentional in these areas in particular because I find that much of my time is devoted to these three things – communication, caring and connecting.  We don’t need a new program to insure these will happen.  It does require all of our church body to be thoughtful and put forth intentional effort to insure we don’t suffer a loss of ministry effectiveness because these ministries are underserved or overlooked.  

Thirdly and finally, I encourage you to be sacrificially faithful in your financial stewardship and worship stewardship during my absence.  An almost universal reality in almost every church is that when the church is without a pastor or the pastor is away for an extended period of time (a month or more) worship attendance and giving declines.  Please, as much as it is in your power, don’t let that happen during my sabbatical!  Currently (through May 4, 2008), our giving is lagging behind our budget by an average of only $123 per week.  However, the summer is traditionally a time when giving and worship attendance declines and we need to stay strong in both these areas for the remainder of the year.  Please, stay faithful in both your worship attendance and financial stewardship during my sabbatical!

You are an exceptional congregation…my sincere hope and fervent prayer is that when I return from my sabbatical in 2009, you will be an even healthier and more vital church body than when I left.  That would truly be the only thing that could increase my joy as I anticipate this wonderful gift of my sabbatical!

39 Edgebrook Covenanters Attending the Feast!
Those biking to the Feast to be featured in a video at the event!

Incredibly, we have 39 people registered to take part in the Feast, the Evangelical  Covenant Church’s tri-annual intergenerational and multiethnic spiritual life conference.  This year’s Feast is being held at the Green Lake Conference Center in central Wisconsin.  

Our most recent registrant was Pia Restrepo, Covenant missionary to Spain, who will be attending the Feast as part of our Edgebrook contingent!  Pia, her husband Eugenio, and their son Efy, attended our church for over a year while they were on home assignment and working towards their U.S. citizenship.   Having become U.S. citizens, the Restrepos are now back in Malaga, Spain, serving the evangelical church there as Covenant missionaries.   Pia is returning to the United States for a brief visit and will be one of the devotional speakers at the Covenant’s Annual Meeting following the Feast.

The other 38 Edgebrook Covenanters going to the Feast are:  Ann-Helen Anderson, Mary Coleman, Ginny Ware, Chris & Andrea Baer, Colin, Blake, Madeleine & Christian,
Keith & Laurie Bakken, Dezi, Julia & Tommy, Steve & Linda Fusek & Peter, Lynn & Lois Janken, Jon & Jill Lind, Sofia & Hannah, Pastor Greg & Charlotte Mesimore & Charlie, Tony & Nancy Senatore, Mike & Natalie, Scott & Patty Shepherd, Ben & Daniela, Dan & Candi Tepke, Steve & Melissa Velez Luce.  

Our other big Feast news is that the group from our church that is bicycling to the Feast will have their journey videotaped and an edited 2 or 3 minute video of their adventure will be shown during one of the gatherings at the event.  The cyclists will take two days to cover the 200+ mile distance with an overnight stay in Whitewater, WI.  Those planning to bike to the Feast are:  Keith Bakken and his brother Bruce, Blake, Chris & Colin Baer, Pastor Greg and his son Charlie and Rollie Persson, a former member of our church.  

Please pray for the safety of all traveling to the Feast, whether by plane, bike or car!  Also pray especially for Melissa & Steve Velez Luce who will have major responsibilities for the Covenant during the Feast and the Annual Meeting.  And pray that this event will bring personal and corporate revival in the spiritual lives of all the individuals there and in all our Covenant churches!  

Mary Doucette Receives Scouting’s Award of Merit
The sixth annual Indian Trails District Recognition Dinner for the Chicago Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America took place on Sunday evening, April 20th at Monastero’s Ristorante in Chicago.  Indian Trails District includes our Edgebrook community in its boundaries.

To no one’s surprise except herself, Edgebrook Covenanter Mary Doucette was given the Award of Merit.  The Award of Merit is the highest recognition given in the district and is awarded to either men or women or are registered Scouters who have given noteworthy service of exceptional character to the youth served by Scouting.

To be considered for this award, a nominee must not only be an active leader in Scouting, but they must also serve selflessly in other church, school and community settings.  Mary was nominated based not only on her work with Boys and Girls Scouts, but also her ministry in our church body and her years of service to Edgebrook School.
Throughout the banquet, Mary had no idea she was to be one of only four recipients of this great honor (the programs for the evening’s festivities were quietly removed from Mary’s table).  It was indeed a memorable moment when her name was announced and her husband Michael, sons Peter and Mikey (all in their Scout uniforms), accompanied her and daughter Ashley to the dais to receive the award.  
Congratulations, Mary, on this wonderful honor!

News of Our Church Family
We have received word of the passing of George Reihmer, 83, brother of Muriel Cerny, on March 10.  George was a member of the Humboldt Park and Edgebrook congregations in his early years.  For many years he and his wife Isabel and their children lived in Wilmette and were active in a church there.  In spite of declining health, in the last few years George was able to visit Muriel in Johnson Healthcare Center at Windsor Park Manor each week.  In addition to Isabel, George is survived by his daughter Laurie (Dwight) and son Ted (Renee) and nine grandchildren.  We thank God for George’s life and service to the Lord and pray for Muriel in the loss of her brother.

A Hearty Hello
Greeters for the month of May are:
4 :: Angie and Robert Lyke
11 :: MOTHER’S DAY Michael and Mary Doucette and family
18 :: Tom and Judy Whipple
25 :: Chris Pokorny and Kathy Waldsmith
Thank you to our greeters for the warm welcome they extend!

Thank You
Dear Edgebrook Family,
Thank you so very much for providing us with meals, prayers and encouragement during my hand injury. Your support helped so much, and my hand is improving every day. We are thankful and encouraged to call Edgebrook our church home.
With much love, Rebecca and Steve Hoden

Change of Address
Please note that Steve & Melissa Velez-Luce have moved. Their new address is:
Steven & Melissa Velez Luce
5146 N. Kildare Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
New home phone: (773) 853-2597
Have you moved recently? Please let us know so we can update our records!

All Church Work Day a Success
Thanks to many helping hands, we had another successful and fun all-church work day on April 26th.  While the weather prevented us from completing all the tasks on our list, we completed most of the projects and found others to fill our time!  Even though the day was cool and gusty, mulch was spread, bushes were trimmed, and the outside was generally cleaned up. Younger members of the work crew emptied garbage cans, swept floors, and cleaned the chairs in the chapel.  

The entrance doors to the chapel were painted (and look beautiful!), the sanctuary wall with the rose window was cleaned and primed, the choir loft wood was oiled, the sanctuary and chapel pews were washed down, the windows in the Anderson Room and nursery were cleaned, every surface in the nursery was disinfected, the light fixtures in the Anderson Room and chapel were cleaned, carpets were vacuumed…well, you get the idea!  

Many thanks to Luke Bruckner, the Doucette family, Linda and Peter Fusek, the Harper family, the Hohenstein family, Kenneth Kling, Jon Lind, Parker Luttrell, Angie Lyke, Greg Mesimore, Jeannine Patt, Wayne and Gail Schimpff, and Dan Tepke.  As always, special thanks to Mike Doucette who makes sure we have the tools and supplies we need and does an amazing job of organizing all of the projects.  You are all amazing!

Soccer Moment Opens Doors for Witness in Spain
This story was featured on the Covenant website and written by Stan Friedman.
MALAGA, SPAIN (April 14, 2008) – Erin Neises never dreamed her mission work at a church-run fitness center would lead to playing on one of the country’s top soccer teams and even scoring in one of its most important games of the season.

Neises is working as a short-term missionary with Comunidad Cristiana Evangelica Parque Victoria, whose pastors are Evangelical Covenant Church missionaries Eugenio and Pia Restrepo. She grew up as a member of Northwest Covenant Church in Mount Prospect and graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from North Park University, where she was one of the school’s all-time best players.

The Malaga church uses the fitness center and multiuse building as a major way of reaching into the community. One of Neises’ main duties is as athletic trainer, offering sports medicine rehabilitation and consultation with anyone who has a sports-related injury.

“The cool part of all of this is that God gives us many avenues to reach out and relate to many people,” Neises says. “I have been very fortunate to use sport as my means of contacting and meeting people.” Those relationships give the opportunity to share the gospel.

Through a contact at the church, she was invited to participate as the only non-national player on the Malaga FC team. The squad plays at the Primer Nacional level, which is one division below Super Liga, the highest league for women in Spain. Malaga “has an amazing history” in the region and captured the division title last year, Neises says.

“The cool part about soccer in Europe is that teams in lower divisions have opportunities to move up to the higher divisions by winning and by winning their league,” Neises says.

Neises adds, “The Spanish culture can be very harsh at times, and women's soccer is not the most positive environment. “People complain and complain no end, which can bring down the mood, especially when I, for example, am accustomed to a totally different soccer environment.”  

She is looking forward to changing the environment of those around her. “I am still building relationships with my teammates and trying to identify with their culture,” Neises adds. “I want to see my ministry arrive to the point where we pray before each game and we have good, meaningful talks about who Jesus Christ is. I want each one of them to find out who Jesus is as he is their father, their friend, their brother, and their road to eternity in heaven.  I also want them to identify and accept the will of God in their lives.”

Neises credits her education at North Park for preparing her to minister in Spain. “The one thing most clear to me is that it prepared my life for service and significance,” she says. “North Park has taken a young girl at age 18, and by age 22 has made me into a person living for the will of God.”

From Monterrey, Mexico: The Restrepos’ Newsletter
DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

With much love and gratitude, we greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We would like to inform you of our latest happenings in our lives and ministry.  

Ministry
In April, we finished our first period of marriage enrichment and parenting classes and begin preparations for the second period of the year.  During the graduation dinner, participating couples expressed, once again, how these courses have been a real blessing for them.  This encourages us to continue with our ministry in family development. There is a great need in this area.

The transformational development program closed activities in Dec 2007 with a great family gathering in a recreational center where parents and kids from the community of La Campana (and us!) had a lot of fun.  Many of these families have never been in a place like that.  We celebrated accomplishments for 2007; we ate, played, and created community.  Thanks to the Lord for such a blessing!    

And it is precisely this project the one that has particularly flourished this year after two years of hard work, moving the soil and planting. The kids and their families know now who we are and how much we care for them. Every week we have 35 youth (from 8-18) participating consistently in the English club (our colleagues Erika and Kerith are in charge of this part).

Once a month, Lisandro takes the kids to a museum or a park, or to any out door activity that they otherwise would not be able to enjoy (because of finances, distance, etc). The purpose is not only recreational, but also to provide spaces for dialogue and reflection with the kids about issues that affect their lives. We listen to them and help them to find God in through their life experiences.

On the other hand, every week, while the kids are in English club, their moms have Bible study sessions with Patty (two Mondays a month) and hand-craft classes with Kerith (the other two Mondays a month).  We all enjoy this time very much.  In this group, they not only learn or develop new skills, but also laugh, learn from each other, and most importantly, they get to know how God is profoundly in love with them and reveals Himself in every experience in their lives.  Once a month, we go out together for a cup of coffee, to the movie, to a museum, etc. Keep in mind that these women do not have enough income, so doing these activities help them to feel that they deserve it, that they are valuable and loved. To support us in this ministry, we are blessed now to count with four Christian volunteers faithfully helping us with the different activities.  Praise to the Lord, we really needed help!

Proyecto Down never ceases to grow.  We have had many new families with their just new born babies, seeking information and support.  At the same time we have the first generation of our kids now as pre-adolescents who face new issues and challenges.  It is our desire to respond to these new needs.  However we are facing space problems given that the group is large enough to occupy all the Foundation’s rooms.  Please pray for resources for new space. Project Down’s coordinating committee (composed by parents) has continued working faithfully.  Patty facilitates and she is constantly seeking opportunities for training and equipping them better.
This is the year for the second Congress Down organized by a group of parents also.  Teresa, a dear member of the committee and the heart of this event, recently lost Ceci, her daughter with the syndrome, due to a motorcycle accident.  Our community of parents is in deep pain.  Please pray for Teresa and her family.

Partnerships
We both continue supporting the women group in the communities of Escobedo and Las Palmas, but only once a month.  Patty offers workshops and trainings on topics they have selected by themselves, which includes a spiritual component.  In addition, Lisandro and she, assist them in aspects related with the bank when it is requested.  

Personal
Our Christmas and New Year time was marvelous!  We had a great time and enjoyed or relatives in Colombia.  We rested and recharged batteries for starting 2008.  After coming back, however, we have been sick, in part due to the unstable climate here in Monterrey.  Samuel Julián has been particularly affected.  

Our plan is to take some time for home assignment this year.  It is most likely that we will go to the USA from August to December, but some things need to work out.  God willing, we will visit some of you who we could not visit last year.  Also, we want to rest and spend some time with family in California.

Please pray:
• For every activity, class, contact with people, training, and service offered here through the Foundation, that all of these would be a beautiful offering fragrance to God and an opportunity to love those who we serve.
• For our group of volunteers (Ernesto, Marcela, Ana, Lucia, Saul, Lucy, and Lupita) and their families, that the Lord continues being a blessing for them.  May He strengthen their faith and commitment to Him.
• For the couples, kids, and women we serve, that they may know the Lord and seek His face with all their hearts.
• For some of the couples we are counseling who are going through very difficult time in their marriages, that the Lord may bring forgiveness, healing and restoration.
• For our Team of missionaries in Mexico in general and Monterrey in particular, that during this time of transition and evaluation of our ministry at the FDF, we be united in faith and love and continue working for our Lord with renovated joy and commitment.  
• For Carlos Barragan’s health.  Carlos is a faithful servant, co-founder of the FDF, and an important piece in our ministry.  He is fighting cancer.
• For our own health, especially Samuel’s respiratory problems.
• For discipline from our part to find time of rest.
• For our everyday quiet time with The Lord.
• For quality time as a couple and as a family.
• For our families in USA, Colombia and Spain.  Particularly for our parents.

We would love to have news from you and get to know how we can support you in prayer.  Please keep in touch. Every one of you is very special to us. Your names are in our minds and hearts when we write this… We love you,  Patty, Lisandro and Samuel Julián
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider lost for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a lost compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”  Philipians 3: 7-8

Women Ministries Update
Dressers for Dignity:  Edgebrook Women Ministries is partnering with Central Conference Women Ministries to raise money to purchase dressers for Hannah House.  They need 26 dressers!  Hannah House is a shelter for 20-26 women wit their teen daughters and small children in an open dorm setting.  It is a ministry of Cornerstone Community Outreach.  Many families at the shelter are currently storing their personal items in plastic bags next to their bunk beds.  The cost of each dresser is $150.  To date, we have collected money to purchase thre dressers.  If you are interested in participating in t his vital ministry, you may place your donation (noted “dressers”) in the offering plate or give it to Mary Doucette, Women Ministries treasurer.  We will hear more about the Hannah House Family Program at our June picnic at church on Tuesday, June 10.  Prayerfully consider how you may help this project.

Join us at church on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM for a picnic.  Bring a salad to share.  Hamburgers, beverages, and dessert will be provided.

Mark your calendars – registration begins June 1.  Central Conference Women Ministries Fall Fellowship Retreat, September 12-14 and September 19-21  Friday Evening through Sunday Brunch at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp, Lake Geneva, WI

The speaker will be Pastor Catherine Gilliard, pastor of Commissioned Disciples Covenant Church, located in Stone Mountain, Georgia.  She will describe and discuss the natural seasons of life and how the Spirit of God can overflow out of us to others as we encounter, transistion and move through each of them.

Registration forms are on the literature table outside the church office.  There is a Fall Fellowship Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Central Conference Women Ministries Board for anyone who would like to attend the retreat, but cannot afford the full cost.  If you need more information, call Barbara Agnello at 847-394-3779.

Is it time to referesh your spirit?  Then why not subscribe to inSpirit, the magazine for women of the Covenant Church.  It makes a great gift!  For more information, check out www.paulcarlson.org/women/inspirit-magazine

The board of EWM is here to serve you!  Let us know how we can assist:  Barbara Agnello, Ann-Helen Anderson, Mary Doucette, Lois Janken, and Candi Tepke (ex-officio) – any and all suggestions welcome.

Anniversaries
May 21 – Olaf and Kristen van de Klashorst

Birthdays
3 – Erika Clauson, Paul Edison, Danny Santrella
5 – Jessica Sawyer, Steve Hoden
7 – Margo Jarosz
8 – Eric Janken
12 – Esther Aldrich, Chris Pokorny
15 – Alyssa Fuhr
16 – Anthony Ranieri
17 – Lisa Creeth
18 – Tommy Bakken
22 – Jessica Santrella
23 – Louise Freeman, Scott Reed, T.J. Whipple
24 – Jeremy Hanson, Nancy Senatore, Leah Edmondson
28 – Ethel Mae Gundlach
29 – Chad Janken
30 – Julia Bakken