Messenger March, 2020Volume 20

Issue 1

Retreat Impressions

Lea Schweitz, PhD, our Leader at the 2020 Ebenezer Retreat, is probably the most engaging speaker I have heard and interacted with in all the retreats I have attended. The way she ties scripture to nature, first to the known “country” nature and then gradually leading us into the not so obvious nature of the “city”, is uncanny. She tells the story of a very fortunate “city” tree, hundreds of years old. She tells of the national and Chicago historical milestones the tree has survived. To see that so clearly, and to be able to convey it’s meaning to her audience is truly a gift not many have. Lea was wonderful!

Thank you, Dar, for finding such inspiring leader I discovered in Lea Schweitz.

Ashley Frigerio

The retreat came at a time when the hustle and bustle of my busy life needed that 21 hours of respite and spiritual growth. The speaker brought us together showing how nature is all around us in the city and so many bible stories too. Nature helps us grow with a clearer vision towards life and our walk with Jesus. Time with my Ebenezer family away from Sunday service time is always so fulfilling too.

Rick Stuckey

On week end of Feb 7-8 about 37 Ebenezer members and friends met at Techny Conference Center to sing, pray and think about the topic “Risky Wonder: Spiritualities of Nature for City Folks “.

Dr Lea Schweitz was an inspiring leader and helped us stretch our thinking about God and nature.

There are many people to thank, thanks to Chad for printing so many copies of our program, to Bradley Haley for stepping in for John, to Pastor for leading worship, closing Eucharist and organizing all the music, to Michel Lathrop for creating beautiful flyers and program, to Becky Sorensen for leading our kids in creative activities, to our leader, Dr Lea who led us in challenging new thinking, to Georgian Hadley and Chuck Vetter who were willing to help in so many areas , to Kris May and Olivia who always were there to support.

Darlene EricksonHere are some thoughts from those who attended:

EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH • 1650 W Foster Av • Chicago, IL 60640

Risky Wonder: Spiritualities of Nature for City Folks (Detach and give to Pastor or place in the off ering plate on Sunday)

I will be attending Ebenezer’s Annual Spirituality Retreat

Name ___________________________________________________________Phone __________________________________________________________Email: __________________________________________________________Number of people attending ________ ❑ Payment enclosed ❑ Pay later

2020 EBENEZER ANNUAL SPIRITUALITY RETREAT

Risky Wonder: Spiritualities of Nature for City Folks

(Detach and give to Pastor or place in the offering plate on Sunday)

Leader: Lea Schweitz Ph.D. Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Science, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Techny Conference Center • Techny, IL Cost: $90 • Scholarships available

All are welcome! Learning and fun for children on Saturday. Donations appreciated.

Friday, February 7, 7:00 pm - Saturday, February 8, 2020, 4:00 pm

EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH • 1650 W Foster Av • Chicago, IL 60640

Risky Wonder: Spiritualities of Nature for City Folks (Detach and give to Pastor or place in the off ering plate on Sunday)

I will be attending Ebenezer’s Annual Spirituality Retreat

Name ___________________________________________________________Phone __________________________________________________________Email: __________________________________________________________Number of people attending ________ ❑ Payment enclosed ❑ Pay later

2020 EBENEZER ANNUAL SPIRITUALITY RETREAT

Risky Wonder: Spiritualities of Nature for City Folks

(Detach and give to Pastor or place in the offering plate on Sunday)

Leader: Lea Schweitz Ph.D. Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Science, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Techny Conference Center • Techny, IL Cost: $90 • Scholarships available

All are welcome! Learning and fun for children on Saturday. Donations appreciated.

Friday, February 7, 7:00 pm - Saturday, February 8, 2020, 4:00 pm

Lent at Ebenezer

Ash Wednesday, February 26

12:15 and 7:00 p.m.

Sundays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Holden Village Setting)

Wednesdays March 4, 11, 18, 25

and April 1

7:00 p.m.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Sunday of the Passion, April 5

10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Youth-Led Stations of the Cross

(at Immanuel Lutheran Church)

April 8, 7:00 p.m.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday April 9 and 10

12:15 and 7:00 p.m.

The Three Days for Younger Children April 11, 10:00 a.m.

The Great Vigil of Easter, April 11

7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday

April 12

6:15 a.m. Brief Sunrise Liturgy

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Festival Liturgy

* No 5:00 p.m. liturgy on Easter

Lent at EbenezerAsh Wednesday, February 26

12:15 and 7:00 p.m.

Sundays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Holden Village Setting)Wednesdays March 4, 11, 18, 25

and April 17:00 p.m.

Holy WeekPalm Sunday

Sunday of the Passion, April 510:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Youth-Led Stations of the Cross(at Immanuel Lutheran Church)

April 8, 7:00 p.m.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday April 9 and 10

12:15 and 7:00 p.m.

The Three Days for Younger Children April 11, 10:00 a.m.

The Great Vigil of Easter, April 117:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday April 12

6:15 a.m. Brief Sunrise LiturgyBreakfast 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Festival Liturgy

* No 5:00 p.m. liturgy on Easter

“Parents’ Night Out!” – FOR A GOOD CAUSE!Saturday, March 7 from 4:00 pm -7:30 pmImmanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale Ave.)Ages: 2 years-5th grade.Suggested Donation: $15 – for one child, $25 for two children, $35 for more than two children.

Enjoy a night out for a good cause! While parents/guardians have a night out, children will be in a safe environment doing fun activities led by Pastor Emily Heitzman, the church youth group, and several other adult church members. Children should bring a sack dinner to eat during the evening. (Please do not bring anything with nuts.)

All proceeds will help send our youth group high schoolers this July to Living Waters Ministry (an ELCA camp in New Era, Michigan) for the Bridge Builders program. During the week, youth will explore systemic racism and learn how they can become agents of change. Participants blend peer ministry with anti-racism to create leaders equipped to listen, and engage others. To register or inquire with any questions click here.

Edgewater Congregations Together Youth GroupEdgewater Congregations Together Youth Group meets at Immanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale Ave.)2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month

Dinner - 6:15 pmProgram - 7:00-8:30 pmFree Time - 8:30-9:00 pm

Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group consists of youth in grades 6th-12th from Unity, Immanuel, and Ebenezer Lutheran Churches in the neighborhood of Edgewater. During the school year, they gather on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Immanuel Lutheran Church for a meal, games, faith discussions, and worship. For more information, contact Pastor Emily

The E.C.T. Youth Group had a fantastic time at the ELCA Metro-Chicago Synod winter retreat at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Wisconsin last weekend.

They had fun enjoying games, activities, and the outdoors and worshiped and prayed together. They learned about and discussed the 10 Commandments and how they are a sign of God’s love for us and how they call us to love God, love our neighbor, and love ourselves. While Metro-Chicago Synod Bishop Yehiel Curry couldn’t make it because he was under the weather, the youth still got to hear a wonderful message from and be led in dance by

This summer, the Youth group will be doing something new and exciting! Youth finishing 6th-12th grades will all head to Living Water Ministry (a Lutheran-ELCA camp in New Era, Michigan) to participate in two separate camp programs.

Students who will be finishing 9th-12th grade: will attend the Bridge Builder’s program. They will gather with a diverse group of youth from other churches and locations (this is an intentionally multicultural group) to learn about systemic racism and how they can be agents of change. Participants are trained by blending peer ministry curriculum with anti-racism curriculum to create leaders equipped to listen, facilitate, and engage others about challenging and meaningful topics. They will also participate in worship and other camp activities, such as the high and low ropes course. You

Associate to the Bishop, Pastor Sunitha Mortha. Two of the E.C.T. Youth even led the other 170 youth in three songs at the closing worship service on Saturday night!

The E.C.T. Youth Group loved getting out of the city, spending time in worship and nature, getting to meet and see other youth from the synod, and growing stronger in their relationships with each other.

Pastor Emily and the E.C.T. Youth Group would like to give a big thank you for helping make this happen through financial assistance, prayers, and supporting our youth ministry!

can learn more about the Bridge Builder’s Program here.

Students who will be finishing 6th-8th grade: will attend the Challenger’s Camp program. They will join youth from many other churches and grow in their gifts and abilities through worship, daily small group discussions led by Pastor Emily, a high and low ropes course, and other camp activities (swimming, games, team building, etc.)

Deadline to Register: This camp week fills up quickly, and the early bird registration (lower cost of the camp) is Friday, Feb. 28. Therefore, we hope to register our youth by that date if possible. Please let Pastor Emily know by Wed., Feb. 26 if your youth plans to participate!

Youth Group: Summer TripLiving Water Ministry - New Era, Michigan, Sat., July 18 - Fri., July 24

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Wed., Feb. 26!

Cost of the trip: $380 per person (if sent to camp by Feb. 28)

FULL AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL YOUTH WHO NEED ASSISTANCE. Let Pastor Emily know what you can pay and we will cover the rest.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church 1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL 60640Phone (773) 561-8496 Communication Deadlines: Wednesday at noon for bulletin and e-news; 15th of each month for the next month’s Messenger. Staff:Pastor Michael D. Fick pastormichael@ebenezerchurch.org

Dr. John Elmquist, Director of Music johnelmquist@yahoo.com

Marcia Smith RN, BSN, Parish Nurse parishnursemarcia@gmail.com

Derek Stienmetz, Building and Volunteer Coordinator building@ebenezerchurch.org

Nathan Tolzmann, Bookkeeper ebenezerbookkeeper@gmail.com

Pastor Emily Heitzman, Edgewater Congregations Together Youth and Household Minister pastoremilyh@gmail.com

Jesse Lopez, Sexton http://tinycc.EbenezerC3

Rosalinda Valencia, Adhonet SahleVisit us: ebenezerchurch.org and facebook.com/ebenezerchicago

Office HoursMonday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday by appointmentWednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday by appointmentFriday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Women’s Book Group meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Center Cafe. Come join the conversation!

March 16 – Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

April 20 – Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Women’s Book Group

Share your photo memories with Ebenezer

Ebenezer Archives is creating a digital library of your photos and videos. If you have Ebenezer photos or videos on your phone, on your accounts like Facebook or Instagram, or on your personal computer, please share them by emailing archives@ebenezerchurch.org. Ebenezer respects your privacy; we will only share images and names with the owner's permission.

Experience Ebenezer!March 22 and 29 following morning worship.

Interested in becoming a member of the Ebenezer community? We’d love to welcome you. Gather for these information sessions; new members will be received on April 5 or another Sunday after Easter. Contact Pastor Michael with questions.

Ebenezer Supports Refugees Ebenezer’s support group works with newly arrived refugees in the Rogers Park and Edgewater area. Sponsoring agencies offer a minimum of initial help when families first arrive. Ebenezer’s group works to fill the gap until families are self-supporting. Follow the Ebenezer Refugee Support Group on Facebook to see updates on families and the what the current needs are. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Norm Dynneson or Jackie Wood, as well. Cash donations can be made out to Ebenezer Lutheran Church with the notation of Refugee Fund on the memo line. Questions can be directed to Jackie Wood jacquelinemwood@hotmail.com or text at 773-484-3923. Or Norm Dynneson normdynneson64@gmail.com at 773-218-8729

Community HourMarch 15 & 22: What can we do about forgiveness? We know that God forgives. We also know that living as Christians we are to forgive. We say it in the Lord’s Prayer. We also know how hard forgiveness is. Come, as we talk together about how forgiveness works or doesn’t. This 2 week discussion will be based on Lewis Smedes’ book, Forgive & Forget, Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve. Sessions will be led by Pastor Ann Hamilton Hicks.

Lenten book discussionJoin us to consider together what meaning “sabbath” might have for us in the 21st century. In his book Sabbath as Resistance author Walter Brueggemann writes that the Sabbath is not simply about keeping rules but rather about becoming a whole person and restoring a whole society. Brueggemann calls out our 24/7 society of consumption, a society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform, and possess. We want more, own more, use more, eat more, and drink more. Brueggemann shows readers how keeping the sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important: God, other people, all life.

We will meet 5 Wednesdays in lent, March 4 through April 1 from 7:30 – 8:30 pm following evening prayer.

For more info contact Marcia Smith, parish nurse, or Sue Swinger-Elbogen