Wellington’s Weekly News 3/15/23

Thanks for taking a moment to check out these events in our shared life
& the wider world.

If you’d like something included in an upcoming newsletter, let Jeffery know!
You can reach him at: office@waucc.org or 773-935-0642 (text or call).

If you’d rather join by phone, just dial 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID: 917 3218 6458.

Coming Up This Week!

This month, the Book Club is reading & discussing
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich.

Join us on Zoom
at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 18th
for a lively conversaion!

Questions? Click h ere to reach out to Claudette Richards.

Wellington is now actively collecting Books For Africa
for a mid April delivery.
If you – or bibliophile friends- have books to donate,
please contact Karen Graham (312-607-6415)
to discuss and arrange a pick up.

Deadline to receive books is March 19th.

Book Donation Requirements
New books or gently used books no older than 15 years old and relevant to an African reader including:

Children’s books
Primary, secondary, and college textbooks (soft and hard cover) published in the last 15 years.
Dictionaries or reference books published in the last 10 years, except encyclopedia sets.
Medical, nursing, technical and science books published in the last 10 years.
Bibles are sent only when requested by African recipients. Please place them in a separate a box from other donations & mark box as “Religious texts.”

Also accepted are school/office supplies, paper, pencils, pens, wall charts, maps, etc.

On March 21st, a federal appeals court will hear a pivotal case about Apache religious freedom that centers around a proposed copper mine, which would destroy the Western Apache sacred site of Oak Flat, Chi’chil Biłdagoteel. Wellington signed onto an amicus brief (a letter to the court) in support of the Apache Stronghold, along with other religious groups. The Apache Stronghold are rallying all people of faith and conscience under the call of “One Drum, One Prayer, One Circle,” to seek unity in protection of Earth and in resistance to ongoing colonization. They will be dedicating March 19th to prayer before their court case and ask us to join them.

Will you bring a sign to church in support of the Apache Stronghold/ Oak Flat? After worship, we will take a photo together to share as encouragement for the Apache Stronghold and to spread the word about Oak Flat on social media! You can include the hashtag #saveoakflat

On Monday, March 20, Kryss Chupp will host a Potluck & Prayer for Oak Flat at the church office (2649 W. 21st St.) We will break bread at 6:00pm and offer a sunset prayer at 7:00pm.
RSVP to kryss@cpt.org or 312-421-5513.

We are in the midst of a pivotal moment in our shared story. The well-being of transgender and non-binary youth is being debated in legislative sessions across the United States. As of March 3 there have been 385 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced, with 108 of these bills aiming to end gender affirming healthcare for trans and non-binary youth. This places more than 54,000 trans youth actively taking life-saving gender affirming medical care at risk.

This is the highest number of anti-LGBTQ bills ever introduced in a single legislative season.

Click here for resources that are currently being offered by our denomination, and to call on your representative in Congress to oppose H.R. 734.

Last Sunday, Aliya Prescott spoke with us during Fellowship Hour about the vital work that Nourishing Hope (formerly known as the Lakeview Pantry) is doing in Chicago.

Here are additional ways to Help Nourishing Hope

Come Volunteer
Join a volunteer corp of 5,000 to make a difference in our city! Group and individual volunteer opportunities exist Monday-Saturday from 9am to 8pm at multiple locations.

Do you have a car? Nourishing Hope could use your help delivering groceries to seniors via our Home Delivery program on Saturday mornings. If you’re interested in supporting this incredible program, please email alyssa.lavroff@nourishinghopechi.org with photos of your car insurance and driver’s license to get started.

Becoming a volunteer is quick and easy! Click here to get started!

After you register, you will receive your personal link and can sign up for a volunteer shift right away!

For questions or to register a group, please email volunteers@nourishinghopechi.org.

Save the date!

Save yourself a seat at the next Last Supper* Club! It will be at Ann-Louise’s home on March 31st.

All you need to bring is YOURSELF & an appetite for good food & conversation.

*of the month – always held on the last day of the month

Music 4 the Soul!

In our Lenten Journey,
click on the image below to enjoy a video,
featuring young women for this Women’s History Month
in a 3rd version of our Lenten Introit,
for the March 19, 2023 service
curated by our Music Director, Chris Inserra.

My Lord What A Mourning
Presented by the JKUSDA CHURCH CHOIR on July 16, 2022