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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.

Kryss Chupp shares – Updates from Oak Flat

“Jake added medicine to the prayer fire at Oak Flat this afternoon – sage from Nevada and flat cedar from Washington state.  We prayed for Apache Stronghold members who finally got a chance to present their struggle to save Oak Flat to Tribal leaders at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) today. 

Last week, CPTers accompanied Apache Stronghold to events at Thacker Pass, Nevada (Shoshone-Paiute struggle to stop a lithium mine) and a tribal gathering in Lummi territory (near Seattle), so that’s where he got the medicines.

This sign sits at the entrance to “holy ground” at Oak Flat.

Tracy and I arrived here Friday afternoon.  On Saturday morning, a granddaughter of Wendsler Nosie (Apache Stronghold founder) came out with her mother and siblings to gather sumac berries that will be used to make a special drink for her “sunrise ceremony” (coming-of-age). Later, more relatives showed up to help harvest berries while the men held a sweat.  Then we were invited to join their potluck.  So honored to meet so many people that evening!  Oh, and the whole day there were a couple of AP religion reporters here from LA doing interviews about the religious significance of Oak Flat.  Good folks.  That evening, most everyone left the campground because several of them were flying out on Sunday to the NCAI mid-year gathering. So yesterday and today we got to know a couple of the guys who stayed here at camp, fetched water and propane from town, witnessed the rise of the full moon, and explored the area a bit.  And of course, prayed and prayed and prayed.” 

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Upcoming!

On June 15 from 6:00 PM CT to 7:30 PM CT, the Community Renewal Society will host a virtual event facilitated by Kayden Coleman. Kayden is a Black father, gay trans man, reproductive justice advocate and social media influencer who has taken charge to educate people about his identity and the queer community. Read Kayden’s bio.  

Trans 101 is intended for allies, accomplices and empathetic folks who want to know about trans folks. This will be a brave space for participants to be agitated about their own definition of gender identity, challenge their biases and access resources to help the transgender community. You must register to receive the Zoom link for this event.

Want more LGBTQIA+ Faith, Race and Equity content? Here are some ways you can learn more and get involved:   

1. Contact Kwyn Townsend Riley to become a part of the LGBTQIA+ Issue Team. This includes attending regular issue team meetings held virtually and helping to plan campaigns and events in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.  

2. Fill out this form to share your interest and receive periodic updates about this work.  

3. Follow, like, comment on and share the Community Renewal Society’s 
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts. 

This month, the Book Club is reading & discussing
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Join us on Zoom
at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 17th
for a lively conversaion!

Questions? Click here to reach out to Claudette Richards.

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Music 4 the Soul

The third installment from Nick Guetterman’s May piano recital features this most challenging piano concerto by Rachmaninoff. The performance was profoundly moving, and Nick played it flawlessly! Bravo!

Segei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (1900-01)
I. Moderato
II. Adagio sostenuto
III. Allegro scherzando 

Instead of a full orchestra accompanying this concerto, Nick played the piece with a fellow pianist on a second grand piano. The combined sound of the two pianos was amazing, and the performance felt fully orchestral! 

In his program notes, Nick wrote:
“The first movement of the concerto opens with one of the most infamous chord progressions in all of classical music. These chords generate powerful harmonic tension that eventually lead us to the tonic of C minor.”

Nick also wrote in his program notes that the composer Rachmaninoff suffered severe depression after his first symphony received harsh reviews. Unable to write music, the composer sought treatment from a hypnotist, a Dr. Dahl, who encouraged him to begin work on this concerto. The treatment was successful and included the repetition of this mantra: “You will begin your concerto…you will work with great facility…..the concerto will be excellent….” The patient responded positively to the treatment, and the concerto is dedicated to Dr. Dahl.

Click the image below to hear the performance:

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What’s Up?
Congregational Life 

SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY, JULY 30 –
FOR A PRAYERFUL PICNIC WORSHIP SERVICE!

We’ll gather at the AIDS Garden Chicago for a delightful time of fellowship. More details to come, but save the date on your calendar now!

Sometimes you just need a document!

Click below if you’re looking for:

• This Sunday’s  BULLETIN
• The latest version of the CHURCH DIRECTORY
• The approved CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

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