Recent Posts
Matters of Life and Death
My extended family has a saying, typically used when someone needs to calm down during an anxious moment: “It’s not a matter of life and death, is it?” Typically, the calmest person in the room intones these words in the direction of somebody who’s struggling to keep it together - it rarely helps! In my own internal dialogue, this mantra still occasionally breaks through as a way to slow down and stay grounded. But, every now and again, things really are a matter of life and death. What then? Is it time to freak out, spiral down, totally lose it for a little bit?!
L’Chaim - To Life!
Every culture around the world has a catchphrase to share while raising a glass in celebration. In the English-speaking world, we typically go with “Cheers.” More common in Europe is some version of “to your health.” "Salud" in Spanish or "Sláinte" in Gaelic mean exactly that. But the best toast of all is the ancient Hebrew one, L’Chaim or “To Life!” If you’ve never witnessed a Jewish round of toasts, I highly recommend the engagement party scene from Fiddler on the Roof in which L’Chaim is musically bandied about for nearly five minutes.
The Hive is Humming & Welcome Jason Turner
Summer is here and although things begin to slow down around the suburbs of Chicago, Elmhurst CRC is still a hive of activity! This week, we saw some long-term results of our collective labor come to beautiful fruition. First, the launch of the Elmhurst Farmers Market happened on Wednesday despite a bit of rain, wind, and cooler weather. There was so much fresh, delicious food to eat onsite and take home for dinner.
Second, I’m ecstatic to share that our search for a full-time Director of Congregational Engagement has resulted in hiring Rev. Jason Turner to lead this critical part of church’s life and ministry.
Celebrate Good Times, Come on! Part I
Celebrate Good Times, Come on! Part I The most striking feature about the Elmhurst CRC building is the physical image of “open arms” extending out...
Remember Who Sacrificed
The Memorial Day holiday encourages us to remember those who have fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy. It’s easy for me to forget my own family members who have served in the armed forces:
My grandfather in WWI
My father in post-WWII Germany
An uncle who was shot on Iwo Jima, another uncle who who died while piloting a plane
A nephew who went to West Point, another who served in the Navy on Okinawa
Perhaps you, too, have family members who have served, sacrificed, or even given their lives in service to our country...
Springing into Life - New Hire Coming to Elmhurst CRC
Elmhurst CRC is committed to growing believers in three directions: upward toward God, inward in Christian community, and outward in Gospel service to the world.
While we are currently led so strongly and well by Pastor Jeff and Erin Pacheco (outward and upward, respectively), the absence of a gifted leader to guide the inward, community part of church life has grown increasingly apparent in recent years. The consequences of failing to live into this third direction of the vision can be spiritually devastating. We can so easily become:..