A FAREWELL NOTE FROM PASTOR JOHN HILDNER

M T L C ,

A li le more than ten months ago I had my first opportunity to lead worship at Trinity.

It was a most welcoming me, and the succeeding months that I have been able to lead worship, preach and administer the sacraments with you have been most joyous to me in my life.

You have only become more welcoming and friendly, and have been so embracing of me, that I must tell you how blessed I have been.

I have come to love you collec vely and many of the individuals who have extended both kindnesses as well as your trust in me.

I pray that I have been faithful in speaking God’s word of life and truth here, and that you have been fed individually and collec vely through that preaching.

As you may have heard, this summer I will serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Warrenville.

They are in the process of some major transi ons and a er conversa on with Pastor Sunitha Mortha, the Associate to the Bishop, and prayer, I have chosen to accept their offer to u lize my skills for that congrega on.

As a hospice chaplain, one of my skills is to lead and accompany individuals and communi es through difficult changes. I pray that God will guide me to help them.

I do this, however, with some sadness. As I men oned above, my me with this family of faith in Rolling Meadows has been a blessing.

I will con nue to pray for you, and pray God is leading this congrega on as well. I trust our paths will cross again at some me, but I also pray that you will be freshened by new voices who will come and con nue to preach the life‐giving truth of hope through Jesus Christ.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor John Hildner

| TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH | | ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS |

| WWW.TLCRM.COM | | JUNE 2020 |

TRINITY tidings

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be

discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you

wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Emergency Temporary

Family Assistance

Any Rolling Meadows resident currently facing severe financial

hardship is welcome to apply

for financial assistance through

The City of Rolling Meadows

Emergency Temporary Family

Assistance program.

Call City Hall at (847) 394-8500 for

details.

RE-OPENING OUR CHURCH… WHEN?

On June 1, 2020 TLC Church Council met to discuss the ming of when to re‐open our church. We read through the ELCA’s Phase 3 guidelines & recommenda ons, where we learned that there will be many prepara ons and some costs associated with ge ng the church ready to re‐open.

In addi on, these Phase 3 guidelines restrict gatherings to only 10 people that can a end an in‐building church service at a me.

We discussed other alterna ves like hos ng services: Outdoors On The Pa o (weather permi ng),

or In Our Cars (via radio, cell phone, bullhorn,

etc.)

B , C

‐ S , J 12 ,

C .

This is in accordance with the ELCA’s Phase 4 Guidelines. Un l we re‐open, we would con nue our Weekly Virtual Worship we have been doing since March.

However, before any final decisions are made, the Council would like to get advice from the Congrega on.

Accordingly, on Sunday, June 7th a er our virtual worship service, The Council would like to hear the opinions of the congrega on on when, and under what condi ons, we re‐open our church.

Un l Sunday, Thank you and God Bless,

TLC Church Council

Dena McIntosh, Lynn Griesmeyer, Joan Anderson, Dan Phillips, Chuck Cosman and Dick Elkins

THANK YOU PASTOR JOHN

AND WHAT’S NEXT HERE AT

TRINITY?

Well, here we find ourselves without a permanent/regular Pastor. Again. But first let us extend, on behalf of the en re congrega on, a hear elt thank you to Pastor John for providing us such excellent Pulpit Supply over these last 9 months.

All of us are sad to see him go, but we wish him well as he serves our Lord at another Church over the summer.

So now, what do we do? Well first we have to con nue to navigate the constraints that are upon us due to the Pandemic.

Un l we are able to worship INSIDE our Church, we will con nue the Virtual Worship Services that we have done since the end of March.

Make sure you read the ar cle directly to the le to see the Council’s recommenda ons to re‐open Trinity.

The Call Commi ee will be mee ng with the New Bishop’s Assistant, Pastor Sunitha Mortha, to talk about our opening and see what assistance the Synod can provide in our search for a Permanent Part Time Pastor.

Have faith, Our Lord Will Provide! Do not forget the Words Of the prophet Jeremiah….

A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP Dear Partners in Ministry,

I am grateful for those of you who have reached out to me recently, and those who have encouraged me to write a statement about the events taking place in this country.

As one of two African Descent male bishops in the ELCA, that is what I am doing here. Please know that as I write, my emo ons are s ll raw, painful, and constantly changing. But here is what I have right now.

On the morning of Tuesday, May 26, 2020, I saw the headline shared by Bishop Pat Davenport in a Facebook post, and I cried. Skipping over the commentary, I clicked on the link.

Immediately, I became fixated on the posture, the eyes, and the sounds of George Floyd as life began to leave his body and his face began to change. I moved my cell phone closer to my face and I con nued to stare. I thought of myself, my brothers, my nephews...

I saw all of us in this, our neighbor, George Floyd. What’s next? I wondered. Will racial profiling lead to an officer’s knee on my neck?

As George stopped breathing, I paused the video. I closed my eyes, and I cried some more. I cried for George Floyd. I cried for Ahmaud Arbery. I cried for Breonna Taylor, and for Dreasjon (Sean) Reed. I cried for Trevon Mar n and Tamir Rice. I cried for Walter Sco and Laquan McDonald. I cried for all of these children of God, and for the countless others, known and unknown, who have fallen at the hands of racism and brutality.

As my tears slowed, I felt compelled to sit in the tension of the moment. Hoping against hope, I restarted the video—looking for some sort of resurrec on. Instead, I saw Officer Chauvin’s knee. His demeanor was so cavalier, and he appeared to be so comfortable, that one might mistakenly think that this act of murder was normal or rou ne.

I shared the video with the hashtag #ImTiredOfThis and turned off my phone. I was not okay! And yet, like all

among us who experience racism, micro‐aggressions, over‐policing, and harassment every day, I quietly packed away this experience and returned to my life rou nes. But the things we pack away can’t stay packed away forever.

Within communi es impacted the most by both police brutality and COVID‐19, suppressed trauma has been transformed into direct ac on and civil disobedience, empowering communi es to organize for jus ce throughout Metropolitan Chicago, Minneapolis, and the United States.

Unfortunately, some suppressed traumas have also ignited loo ng and the destruc on of property. Such ac vity is neither the cure for the pandemic of systemic racism nor the perpetual brutality exercised against Black and Brown bodies, but it is a symptom of these things.

When developing a cure for a disease, doctors, scien sts, and specialists of all kinds assemble with one common goal—to find a cure.

Dis nct from simply trea ng symptoms, a cure gets at the root of the thing that was causing the symptoms in the first place, so as to irradicate the disease.

Family in Christ, we need a cure. Our siblings are dying. If we choose to remain silent while benefi ng from privilege, then we become complicit in that death, ensuring that jus ce and change will not be achieved.

Social statements are good and fine, but for change, for real and las ng change, we need to be in rela onship. We need to come together with a common goal, striving collec vely to irradicate racism and injus ce in our communi es, in the church, and in the world. May it be so, and in the words of 1 John 3:18, may it be so not in word or speech alone, but in ac on and in truth.

In this season of Pentecost, I pray for the Spirit to fill us all again with a renewed passion for God’s reign of jus ce and love, and a deepened desire to live out God’s mission in this synod, to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and do jus ce—libera ng, life‐giving jus ce—in Jesus’ name.

In Christ,

The Rev. Yehiel Curry Bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA

Jacob’s Well This can be a very difficult me for many Chris ans. With our na on involved in wars, high unemployment, the corona virus pandemic, etc., etc., it may be a very difficult me for many Chris ans. I suggest that we remember Christ's words that He will send us the Holy Spirit to guide us ‐ that He will guide us into all truth (John 16:15).

If you have been troubled during these recent mes as I have, I ask that you place yourself completely in the hands of Christ so that He can "reconstruct what ever may have been "devastated" in you this year and let Him do whatever He has to do to restore the image and likeness of God in you" (1). He is faithful and will not let you down. This I personally can a est to.

In a publica on that I find helps give comfort to Chris ans as they meditate when difficul es "a ack" ‐ there is a prayer that can remind us of the world's greatest act of love "For God so loved the world that He gave …"(John 3:16) Here is that prayer: (2)

"D F , I , . H J

. T . M I , . A "

He gave with no reserva ons ‐ (and) He gave this gi of the Holy Spirit to YOU AND TO ME.

Celebra ng Easter as Jesus death and resurrec on is the truth that there is no saving power in any faith that does not lead to a changed life as Chris anity does.

Shalom, Deacon Glenn

Hoping you had a GREAT EASTER SEASON‐ Ask the Holy Spirit to con nue to stay in our hearts showing you and me how to help do GOD's WORK/OUR HANDS!

1.) Unlocking The Bible Devo onal Colon S. Smith, Tyndale Hse. Publ. Inc. Carol Stream IL, p. 351. 2.) For Such At Time As This, Aid Associa on For Lutherans, NW Publ. Hse,

CROCK POT CHICKEN 1 WHOLE CHICKEN 2 1/2- -3 POUNDS 2/3 CUP COARSELY CHOPPED ONION 1/2 CUP COARSELY CHOPPED CELERY 1/2 CUP SLICED CARROTS SALT & PEPPER

Place Chicken in Crock Pot. Add 2-3 cups water along with onion, celery & carrots. Sprinkle with Salt & Pepper. Cover & cook according to directions for your Crock Pot. This may take anywhere from 3-4 hours. When tender & ready to serve, Remove the skin. Makes 4 Servings. ENJOY!

From Dottie's 'SIX' Ingredients Cookbook

A RESPONSE FROM THE BISHOP TO NEW ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH) GUIDANCE FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP

Dear Partners in Ministry,

Informa on regarding the best prac ces and recommenda ons of public health officials con nues to evolve. You may have seen the media coverage that followed the release of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)’s “COVID 19 Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services.”

We con nue to give thanks for the work of health care professionals, and we remind congrega ons that local municipali es may have stricter laws or further public health guidance that needs to be taken into account. You should ensure that your restora on plan complies with all local, state, and federal requirements.

In the IDPH’s guidance, it is clearly noted that “It is strongly recommended that places of worship con nue to facilitate remote services.” They give two safest and recommended op ons that align with Restoring MCS: Guidelines for Physically Returning to Buildings, which include remote services and drive‐in services along with congrega ng indoors or outdoors with a limit of 10 people because larger gatherings pose a greater risk. However, they acknowledged that some congrega ons may not comply with their recommenda ons. If your congrega on decides not to follow the foregoing IDPH recommenda ons, thereby increasing the risk that members of your congrega on may experience illness or death from COVID‐19 infec on, along with the risk of possible li ga on related to such illness or death, IDPH has described ways to reduce the amount of increased risk. These include, but not limited to, social distancing prac ces, symptom screenings, refraining from communal singing and consuming food, and frequent sani za on. They also emphasize that risk grows as exposure me (length of the event) increases.

As a synod, we have updated the Restoring MCS document to reflect addi onal guidance released by IDPH. We s ll strongly urge congrega ons to limit on‐site gatherings to 10 people during Phase 3. However, if you talk with your lawyers and local health professionals and fully understand the risks your congrega on takes when moving to a larger size for events, we firmly recommend that you follow all the protec ve measures noted in Restoring MCS and fully stated in IDPH’s guidance along with any local, state, and federal requirements.

Siblings, this is a me for us to strongly show our love of neighbor. It’s a me to live into our congrega onal purpose to “respond to human need, work for jus ce and peace, care for the sick and the suffering, and par cipate responsibly in society.” (*C4.03.f.) It is a me for us to care for the health of all God’s children. We pray for you and we thank you. We are a church even outside of our buildings.

In Christ,

The Rev. Yehiel Curry

Bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod—Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

April Birthdays Bonita Wulfram 01 Ed Kleinschmidt 05 Ray Godfrey 11 Dorothy Elkins 15

May Birthdays Shirley Powell 05 Eleanor Germano 18 Denise Wendt 24 Ray Kaese 25 Ron Hedke 27

June Birthdays Susan Wessel 02 Bob Sturlini 04 Dr. Brad Johnson 06 Jerry Dillon 23 Larry Thompson 26

May Anniversaries Bob & Marilyn Sturlini

May 13th

Ron & Phyllis Ostrand May 25th

April Anniversaries Sco & Michelle Henry

15‐Apr‐1988

June Anniversaries Ron & Sandy Hedke

06‐04‐66

Ken & Donna Vigna 06‐14‐80

Princess Kathy & Rick Johnson

06‐22‐85

CHURCH CALENDAR

As of now, most events for June are s ll Canceled due to the Pandemic. Council will meet on the 18th of June.

Dena McIntosh will update the Council Members.

We will be conduc ng Sunday Worship Using Zoom Video Conferencing and Telephone Conference Call. Please follow these instruc ons to join each Sunday in June.

Please join us by Telephone or Zoom Video Conference

To Join The Video Conference:

1. On your home computer, open your browser and go to: h ps://zoom.us/j/8441488468

2. You will be placed in the Virtual Mee ng Room un l the Video Conference starts.

To Join By Telephone Only: 1. Using your home telephone or cell phone, dial: 1‐312‐626‐6799 2. When requested, enter this Mee ng ID: 844 148 8468# 3. Enter the Conference as a “Par cipant” by keying in another # 4. You will be placed in the Virtual Mee ng Room un l the Conference

Call starts.

Remember Pastor John’s Last Sunday with us is June 7th. Please make a special a empt to be on the Video Conference to wish

him well.

Following Worship Stay on the Conference Call for a Chat and Fellowship

All Are Welcome!