HOLY GROUNDS
Sip good coffee & connect in the Parlor or Light Court
HOLY GROUNDS, our extended coffee hour, offers a variety of discussions and topics weekly for your participation. Join us at 9AM in the Parlor or Light Court for a faith-filled coffee, food and fellowship before and after worship!
Together Women Rise
(formerly dining for women)
2nd Tuesdays evenings, location varies.
The chapter enjoys a meal together; it may be in someone’s home or at church. Members share camaraderie and learn about that month’s featured grantees through videos, educational documents, and presentations, as well as free and open discussion. The money raised each month goes to fund the featured and sustained grantees, as well as support the entire mission of Together Women Rise.
Contact: Laurel Seidelman, lseidelman@comcast.net
Woman’s Society
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 12:30-2:30PM (evening chapter & Friday morning chapter available).
This inter-generational group of women focuses on three things: fellowship, hospitality, and service. The group is open to all women of the church, as well as non-member friends of the church.
Thursday Morning Women’s Book Group
Women of all ages gather on Thursday mornings from 9 – 11AM September through May to engage with books and each other, to deepen our theological understanding, and to help walk the Christian path with integrity, purpose, and passion. Every session includes sharing our joys and concerns. We also laugh a lot!
Beginning September 7, 2023, we’ll be reading and discussing The Light We Give, by Simran Jeet Singh. The group meets in the Seim Room from 9:15–11AM every Thursday. A Zoom option is also available. Interested, please contact Meredith Onion at meredith@wscongo.org.
The Justice Ministries
Our hope for this group is to live into the many scripture references that call us to “act justly.” Our desire is to have faithful, respectful conversations and to share resources and ideas for how we might truly take steps to make our world just for each and every person. We will share our ideas, interesting articles, or calls to action that we become aware of. And please know that we will not always agree on what steps need to be taken — but we will strive to respect one another’s desires, opinions, and ways in which we will choose to work toward justice.
Moms in Faith – Mornings
Friday mornings, 9–11am from September to May
Seim Room, 2nd floor
Moms in Faith was founded as a ministry of the church in the fall of 2010. The group has shared a lot of laughter and tears as women have gathered to share honestly about our lives, pray for one another, grow as women of faith, and nurture deep and abiding friendships. Moms in Faith is a community centered in Christ and open to all.
Moms in Faith – Evening
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7–8PM
Seim Room
The evening chapter of Moms in Faith is coordinated by Katherine Willis Pershey and Jeannette Lloyd. This small group ministry gathers the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 7–8PM for devotions, fellowship, and prayer.
To learn more, contact Jeannette Lloyd at jeannette@wscongo.org or Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey at katherine@wscongo.org or 708.246.1900.
Primetime
PrimeTime is a fun fellowship consisting of adults in the 50–65(ish) age range. Some of our regular events include a Fall Oktoberfest, a Christmas party, and a Winter Progressive Dinner. The group also supports our mission partners through donations and volunteer hours
Individuals are always needed to help with planning and hosting and newcomers are always welcome! Events are published in Gatherings and our weekly Happenings email. In the meantime, if you have questions or would like to be added to our group email list, please contact Meredith Onion at meredith@wscongo.org.
Lectio Divina
Mondays, 10am
Via Zoom
Lectio divina is a slow, rhythmic reading and praying of a Scripture passage. Members of the group take turns reading a passage chosen each week. We notice what arises within us as we hear the passage read. Then we read it again, and then again, noticing what words and phrases touch our hearts and notice the feelings that arise. We are then invited to respond to God about whatever is stirring within us and pray with the passage. Finally, we rest and let God respond and speak to us.
If you would like to know more, please contact Meredith Onion at meredith@wscongo.org.
Seek.Pray.Love.
Thursdays from 5 – 6:30PM
Seek.Pray.Love, a small group of women exploring their faith together and who meet on Thursdays from 5 – 6:30PM in one another’s homes, is beginning a new book discussion this fall 2022 and would like to invite you to join. The book for this fall will be Braving the Thin Places by Julianne Stanz. If you’re interested in learning more or joining the group, please email Meredith Onion at meredith@wscongo.org.
Midship
Midship is a loosely organized group of friendly and fun-loving folks (70-ish and older). The group is ever-changing and everyone in this approximate age range should consider themselves a potential member and always invited! To learn more, contact Val and Kathryn Price, valandkathryn@msn.com.
M&Ms
M&Ms, many of whom have adult children, meet several times a year. Events include dinners at members’ homes, church potlucks, outreach opportunities, and events in the Chicago area. The group is ever-changing, so everyone should consider themselves a potential member and always invited! Events are published through Gatherings or the weekly Happenings email. To learn more, contact Linda Conlin at lindakconlin@gmail.com.
Refugee Resettlement
Working under our Mission and Outreach committee and in conjunction with an agency called Refugee One, our mission is to help resettle refugee families from countries like South Sudan, Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan. Our church has been involved with this ministry for more than 55 years.
Our efforts in action:
May 26, 2021: Five years ago, the family was forced to separate. While Mweniake and her son were allowed into the U.S., her husband was not, so he stayed behind in a refugee camp in Tanzania. See their reunion that took place at O’Hare Airport and our own Clare Kralovec telling the story of First Congo’s role in helping our Refugee One family.
BIBLE STUDY
The Bible (and sometimes book) study gathers weekly or monthly on weekday evenings from 7–8PM in the Kemper Library for prayer, reading, and discussion. Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey facilitates the conversation as we focus on sacred scripture as well as relevant spiritual, theological and cultural issues.
Biblical study is a core intellectual and spiritual practice of the Christian faith. If you are interested in this opportunity to grow in faith and understanding, please email Katherine at katherine@wscongo.org to sign up.
Men’s Breakfast
From September through May on the second Saturday of every month, the men of the church are invited to come together for light breakfast, hearty fellowship, and an interesting program. The Men’s Faith & Fellowship Breakfasts begin at 7:45 am, typically in the Seim Room, and end by 9 am. The group is led by our Senior Minister Rich Kirchherr.
Please contact Rich at 708.246.1900 or rich@wscongo.org with any questions or additional information.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available Friday evenings at 7PM in the Parlor. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
PILLS ANONYMOUS
Meets 6–7PM on Mondays & Thursdays in the Library
Pills Anonymous is a 12-step recovery program for people who have a dependence on mood-altering prescriptions drugs, such as opiates, benzodiazepine, and stimulants.
Please contact Jan Yount if you are interested in getting connected.