Fellowship

• How can we listen to our community?
• What are they asking us, as a church to be about?
• How can we link resources in building new ministries?
• How can we do ministries that relate to our communities’ needs and aspirations, connecting with others so that we can do together what we might not be able to do or carry out alone?

Three simple words will be taken out and about in Downers Grove on Saturday, September 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Will you help us in getting them out on the street?

We will go out in pairs and ask the community two questions.

1. What do you feel is an important issue facing the community?
2. How do you see the church or churches responding to this issue?

We will then listen to them talk, one person maintains eye contact while the other writes down their responses.

They will be given a card with the name of our church and web site and invited to check back with us in a couple of weeks after we post the results. With the posting of results we will invite responders back to think of resources we might link together that would speak to these issues.

Down the road we will enter into partnerships with others in the community and imagine ministries that relate resources to issues. That's the launch part. But first we listen, and that's what we're asking you to participate in on September 22. We will hold a brief training event in the morning before we go out. Then we will have fun listening to the hopes and dreams of our community. This should provide us as a church with a glimpse as to who we are serving and how we might add value, to their experience.

What do you get when you cross a hopelessly straight starving actor with a dynamite red sequined dress? You get America's hottest new actress!

Come kick off the first Friday Night at the Movies for the year by revisiting a classic Academy winning dramadey from when they really knew how to make ‘em! On Friday, September 21st, we will be showing “Tootsie” (1982) starring Dustin Hoffman as Michael Dorsey AND Dorothy Michaels and Jessica Lange as his/her love interest. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning only Best Supporting Actress for Lange, though it garnered other prestigious awards besides Oscar. The film is filled with wonderful roles by actors/actresses you know and love, often at the start of their careers, such as Bill Murray in a hilarious non-credited role, Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Geena Davis, and, of course, director Sydney Pollack in a great role as Michael’s agent.

If you haven’t seen “Tootsie,” you’re missing out on a great film; if you have seen it, it has probably been awhile so come view it afresh and participate in an after-film discussion led by Sue Thornquist, a film teacher at Downers Grove South.

Popcorn, soft drinks, dessert and coffee provided; $2 donation suggested. Film start time: 7:30p. See you at the movies!

Please join the 20's and 30's group on Wednesday, July 25 at the Woodridge Movie Under the Moon at Westminster Park in Woodridge (1320 Westminster Drive, Charing Cross Road & Westminster Drive). They are showing Cars 2 - the movie starts at 8:45 p.m. and we will meet at the park at 8:30 p.m.

Kids and friends are welcome!

For additional information please contact Dana Jacobson.

"Departures," the winner of 10 Japan Academy Awards and the Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film at the 2009 Academy Awards, tells the story of a young man Daigo Kobayashi and his wife who, down on their luck, move back to his small hometown to start over. When Daigo answers an advertisement seeking a person to work in the area of "departures," he assumes that he will be applying for a job associated with travel. To his surprise, however, he discovers the job entails training to become a "Nokanshi," a funeral professional who prepares the deceased for burial and entrance into the next life. He reluctantly takes the position. But, while learning his craft and working with the families of the departed, Daigo embarks on a spiritual journey as he begins to experience the joy and wonder of living. A funny, moving, powerful story, "Departures" is a true delight.

Sue Thornquist will lead our post-film discussion.

Popcorn, soft drinks, coffee, and dessert are available during the movie for a $2 suggested donation.