June 2021 Newsletter

FIRST LOOK

June 2021

Dear First Pres Family,

It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, our family was preparing to move to a new town

called Wheaton. We now feel incredibly blessed to call Wheaton home! This month marks my

four-year anniversary serving as your pastor. Being part of our congregation has brought so

many moments where I’ve seen the Lord at work. It is an incredible honor and joy to serve as
the Senior Pastor here at First Pres.

Over the last year in particular, we have navigated real, unusually

~difficult challenges: navigating a staffing restructure for future
sustainability in ministry, witnessing the devastating effects As we transition into

that Covid has had on so many around the world, and having the summer season
courageous conversations about race and social justice. And and emerge from the
yet, the past year has been filled with hope and miracles: working past year of isolation
together to build a church that has financial strength and continued

longevity; modifying our ministries and approaches to meet the and separation, I

needs of the members and friends we serve as we provided believe better days
livestream and in-person worship during a global pandemic; and
increasing our support for mission partners, locally and globally. ~are ahead and the

I want to express my sincere gratitude to our staff, elders, and best is yet to come.
deacons for their leadership and ministries. I also want to thank
you for your prayers, involvement and generosity. As we transition

into the summer season and emerge from the past year of isolation

and separation, I believe better days are ahead and the best is yet to come. I believe that with all

that I am, because we worship and serve a God that works all things for good.

Each morning when I come into my church office, I see a Tim Botts’ calligraphy, an installation
gift from the church, of my favorite scripture verse Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work
together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” In the days
ahead, let’s be a church that is united in working together for good! In how we share, speak, and
serve, let’s be the Body of Christ in a town called Wheaton.

God bless you,

Pastor Kellen

Church Office Summer Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton 715 North Carlton Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone: 630-668-5147
www.firstpreswheaton.org [email protected]

1st Pres Community Concert Series Presents

CONCERT ONE FREE CONCERT TWO
EVENTS
PAUL PLAYS MAGIC FLUTE
MOZART
& FOOD TRUCKS

Piano Concerto No. 23, KV. 488 MOZART
Paul Burgess, piano soloist highlights from The Magic Flute

JOSEPH BOLOGNE Friday, June 18, 2021
Symphony in G major, Op. 11, No. 1
6:30 p.m. | CHURCH GROUNDS
Friday, June 11, 2021 Event Registration:

6:30 p.m. | LIVESTREAM firstpreswheaton.org/mozart
Watch live at:
firstpreswheaton.org/livestream

PAUL BURGESS MAGIC FLUTE & FOOD TRUCKS
Paul was born in New York State, and grew up in An outdoor event on our church lawn. Bring
Michigan. Using a music scholarship, he graduated your lawn chairs and empty stomachs for an
from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in evening of musical scenes from Mozart’s opera.
Electrical Engineering, and went on to Ohio State for Join us as local food trucks, singers, orchestra,
a Master’s Degree, also in EE. Since his retirement and whimsical storytelling come together for
in 2001, he has been busy with a variety of musical
things and church responsibilities. He plays for all an event the entire family will enjoy.
kinds of musical events and continues to accompany
the Westminster Choir, serves as a Stephen Minister, Featured Food Trucks:
• Doctor Dogs
and was an elder at First Pres. • Bayou Chill

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Pastor’s Summer Study:
The Book of Acts

Starting Wednesday, June 2
in person in Stewart Hall

6:30 p.m.
Coffee, refreshments and fellowship

7:00-8:00 p.m.
Study and conversation

Pastor Kellen will lead a weekly summer study of the Book of Acts, which chronicles the origins of the
church. In many ways, as we slowly emerge out of a long Covid season, the church’s ministries are
beginning again. Like the early church, the church of 2021 is being born anew. Learn how our story
finds resonance in the story of the early church.

Building Bridges
in Racial Reconciliation

Respectfully and thoughtfully talking about race in our culture
today can be challenging and sensitive. Earlier in the spring,
the Session endorsed partnering with a spiritual and cultural
adviser who could help inform our conversations and
enhance our witness around racial reconciliation in our world.
In recent months, we have been blessed to begin working
with Pastor Mike Miller.

Pastor Mike is a PC(USA) minister leading a church plant Pastor Mike Miller joins us for
called Next Ministries (www.nextministries.org) on the South worship on Sunday, June 13
Side as part of the Chicago Presbytery. He has a wide range
of experience working in other denominations and is also a
trained congregational coach and consultant. Pastor Mike
previously served under our former Interim Pastor Dave
Handley at First Pres Evanston and has been part of both
multiethnic and less diverse congregations. He brings
wonderful experience and biblical wisdom, creating safe
spaces for people to ask questions and grow together.

On Sunday, June 13, Pastor Mike will join us for worship

which will include a conversation with Pastor Kellen about how we can build bridges of healing, understanding, and
reconciliation as a church community and as individual followers of Jesus. Join us in person or online for this helpful
and encouraging conversation!

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First Pres Preschool opened its doors at the
beginning of this school year in August with the
word ‘grace’ in mind. This past school year has
taught all of us that our families, their children,
and our preschool staff are more flexible,
resilient, and amazing than we ever imagined.
We successfully navigated in-person learning
with new cleaning protocols and government
mandates, serving over 100 children in our
53rd year of early childhood education to this
community. The preschool staff would like to
thank its families for putting your faith and trust
in us. Your support allowed us to remain open
throughout the pandemic. Thank you to the staff
who worked in creative ways with patience and
love this year despite the unknown and the extra
workload. In Christ all things are possible.

Kids Ministry invites you to join us for fun and fellowship this First Pres Kids
summer. Mark your calendars for the following events and join Minis ry
us every Sunday for Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. during the
worship service.

Summer Family Events

Picnic & Fellowship
Wednesday, June 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Vacation Bible School – Chandra Gravit, Director of Children and Family Ministry
Monday – Friday, June 14-18, 9-11 a.m.

Picnic & Fellowship
Wednesday, July 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Water Works Family Event
Saturday, July 24, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Picnic & Fellowship
Wednesday, August 4, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Wheels in the Lot Family Event
Friday, August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

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Confirmation Sunday – May 23

We celebrated the confirmands who
publicly professed their faith and
became active members of First Pres.

We thank God for all our confirmands
and their families!

High School

Ministry

Service Squad is back this summer – June 14-18 Youth Sunday is June 6!

What a special time we’ve had together in Genesis We had a great spring full of weekly fun and
games at WF, and learned about habits that can
this season. We spent meaningful time together in keep us connected to God every day. We are
looking forward to worshiping and celebrating with
socially-distant games, engaging in prayer and Bible the congregation on Youth Sunday, June 6!

reflection, and deepening our bonds with God and – Nancy Goodwin,
High School Ministry Coordinator
each other. We look forward to a great week in

Service Squad soon! – Jordan Stevens,

Middle School Coordinator

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Library Refresh

Once upon a time, our church library was the Senior Pastor's office. Over the years, its
beautiful hardwood floors and wood-paneled walls were a sanctuary for small group meetings,
Bible study and quiet contemplation. Eventually, it was named the Nan Montgomery
Library, after a faithful, longtime member. Since then, our library has become the drop-off
place for unwanted books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, tapes, nicknacks...and even plants!
A refresh was in order. Just like our closets, our library needed to be decluttered. Over
several months, a deep cleaning has begun. After careful consideration, several items
were donated, unsightly bookcases and window treatments removed, and the lovely library
is re-emerging. For one reason or another, many of the books do not have a place in our
library, but may be of some interest to our church family. They will be available for members
and friends to look through, on tables set up in Stewart Hall during the month of June.
Plans going forward include having the floors redone, walls cleaned, new furniture
purchased, and the remaining books cleaned and organized. We want our library to be a welcoming, peaceful,
gathering place for all. We also envision this space as an archival and hospitality space, to tell the story of First Pres
and graciously welcome guests to the church office.

– Mary Kinsey, Deacon Moderator

June Book Club

Thursday, June 24 – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a canny investment
to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous
wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the
suburbs outside of Philadelphia as a surprise for his wife. The house becomes the
undoing of everyone he loves. Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, is
a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. The New York Times says “Ann
Patchett delivers her most powerful novel to date.”
Join your FPC book club for good discussion and great fellowship. Join us for great fellowship and good
discussion. Contact the church office for Zoom code.

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