Church guide

Local musician and Rev. Robert B Clark will be in the pulpit this Sunday, July 7th. Join us!

Central Congregational Church of Galesburg offers an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in joining us as we pursue our faith through action. We are looking for someone who is: • Innovative • Energetic • Open to a plurality of biblical interpretations • Enthusiastic about interfaith activities • Makes scripture applicable to today • Eager to extend themselves into the greater community • A relationship builder We offer: • A beautiful and historic setting • Support for creative ministry • An Open and Affirming Congregation • A venue capable of hosting world class musical events • Historic ties to abolition, education and justice We continue to fulfill the original intent of being a house of worship as well as a community gathering place to include concerts, lectures and interfaith services. Initially, this will be a part time position but the option for growth to a full time position exists. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the moderator at [email protected] to confidentially request additional information.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Central Congregational Church of Galesburg offers an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in joining us as we pursue our faith through action. We are looking for someone who is: • Innovative • Energetic • Open to a plurality of biblical interpretations • Enthusiastic about interfaith activities • Makes scripture applicable to today • Eager to extend themselves into the greater community • A relationship builder We offer: • A beautiful and historic setting • Support for creative ministry • An Open and Affirming Congregation • A venue capable of hosting world class musical events • Historic ties to abolition, education and justice We continue to fulfill the original intent of being a house of worship as well as a community gathering place to include concerts, lectures and interfaith services. Initially, this will be a part time position but the option for growth to a full time position exists. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the moderator at [email protected] to confidentially request additional information.

Sallee Wade will be providing the.pulpit message for this Sunday, June 2nd.

Period of Transition We will look to the future of Central Church as we engage over the next several months in the task of finding a part time pastor who continues our vision of renewal and purpose. We will be able to take our time with this process as we have been able to secure strong and varied pulpit supply. We will continue to enjoy the sermons provided by Rev Dr. Monica Corsaro, Tom Colclasure, and others who have stepped forward to assist us during this time. All are eager to work in community with all of us as we continue to explore our faith and grow in spirit. Each Sunday we state that the ministry of this church is through its members, and the minister. Our search may prove to be more fruitful if our need for pulpit supply is shared with all our friends so please do not hesitate to make our need known. Where there is challenge, let us see opportunity. While we celebrate our history, let us create a future which is responsive to this congregation, and which also looks to those who will join us in our journey.

The May 4th concert at Central included the gifted voices of four soloists. Pictured are TimPahel, director, Terry Chasteen, tenor, Saul Nache, baritone, Christine Steyer, soprano and Alison Meuth, mezzo soprano. This was a thrilling performance.

The many attending the concert on May 4th at Central were treated to an exceptional performance by the combined voices of the Galesburg Community Chorus, Knox College Choir and the Monmouth Chorale. They were accompanied by an orchestra of 25 musicians. This was a truly outstanding performance. Many thanks to all musicians and directors for the time and effort that was involved to make this perfomance possible.

HILLEL CLUB On Sunday, May 5th Central welcomes back Rev. Dr. Monica Corsaro, along with members of the Knox Hillel Club and Rabbinical School, student Jennifer Bunde for an interfaith service. Students Bailey Morse and Deborah Ortiz Lustgarten will share their faith experiences and Jennifer Bunde will sing ancient hymns of the Hebrew people. Once again we are happy to have the opportunity to find our commonalities with other faiths.

Prayer Vigil: On Easter Sunday, multiple terror attacks took place in Sri Lanka. Over 200 people were killed and hundreds more injured. Rev. Monica Corsaro will lead a prayer vigil here at Central Congregational Church on Sunday April 28th at 5:00pm to pray for Sri Lanka and those affected by these tragedies.

Central church in the Springtime!

Why I attend Central Congregational Church ( submitted by a church member) I was raised in a church with straight lines. Pews were positioned one behind the other with a center aisle. All eyes focused on the minister who was the only person to step onto the altar, even taking the collection plates from the approaching ushers, and delivering those to the altar table. No one else assisted with the service. There was no greeting before or coffee fellowship after. This was not a reflection on him personally; he simply followed the dictates of the national hierarchy of which we belonged. It was very possible to passively attend, listen, and retreat. And so I began searching. When I came to Central, I found curved pews that made a semi-circle in the sanctuary. The graceful lines seemed to bring a greater sense of community with fellow worshipers, and a greater sense of grace to those gathered. The dome that rises far above seemed to hold the memories of all the souls who had worshipped there before. That dome serves like an umbrella of shelter, giving a sense of protection, a sense of safety and a spiritual peace. The congregation was welcoming. No one wanted to reform me or make my sins clearer to me. I was accepted as I was, there was no judging, they were simply glad to see me. I can listen to the lessons from scriptures and the related sermons in this weekly tune-up and be reminded of how I want the journey of my life to continue.

Once again we will be joined with members of the Knox Islamic Club during our service on April 7 th . Finding and embracing the commonalities in various religions is the purpose of our interfaith services. They will be joined with Rev Dr Monica Corsaro who will be preaching that Sunday. This year’s guests should be as informative as last year’s so please plan on attending!

THANK YOU Our good friend, Pastor Jim Ecklund, was kind enough to return to our pulpit for two weeks to ease this transition. We thank Pastor Ecklund for keeping us in his heart and for his willingness to give of himself

On March 24th Knox College student Monika Woldegiorgis shared her story of growing up in London, England in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. She spoke of the arrival of Christianity through the Ethiopian travelers who learned of it from Saint Peter and brought it back Ethiopia. Once again we are happy to have the opportunity to find our commonalities with other Christian denominations.

Monica will be preaching at Central Church frequently in the coming months. This is a fun , dynamic speaker that will bring a new perspective to your life experiences. The Reverend Doctor Monica K. Corsaro’s eloquence as a speaker and strong activism have made her a sought-out speaker across the country. Rev. Dr. Corsaro grew up in Illinois but has spent the last twenty years serving in Seattle. She was the first ever chaplain in the Planned Parenthood organization and served as Ecumenical Campus Minister for the University of Washington. With her humor and energy, Rev. Dr. Corsaro is a frequent guest on radio and television shows. She is the one always asked to speak about the hard topics, but always in accessible ways. Rev. Dr. Corsaro took the plunge this year and moved back to her beloved state of Illinois to become the Director of Spiritual Life at Knox College. Rev. Dr. Corsaro has always wanted to be in a place where a difference toward justice and love can be made. And so back to college and to Knox she serves. Rev. Dr. Corsaro has a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University,Master’s of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology, and a doctoral degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC.

Monica will be preaching at Central Church frequently in the coming months. This is a fun , dynamic speaker that will bring a new perspective to your life experiences. The Reverend Doctor Monica K. Corsaro’s eloquence as a speaker and strong activism have made her a sought-out speaker across the country. Rev. Dr. Corsaro grew up in Illinois but has spent the last twenty years serving in Seattle. She was the first ever chaplain in the Planned Parenthood organization and served as Ecumenical Campus Minister for the University of Washington. With her humor and energy, Rev. Dr. Corsaro is a frequent guest on radio and television shows. She is the one always asked to speak about the hard topics, but always in accessible ways. Rev. Dr. Corsaro took the plunge this year and moved back to her beloved state of Illinois to become the Director of Spiritual Life at Knox College. Rev. Dr. Corsaro has always wanted to be in a place where a difference toward justice and love can be made. And so back to college and to Knox she serves. Rev. Dr. Corsaro has a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University,Master’s of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology, and a doctoral degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC.

As March 3rd was Rev Collins final sermon at Central, we certainly want to thank him for the three years of service he provided and wish him success in the next stage of his ministry. We also look to the future of Central Church. Over the next several months we will engage in the task of finding a part time pastor who continues our vision of renewal and purpose. During this process we have been able to secure strong and varied pulpit supply. A listing for guest ministers will be posted each month.

Rev Jim Eklund returns to us as a guest minister although we’re reconnecting with him as our previous minister. Jim was born in Omaha, NE and began his education at North Park University where he received his BA and Master of Divinity degrees. He has served churches in Worcester, Ma, Hudson, OH, and Galesburg, IL as well as interim gigs at seven other churches while serving for 20 years as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, IL, Jim previously served for five years as part-time pastor of Central and we’re happy to welcome him back to our pulpit on March 10th and 17th.