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| 725 Pine St. Winnetka, Illinois 60093 847-441-3400 |
Imagine a place where people from a rich variety of faith traditions, creeds, and religions have found common ground and share with one another a supportive community working to make a difference in the world. A place where you will not find a dogmatic creed or even a list of beliefs that must be followed. It is a place you will find a diverse group of people learning together and growing in a faith that follows the way of Jesus Christ, yet honors other religious traditions and paths. Welcome to the vibrant community that is Worship is central to our life together. It rejuvenates and centers us for our work during the week; it binds us in a common expression of thanksgiving for all God’s gifts. It reminds us of the unique path that Jesus walked, one of gratitude and compassion for all God’s people and creation. It passes on to our children and our youth the elements of a rich life: faith, thanksgiving, compassion, respect, and generosity. It sends us forth a different people ready to work for the common good. Our shared ministries include hands-on support to help people move out of poverty, work together in a soup kitchen, commit to holiday outings to serve meals to the homeless, work for environmental causes in the forest preserve, and invest in trips to Guatemala to build a community for some of the world’s poorest people. Our Woman’s Society’s annual rummage sale, a 100 year old tradition, donates over $200,000 a year to non-profits throughout the Chicago area. We seek to be a transforming presence throughout our community, but we often find that we are also transformed by breaking down the barriers that divide people. God works in mysterious ways... If this is the type of church you have been looking for, we invite you to join us. We have a place for you and your family. You are invited to spend time with us. Get to know us, explore our ministries with our children and youth, fellowship with us, join in doing one of our many outreach projects, and especially be with us in worship.
The key experience of our church each week which empowers us as a congregation is worship. A worship service at 10:00 a.m. is offered on Sundays to both nurture and challenge the heart and the mind. Our service seek to provide a place where the issues we face in daily life can be understood in the light of our faith. Preaching reflects on the wisdom of the scriptures that speak to our personal and family lives as well as issues of justice and peace. You will find our service is our choral service and follows the form of worship familiar to people who come from a variety of Protestant backgrounds. You will find in both services that we are sensitive to both young and old in music and message. Children sixth grade and younger have an opportunity to leave worship after the children’s message and go to Church School.
When we gather each week for worship, we gather to praise and to be moved by music that stirs our souls, that speak to the concerns we bring with us to worship, and that express and shape our faith. The Chancel Choir leads us weekly in our 10:30 a.m. worship with a repertoire that is diverse and challenging. You will hear classical pieces but also a variety of music by up-and-coming composers. In the 9:00 a.m. service you will hear diverse styles of music from around the world including Gospel music from the African American tradition, Celtic music, and Asian music, among other styles. A variety of instruments and performers contribute to the music at both services. We believe that music-making at its highest level is experiential and begins at a very early age. The Chanter’s Choir (grades 1-2) sings in worship every 6 to 7 weeks and learns the stories of scripture through music and dramatizations. The Girls Choir and Boys Choir (grades 3-and higher) sing monthly in worship and in concerts. They have collaborated over the years with the Chicago Children’s Choir, the American Boy Choir, and other local music groups. The Boys, Girls, and Chancel Choirs have traveled to England to serve as Choir-in-Residence offering daily worship at various cathedrals. Residences have been at St. Albans, Lichfield, and Salisbury Cathedrals.
Adult Enrichment provides timely and relevant Biblical and theological programs distinguished by scholarship. Leading international scholars have presented, as well as leaders from the Chicagoland community. You can expect to hear programs on books of the Bible, ethical issues (e.g. genetics, faith in the market place, and marriage and sexuality), issues of social concern (e.g. social justice and housing, concern for the environment), spirituality (e.g. a study of mystical tradition or a series on prayer), and programs on the arts. SMALL GROUPS Adults are also invited to join one of our many small group opportunities that meet in member’s homes for dinner and a program. This is a great way to build significant social and supportive relationships with fellow members, and to reflect on faith issues in a meaningful and personal way.
We have a long history of a significant ministry with our teens. We have created a place where young people can be themselves and let down from the stress of being a youth on the North Shore. We provide strong leaders for our youth who care and provide a safe place where they can share and learn together. Seventh and eighth graders are involved in a two year Confirmation program. They share in an interactive learning experience about the scriptures, their beliefs, faith practices, and an exploration of other religions. In the past several years the Confirmands have been involved with feeding the homeless and a variety of other service projects. In their second year of confirmation they choose an adult mentor to accompany them in their journey. They meet on Sundays and for several retreats and lock-ins during the year. Our senior high youth have a tradition of leading the congregation in outreach through their annual Spring Break Mission Trip to Mexico. Together with the local population they break down the barriers of poverty to build a church or a home. One of the highlights of the year is the multimedia presentation by our youth sharing experiences of the trip. During the school year the youth meet on Monday nights at 6:30 for interactive programs, sharing, and fellowship. They also go on two week retreats and lead the church’s Christmas Toy Drive. The name of the youth group is Servants, reflecting their mission and understanding of their faith.
You will discover at Winnetka Congregational Church that we place a very high priority on the development and growth of our children’s faith. We look to them to teach us lessons about spontaneity, playfulness, forgiveness, and trust. On the typical Sunday morning our children join us for the first portion of worship and then go to their classrooms for an exploration of Biblical stories through a variety of interactive and participatory activities taught by a caring team of teachers. On several special worship Sundays, the children remain in worship for the entire service. Sunday school programs, are offered at the 9:00 am worship service. We also offer a children’s choir and extra family activities for our children throughout the year.
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