| "A
Light in the City: Sharing God’s Grace”—you
will be hearing those words frequently in the coming months.
They’re taken from the Fourth Presbyterian Church
mission statement: “We are a light in the city,
reflecting the inclusive love of God. . . . At the intersection
of faith and life, we share God's grace through worship,
preaching, education and ministries of healing, reconciliation
and justice. . . .” Together they make up the theme
for the capital campaign that we are preparing to begin
this fall.
“A
Light in the City: Sharing God’s Grace” will
make real the vision of Project Light, the plan for expanding
Fourth Church mission and ministry. This plan grew out
of the long-range planning process begun in 1998, which
involved more than 200 members as well as outside consultants.
It will make possible the goals of (a) expanding and renovating
the Michigan Avenue facility to accommodate the congregation’s
growth; (b) ensuring funding stability for Fourth Church
programs by adding to the endowment; (c) investing in
the future of theological education through a gift to
McCormick Theological Seminary; and (d) building a community
facility on our Chicago Avenue property, to create a bridge
between people of diverse backgrounds and needs in this
emerging mixed-income neighbor-hood where Fourth Church
has been a Light in the City for more than thirty-nine
years.
The congregation endorsed these goals in June 2002. The
time has now come to begin to work together to realize
them. That is precisely what all of us together will be
doing through “A Light in the City: Sharing God’s
Grace.”
You will be hearing much more in the days and weeks ahead
about how you can participate in “A Light in the
City: Sharing God’s Grace.” Consider volunteering
to be a part of one of the many campaign teams planning
and organizing this fall’s campaign activities.
Fourth Church is about to embark on a wonderful and creative
faith journey of “Sharing God’s Grace.”
Plan to join us in the journey! |
