Mike Dierking - Algonquin - Brain Aneurysm

Mike Dierking was stricken with an aneurysm that caused a stroke two weeks ago. Following emergency surgery to remove the clot, Mike remains in ICU without yet having regained consciousness, though he has shown sporadic signs of response to stimuli. Thanks to everyone that has included Mike and the family in your prayers, and please keep them coming.

In the meantime, Linda his wife and others are still maintaining vigil at the hospital and trying to manage day-to-day life, which all continues at a cost, and the status of any long-term disability that might keep some portion of his income is unknown. Whether it's $30 / day for parking at the hospital, or a few dollars here and there for food at the hospital or making sure the lights stay on at home while there's only minimal income, this will soon cause another very trying, emotional issue.

There have been questions from many asking how they can help, what is needed. One thing that really helps is gift cards to grocery stores, resturants, and department stores like Wal-Mart or Target. Feel free to send it to:

Linda & Mike Dierking
730 Timberwood Drive
Algonquin, IL 60102

Some may not be able to help financially, but please don't think this is the only way to help out. As someone else has pointed out already, blood donations can help greatly! Mike is type O+, but if you're a different type - please don't let that stop you. The pint you donate for someone else's benefit may just come back around and help. If you're donating at UI Medical Center, they will even pay for your parking.

The Dierking family has attended Willow Creek for years and at this point, Mike and family need both your prayers and support.

With Love, Hope and Thanks

PADS Ministry - On Campus Serving

Most of you are aware that we, Willow Creek, have been serving the homeless on campus as part of Journeys from PADS to HOPE's 18 church network for the past 10 years. (http://www.padstohope.org/)

The season is about to begin once again: Oct 2009 thru April 2010 and we are looking for additional volunteers to add to the 150 or so who are continuing to serve the homeless at Willow. Enclosed is a description of the volunteer opportunity.

The information contained in the attachment will provide you with specific on-ramps for people to want to engage with our work with PADS here at Willow.

To sign up on-line folks can go to: http://www2.willowcreek.org/volunteer/details.asp?F=1&Page=0&RegID=None&C=590

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Beckoning Hands - Grief Ministry for Women

Greater than 9.3 million women experience reproductive difficulty or the death of a child during pregnancy in a given year. Whether you have experienced a miscarriage, a stillbirth, the loss of a newly born child during pregnancy, primary or secondary infertility, you are NOT alone.

Beckoning Hands is a safe place to mourn and find consolation.
Beckoning Hands is a non-profit Christian organization which offers a place of community, healing, and hope for those who have suffered either or both:
· The Death of a Child During Pregnancy
· Infertility

Contact:
Molly Quinn & Joyce Ndoria
Molly@beckoninghands.org
Joyce@beckoninghands.org

http://www.beckoninghands.org/

FOCUS - Group Life Gathering - "Unplugged"

Leaders play a vital role in God’s plan to bring forth growth and transformation in His people. As a church, our desire is to equip, encourage, and empower our group leaders to lead their groups in creative ways to bring people closer to the living God.

If you lead a small group or team or want to learn more about it, you are invited to FOCUS unplugged, where we will gather as group leaders to be inspired and equipped by Bill Donahue and our Community Life team.

Come gather to hear “insider info” on what’s coming this fall, to receive some great resources to equip you to lead, and to rally together as leaders for the sake of His kingdom.

Date: September 2nd @ 7-8:30pm
Location: Lakeside Auditorium
Food: Light snacks & drinks will be provided

Register at: http://community.willowcreek.org/event.aspx?eventid=958

Groups for a Season - G4S - Fall 2009

G4S Fall Study: “Love Each Other” 1 John
New Community Series, by John Ortberg

As Christians, our deepest desire is to see the truth of God’s Word as it influences our relationship with others. We long for a dynamic encounter with God’s Word, intimate closeness with His people, and radical transformation of our lives… The New Community Bible Study Series creates a place for all of this to happen. In-depth Bible study, community-building opportunities, and life-changing applications are all built into every session of this small group study guide

This fall starting the week of Sept. 21st we will have area Men's, Women's and Mixed groups available for you.

Session 1: It’s a Sin Thing (1 John 1:5 - 2:2)
Session 2: Experiencing God’s Forgiveness (1 John 1:8 - 2:6)
Session 3: Overcoming the Sin Thing (1 John 3:4-10)
Session 4: Love One Another (1 John 2:7-17; 4:7-12)
Session 5: Living as Children of God (1 John 2:29 - 3:10; 5:18-21)
Session 6: Free to Love (1 John 3:11-18; 5:1-5)

The study guide is available in Seeds Bookstore

Weds. September 2nd - Community Life all Leader's Gathering

If you are a current leader (Community Leader, Small Group or Table Leader) or are interested in learning about leading, join us in the Lakeside auditorium at 7-8:30pm.

Hold the date, program and topics will be coming out soon.

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa

With all the church is doing in Africa this video really spoke to me. I just love this.... It gives me chills! May God truely bless the rains down in Africa!

LEADER'S EDGE Class

This Wed, Aug 12, we will begin a new class with a new format that we're calling Leader's Edge. To continue the leadership development following last week, we will be featuring top rated Summit sessions from previous years with a live interaction/discussion to follow each week.

This week we will be featuring Erwin McManus' session, "The Character Matrix". Leanne Mellado will be interviewing her husband, Jim Mellado, after the message to work in some practical applications and dig deeper into the topic.

The next two weeks will feature Andy Stanley ("Making Vision Stick") and Wayne Cordeiro ("Dead Leader Running"). Mark your calendars.

Register online at www.willowcreek.org/classes

KIVA - are you a "Binder" or a "Do-er"?

When I got home tonight I was reflecting on the Summit today, I was so impress with Jessica Jackley from http://www.kiva.org/ that I came home and opened a kiva account and made a couple of loans. It was so easy and fast! This is one of those moments where you look at the technology we have and just go "WOW!"

I just loaned some farmers in Asia some startup capital in like 10min! How crazy is that? Kiva and their use of the internet is truely changing the world we live in, right before our eyes.

This also tied into Harvey Carey's are you a "binder" Christian or a "do-er" Christian. Kiva makes it so easy to do something, like in 5 minutes!!

Be a "do-er"

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Summit Registration Packet - Pick up

Just a Reminder you can pick up your Summit registration packet & badge tonight 7:15-8:30pm!

That'll save you a lot of waiting in the morning when the pick starts at 7:30am.

Summit Lunch and sit together

A few of us are planning to sit together at the Summit we are planning to sit in section 103, Row Q on the main floor. Then we are having lunch together at the church during the Summit. I have a nice room reserved for lunch on both Thurs and Fri. 12:30-2pm.

LUNCH:

On Thurs we are in Rm 3013 of the Staff Center Building A (this room is on the 3rd floor near the bathrooms)

On Friday we are in Rm 3018 of the Staff Center Building A (this room is near my cube, Lakeside, 3rd floor)

I know some folks may have signed up for an existing lunch option that was emailed and some folks are bring their own lunch. But I will be ordering some sandwiches & drinks from Costco, if you would like one just let me know by Today, Weds 3pm.

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Either way you can join us. We'll have discussion and talk about the sessions. Feel free to invite a friend if they are attending with you.

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Just RSVP me as soon as you can with your details so we get an idea for numbers and food. Email Ryan
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Thanks,

Ryan.

Summit Discussion & Firepit

Hey to all you Summit Fans and Attenders,

We'd like to invite you to a Post-Summit Discussion and Fire-pit at Chris & Karen Blair's house in East Dundee. We'll just be sharing and discussing what aspects of the Summit were most impactful to us.

When: Sunday Aug. 9th, 6-9pm-ish
Where: Blair's House - 500 Springcrest Rd, East Dundee IL

Bring something to drink and anything you want to roast on the open fire.

email me if you want to come: Ryan


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Neighbors at area Dahlia Walk - Tues. Night

Wow was this was a cool event, it was great to see some friends and neighbors there.

Hosted by Steve Meggos in Carpentersville it was amazing, this is just a few, he had hundreds of these giant flowers. You haven't seen dahlias until you see his.

Cameo appearance was made by Dundee Crown Community Leader Saray Rodriguez-Noverini along with Pat Tauchert. Saray leads an area women's group and helps with group leader development in the area.

Parkview/East Dundee Picnic in the Park

It was a beautiful day and as friends and neighbors showed up from the Parkview area (East Dundee and Carpentersville). Thanks to Community Leader Karen Blair for organizing this! And thanks to everyone who came out. There was Basketball, Bags, a parachute and the Selep's big moonwalk was a total hit.