Women at Fourth
Women at Fourth is a community of women at Fourth Presbyterian Church who care for and nurture each other, deepening relationships with one another and with God through ongoing programming and special events. This fellowship group offers opportunities for women to connect through participation
in service projects, faith-building gatherings, and more!
To learn more about how you can become involved in Women at Fourth or to sign up for the monthly email newsletter, contact staff liaison Anne Ellis (312.573.3369). All women at Fourth Church are invited to join Women at Fourth!
Groups Meeting Online
Horizons Bible Study
November Gathering
Christmas Wishes
Cookies and Cocoa
Blue Bow Campaign and Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abuse Awareness: Resources and Hotlines
Prayer Support
Gathering Together Online
Though we aren't meeting in person at this time, we hope you'll join us online!
Benevolent Guild has continued to meet at 10:00 a.m. every other Wednesday via Zoom. Contact Anne Ellis for more information.
Books by Women meets via Zoom on second Tuesdays of the month from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Contact Anne Ellis for more information. Details and a reading list are available here.
Knitting and Crocheting has resumed meetings, now via Zoom. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. Bring your knitting or crocheting, show off your finished items, bring your latest news, and chat for a bit. Contact Anne Ellis for more information.
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Horizons Bible Study
Wednesday, November 11
12:00 noon
Join us this Wednesday for a break from your everyday stress. Take some time to study God's Word as well as join us for fellowship and renewal.
Our scripture reading for Wednesday is Luke 7:36–8:3. In this passage we see that Jesus forgave, healed, and accepted women in his ministry. We will talk about untangling the intertwining relationship of love and forgiveness, forgiveness and love.
After you read the passage, ask yourself this question: Did the woman show her love of Jesus because she had been forgiven, or was she forgiven because she showed her love for Jesus?
Also please jot down some definitions for sin and debt. How are they the same, and how are they different?
Think about the disciples’ question, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” How many ways can you describe Jesus so far in our study?
Whether this would be your first time or you are a regular attender, please join us this Wednesday at 12:00 noon via Zoom. Be safe, be well, and know that you are loved.
Contact Anne Ellis for Zoom meeting information.
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November Gathering: Fourth Church Youth
Thursday, November 19
6:00 p.m.
Maggie Shreve is currently acting as Fourth Church Parish Associate for Jail Ministry, having graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2003 and having subsequently served two churches in southeastern Michigan. Next Thursday she will talk with us about Fourth Church jail ministry—the vision, the history, and what can be done now.
Please join our virtual gathering on Thursday, November 19 from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
Contact Anne Ellis for Zoom meeting information.
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Christmas Wishes
Christmas Wishes is starting! We are collecting gifts for the Chicago Lights Tutoring students again— pandemic or not! Here is what Christmas Wishes looks like this year.
Each student will receive a gift card, a book, and a homemade mask (from our mask-makers team!). Due to COVID-19, rather than asking you to choose a student to give to, we are asking you to do one of the following:
- Order items from the Tutoring Amazon Wishlist (orders will then be delivered directly to Chicago Lights).
- Purchase Target or McDonald’s gift cards ($25 value) and drop them off to the attention of Fernie Tiflis.
- Make a donation directly to Christmas Wishes. You can mail or drop off a check (attn: Anne Ellis) or donate online here (choose “Congregational Life” as your designation, and write “Christmas Wishes” in the comments to make sure it gets tracked properly).
The deadline to contribute is November 30. Tutoring and church staff will match up the donations with the students and take care of distribution.
If you’re interested in helping with the mask-making effort, please contact Anne Ellis.
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Cookies and Cocoa
Cookies and Cocoa is also looking a bit different this year. Instead of hosting an event at the church, we will be baking cookies, brownies, and other sturdy sweets for Sunday Night Supper on December 20!
If you’d like to help with this season’s cookie celebration, please contact Liz Gilbert to get more information and to sign up.
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Blue Bow Campaign
Help us recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Since 1989, millions of people have joined in displaying and wearing blue bows during the month of April to raise awareness for the observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Women at Fourth urges you to join in making a difference in the lives of our country's most precious resource. See below for ways you can get involved.
Click here for a list of child abuse awareness resources.
Each spring, blue bows have been our reminder—and our public witness—that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Although the annual Blue Bows Interfaith Prayer Service—and the press conference and the bow tying that typically follow—were not able to be held this year, we remain deeply concerned about the tragedies of child abuse and, in these days, the painful situations that many find themselves in as they are confined at home with those who abuse them.
We hold in our prayers all those affected by domestic violence and lift up the efforts of those working to address and prevent this violence.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence issues, there is a toll-free Illinois State hotline available 24 hours a day to receive confidential calls about domestic violence: 1.877.TO.END.DV (1.877.863.6338, voice) or 1.877.863.6339 (TTY).
Thompson Center Art Exhibit Goes Digital
Since Illinois is under a stay-at-home order, one of our favorite Child Abuse Prevention Month activities, The Kids In Care and Those Who Care Art Exhibit at the Thompson Center in Chicago, had to be canceled. However, if we can't bring you to the art exhibit, we'll bring the art exhibit to you!
See the amazing artwork in these videos:
Virtual Art Display | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Prevent Child Abuse American Virtual Town Hall
On Friday, April 17, Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO Melissa Merrick held a live town hall to discuss the importance of supporting children and families socially and emotionally during this month (and throughout the year) and also answered viewer questions.
See the entire town hall by clicking here.
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Prayer Support
In need of prayer support?
Share your prayer requests of joy or concern
with our Fourth Church Women's prayer circle.
Email prayer requests
to 4thwomenpray@gmail.com
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