Welcome to Emmanuel!
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9:00 am Traditional Service in the Chapel
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10:30 am The ReFresh Worship Service is in the Sanctuary in person, on zoom,
and recorded on Facebook.
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If you would like to join us on zoom for the 10:30a.m. service,
please click the button below.
If you need to be added to the email list, you may sign up for the list(s) for the items you would like to receive, by clicking on the button ("sign up for E'-News") at the bottom of this page.
Upcoming at Emmanuel
Something for Everyone
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Join Beth Campisi every Monday
for Cardio Drumming
Adaptive Cardio Drumming 4:00-5:00 pm
Regular Cardio Drumming 6:00 - 7:00pm
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Yoga with Claudette Pirrello
every Monday, 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
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​Art Show
"Nature or Nurture"
Art displayed through October 30th
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Forest Preserve Hikes at 9:00am
See below for the schedule.
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Women's Interfaith Potluck
See article below.
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Breathe Meditation Service
5:00 - 6:00pm Every other Month
September thru May
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Spiritual Journeys Book Study
"Wild Mercy"
Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:00am
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​​​MidTown Lutheran Parish Info.
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Helen Bond-Drumming
Coming in October 27th
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​​Belly Dancing will resume mid-October
Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:00pm
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All are welcome @ Emmanuel!!!
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF EMMAUEL
We are in the midst of summer. Along with that comes the heat and humidity that seems to be worse and longer lasting in recent years. As we attempted to start up the air conditioner at Emmanuel, the air compressor would not function. Every attempt failed. Without the air, temperatures inside can rise up to 90 Deg. It is uncomfortable for worshippers on Sunday and groups that meet in other rooms throughout the building. We had no other alternative but to replace the AC compressor.
The cost is significant $ 15,000 but we feel that with the help of our members and friends, we will have this cost taken care of.
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You may give to the Air Conditioner Fund by….
Placing your donation in the offering plate
Mailing it to Emmanuel Lutheran Church
P. O. Box 4362 Rockford, IL 61110
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If you prefer to donate online, go to our website at www.elcrockford.org and click on the
Donate button above in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
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Thank you for your support to keep your church operating smoothly and staying cool.
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Jack Ream, Finance Committee
Join Beth Campisi
for Cardio Drumming in 2024
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Adaptive Cardio Drumming
Every Monday 4:00-5:00
This class provides all the awesome benefits of regular cardio drumming while seated in a chair. This exercise is not vigorous cardio, however it provides a multitude of benefits for the participant! No drumming experience needed. All levels welcome!
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Regular Cardio Drumming
Every Monday 6:00-7:00
Cardio drumming combines cardio exercise and drumming to music to provide an easy but effective workout. Using an exercise ball, a bucket and drumsticks, cardio drumming is a fun, fast paced way to increase your heart rate, burn calories and improve your coordination. It even helps to improve brain function and you don't need to be a drummer to do it! Cardio drumming is fun, engaging and accessible to everyone. All fitness levels welcome!
Contact Holly Blair-Cascio if you would like to Cardio drum with us!
815-543-1191 hollyblair@mac.com
I Spiritual Journeys
Tuesday mornings 9:30 - 11:00am
We are reading Wild Mercy, by Mirabai Star. Join us as we read along together and discuss. (no need to read before the session).
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Any questions, contact Karen Van Howe at karenvanhowe@gmail.com
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https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Mercy-Living-Fierce-Mystics-ebook/dp/B07FDP5WJP
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Winnebago County Forest Preserves Interest Hikes
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Come hike with us.
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Join Soul Garden for continued hiking experiences in the Winnebago County Forest Preserves. Dress for the weather! Text Holly if you want to join the hikes 815-543-1191
All hikes start at 9:00am
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Saturday, September 21st
Severson Dells Forest Preserve
8786 Montague Road, Rockford, IL 61102
Wednesday, October 9th
Kilbuck Bluffs Forest Preserve
3061 & 3020 South Bend Road, Rkfd, IL 61109
Saturday, October 26th
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
5360 Mulford Road & 5801 Perryville Rd, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 Mulford Rd Entrance
Wednesday, Nov 6th
Sugar River Forest Preserve
10127 Forest Preserve Road,
Durand, IL 61024
Saturday, Nov 23th
Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
7260 Judd Road & 14960 Brick School 61063
Wednesday, December 4th 9:00am
Rock Cut State Park
7223 West Lane
Caledonia, IL
Saturday, December 21st 9:00am
Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve
5757 Blackhawk Rd
Rockford, IL 61109
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Link to Descriptions of all 44 Forest Preserves
Belly Dancing will be
starting back up in Mid-October
Wednesday nights
6:00 – 7:00pm Cost: $10/class
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Belly dancing is incredibly empowering. People of every size and ability level will have fun while building confidence, strength & grace. In the classes you will learn the Egyptian roots of Belly dance and the modern tribal & fusion styles. Short combinations will be incorporated into drills that focus on muscle group isolations, core stabilization, strengthening and lengthening of muscles, sharp & fluid motions, musicality & dance etiquette. No previous dance experience required and great for all fitness levels.
All classes are held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Avenue in Rockford.
Register with Holly Blair-Cascio,
815-543-1191 or hollyblair@mac.com
Women’s Interfaith Potluck
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All women are welcome and invited to attend the Women's Interfaith Potluck
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​UPCOMING WOMEN'S INTERFAITH POTLUCKS:
- Monday, September 30, 2024, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2715 S. Mulford, Rockford. Linda Bailey of Elgin, a children’s author and retired registered nurse, will speak about the four children's books she has written.
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- Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, 5921 Darlene Dr., Rockford.
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- Monday, November 25, 2024, at Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St., Rockford.
Hope to see you soon!
Susan Goldberg
Breathe
At Emmanuel's Breathe Meditation Service we gather for one hour to enter a sacred time -- the "thin place" between the worlds -- and Breathe. We listen to sacred scriptures and poetry from many traditions, we chant, and we sit in silence as we open ourselves to the Great Mystery.
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Breathe is held the second Saturday of every other month, September thru May, at 5:00pm in Emmanuel's sanctuary. Enter by the north parking lot entrance.
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Next Breathe Service is September 14th.
Art Gallery
at Emmanuel
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Arts @ Emmanuel new art show is “Nature or Nurture” an all-media art show, featuring 2-D images,(painting, photography, drawings, etc.) or 3-D artwork, (sculpture, mosaic, glass, etc.) inspired by nature or evoking a feeling of being nurtured. This was open to the artist’s interpretation.
Art Show will run through October 30, 2024. Gallery/Church hours are
T-Th 9am-2pm (815)963-4815.
Enter gallery through north door, near
parking lot.
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Contact Susan Hurley-Whitacre if you would like to exhibit in a show or if you have any questions Susanhurley2010@gmail.com
Meditative Walk
Take a quiet twilight stroll in the forest.
Relax your mind;
Open your heart;
Stretch your spirit.
Reach into new dimensions;
realize something that you have not understood before,
and you will not return the same.
Twilight is that liminal time that divides light from darkness; the seen from the unseen; the known from the unknown. Join in on this silent, meditative time in nature where twilight will offer the opportunity to see deeper into all things, and where you might find that state of knowing in which both light and shadows blend, and all things appear as one. Listen for the owls to speak. Join the birds as they settle for the night. Smell the dampness of the forest floor as it rises up to greet you.
Wear footwear suitable for trail walking and dress appropriately for whatever the weather might bring. Bring hiking poles if you wish. Because this is an after hours program and the arboretum will be closed to the general public, please plan to arrive a few minutes early as the gates will close promptly at 5:30 PM. Group size will be limited, so register early to be sure to secure a spot!
Also, the Soul Garden leadership invites you to stay after the walk to share some wine and cheese - on the deck if weather permits, or indoors if the weather requires.
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, IL
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To Register use this link: https://www.simpletix.com/e/soul-garden-tranquility-walk-private-tickets-183749 or contact Jessica McDonald @ Klehm Arboretum -
815-965-8146
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Drum Class with Helen Bond
Coming October 27th
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Drum Workshop 12:00-3:00pm
in the Library
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HELEN BOND is a dynamic percussionist, teacher & storyteller who has found music to be an inspiration and source of strength and resiliency since her childhood. Since 2000, Helen has traveled regularly to Guinea, West Africa to study the intricate musical traditions and culture of the Malinke people, whose ancestors created the djembe and dunun drums centuries ago. She also teaches at retreats, local schools, colleges and universities. She is adjunct faculty at Lake Forest College where she teaches the “West African Drumming Ensemble” class. Helen offers classes in Guinean percussion music, drum facilitation, and gives storytelling performances.
Medusa's Musical Mysteriesmedusadrums.com
​Come be a part of this joyful group and enjoy the uplifting beauty of traditional hand drumming from Guinea, West Africa. You will learn basic rhythms on dunun drums and the djembe accompaniment parts. You’ll also learn the origins of each rhythm, receive expert instruction on all instruments in the traditional djembe orchestra and deepen your understanding of the place of music, dance, and song in West African life. Helen is able to work simultaneously with students of all levels and all are welcome.

Should you need to borrow a drum please let us know when you register.
We will meet in the Celebration Room.
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Contact Helen at helen@medusadrums.com
to register or if you have questions.
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September Midtown News
Serving the people who live, work, worship, and play in the neighborhoods of Midtown Events Check out our
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Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Midtown-LutheranParish-101030175425386
Opportunities in MLP—ALL ARE WELCOME! Katie’s Cup follows CDC, State, and County Covid protocols. Katie’s Cup open Tuesday thru Friday
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Katie’s Cup is open Tuesday thru Friday 8 am - 2 pm
Katie’s Walking Club—Thursdays at 9:15 a.m
Katie’s Choice Book Club—Second Thursday of the month,
10 am.—11:15 am. September book “Mad Money’ by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan. Free and open to the public.
Thursday Rockford Midtown Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Midtown Market Music:
Sept 5—The Magtones Sept 12—Brian Wood
Sept 19—Paul Heisel
Sept 26—Randy Nicholson—American Songbook
Katie’s Cup Conversations—noon
September 26, 2024—Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration and Community, panel discussion led by Rev. Violet Johnicker
Cars ’n Coffee—First Saturday of the month April through October, 9 a.m. til noon. Musicians:
September 7—Bert and Lindy October 5—Mike Lynch
Strong Block Party at Inscape Collective—September 7, 2024
Noon until 6 p.m. in the parking lot behind Inscape Collective
201 Seventh Street, Midtown, Rkfd, IL
140th Anniversary of Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Emmanuel celebrated its 140th anniversary on July 17, 2022 and the 100th anniversary of our second church building in November 2023. Emmanuel’s history and evolution began with the Swedish immigrants’ courage, boldness, and hard work, conserving some of their Swedish Lutheran traditions all while adapting, in a new context with a new language.
Emmanuel continues to evolve, enriching the Spiritual Life of the Community with the Arts including music, poetry, artwork, dance, communing with nature, retreats, and other expressions of our Spirituality. We meet you where you are on your journey.
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SERVICE TIMES
Sunday
9:00am - Traditional Worship (Chapel)
10:30am - ReFresh Worship (Sanctuary)
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Breathe Meditation Service:
(Breathe is held four times a year)
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All are welcome to come as you are to our worship services!
Parking is available on Third Avenue or the parking lot north of the church.