When you read this, I will be at the end of my time away from pulpit and church responsibilities. And I would like to thank everyone who made this possible:

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment -- the amendment which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. One would think that was the end of the denial of voting rights for women -- but this was neither the beginning, nor the end of this discrimination. Just like any other injustice, this too was complicated. 

The storm (Derecho: a widespread, straight-line wind storm associated with a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms potentially rivaling hurricanic and tornadic forces), on Monday was a strong one. I have not seen anything like this before. It caused a lot of damage with about 15 tornadoes that touched down in the Chicagoland area. I am grateful that there was no damage to our church property, but several trees came down or were up-rooted, causing damage to cars and property and thousands of residents lost power.