What: LGBTQ Holiday Party
When: Sun, Dec 20, 1-4 pm
Where: Hal's and Steve's house in Schaumburg
Why: Why not?

Greetings everyone,

After a brief hiatus, we're ready to get back together. Steve and Hal have graciously offered to host us for this year's Holiday Party. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided, but feel free to bring snacks or other drinks, if you wish. The party will be from 1 to 4 pm. Please RSVP to me at the meetup e-mail or at jewett_ethan@yahoo.com for Steve and Hal's address in Schaumburg.

Peace and Blessings,
ethan.

Hi everyone!

We're having a BBQ on Saturday July 25 for the LGBTQ Spirituality meetup group, hosted by good friends Hal and Steve, beginning at 2 PM and ending between 7 and 8 PM. Hal and Steve are graciously providing hot dogs and brat patties, so others are encouraged to bring other meats for grilling, sides, salads, veggies, and desserts. We'll eat around 3:30 pm. We encourage people to dress casually and comfortably for summer. Remember to bring your insect repellent and sunscreen!

For the sake of privacy, we're asking folks to e-mail me at jewett_ethan@yahoo.com to get Steve and Hal's address, which is in Schaumburg. I'll also give you their phone number in case you get lost!

Peace and Blessings,
ethan.

Hi everyone,

Because June is Gay Pride Month, we'll only be having one meeting. The Sunday the building is available is the day of the Gay Pride Parade, and I know a lot of people (myself included) will be there, and won't be able to make a Sunday afternoon meetup. We will resume our new two-meeting schedule in July.

So, on Friday, June 19th at 7 pm, we'll be meeting to practice some quiet meditation focused on the spirituality of summer. Join us for a relaxing time. Appropriate summer attire is encouraged!

Peace,
ethan.

Hi everyone!

We're now expanding the meetings of the NW Suburbs LGBTQ Meetup to twice a month! One meeting will be on a Friday evening, and the other on a Sunday afternoon, most likely on different weeks. Each meeting will have a different topic or theme, so feel free to attend both!

On Friday, May 15 at 7 pm, we'll be having a screening and discussion of Bill Maher's hilarious documentary, Religulous. The movie trailer can be found here. I hope everyone will be able to join us for the movie, which should serve as an enjoyable and provocative starting point for discussion. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.

Peace,
ethan.

CORRECTION AND TOPIC CHANGE

Hi Friends,

Two corrections need to be made to the latest information about the March meetup.

First, an e-mail went out while I was on vacation that gave the wrong date for the next meetup, due to a glitch on the meetup.com Website. The correct date and time are this Sunday, March 22 at 12:30 pm at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Elk Grove Village.

Second, the agenda we had been planning has had to be postponed due to some scheduling conflicts. For this reason, we've moved the topic for April up a month and are offering it in March. We will be joined by Jeanette Repp, a dear friend, who is a black belt in karate and an Episcopal priest (and the mother of two beautiful twin girls). The description of the session is provided below.

I hope to see everyone there. It should be an amazing session!

Peace,
ethan.

******

Spirituality and Self-Defense

The Rev. Jeanette Repp, MDiv, LCSW has been an Episcopal priest, serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Chicago for 20 years, and founding member of ILEAP (Illinois Lutheran-Episcopal Anti-Racism Project) and the diocesan programs on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, and Sexual Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Prevention. She is also a 4th degree black belt in Seido Karate, including 20 years of training and teaching in the martial arts and self defense.

This workshop explores –

How does our faith inform our views on violence and our value as human beings
What does it means to ‘turn the other cheek,’ and yet respect our personal worth
How attackers operate
Practical self-defense techniques