NOOMA: We can get anything we want, from anywhere in the world, whenever we want it. That's how it is and that's how we want it to be. Still, our lives aren't any different than other generations before us. Our time is. We want spiritual direction, but it has to be real for us and available when we need it. We want a new format for getting Christian perspectives. 

NOOMA is the new format. It's short films with communicators that really speak to us. Compact, portable, and concise. Each NOOMA touches on issues that we care about, that we want to talk about, and it comes in a way that fits our world. It's a format that's there for us when we need it, as we need it, how we need it. Intriguing, insightful, something for both inquiring minds who are wondering about Christianity and committed Christians. A good forum for open and honest discussion. Rob Bell is the pastor behind these videos. Resumes Fall 08. Multiple locations.

Colossians Remixed

Colossians Remixed is the title of a book by Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat. This small group will have an open discussion format, treating this text as a jumping off point for exploring our contemporary engagement with Colossians, seeing it as a historically situated, yet contemporarily powerful (revolutionary? subversive?) text. Brian and Sylvia provide a considerable amount of hooks into this text, using paraphrase, imaginative retelling and historical background, so there will be lots of entry points and discussion possibilities. The work Brian and Sylvia do with Colossians is contextually specific, but I have a hunch that given these tools, we can also work fruitfully with other biblical books.

The HORTO IN URBS IN HORTO project
The garden in the city in the garden. Scripture begins in a garden and ends in a city, a city full of urban gardens, most notably including trees and a river. One picture of the church in the contemporary city is the garden. Rooted in the nexus of the metropolis, the church as garden is an integral part of the ecosystem of the modern city. What happens in the city impacts the church. It is God's intention that the church also impact the city. We are enjoined to seek the welfare of the city. Like trees that produce healthy air to breathe, the church points to the Grace of God that brings health to the broader community. 

Join in this ongoing project we call "Beyond Proof-texting." Our goal is to learn to think more biblically as we interact with the heart of the Heartland's greatest city. 

Our study and discussions will be guided by Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Begins Fall 07. Tim Douma Facilitator. Meets twice per month

WILD CHICAGO: Explore Chicago -- it's many neighborhoods, sights and hidden treasures. Led by Pastor Tim. If you are interested in a Wild Chicago event contact Pastor Tim.  Previous events: 

• Dutch Chicago/Black Chicago/Gentrified Chicago Boomerang:The Old West Side. The first Dutch Reformed folk settled in the area that stretches from the site of the start of the Chicago Fire to what is now under the worst traffic on the Dan Ryan expressway. From there they moved to 'The Old West Side'. As with Englewood, there is a boomerang effect with population shifts. We now have LCM members living near where the first Reformed Christians settled. This tour will visit some of those sites while also exploring the history of race relations in the CRC. The most significant developments for our denomination occurred within this geographical location. Fall 07 
  
• Dutch Chicago/Black Chicago: Boomerang Englewood. Englewood is the media's go-to poster 'hood for invoking all the horror of urban life, at least as perceived by Chicago newspaper editors who live in the suburbs. But for as long as there has been an LCM we've had members residing in this historic neighborhood. They live where many Dutch Reformed folk called home. Visit the site of the original Chicago Christian High School as well as the location of many old CRCs and then visit the new and emerging Englewood. Winter 07-08 
  
• At Least our river never caught on fire! Most people know that Chicago became what it is today because of the Chicago River and it's importance in establishing the city as the transportation hub for a growing nation. Most people also know that our city had the audacity to reverse the flow of this river. Fewer people know that in 1955 the American Society of Civil Engineers recognized Chicago for it's efforts to clean up the river as one of the seven wonders of the civil engineering world. You might think this designation was made for reversing the river. In fact it was for the innovative use of tiny microorganisms in breaking down sewage that Chicago won this designation. SO - we're off to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago sewage treatment plant. Spring 08
• Fulton Market Galleries
• Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza, an open air Christmas Marketplace in the heart of the Loop.
• From Norway to Korea via Puerto Rico and Warsaw: A walking tour of Milwaukee Ave. 
• Architectural Tour of Historic Pullman
• Gallery Walk and Tour of Pilsen

Setting Your Moral Compass
using the book of that name published by Serendipity House. Five small groups met in various locations throughout the city.

Guy's Breakfast
Come on out for a great breakfast and great fellowship. We're meeting every other Friday at Cozy Corner in Logan Square (just under the California Blue Line).

We're an easy going bunch that appreciates a greasy breakfast and some good conversation before heading off to work. We'd love to see you there. 

Small Group Prayer
Join together once a month for prayer and learning new prayer disciplines. Come prepared to talk about prayer - your experiences, your knowledge, and what you'd like to learn about. Also come prepared with requests of things to pray about. Contact Pastor Tim for more information.

Volleyball League
Loop Church often has two teams in the volleyball league at Union League Club. There are some good players, but it's at a level where most people can join in. Please call the church office if you are interested in starting or joining a team.

Christian Stewardship
The focus is on Stewardship, and within that we discussed a wide range of topics.

We begin framing our discussion using the book Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith by Eric O. Jacobsen. As the title suggests, this book discusses the new urbanism within a Christian context. Most all of us are either intentionally or intuitively part of the new urbanism, and this book has been be very helpful in framing our discussion.

The Problem of Poverty

Reading and Discussing Abraham Kuyper's THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY and corallary sources.

Reformed Theology

A brief overview of Reform theology using the book Reformed Theology, What it Means, Why it Matters.