All posts in Chicago

Doing Well While Doing Good :: Elements [Chicago]

by Tim Schraeder on 08/10/2010 in Chicago, Park with 3 Comments

For the past two years, Elements[Chicago] has hosted conversations around issues that matter. While Elements runs independently from Park, many of our leaders are involved in making Elements happen.

Previous guests of Elements [Chicago] have included David Hodges (formerly of Evanescence), Matt Emerzian (author of Every Monday Matters), Benjamin Gott and Rick DeVos (founders of TheCommon.org), Cathleen Falsani (author), Andrew Marin (The Marin Foundation), Jamie Tworkowski (To Write Love on Her Arms), Gabe Lyons (Q, co-author of unChristian), Hemant Mehta (The Friendly Athiest).

Each Elements gathering is hosted in unique venues around the city… from art galleries to botiques, a bar in Boystown to downtown high rises. The idea is to convene conversations in venues outside of the four church walls and in places where art, culture, and beauty are created.

This month Elements[Chicago] taking it to another level by welcoming the CEOs and founders of some influential companies who are focused on doing well while doing good. As the founders and outspoken advocates of uniquely innovate social  entrepreneurial initiatives, these guests will engage us in conversation, answer questions, and give us a glimpse into their journey.

Guest include:

If you are in or near Chicago, come join the conversation on Thursday, August 19, at 7 PM at ChiBar – 301 E North Water St, at the Lobby Level of the Sheraton Hotel. (map)

Invite a friend via facebook

Hope to see you there!

How to Deal with Disappointment

by Tim Schraeder on 10/02/2009 in Chicago with 2 Comments

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King, Jr

chicago_2016_logoMy co-workers and I planned to hail a cab and head down to Daley Plaza at 10:45 to hear the final vote for the 2016 Olympics.

We had no idea we’d be out in the first round.

I think the picture captures the feelings of most Chicagoans.

Shock. Disappointment.  For others, relief.

No matter where you stood on the issue, the Olympic bid was an epic moment for our city… and no matter what, I still believe Chicago is an amazing city!

Was it the corruption? Politics? Anti-American sentiment?

I thought with Obama and Oprah heading to the IOC there would be no question we’d get it. And if they couldn’t, you know Daley probably knew somebody who knew somebody who could pay for the vote.

Truthfully, I hope that the energy and money the city put into trying to get the Olympics here will now be focused on the real need that exists in our city right now… the senseless crime, corruption and poor infrastructure. I think there’s a lot of renewal that still needs to happen here and energy that needs to be spent making our city better.

Sure, I’m disappointed… but I know that there’s no other place I’d want to be than in Sweet Home Chicago!

Greater things are yet to come… greater things are still be done in the city…

And, for a laugh… here’s someone’s take on why we lost…

olympic_rings_chicago

The Break-Up… and where not to do it in Chicago

by Tim Schraeder on 08/26/2009 in Chicago, Personal with No comments

The movie The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston was filmed in Chicago.

I actually used to live down the street from the Fireside Bowling Alley where the infamous bowling team scene takes place.

It’s actually a common sight to see. Being a town full of the young and the restless, it’s inevitable you’ll find a couple breaking up somewhere.

My good friend Lyndsay Rush is an aspiring writer, blogger and one of my favorite Twitterers… and on page four of today’s RedEye shares the Breakup spots to avoid in Chicago.

Timely advice for all of us…

I saw someone get dumped the other night.

It was a tragic scene. She was in tears; he was all “I just don’t think I can do it anymore,” and the waiter was awkwardly hovering, unsure whether to bring Kleenex, refills or the check.

As I gawked at the train wreck before me, I thought to myself, “Man, getting dumped sucks.”

Then I thought, “Wow, there’s an original statement.”

Then I thought, “Is this considered talking to myself?”

But I digress.

While a breakup is a horrible experience regardless of the locale, there are certain spots that would make being dumped exponentially worse.

I began a quest to determine the worst possible places in Chicago to break up with someone or to be broken up with. I know, I know. It’s a bit of a downer. But it’s for your own good.

I began to ask around. I started with my roommates, who are both in relationships. They both laughed and thanked me for such an upbeat question to start their mornings. They clearly were not going to be of any help.

I then asked one of my guy friends whom I used to briefly date. His response? “Flat Top Grill.” Which was where I dumped him last summer. Whoops!

I then turned to Twitter.

Through some golden suggestions as well as some research of my own, here’s my version of the 10 worst places to get dumped in Chicago–along with a little commentary from me. No need to thank me.

  • Anywhere at Navy Pier: I went to Navy Pier and all I got was this broken heart.
  • While on the Untouchables Tour: One minute you’re learning about John Dillinger and the next minute, BOOM, you’re dumped.
  • On a pedicab: Now featuring reduced fares for singles.
  • At the Wiener’s Circle: Nothing says dumped like a chocolate milkshake.
  • In line at the Hangge Uppe: Frankly a bad place for anything to happen.
  • At a poetry slam: Not unless you could channel your heartbreak into a kick-ass poetic masterpiece.
  • Right before the Purple Line goes express to Linden: $2.25 buys you 20 minutes of awkward silence.
  • On the kiss cam at a Bulls game: Almost worse than when they accidentally frame a brother and sister on camera.
  • After a tandem bike ride to Evanston for ice cream: You better believe I’d make him peddle the whole way back.
  • During seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley: Take me out to the ball game, take me out of your life.

via

So What Else Has Been Going On?

by Tim Schraeder on 06/09/2009 in Chicago, Church Communications, Park, Personal with 1 Comment

Well besides my little Twabbatical, I’ve been busy the past month or so… here’s
a quick rundown on things I would have Twittered or blogged about…

A Month in 10 Points…

1 – Our website was stolen. Park’s website was stolen by another church. Like for real. It was a valuable experience in learning that imitation can be the most sincerest form of flattery.

2 – I joined an amazing gym. Already said that in my previous post but for real, it’s awesome. I love it… the staff… the vibe. I don’t feel like I’m going to gym, I feel like I’m going to a club. Me and the elliptical are BFF.

3 – Story was announced. So excited to be a part of it. You need to go. I think
this is going to be an incredible opportunity for all of us to learn to tell
our Story and to re-imagine how we do ministry.

4 – Cultivate registration went live. Thrilled to be hosting it at Park and so
excited about what God is going to do through that event. If you are in
communications, ministry, social media, whatever… you need to come. It’s the
day before Story and it will be phenom… you need to check it out.

5 – MinistryCOM Workshop. I’ll be doing a workshop at MinistryCOM called DIY Church Communications. It pulls some material from my future book and will focus on how to effectively do church communications with a staff of 1… yourself.

6 – The new Whole Foods. Ok, seriously. I already loved Whole Foods. Then they went and opened the third largest one in the WORLD within walking distance from me. I think I’m going to rename it “Whole Paycheck” because I’ve been there nearly everyday. I’m taking any out of town visitor there to check it out. It’s crazy.

7 – Park website 2.0 is in the works. We’re sticking with Ekklesia360 and partnering with CHANGEffect for the design. So excited about it. It’s going to be sick.

8 - Park was in Collide magazine. Park was featured in an article in the most recent issue of Collide on an article about texting in church. Check it.

9 – Hillsong United’s new CD is phenom. So it’s still in the top 100 charts on iTunes. If you haven’t yet, get a copy of it. Seriously.

10 – Resident Ragamuffin. Jason Widney, Park’s Media Arts Director made the cut and will be a part of Carlos Whittaker’s Creative Coaching, Round 1. So stoked for him!

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