Men find fellowship, reach out to community, through spiritual groups
Perhaps it started as cave men sat around a fire. Maybe it blossomed as farmers found a need for information and resources. Family providers certainly required support.
Whatever the case, men have always had a need for bonding with each other. Often, those needs were fulfilled though clubs. In addition to social organizations, religious groups have also played a role. Here is a look at a few of the men's groups at three houses of worship.
Beth Judea Men's Club
The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs is an organization of about 270 Conservative/Masorti Jewish men's groups with 25,000 individuals across the world. The Beth Judea Men's Club is part of that membership.
The Beth Judea Men's Club, with about 60 members, was re-formed about 21 years ago after a few years of inactivity. It was set up by a group of men at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove looking for a better way to become more involved in the Jewish way of life.
"The men that formed the club wanted to make their Judaism more meaningful," said Marc Chappe, president of the club. "They wanted to learn more about what it means to be Jewish and to be comfortable when at the synagogue and to be able to teach their children about being Jewish. It also provided some opportunities to build friendships and make social contact with other Jewish men and their families."
The Beth Judea Men's Club runs programs throughout the year for its members and for the synagogue and the community at large. They hold adult education Hebrew classes and participate in special services.
"We participate in the World Wide Wrap, which is a joint program between all the clubs of the FJMC on Super Bowl Sunday to learn about the wearing of tefillin,"said Chappe. "We run a Yom HaShoah, a holocaust remembrance candle program. We are involved with men's discussion groups on a variety of subjects such as dealing with children, elderly parents, balancing work and the rest of life. We are involved with the PADS program in the area, to name just of few of our numerous activities."
Men's Ministry Alliance
Stephen Wise, a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Inverness, acts as one of the coordinators of the Men's Ministry Alliance of Alexian Brothers. Holy Family works with St. Marceline in Schaumburg and St. Anne's in Barrington.
"Men's Ministry Alliance of Alexian Brothers combines the transformational experiences found in men's spirituality and the psychology of men to equip men to minister in their congregations," said Wise. "Men form a ministerial community and interact with others through discussion and activities related to men's issues. This experience and resulting self-knowledge allows men to access their spiritual life in new ways and discern a call to ministry. By learning practical ministry and leadership skills, men are equipped to minister to other men in their parish and invite them to ministry."
Members range in age from the 40s to the 70s. However, regardless of age or church affiliation, the group has a specific focus.
"The goal is to become more like Christ; to be closer to God, and imitate Jesus in the way he ministered to people," said Wise.
Yet, even with lofty intentions, there is still a social aspect to the organization, according to Peter Greenlimb. Greenlimb, also from Holy Family, joined the group as an opportunity to share his spiritual journey.
"There is a very deep social aspect where we share the intimate details about our faith walks," said Greenlimb. "In casual, social settings, some are more receptive to ministry."
That realization could possibly propel the Men's Ministry Alliance of Alexian Brothers into ministering at ballgames, while canoeing, or on a golf course.
"As you get to know each other you might share more sitting at a ballpark or playing on a golf course because it is conformable and might be easier to open up about difficult experiences," Greenlimb said.
Rinkey Dinks Christian Men
Not all spiritual groups are overtly religious. Case in point - the Northwest area's Rinkey Dinks Christian Men.
"We have a good time," said member Roger Leistico, of Elk Grove Village. "It's a Christian group, and we say monthly prayers, but the main benefit is to talk to different people. It reinforces trying to do our best unto others."
The ecumenical Christian men's retirement group, currently with 75 members, was formed in 1987 by James Harring and friends. For 21 years, the members have met on the second Tuesday each month for lunch, speakers, and fun. Although some topics cover religious themes, others run the gambit from investments to business to the war.
"Our main goal is fellowship," said Don Van Cleave, the group's president. "However, we do strive as Christian men to be a motivating force in the area. Sometimes, sitting together at a table and talking about problems can provide a type of fellowship you can't find at your church."
Several churches are represented by members. They include the First United Methodist Church of Palatine, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, and Willow Creek Community Church.
"Men's clubs, religious or otherwise, can form a good, social network," Wise said. "Working together on a common goal breeds a certain amount of community and brotherhood."