July 30, 2006 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale Volume 38, Issue 15

TheGood News

By the time you read this I willbe flying back home from a short jauntout west to see family and friends. That'sa big part of summer isn't it? Summertime doesn't always mean an exotic tripto some fabulous place on the far side ofthe globe. At its best, summer is a fewlazy days by a lake somewhere, orhalfway up a mountain out of cell phonerange, reading a novel for no particularreason other than its mindless and fun.They used to call these the lazy days ofsummer.

I have precious few of those andso do you. At the moment I'm reading abook called Jihad on Us All: The Rootsand Branches of Islamic Militancy bySteve Chambers. This fall our preachingseries and adult forums will includesome of the hard issues of our day and afrank discussion about how our faithinforms our thinking and decisionmaking. I'm also reading a number ofbooks about church and how weworship, books like: Overhearing theGospel by Fred Craddock; Beyond theWorship Wars, by Thomas G. Long;What's Theology Got to Do With It? by

Anthony B. Robinson and You CanPreach to the Kids Too, a book onintergenerational worship by CarolynBrown.

One of the practices of faith weare seeking to recover in this place ishow to share our passionate faith withothers. This practice is called testimony,and it simply means telling our story ofhow God is at work in our lives and inthe world. Youth returning from worktour shared the reading of scripture inworship last week by telling their storyof how God was at work in the worldthrough their mission in Cortez,Colorado. Their stories will be featuredin the upcoming work tour dinner, andfeatured on the youth page in the nextGood News.

Children in Vacation BibleSchool shared their stories in their ownway, when we asked them what theyliked about their experience. Molly said,"This is a great place to learn aboutGod's love and fun for kids!" Maggiesaid, "A great place to see friends, learnabout God and have fun!" And Matthewsaid, "You get to play games, do craftsand go to music."

If you want to know what peopleare thinking and feeling about faithmatters, you have to ask. We've beenasking often. Conversations about howwe worship and what we hope for whenwe gather week in and week out havebeen challenging and encouraging. We

now know one another well enough torisk the deeper conversations that onlythose committed to the journey of faithcan share. Growing small groupministries from the prison ministrysupport group to the couples Bible studygroups that are expanding this fall, aredrawing participants who want a deeperexperience of faith and an expandedlanguage of faith to articulate how Godis present in ordinary things. Two furtherbooks helping us explore these practicesinclude Speak to Me That I May Speakby W. Dow Edgerton, and Tell It Like itIs: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimonyby Lillian Daniel.

Neck deep and treading water inthese conversations, I'm about to bewhisked away by my husband for a briefrespite out west. I'll be back with you forworship on Sunday August 6, when BethDickerson, long time church memberand student at Chicago TheologicalSeminary will preach. She will betalking about conflict in the family. I'meager to hear her testimony of faithwoven into the fabric of faith as well.

This time every year I issue thesame sage counsel that I am so reluctantto take. If you haven't yet quit the houseand headed for the shore, do so nowbefore it's too late. Read something thattakes you to a place long ago and faraway just for fun. Then come back tochurch where in faith we tell it like it is.

Verlee A. Copeland

Messagefrom theMinistryTeam

SSPPEECCIIAALL SSUUMMMMEERR EEDDIITTIIOONN

THE GOOD NEWS is apublication of

The Union Church ofHinsdale

(United Church of Christ)

THE UNION CHURCH OF HINSDALE137 South Garfield AvenueHinsdale, IL 60521-4298

www.uchinsdale.org630.323.4303 (Telephone)

630.323.4407 (Fax)

Senior Minister:Rev. Verlee A. Copeland

Minister for ChristianFormation and Mission:

Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer

Minister for Membership andDiscipleship:

Rev. Dr. Julie Ruth Harley

Director of Youth Ministries:David Knecht

Director of Music Ministries:Michael Surratt

Director of Choirs:Gary Wilhelm

Director of EarlyChildhood Programs:

Jennifer Keldahl

Director of Children’sChristian Education:

Penny Johnson

Executive Manager:Merrilee Hall

Financial Manager:Chris Biank

Project Manager:Joel Gratcyk

Systems Manager:Mary Bock

WORSHIP SERVICES

Journey Contemporary WorshipSaturdays at 5:00 pm

Sunday Worship8:00 and 10:00 am

Prayer and Healing Service3rd Sundays at 7:00 pm

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Sundays8:30 am to 12:30 pm

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REPORT FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING OF ILLINOIS CONFERENCE OFTHE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Your ministers and officers of Union Church attended the Annual Meeting of our denomination,the UCC, in June at Elmhurst College. This event is always very interesting and worthwhile, and this yearwas no exception. Clergy and lay delegates come from all over Illinois to take part, and it is good to seea large contingent of youth who participate in all phases of the meetings.

Sessions began on Thursday afternoon, June 8th, when a wide range of workshops were offeredto everyone. There were two groups of one-hour workshops, arranged so that each of us could attend twoof our choice. After dinner we gathered in the large college chapel for our first meeting together. Thesemeetings were chaired by our good friend and neighbor from the UCC church in Westchester, Rev. JoeMills. The featured speaker that evening was the Rev. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister of the UCCJustice and Witness Ministries from UCC headquarters, in Cleveland.

Everyone returned on Friday for a busy morning of business and budget considerations andpresentation of resolutions. The afternoon was set aside for individual visits of the delegates with the manyUCC agencies and ministries that are available to all of our churches to augment our programs and mis-sions. Evening included an excellent sermon by Ms. Katie Mellentine, an active member of the IllinoisConference Youth Initiative.

On Saturday morning we returned to the chapel for the closing sessions. Worship washighlighted by a moving sermon by Rev. Dow Edgerton, author and long-time professor at ChicagoTheological Seminary, in the fields of preaching, worship and ministry.

The Illinois Conference UCC will meet next year at the Clock Tower Inn in Rockford from June8-10, and the General Synod of the UCC will meet later in June in Hartford, Connecticut. Union Churchwill be sending representatives to both of these gatherings. We want to foster our connections with ourdenomination at every opportunity.

-Chuck Armstrong, Moderator

ALLEGRO HANDBELL ENSEMBLE 2006 DESERT CONCERT TOUR RECAPOn June 12th, the Union Church Allegro Handbell Ensemble embarked on our Desert Tour, playing con-certs throughout the Southwest. We started in Tucson, Arizona, traveling north through the state, and even-tually reaching Las Vegas, Nevada. Plenty of side trips were made along the way, including a day-trip toNogales, Mexico, several breathtaking stops along the Grand Canyon, and an interesting tour of theHoover Dam. Despite assurances that Arizona's "dry heat" would make the warmth more bearable, wewere always grateful that many of our host families ownedpools and that our bus was air-conditioned.

After flying into Tucson, Rebecca Woodle's godmother, CarolBogg, who graciously offered to show us the area, took us on atour of the nearby Desert Museum. There, we got a fascinatingglimpse at the local flora and fauna, including bobcats, variousarachnids, and javelinas. Rebecca's godmother was also gener-ous enough to open her home for the evening, where we all tooka refreshing dip in her pool and the chance to relax from ourearly morning flight.

We were fortunate enough to reunite with plenty of friends, many from Hinsdale, along the way. My auntand cousin came to support me and the rest of the choir while we were in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff, BillStannard pleasantly surprised the bell choir by attending one of our concerts. And after visiting Las Vegason the last leg of our trip, Roberta Wentling, her husband Andy, and their baby girl, Anna Grace, welcomedus to the local museum for our final concert. Roberta even tried her hand at the bells after a ten-year hia-tus! We are all thrilled that the Wentling's have decided to return to Union Church; they were greatlymissed.

Ten days and ten concerts later, the bell choir returned to Hinsdale. Five seniors (Ingrid Elias, RebeccaWoodle, Hillary Bozeman, Jonathan Wroble, and I) completed our final tour this summer. Despite the heat,we all enjoyed the trip; many of us had never seen the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, and we are so blessedto experience these sights while spreading the joy of music to others.

- Cara StevensAllegro Handbell Ensemble President

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ADVENTURES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

AHOY FIRST MATES,I want to thank all my first mates and officers for making our voyage to SonTreasure Island so much fun. We discovered a treasure much greater than gold orjewels "God's Love." God's Love is always with us and teaches us to be patient,kind, caring, and forgiving. Captain Cooky and I are still singing about God'sLove. Remember to practice God's Love and keep singing until our next voyage.

- Captain Johnson

The VBS StewardshipProject for the future

Ronald McDonald Housenear Hope Children’s

Hospital raised $583.44 inspare change!

SUNDAY SCHOOL PREVIEWParents of children from kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to a Sunday School Preview at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Aug.13, in the Lounge. Penny Johnson, Director of Children's Christian Education, will introduce the Sunday School curriculum andplans for the coming year.

“VBS was fun, exciting andmy group was awesome!”

“VBS was cool and I reallyliked helping the 4 year

olds in recreation.”

"What Did You Say?" …

A Lexicon for Union Church of Hinsdale: Terms from the Christian Formation Ministry

Our Sunday morning programs for children

Children in Worship: This term refers to a program and style of Christian Education, which involves engaging the Scriptures inever-deepening experiences. Scripture is shared as story and is followed by a variety of activities that deepen the child's under-standing of the story. This program also includes music and worship. We have been using this program as our two-hour Sundaymorning education option.

Workshop Rotation: This term refers to a program and style of Christian Education that utilizes a multi-sensory approach to edu-cation. The participants engage the lesson over a period of several weeks using a variety of methods, such as music, arts, cook-ing, computer, drama. We have been using this program as our one-hour Sunday morning education option.

Children's Church: This term refers to a program that was designed by the staff at Union Church to provide an educational expe-rience during the 11:00 worship time. This program expanded on the theme of the Children's Moment, from worship, with a story-time, an art or craft activity, prayer, and returning to the worship service for conclusion.

Church School: This term has been used to refer to the total Sunday morning program, in its complexity and variety. It is a uni-versal term, and does NOT designate a specific program.

Sunday School: This is the term which will be used beginning in the Fall of 2006. It refers to the children's program being offeredfrom 9:50 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday morning (concurrent with worship). Beginning this fall we will have only ONE educational offer-ing for children, and it will be referred to as "Sunday School." Our Sunday School will be using the Children in Worship programand style, but in a 85 minute format.

Summer Work Tour

RETURNS

(From Cortez, CO and From Towaoc, on the

Ute Mountain Reservation)

Work Tour is about a lot of things! It’s about physical work, but it’s also about building relationships with others, breaking down walls of injustice, and showing Christ’s love where perhaps it has never been evident before. It’s also about being spiritually transformed so you can be an agent for change in a world that desperately needs to know love, kindness, mercy, humility and grace. Watch for the stories of transformation, from the students who participated in Summer Work Tour (in Colorado), in the next issues of the Good News.

REMEMBER THEM? Mark & Mary Toole (with daughters Maura and Cara) hosted us

in Denver on our way home.

Plan your Days & Get Your Reservation in NOW for

Some Awesome Union Church July & August Youth Events!!

Thurs. August 10th , 6-9PM (Work Tour) Sponsor-A-Youth Dinner & Slide Show . Sponsors, Families and Participants please RSVP by Monday August 7th.

Tues. August 15th , 3:00-11PM (High School) NIGHT MINISTRY Moonlight Picnic. Prepare a meal and hand it out on the streets of Chicago to help homeless teens & families. Reserve by Friday Aug. 11th. Space is LIMITED. This is an AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

Thurs. August 17th , 5:00-7:30PM (Middle School) BOWLING NIGHT. Cost: $8 / Reserve by Tues. Aug. 15th - Bring a friend!

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YOUR USED AND UNWANTED CELL PHONECAN MEAN NEEDED FUNDS AND SUPPORTFOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Donating a used, unwanted cell phone allows you to donate toan important cause without reaching into your pocket or wallet.

Family Shelter Service has partnered with Shelter Alliance,which raises funds through the recycling of used cell phones. Thephones are reconditioned and used to provide emergency phones forvictims of domestic violence or resold to provide necessary funds fordomestic violence programs. At present, over $ 2,500,000 has beenraised by Shelter Alliance.

Please consider donating your used and unwanted cell phoneto this cause. It is as easy as dropping it in a box - which is set up inthe Gathering Place at the church.

LUCILLE HEIDE WILL ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDLucille Heide, a former member of Union Church who

died this year, established a scholarship fund for qualifyingyoung members of the Church to further their education upongraduation from high school. The scholarship, given in memoryof Lucille and Lawrence W. Heide and Rose and John Chiska,will provide one thousand dollars annually and will be givenbeginning next year.

Ms Heide's gift, which will be managed as a part of ourChurch Endowment Fund, will support young church membersin college for years to come, as was her desire.

Have you remembered Union Church in your will?Members of the Endowment Committee can help you as youconsider a wide variety of giving opportunities. If you wouldlike to discuss these please call Sally Porter or Bill Whitney,Chairs of the Committee.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IS AVAILABLETO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF UNION CHURCH

Most journeys are easier and more fruitful if they are sharedjourneys. If the journey is through unfamiliar or uncharteredterritory, it is wise to have a guide.

Spiritual direction is the process of accompanying peopleon a spiritual journey. Spiritual direction helps people tell theirsacred stories everyday. Spiritual direction exists in a context thatemphasizes growing closer to God (or the holy or a higher power).Spiritual direction invites a deeper relationship with the spiritualaspect of being human. Spiritual direction is not psychotherapy,counseling, or financial planning.

Spiritual Direction involves committing to an intentionaland professional relationship with a Spiritual Director. Directioncan be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly; and in some cases involve afee.

If you are interested in Spiritual Direction, please contactDr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer, in the Church Office.

9 WEEKS AND COUNTING...If you could bring one box of clothing, housewares, books, jewelryor other gently used items to the church dining room each week forthe next two months, imagine how you could reduce the clutter inyour home while also benefiting the wide variety of organizationsthat Women's Association supports with the proceeds fromRESALE! And if that looks doable, challenge yourself to bring twoor three boxes each week.

Don't wait! Our crew is ready and waiting for your gently usedclothing, housewares, books, jewelry, holiday decorations, etc. Youmay bring your donations (clearly marked "Resale" please) to theDining Room stage at any time. If you have furniture or other largeitems to donate, please call Fran Evans (630-986-1438) to makearrangements for pick-up

Want to get the first look at the treasure trove? Come to the DiningRoom every Tuesday afternoon from 1-3 and each Friday morningfrom 9-12 to help sort. Remember, the big days are Friday andSaturday, September 29th and 30th!

READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?The Women's Association "Last Wednesday Drop-in Book Group"would like to hear from you!

Beginning again on September 27, everyone is welcome to stop bySouth Parlor on the last Wednesday afternoon of each month at1:30 pm for an informal chat about a book.

Just to whet your appetite, Sue Nelson, the coordinator of thegroup, offers these suggestions:

"For starters, I thought we would do two books in tandem: AnneMorrow Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea along with Under a Wing,a memoir written by her youngest daughter Reeve Lindbergh.

Other suggested readings:• Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See• Digging to America by Ann Tyler• The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seirstad• The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland• The Elements of Style (not the textbook!)

by Wendy Wasserstein• An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Please note that these are suggestions. If you would like to recom-mend a title, or would like to host one month, Sue would love tohear from you. Please call her at 630-789-6364.

TWO COUPLES GROUPS OPENMarried couples are invited to join two new couples groups thatwill begin meeting monthly this fall. Couples who participatemeet monthly in a host and hostess’ home for appetizers andrefreshments, Bible study and prayer and a simple potluck sup-per. All groups will meet beginning Friday, Sept. 22, at thechurch for an orientation with other group participants. Thenthe groups will meet on the third Thursday of each month fromOctober to May. One new group will be led by Craig andMarilyn Schaefer and Doug and Heather Stoffer, and the othergroup will be led by Ellis and Verlee Copeland. Please contactRev. Copeland at 323-4303 if you would like to learn moreabout these faith deepening groups for couples.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...2 ILLIONIS CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

3 SUNDAY SCHOOL PREVIEW

4 UTH GNUS

5 LUCILLE HEIDE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

THE UNION CHURCH OF HINSDALEUnited Church of Christ137 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS WHO JOINED JULY 9, 2006Kristen and Joshua George were married last December at St. John's United Churchof Christ in Mokena, where Kristen has been a member. They now live in DownersGrove, and Kristen is a social worker at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Joshua is afederal investigator with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Kristen's interests are health and mental health, singing and social justice issues. Joshuais interested in criminal justice, law enforcement and fitness. Their sponsors are Phil andBarb Voorhees.

Hank and Becky Hartman have been married for 37 years and live in Hinsdale. Beckyand Hank have lived in several states, from Wisconsin to Arkansas. Becky is retiredfrom being a computer "geek" for Exelon/ComEd, and Hank is a network administratorand tech trainer for ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company in Chicago. They are formermembers of First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, and we are glad they have alreadyjoined our choir. Both are interested in prairie restoration, and also enjoy canoeing,biking and hiking. Their sponsors are Lorelei Collins and Dick Hill.

Ann Kleboe has attended our church for many years and has been involved in the men-tal health ministry team and adult education-as a teacher and student. She and herfiancée John Ross live in LaGrange. Ann is a visual artist and facilitates creativity work-shops, such as "The Artist's Way." She transfers her membership from Christ Church inOak Brook, and her sponsor is Sue Becker.