April 18, 2010 Volume 42, Issue 8A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.

TheGood News

Music Sunday April 25, 2010

After much talk about our weekend worship schedule at Union Church, our Executive Council has voted to have two Sunday morning services beginning September 12. Both ser-vices will be in the Sanctuary. The 9:00 service will be traditional in style and format with music mainly led by the Chancel Choir and organ. The 10:30 service will be more var-ied in style using a variety of instru-ments that include piano, guitar and drums. Our three handbell choirs, children and youth choirs and wom-en’s ensemble will participate oc-casionally at both services. There is much planning and preparation to be done before next fall to fulfi ll our goal of providing musical excel-lence at both services.

I would like to issue a special invita-tion to new Chancel Choir members. Through the years a number of peo-ple have said to me that they would like to join the choir but could not commit to weekly Thursday evening rehearsals in addition to the Sunday morning commitment. Beginning this fall, we plan to meet on Sunday mornings at 8:15, sing at the 9:00 service, have a short coffee break, rehearse until around 11:00 for the

next Sunday, and eliminate the regular Thursday evening rehearsals. We will need to have an evening rehearsal with the brass ensemble before Easter and an occasional extra rehearsal if we do another program with combined choirs from several churches like the very suc-cessful Advent Concert and Hymn Festi-val we did last December, and we would like to have a “kick-off” rehearsal on Thursday, September 9 to work ahead a few weeks and have a social time to wel-come (we hope) new members, but the regular weekly time commitment will be reduced to less than three hours on Sunday morning. This will give us ap-proximately one hour less rehearsal time each week than we have now. Our goal is to have the 9:00 service end at 9:50 on most Sundays. Instead of singing two anthems, which we usually do now, we will sing one anthem each Sunday. The choir will have more presence in the ser-vice and take a larger leadership role by singing introits, prayer and benediction responses and restoring processionals and recessionals. We will have our sum-mer “shirt sleeve choir” (no robes) on the second Sundays in July and August. We will meet in the choir room at 9:00 and sing at the 10:00 service on July 11 and August 8. Please accept this invita-tion to come and see how you like it on those Sundays before you make a com-mitment for the fall.

I don’t know yet what name the group of musicians who provide leadership for the new 10:30 service will choose, but I hope that musicians who are currently active in the Journey and JAM services will continue in the new service. We will also welcome singers and instrumental-ists who are not currently participating in the Music Ministry of Union Church who would like to join the new group. Led by Brad Nye, the Journey Band will participate in the 10:00 service on

Music Sunday, April 25, along with Cantate, our new women’s ensem-ble led by Pat Deckert, the Chancel Choir led by Todd Diehl, and the Al-legro Handbell Ensemble. On Mu-sic Sunday we will list the names in the bulletin of the approximately 125 people who are involved in the Music Ministry of Union Church. We also thank the parents who sup-port and encourage our children and youth, and the members of the con-gregation who support our bell choir tours through Market Day and our annual Spaghetti Dinner.

The Allegro Handbell Ensemble will depart after the 10:00 service on Sunday, June 6 for a short tour in Michigan. Our next European tour will be in June, 2011. This will be the choir’s 36th tour since 1975, and will be my 32nd annual tour and 8th European tour with the choir.

This annual Music Sunday page for the Good News should be mostly about the Music Ministry of Union Church, but I would like to take a moment of personal privilege this year. The photo above was taken when I was 12 at the Methodist Church in Welcome, North Carolina where I began playing three servic-es per week in 1961. 2011 will be my 50th year as a church musician. During those years I have played for at least one church service each Sunday and for two or more services each Sunday for 45 of those years. That comes out to approximately 4750 Sunday services plus an esti-mated 500 funerals and maybe 1000 weddings. This information is a pre-lude to my announcement that I plan to retire from Union Church next year.

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

www.UCHinsdale.org(630) 323.4303 (Telephone)

(630) 323.4407 (Fax)

OUR STAFF

Senior Minister:Rev. Verlee A. Copeland

Minister for Mission and Outreach:

Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-ShefferMinister for Christian

Formation and Family Life:Rev. Tanya SadagopanDirector of Children’sChristian Education:

Penny JohnsonDirector of Youth Formation:

Jeremy HylenDirector of Music Ministries:

Michael SurrattDirector of the Chancel Choir:

Todd DiehlDirector of

Contemporary Music:Brad Nye

Director of Children and Youth Choirs:Roberta Wentling

Assistant Handbell Director:Elizabeth Jung

Director of EarlyChildhood Programs:

Jennifer KeldahlExecutive Manager:

Merrilee HallFinancial Manager: Chris BiankProject Manager: Joel Gratcyk

Buildings and Grounds:Jim Vojtek

WORSHIP SERVICES

Journey WorshipSaturdays at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.

JAM - Youth Worship2nd Sundays at 11:15 a.m.

Prayer and Healing Service3rd Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sundays8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship

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Journey WorshipCelebrating our continuing journey with Jesus!

You are invited to share worship with us on Saturdays – 5:00 p.m.

APRIL JOURNEYApril 24 – Verlee A. Copeland, preaching

MAY JOURNEYMay 1 – “A New Commandment”

May 8 – “What Are You Waiting For?”May 15 – “That They May All Be One” – Final Journey

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My fi nal service will be on Sunday, August 14, 2011, which will complete 32 ½ years on the church staff. It’s been a great run and I look forward to giving my leadership and support as we move into a new worship schedule and format with all the challenges and possibilities that brings. I would like for my last year at Union Church to be fi lled with the highest quality music we can produce for worship services that are presented for the glory of God. Thank you for all the support you give to our Music Ministry.

Michael Surratt Michael Surratt

Director of Music MinistriesUnion Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.

Rev. Dr. Alice HuntTo Speak at Union Church

Sunday April 259:00 a.m. in the Chapel

Call and Vocation:The Partnership between the

Seminary and the Church

Please join us in hearing the Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, President & Professor of Hebrew Bible at Chicago Theological Seminary,

at the Union Church of Hinsdale.

There will be a luncheon to follow the 10:00 a.m. worship service.

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children

Spend A While On The NileIn just a few weeks, we’re taking a

journey back to ancient Egypt... without leaving our church! Find out what happened to Joseph as he went from Pharaoh’s prison to the palace.

June 21-25, 201012:45 - 3:30 p.m.

Registration is now Open!http://www.UCHinsdale.org/vbs

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

Youth Events:April 18 - May 9.

Middle School TNT is Sunday Nights

from 5:00 p.m - 6:30pm

Sunday, April 18:Village Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, April 25:Kickball and Marshmallow Wars

Sunday, May 2:Mini-Golf (RSVP please-Cost $5)

Sunday, May 9:No TNT (Mother’s Day)

For High SchoolHigh School Youth Group is

Sunday nights 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 18:High School Youth Group

Sunday, April 25:Youth Group

Sunday, May 2:Youth Group

Sunday, May 9:No Youth Group (Mother’s Day)

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Summer Work Tour July 9-17, 2010

We are going to Cosby, TN in the Smoky Mountains! Information packs are outside of Jer’s offi ce or on the website.

http://youth.uchinsdale.org

Spring Work: Appalachian South Folklife CenterPipestem, WV

Invitation to Faith: Community Life & Christian Formation for Adults

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College ScholarshipsOnce again this year, the Women’s Association in-vites current or soon-to-be college students to apply for a Women’s Association Scholarship. Scholar-ship awards are based on a combination of demon-strated commitment to service through participation in Union Church activities and/or school/communi-ty activities and fi nancial need. Anyone associated with Union Church may apply.

Application forms are available in the church offi ce and are due April 19, 2010. Names of scholarship recipients will be announced at the Women’s Associa-tion May Luncheon. Questions? Call or email Lucy Tarabour (630) 920.0636, lctarabour@yahoo.com.

New Members’ Classes and New

Members’ SundayNew Member Classes

Coming For Both Adults and Youth!

An Adult New Member Classes is scheduled for April 25, May 2 and May 9, 2010. This series is for any adult in the congregation who would like to know more about the United Church of Christ, Union Church and church membership. This class is held in the Kitchen classroom on the third fl oor.

A Youth New Member Class is also being held, which will cover the same material, but is designed for youth and past Confi rmands who have not yet joined the church. The youth should come to one class, either April 25 or May 2 (in the Youth Room).

Both classes run from 11:15 a.m. til 12:30 p.m. (at the latest).

New Member Sunday will be May 23, 2010. If you are interested in joining church please contact Pastor Thom at (630) 323.4303.

Petite Repeat is Here! Petite Repeat is accepting donations of gently-used children's and maternity items this week. Please drop off donations in the church Dining Room Mon-day through Thursday this week. Volunteers will also be unloading dona-tions from cars at the 3rd Street entrance from 9:00-9:30am Monday through Thursday. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Allison Slingluff at allisongslingluff@me.com.

The sale takes places Saturday, April 24th from 8 to 11am. Come and shop this great children's resale event! Proceeds benefi t Union Church Early Child-hood Program scholarships for families in need.

Thank You! Many thanks to everyone who, through the years, have collected Christmas cards and given them to Cathy Schultz. These cards were sent to the Sea-man's Institute, an organization that ministers to people in the maritime service. Every Christmas the cards were recycled and put with gifts sent to mer-chant marine men and women who are often away from home for two years. The cards were really appreciated, but Cathy will no longer be collecting and sending the cards to the Seaman's Institute. If anyone wants to learn about the Institute and would like to take over the work of collecting and sending the cards, please call Cathy at (630) 323.0850.

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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission and Social Justice for All People

Hank Maxwell Peace & Justice

InternIt is great pleasure that we announce Chris Davey as the fi rst recipient of the Hank Maxwell Peace & Justice Intern-ship. Chris Davey was selected from a fi eld of ten well qualifi ed and deserving applicants.

The Hank Maxwell Peace & Justice In-ternship is a cooperative ministry with Citizen Action Illinois (one of our min-istry partners). Citizen Action will pro-vide a full experience in social advoca-cy as a practice and a career, in addition they will provide the on-going supervi-sion and guidance. The Hank Maxwell Peace & Justice Committee and Rev. Parrott-Sheffer will provide the oppor-tunity for theological refl ection and the church provides the stipend which sup-ports this internship.

Chris will be working full-time with Citizen Action Illinois during his sum-mer break from the University of Chi-cago. Following his experience he will be sharing his learnings and refl ections with the church through newsletter arti-cles and presentations at several groups within the church.

The Hank Maxwell Peace & Justice In-ternship is designed to foster the spirit of the advocacy and social involvement exampled by its namesake; as well as provide an experience of social advo-cacy as a threshold to potential calling to this work as a vocation.

We are excited by what lies ahead for Chris and ask that you keep him in your prayers.

Volunteer Coordinator Needed

Once a year members of Union Church go to PADS at Christ Redeemer Church to volunteer. We are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to take a lead-ership position for our outing this year in August.

If you are intersted please contact Pastor Thom at (630) 323.4303 or via email at

TParrott-sheffer@uchinsdale.org

Support the African Mission Trip:Join us for a Taste of South Africa, on Sunday, April 25th at the Chequers Res-taurant in La Grange, Illinois at 6:30 p.m. There you can sample the tastings and wines of South Africa. Tickets are $50 per person and will be sold after services each Sunday. Come join us for food, fellowship and fun! Raffl e included and you must be 21 to attend.

If you are not a Foodie, but would like to help, you can Sponsor a Student at the Bridgman Centre. Just $50 will support one student in one of the programs for six months. Give at the level of your choice.

For more information visit the Gathering Space or contact Rev. Thom Parrott-Sheffer at the church.

“The Bridgman Centre is a place where young people can feel at home and have fun! “ Help us help them!

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life

You are invited to the Union Church of Hinsdale Annual Potluck! The event is being organized by Christian Formation and Parish Life this year. Bring a dish to share. Activities for Kids. All are welcome.

The unusual hot spell we experienced recently has encouraged our garden plants to pop up early, and that means that it is defi nitely time to DIG NOW. The pots are all lined up in marching order on the back patio at 322 North Bruner, and you are most welcome to come help yourself to any you need if you choose to pot your own plants. Otherwise, dig and dump your plants on that same back patio and the potting crew will happily pot them and keep them watered til the day before Plant Sale, at which time they will ride to Bronswood majestically in the dump truck that Sheryl DeSanto procures from Ron’s “Uncle Somebody” and which she, herself, drives!

Can’t dig, but have plants to share? Call Ruth Finlay, (630) 323.4715, or Eleanor Patterson, (630) 887.0978, and we will send a hearty soul to dig. Look around. Almost any good-sized clump can spare a small piece for Plant Sale.

In spite of the unusually warm weather, it is not time to plant annuals yet, so do yourself and us a big favor, and wait to buy your annuals and perennials on May 7 at our sale. We get 25% profi t from anything that is bought from the Bronswood greenhouses on the 7th, and of course we get 100% profi t from all our home-dug plants that Bronswood graciously allows us to display in their back yard. And all the profi t goes to the Women’s Crisis Center of the DuPage YWCA.

Incidentally, we have a marvelous time on sale day, come rain, snow, sleet or sun, so if you’d like to join us for a few hours or for the day, just call Ruth or Eleanor – or just show up. We’ll put you to work. We’ll also have a great time enjoying each other’s company.

Orders Due Wed., April 21st

Besides all your usual Market Day favorites, take note of these special items:

• Think about a loaf (or two) of Cream Cheese Braided Bread as a treat on Sunday morning after church—vanilla-infused custard style cream cheese fi lling is folded into the center of this favorite

• New products this month include Arizona single serving “stix” of all-natural green tea for iced tea on the go, pork fl at iron, the new cut of tender, juicy pork that is popping up on restaurant menus everywhere, mahi mahi “naked” fi llets—a healthy dinner option great for grilling, and chocolate chip cookie dough cups—a fun dessert that’s actually made to be eaten frozen (no eggs)

• Do your spring cleaning with Market Day’s brand new line of green enzyme-based home cleaning products

Log on to www.marketday.com to see all the great products you can or-der. If you order online don't forget to use our group number (# 1359) or we won't get credit for your purchase! You can also pick up an order form in the narthex, the gathering place or just inside the north door of the church.

Online orders are due by 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, and paper orders must be turned in to either the rack in the narthex or the one adjacent to the north door by 5 pm on the same day. Pick-up is Saturday, April 24th from 9:30 – 10:00 am.

Questions? Call Lucy Tarabour (630) 920.0636 or Mary Jaworski (630) 734.1046.

The Allegro Handbell Ensemble thanks you for supporting us through Market Day!

Church Pentecost Pot Luck

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Plant Sale 2010dig dig dig dig dig dig

buy buy buy buy buy buy

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...2 3 4 5 6 7

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T SSunday, April 188:00, 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Group7:00 p.m. High School Youth Group7:00 p.m. Prayer & Healing Service

Monday, April 199:00 a.m. Soup Making6:45 p.m. AA Big Book Group

Tuesday, April 20Good News Submission Deadline for May 2 Issue9:00 a.m. "The Happiness Project"

Wednesday, April 218:00 p.m. Way to Live HS Youth Group

Thursday, April 227:15 p.m. Boy Scout Troop Meeting

Friday, April 236:00 p.m. ECP Petite Repeat Pre-SALE

Saturday, April 248:00 a.m. ECP Petite Repeat SALE9:30 a.m. Market Day Order Pickup5:00 p.m. Journey Worship

Sunday, April 258:00, 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services9:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt Presentation5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Group6:30 p.m. Taste of South Africa Dinner7:00 p.m. High School Youth Group

Monday, April 269:00 a.m. Soup Making Ministry

Tuesday, April 277:00 p.m. Executive Council

Wednesday, April 288:00 p.m. Way to Live HS Youth Group

Thursday, April 297:15 p.m. Boy Scout Troop Meeting

Friday, April 306:00 a.m. Men's Ministry Group #16:00 p.m. S.A.Y. Dinner

Saturday, May 110:00 a.m. John D. Purdy Memorial Service5:00 p.m. Journey Worship6:30 p.m. UCH Progressive Dinner

TRANSFORMATIVE WORSHIP

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR CHILDREN

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR YOUTH

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ADULTS

EXPANDING MISSION FOR ALL PEOPLE

COMMUNITY LIFE