april 3, 2011 - union church of hinsdale's good news
DESCRIPTION
The church newsletter published by the Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.TRANSCRIPT
Open Forums Continue throughout April!
Open Forums are for members and friends of Union Church to come, answer questions, and share their thoughts about life at Union Church and its future.
Each Forum is 45 minutes.
Each one follows a worship service. Each one has childcare in Spirit Hall.
Plan to attend these forums:
Second set of Forums:
Sunday, April 3, 10:15 to 11am, Youth Room
Or Sunday, April 10, 11:40 to 12:30, Rowell Hall
Discussion Questions for this forum:
What brought and keeps you at Union Church? If I could change one thing about life at Union Church, what would it be?
Third set of Forums:
Palm Sunday, April 17, 10:15 to 11am, Youth Room Or
Palm Sunday, April 17, 11:40 to 12:30, Rowell Hall
Discussion questions for this forum will be in the announcement section of the bulletin that day.
April 3, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 7
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Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship
Our Staff Transitional Minister: Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer Associate Minister:
Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer Director of Children’s Christian Education:
Penny Johnson Director of Youth Formation:
Jeremy Hylen Director of Music Ministries:
Michael Surratt Director of the Chancel Choir:
Todd Diehl Director of
Contemporary Music: Brad Nye
Director of Children and Youth Choirs: Roberta Wentling
Assistant Handbell Director: Elizabeth Jung
Director of Early Childhood Programs:
Jennifer Keldahl Senior Operations Manager:
Merrilee Hall Financial Manager:
Gaby Perez Project Manager:
Joel Gratcyk Communications Assistant:
Melanie Burton Buildings and Grounds:
Jim Vojtek, Bob Brija
WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship
9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Prayer and Healing Service 3rd Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Union Church of Hinsdale 137 S. Garfield Ave Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 323.4303 http://UCHinsdale.org
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service in the Youth Room
9:00 a.m. Traditional Easter Worship with Gargoyle Brass and Chancel Choir
11:00 a.m. A Blended Easter Worship
with Gargoyle Brass and Joyful Noise Band
Sunday, April 17 9:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Thursday, April 21 – 7:00 p.m. Join us in the sanctuary as we remember the night Jesus spent in the upper room with his disciples. This service will feature communion and a Tennebrae service.
Easter Vigil: 2 p.m. Friday until 6:00 a.m. Sunday Sign up for an hour or two, to be in Vigil. A time of reflection, walking the Labyrinth, being in silence – preparing ourselves to receive Easter.
Friday, April 22 – 12:00 p.m. Join us in the chapel for a service that reminds us of the last words Jesus spoke from the cross.
Wednesday Evenings in Lent – 7:00 p.m. Meditation allows time for us to listen for what God has to say to us.
Come and join us in the Chapel for services of prayer and meditation, in the style of the Taizé community. The services will be led by Michael Surratt, who spent a week in the Taizé community in France during his sabbatical in 1999.
Easter Sunday Worship April 24, 2011
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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children
Portrait of Former Senior Minster
All of our Senior Ministers, since 1918, have been commemorated with painted portraits which are hung in Rowell Hall. A portrait of Rev. Verlee A. Copeland is being created and it is planned to be presented to the congregation on Sunday,
June 5, 2011 Rev. Copeland and her family will attend the presentation.
The cost of the portrait is being provided by individuals and is not a Union Church budget item.
We look forward to bringing her portrait to the congregation.
Ad Hoc Portrait Committee members: Irv Clarke, Hadley Pihl and Joyce Skoog
Have Faith, End Hunger Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ John 21:15
The stereotypical way of providing food assistance to hungry people in developing countries was to ship large bags of corn, wheat, rice, and other food stuffs. This is still done where there is an emergency such as the earthquake in Haiti. However, Bread for the World, and other agencies, found that this method of solving the hunger crisis is not effective. Bags of food could lie rotting in the holds of ships or corrupt officials could apprehend the food and then sell it. Not only were these typical happenings, it was
discovered that, without involvement of the hungry people themselves, help was only temporary, and did not solve long term problems. Over the years, new ways of providing food have been developed. Bread for the World has effectively persuaded elected officials to reduce global hunger and poverty by investing in the agricultural productivity of poor farmers. However, more needs to be done. This year Bread for the World is campaigning to finish the work of transforming U. S. foreign aid to create streamlined and more efficient programs. These programs will: *put a stronger focus on reducing poverty *demand clearer accountability on how aid dollars are spent and their results *transform the U. S. Development Agency *provide aid that really meets the needs and wants of local people. Again, Jesus asks, ‘Do you love me?’ And Peter said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ John 21:17b Look for more in future “Good News” about how you can help Bread have a successful campaign in aiding poor farmers in developing countries. Bread for the World Sunday will be May 1.
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Invitation to Faith: Mission and Social Justice
VBS 2011: Don’t Monkey Around Get Ready for Safari Fun at
At VBS this year, the children will be embarking on a prayer safari. Through their adventures, they will discover that “God Listens,” “God Provides,” “God Forgives,” “God Protects,” and “God Rules.” We will have a great time with lively songs, hilarious skits, creative crafts, exciting games, Bible stories and tasty snacks –all of the things that make Vacation Bible School so much fun for kids. And we will be learning the Lord’s prayer. So don’t monkey around and sign up today! Registrations are outside Penny’s office. If you are interested in being a safari teacher or junior volunteer, please let Penny or Melanie know.
Souper Stewardship Our Sunday School offering during Lent continues to support the soup ministry. Every Monday a group of men and women prepare soup to be taken to the San Lucas soup kitchen on Tuesday. San Lucas is located in Chicago’s tough Humboldt Park area. It provides much needed services to the community, including assistance for teenage mothers, alternative programs to gang membership, emergency food, clothing and counseling. The 3s & 4s Sunday School class continues to lead with over $45 in their jar. They are the Souper Class. Thanks to all the kids for continuing to support the soup ministry.
Elementary School Fellowship Activity This year, Friendship and FUNSHIP has been designing their fellowship meetings around the idea of traveling to different countries. There are just three more dates & countries: April 8, May 13 & June 10 – Sweden, Guatemala & Chile. Each meeting includes a meal based on local cuisine, games and a craft project. Elementary students are invited to bring a friend to this fellowship activity. Cost is $5. Come on April 8th (6:30-‐8:30 pm) to see what country we will be visiting.
If you have any questions about this activity or if you’d like to help with the cooking or planning, please contact Kim Notaro.
Gospel on the Go is a special Sunday morning program for middle school students that will continue through April 17. Students meet at 8:45 a.m. in the 3rd street parking lot. The morning consists of breakfast, a short Bible
study and a hands-‐on mission project. Students from Confirmation and EDJ are invited!
VBS – Kingdom of the Son Dates: June 20-‐24, 2011 Times: 12:45 -‐ 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 Registration begins now!!!
OUR NEXT MEET THE STAFF BRUNCH WITH REV. THOM PARROTT-‐SHEFFER
Sunday, April 10 – after the 9:00 Worship service at:
The Grant Square Restaurant
(Chosen because it has a great menu, great parking and it is great that we are each given our own bill!)
All who are interested are invited to this brunch, which provides an opportunity to become better acquainted with Pastor Thom. This is the second in our continuing brunches with our staff.
Call Joan Hurst at (630) 325.2548 for reservations.
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Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
A Big ‘Thank You’ from UCECP The Union Church Early Childhood Program was honored to receive a special holiday gift this year from parents of children attending our school. In lieu of individual holiday gifts for our teachers, parents came together to sponsor the teachers’ attendance at an educational conference in Chicago entitled, “The Role of Culture with Learning”, and an exhibit at Columbia College, “The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children.” The conference provided an incredible opportunity for the teachers to learn from distinguished speakers in the early childhood education field, including:
• Lucinda Lee Katz, Chief Officer of the Chicago Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department and former Director of the acclaimed University of Chicago Laboratory Schools; • Antonia Darder, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor of Education and Latino/a Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-‐Champaign; • Lella Gandini, Ed.D., a Consultant in early childhood education and co-‐editor and author of numerous early education publications.
Thank you to all UCECP families for this unique learning opportunity for our teachers, one that impacts each child’s experience in our program.
Its Spring Again… And we’d like to remind you that it’s time to start dividing perennials and ground cover to share with the Women’s Association Plant Sale. If you don’t feel like potting them yourself, just dump them on the back patio at 322 North Bruner. Everybody does it!
Music Events at the Union Church of Hinsdale Bach Cantata #4, Christ lag in Todesbanden and a Mendelssohn Cantata based on O Sacred Head Now Wounded, with the Chicago Gargoyle Brass, organist Michael Surratt, and the combined choirs from the Union Church of Hinsdale, Todd Diehl, director and First Congregational Church of Elgin , Jon Warfel, director, with soloists Patricia Hurd, Joanna Wernette, Pedro Willis-‐Barbosa and Myron Myers, will be presented Sunday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Union Church and on Good Friday, April 22, at 12:00 noon at First Congregational Church of Elgin.
Voices of the Millennium, a summer course for operatic singers and collaborative pianists in Chicago's Loop June 18-‐26, will give a benefit concert on April 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Union Church. Myron Myers, founder, Patricia Deckert and Todd Diehl, members of the board, will be performing along with Patricia Hurd, Joanna Wernette and Michael Surratt. Participants past and present will also sing in this program. Former participants now sing at Bavarian State Opera and Iceland Opera. The goal of the concert is to raise money for scholarships and to complete the application for 501c3 status (IRS). Voices of the Millennium is a subsidiary of Voices of Summer NFP, incorporated in the State of Illinois and recognized as a charitable organization by the Secretary of State. Suggested contribution is $45. All contributions are tax deductible. URL: http://VoicesOfTheMillennium.com.
Grief Loss Support Group
The focus is on support and education around issues of grief, and loss around death.
This group meets each Wednesday for eight weeks.
START DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 END DATE: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
TIME: 7:00 pm -‐8:30 pm
LOCATION: The Chapel, Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital 5101 S. Willow Springs Rd -‐ LaGrange, IL
Some topics to include: Understanding grief, Remembering, Accepting and expressing feelings,
Stress and coping, Anniversaries/Memorialization, Support Systems
Registration is preferred. For more information and to register, please call (630) 856.7525.
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Invitation to Faith: Mission and Social Justice
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Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
TNT (Sunday Nights 5-‐6:30pm) High School April 3 -‐ NO TNT (Spring Break) April 3 -‐ NO YOUTH GROUP (Spring Break) April 10 – Sardines April 10 – Youth Group April 17 – Seder Dinner @ 3 p.m. April 15 – SAY Dinner @ 6 p.m. (families are invited) April 17 – Seder Dinner @ 3 p.m. (families are invited)
Keep an eye open on Facebook for details for Youth Group.
A Huge Thank You To Our Wonderful Sponsors!
SUMMER COLLEGE ASSISTANT WANTED JOB DESCRIPTION: The summer Youth Assistant position is a part time summer position working with Jeremy Hylen, for three days per week, approximately 4 to 5 hours per day (10-‐15 hours a week). We are looking to hire one male and one female assistant to work from June 6th through August 12th. The candidates should be: ~ members of Union Church, ~ have completed at least one year of college, and ~ should have been active in the youth program at Union Church in the past. ~ at least 18 years of age In addition, the candidates should have experience working with young people either at Union Church and/or while away at college. Duties may include clerical functions, assisting with video productions, organizing for Summer Work Tour; attendance at youth functions and other such assistance as may be required from time to time. The assistants will be paid a stipend of $1000 for the summer and will be asked to commit to 15 hours per week for the 10-‐week period. You can download the application online at: http://youth.uchinsdale.org
Please submit your application by April 15 to Jeremy Hylen, either by dropping off your application at the church, or via email to [email protected]
THE UNION CHURCH OF HINSDALE DIRECT TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
(to call staff without going through the switchboard)
Tom Zoelzer: 630.590.6695 Thom Parrott-Sheffer: 630.590.6693 Michael Surratt: 630.590.6690 Penny Johnson: 630.590.6691 Jeremy Hylen: 630.590.6656 Merrilee Hall: 630.590.6689 Melanie Burton: 630.590.6652 Gaby Perez Gleason: 630.590.6654 Jim Vojtek & Bob Brija: 630.590.6657 Roberta Wentling: 630.590.6650 Todd Diehl: 630.590.6694 Brad Nye: 630.590.6650
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Looking for a Host Family for a Foreign Exchange Student WANTED: Host families to open their hearts and homes to welcome an international exchange student into their community for an academic school year. Welcoming an exchange student into your home opens a new window to the world for your family, as well as changes the life of a young person. CIEE hosts more than 55 nationalities each year, so we could easily find a student that would work well with your family. Please contact Carrie Brockie (630) 248.8181 or [email protected] for more information or if you might be interested.
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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation
We anticipate the Walk to end around 10a.m. However, it will last long enough to effect getting to the church. The walk is scheduled to go up Third Street in the morning – YOU MAY WANT TO AVOID THAT STREET.
Hinsdale Central High School 4th Annual-‐Character Counts!
Walk The Walk for Autism Sunday, April 10, 2011
8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!
Heifer Project – Family Farm Fair We have been invited to work with Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in organizing and participating in the Annual Heifer Family Farm Fair: August 7, 2011, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. We are presently looking for a volunteer to work with the committee from Holy Nativity as our liaison and be the coordinator for Union Church’s involvement. If you would be willing to volunteer for this very worthwhile Family Ministry please contact either Penny Johnson or Thom Parrott-‐Sheffer. Thank you, in advance!
2011 Easter Offering to Benefit HCS Family Services
The Christian Mission Ministry invites you to support the 2011 Easter offering recipient, HCS Family Services. HCS is a compassionate not-‐for-‐profit organization which has been serving the residents of Southeast DuPage County since 1937. It is their goal to prevent homelessness and food insecurity, help low-‐income individuals achieve their dreams of sustained economic self-‐sufficiency and to create an improved quality of life for themselves and their families. HCS empowers people to reach their goals through one-‐on-‐one guidance, education and
advocacy; through education and career development, parent mentoring and practical support for immediate basic needs. Our offering will support the “Parent Mentor” program for any family in their service area wanting to improve their parenting skills. The Parent Mentor Program empowers and strengthens the family unit by cultivating parental coping skills. Families supported through mentoring can be helped to develop new ways to perceive and respond to stressful situations, and new ways to effectively parent their children, thereby reducing the risk of child neglect. If you have any questions or comments about this year's offering please feel free to contact Barb Early, HCS Family Services’ liaison, from the Mission Ministry.
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Invitation to Faith: Community Life
Plans are underway for the Progressive Dinner, which will be held on Saturday, May 14. The Parish Life Ministry is looking for members to host dinner for 8-‐12 people in their home or who would like to host the appetizer or dessert portions of the evening for the entire group of 75-‐100 people. Thank you in advance for helping to make this fun evening a success. Please contact Jane Hogenkamp at 630-‐789-‐6326 or [email protected].
Mark Your Calendars!!! Easter Egg Hunt
APRIL 16, 2011, 10 a.m. -‐ 11 a.m. Children ages 1-‐8 invited
Bring your Easter basket and join us for refreshments, an
Easter Story, the Egg Hunt and the Easter Bunny. Meet in the Gathering Place. Friends and family welcome.
Questions: Contact Diane Oostendorp (630) 655.9405
Seder Celebration and Meal Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m.
On Palm Sunday, members are invited to share a Seder meal together. What is a Seder? A Seder is the Jewish Passover meal which commemorates the delivery of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Passover is both an actual meal and a sacramental meal. The Seder service takes place annually in the home, on the first two nights of Passover. The foods eaten are symbols of spiritual truths and past events. The event itself is an “intergenerational” learning experience. Even in the earliest days, the Passover meal was planned as a family gathering, a time when young and old would gather around the table and hand down faith and tradition from one generation to the next. All – young and old, members and friends – are invited to come together to share this special meal and celebration at 3:00 p.m., April 17. If you are planning on attending please let Jeremy Hylen know, so we know how much food to prepare and how many places at the table to set.
Women’s Association: Dresses Through the Decades Do you remember your prom dress? or your favorite dress as a child? What was your wedding
dress like? When was the last time you REALLY dressed up? Join us on April 14 for Dresses through the Decades. Presenters Ruth Thomas and Chloe Berg will discuss fashion and women's dresses through the years, presenting items from their vast collections of clothing and accessories. Women's Association invites everyone to join us for a morning of reminiscing and learning about fashion!
Thursday, April 14 at 9:30 am, in Rowell Hall.
Each year, local families and businesses generously donate new and gently used children's clothing, coats, furniture, toys, strollers, car seats, and maternity wear for the sale. Proceeds benefit the UCECP Scholarship Fund for families in need. Please join in this special fundraising event to help children attend our widely recognized and NAECY-‐accredited preschool, and to help meet our shared goal of ministering to the needs of the whole human family. You can help by donating items to the sale, volunteering your time, or shopping at Petite Repeat. Donations will happily be accepted starting April 25 (receipts will be available). To volunteer, contact Kristen Ashby at [email protected].
See you at Petite Repeat!
UNION CHURCH’S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
PETITE REPEAT
April 30, 2011