June 13, 2010 Volume 42, Issue 12A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.

TheGood News

Sab•bat•i•cal səˈbæt ɪ kəl 1. of or pertaining or appropriate to the Sabbath.

2. bringing a period of rest.

3. any extended period of leave from one's customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

This summer two of the Union Church staff are going on sabbatical. Both Pastor Thom and Penny will be spending time this summer in training, study and re-creation. A three month Sabbatical is grant-ed to program staff after six years of service. We have asked them to share with the congregation their plans for this time away.

Pastor Thom Parrott-Sheffer

I will be primarily engaged in an im-mergence study of Spanish. I will be attending class in Antigua, Guatema-la during the month of June; working with a tutor 8 hours each day and liv-ing with a Spanish-speaking family.

Upon my return to Illinois, I will be volunteering at a Latino church in Chicago three days a week; provid-ing some pastoral care and resourc-es during July and August.

My hope is to become conversation-al fl uent before our next Adult Mis-sion Trip to Guatemala in January of 2011; so that I can act as one of the trip interpreters.

While away I will also be taking a vacation with Joan, rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Can-yon; reading several books, and spending some quality time with my new grandson.

Penny Johnson

My sabbatical begins the week following VBS, so I will be taking a period of rest and renewal for a couple of weeks. I have vaca-tion plans with my family to North Carolina and a spiritual retreat planned in the Northeast. During the months of July and August, I will be experiencing other wor-ship services and Sunday School programs in the surrounding area while I complete my commission-ing process for ministry.

For the past two years I have been on a journey to commis-sioned ministry for Christian Ed-ucation within the United Church of Christ. I have completed vari-ous classes and the fi nal part of the commissioning process re-quires a paper outlining my faith journey before meeting with the Church & Ministry Committee for a review. My hope is to com-plete all the requirements before returning so I can meet with the Committee in the fall.

Additionally, I will be spending time with my family enjoying all that summer offers. This may be the last summer I have with all three of the boys at home.

Message from theMinistry

Team

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

Sunday Worship8:00 and 10:00 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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2010 Summer Preaching Series:For Which We Stand

Date Preacher Worship Leader Texts

June 6 Copeland Sadagopan Galatians 1:11-14 Bell Choir Commissioning/Summer Sunday School Begins “It’s Over” – Sermon Title

Bell Choir Tour June 6-12

June 13 Copeland TBA Galatians 3:1-9 Copeland baptize daughter of Janelle and Brian Bunn “Losing Your Way” – Sermon Title

June 20 Copeland Johnson Galatians 3: 23-29 Copeland baptize Amelia, Madelaine and Heidi Oelman “Relieved of Duty” – Sermon Title

Vacation Bible School June 21-25

June 27 Sadagopan Johnson Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Work Tour Commissioning /VBS Sunday

July 4 Hylen Sadagopan Galatians 6:1-16 Communion

Work Tour July 9-17

July 11 Copeland Lay Person Colossians 1:1-14 “Half Empty, Half Full” – Sermon Title

July 18 Copeland Sadagopan Colossians 1:15-28 Copeland baptize J. T., son of Todd and Micaela Fisher “First Things First” – Sermon Title

July 25 Hylen TBA Colossians 2:6-19 Youth/Work Tour Sunday

August 1 Sadagopan Hylen Colossians 3:1-11 Communion

August 8 Copeland Sadagopan Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 “Jump Start” – Sermon Title

August 15 Copeland TBA Heb.11:23-28, 39-40; Ps. 81:1-10

August 22 Copeland Sadagopan Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17 “Never Too Late” – Sermon Title

August 29 Sadagopan P – Sheffer Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children

This summer our younger elementary school students will explore the Bible through stories involving All God's Critters. Join God's critters - some big, some small, some short, some tall, some pretty and some gritty. Hear about John the Baptist - did he really eat Bugs for Lunch? Whether we roar like a lion, croak like a frog or sing like a bird we're sure to have fun, after all, All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir! The class will meet every Sunday from May 30th through September 5th in Room J/K off the Gathering Place. Registration forms are located outside the classroom & Penny Johnson's offi ce, completed forms may be returned to the classroom or Penny's offi ce. Summer Sunday School for students in 2nd through 5th grades:Throughout the Old and New Testament, history and modern times, there have been stories where the characters have thought that they had reached the end --- only to discover later that there was more to the story. One of the examples of this occurring is in the story that forms Christianity. When Jesus was crucifi ed and buried, his followers felt that this was the end of Jesus’ ministry. It was not until Easter morning and the subsequent appearances of the risen Savior that people learned that the events which seemed to mark the end were actually part of the beginning. This summer, our older elementary school students and middle school youth will explore the idea that “God is Still Speaking” by looking at Biblical, histori-cal and fi ctional stories. The class will meet every Sunday from May 30th to September 5th from 10:00 until 11:15 a.m. in the Youth Room. Students who were in 6th and 7th grade this past school year are invited to come and be helpers. If interested, please let Susan Young (susany123@aol.com) or Sue Becker (smbecker23@yahoo.com) know.

Ages 3 & 4 BUZZ Sunday

School This summer the children will be busy with Buzz the bee. We will be buzz-ing about God all summer. They will be learning about prayer from Jesus, the adventures of Paul and Silas, Da-vid and Jonah. Buzz will help us pray and learn how to talk to God.

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

Registration is now Closed.

Follow our Blog for Updates on what is happening at VBS

this summer: http://blog.uchinsdale.org

Summer Sunday School Elementary

StudentsSummer Sunday School for children in Kindergarten and 1st grade:

Nursery Workers Needed:

Our nursery is staffed with wonderful and caring individuals and youth on Sunday. With the upcoming changes in worship services, we are looking to hire another adult (over 21) who loves children and can commit to helping every Sunday morning. If you know someone who may be inter-ested in helping, please contact Penny Johnson at (630) 323.4303 ext. 6691.

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

Youth Events:Summer 2010

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Summer Work Tour July 9-17, 2010

Follow our trip online at:

http://uchucc.us/wt

Saturday, June 199 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Middle SchoolTNT is Sunday Nights

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

June 16:VBS Training and Art Project

(12n-3pm)

June 21-25: VBS

June 30Jus Fun Day (1-4pm)

July 7WaterPark Day (1-4pm)

July 21Culvers and Mini-Golf (1-4pm)

July 28Water Balloons and More (1-4pm)

August 11Schaumburg Flyers (5pm)

August 18Campout (TBA)

For High SchoolHigh School Youth Group is

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

June 17Baking Party! (7pm)

June 19Summer Work Tour Car Wash

(8am-1pm)

June 23Sox Game (5PM)

June 27St. Johns (12n-4pm)

June 30St. Johns (8am-1pm)

July 1Jelly Belly Factory Road Trip

July 8BBQ (6pm)

July 22Mystery Event

July 29Rock-Cut State Park Road Trip

August 5Awkward Sports Night (7pm)

August 7Night Ministry (TBA)

August 11Schaumburg Flyers (5PM)

August 17Night Ministry (TBA)

August 19Mystery Trip

Check the website for the most accurate

information or call or email Jer!

http://uchucc.us/youth

Bake SaleCar WashCar Wash

Bake Saleand

(rain date of June 26)

Everyone is welcome. Please bring all the cars/trucks/vans in your

family to get cleaned!

Invitation to Faith: Community Life & Christian Formation for Adults

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Women’s Overnight Retreat

July 16 & 17at St. Mary’s of the Lake1000 East Maple Avenue

Mundelein, IL

Sponsored by Authentic WomenWomen’s Association — Unit 7

Take time for quiet renewal… take time to step back and see who you are and where you're going… take time to celebrate where you've come from and what you've learned.

Nourish your soul and enliven your spirit!

This overnight retreat for women will offer fellowship, faith and inspira-tional workshops as well as free time. Take time to walk… talk… write in your journal… draw in your sketch-book… explore… There is something special about taking time away in an atmosphere that stimulates people to listen, rest, talk and refresh. This kind of experience can be rejuvenating for tired bodies and frazzled nerves. Get-ting away from the everyday routine, away from telephones & television, and having the opportunity for un-interrupted fellowship... These ele-ments make a retreat a unique time of relaxation, inspiration, learning and just having fun with friends.

Cost: $ 125 double occupancy

Download the registration form:http://uchucc.us/wawr

For more information, contact:

Sue Nibeck Kim Notaro (630) 323.0589 (630) 325.5092 (630) 638.0540 (630) 750.4516

For Which We StandThis summer at The Union Church we will highlight the history of our con-gregation through weekly refl ections on worship over the last 90 years. As we prepare for a new chapter in our life together through worship this fall, I hope you will enjoy this brief walk through the faith life of those who preceded us.

We begin our series “For Which We Stand” with a look at our congregation in the year 1917. At that time, William H. Spence was the Minister. The Church was then known as The Hinsdale Congregational Church, as it had not yet united with the Presbyterians. The new building at our current location was planned but not yet complete.

The front of every bulletin stated the following:

OUR MOTTO:

Sincerity in Worship Friendship in Service Loyalty to Christ in All Things.

Announcements in the bulletin included the Annual Meeting on a Wednesday night in January, with supper at 50 cents a person to cover expenses. Revisions were being made to the Constitution, and the congregation was admonished to turn in complete reports of the every member canvass prior to the Annual Meeting.

In preparation for the opening of the new building, a new piano was gifted to the church by Mr. F. S. Cable for the Sunday School, and a new baptismal font designed by Mr. Tallmadge was given by John Jarrett in memory of his father, Herbert W. Holcomb.

Church membership on January 1, 1917 was 397 persons, a slight increase over the membership lf 385 the year prior. Thirty eight persons united with the church that year, and 26 persons left the church or joined the saints in light.

NEXT WEEK: Join us in worship for a look at the following historic year when the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches united.

- Verlee A. Copeland

News from HCS-Family ServicesHinsdale Community Services has changed it’s name to HCS-Family Servic-es. HCS is one of the agencies supported by the Mission Ministry of Union Church. HCS recently announced a new partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to distribute food directly in the community. HCS “rents” a mobile food truck for distribution at sites in the community. This brings the food di-rectly to those in need. The food pantry at the Memorial Building in Hinsdale is still open three days a week. Bags of food and monetary donations for the food pantry will be taken as usual at the Hinsdale 4th of July parade. Anyone wish-ing to volunteer at the food pantry please contact Debbie Baker at HCS (630) 323-2500. Also, for all you golfers, there will be a golf outing to benefi t HCS at Ruffl ed Feathers on June 23, 2010. Golf is $200 per person, please contact Carlton Berg at (630) 323-5918 if you would like to play or volunteer.

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

O Happy Day!The Small Group Prison ministry team joyfully announces Edward Moor's release from parole. Edward is a Union Church member, a UC em-ployment internship graduate and a full time employee of Fuller's Home and Hardware. As of May 20th, 2010, Edward is also a free man.

He served 18 years in prison on a wrongful conviction and has since completed 28 months of parole. His well-earned release comes 8 months early.

We rejoice with him and give thanks to God for Edward's witness to this congregation and community. The prison Mnistry is thankful to church members for your welcome and sup-port. It is a gratitude only exceeded by our thanks to the Fuller family for their partnership.

We pray for continued blessings on Edward in the same measure as his presence has graced us.

Connie BlackTony Carmignani

Irving ClarkeEllie Hanke

Nancy HansonHelen MehlerNoel Parlour

Jim PlattsKen PletcherTom ShivelyJoyce Skoog

Nancy WhitneyElizabeth Zott

Edward Moore

Andrew (Manager of Fuller's Ace Hardware) & Edward Moore

Doug Fuller (Owner / Manager of Fuller's Dip & Dogs) & Edward Moore

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life

ResaleIt's that time of the year to think about Women's Association annual fund raiser, Resale. Time to clean out your closets, basements and garages. Time to share with others those unwanted, no longer needed treasures, that we all have.

Items can be dropped off on the dining room stage - starting 6-10-10. Please do not bring items before that date, as Men's Club is having their party on 6-9-10 . Sorting will begin on 6-15-10. We will sorting on Tuesdays from 12-3 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Donations WILL NOT be accepted during June 19-25 (VBS week).

We are in need of garages for stor-age. Please call Fran Evans at (630) 986.1438 if you have any questions.

One Great Hour of Sharing/Pillars Easter Offering

Through the generosity of Union Church members, the following do-nations were made this spring. The March plate collection for One Great Hour of Sharing gathered $3794 for the United Church of Christ special mission offering. These funds sup-port the UCC global mission work in 80 countries. The Union Church Easter offering collected $4850 for Pillars Community Services. This donation supports Pillars’ services in and around our community. Both Pil-lars and our United Church of Christ family thank the generous donors for these much needed funds!

From the Trustees:At Union Church, our annual pledge income supports more than 85% of the ongoing church expenses, including staff salaries, building operations and maintenance, and mission outreach. Currently, our pledge contributions are below budget by approximately $67,000, while our spending is $5,000 below budget.

The Trustees, with guidance from Executive Council, have initiated a number of actions, including: sending Pledge Account Statements to those needing a reminder and beginning to identify potential spending reductions. Within a few weeks we will see if the Pledge Account Statements generate additional pledge contributions. If the defi cit is not closed, the Trustees will consider specifi c reductions in spending and present a plan to the Executive Council.

While the summer may appear to be a slower time for the Church, with fami-lies and staff on vacation, it is actually a very busy time as we prepare for the the new program year beginning in September. The reason this is important is that if spending reductions are necessary, decisions need to be made sooner than later.

If you recently received a Pledge Account Statement and are able to bring your contribution in-line with your pledge, doing so soon would be very help-ful. If you are in a position to contribute at a higher level than your pledge, that also would be very helpful.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to your Church. Your on-going sup-port of Union Church is both essential and deeply appreciated.

Respectfully,Eric Blanchard, Chair of the Trustees Ministry

Ed Wroble, Treasurer

“Getting to know your Endowment Ministry…”

We all hope to leave a lasting legacy, to leave behind something that will touch others long after we are no longer here. One of the ways we do that is to leave our love, values and resources to those within our family and friendship circle. Another way is through the investment we make in the great institutions that have influenced and impacted us during our lifetime.

Has Union Church been important in your life and the life of your family? Does the Church reflect and act on values that are important to you? Is Union Church an institution and a community that you wish to support so that lives will continue to be significantly impacted through its ministry and mission of service?

The Endowment Ministry can assist you in considering what role the Church can play in your planned giving, answer questions about giving techniques and recommend professionals to assist in executing long range plans.

Please contact Bob Reiland (847-312-9849) or Larry Staat (630-975-8146), Ministry Co-Chairs, or Verlee Copeland (630-323-4303) for more informa-tion.

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

For the most up-to-date list of happenings at Union Church this summer please visit our website:

http://UCHinsdale.org

and our web calendar:

http://uchucc.us/cal

TRANSFORMATIVE WORSHIP

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR CHILDREN

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR YOUTH

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ADULTS

EXPANDING MISSION FOR ALL PEOPLE

COMMUNITY LIFE