September 24, 2006 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale Volume 38, Issue 19

Do you remember the first time you felt deeply moved by an experience of faith through a church? Perhaps you have to think back to something that happened during your growing up years. For others, a powerful memory of faith may have been recent. I still remember how I felt as a small child when visiting other Sunday Schools and churches, when our family was on vacation.

In the church community where I was raised, we worked hard to receive perfect attendance pins at Sunday School. To receive our gold bar at the end of the year, we had to bring a note from home if we were sick, and a note from a Sunday School teacher in another community affirming that we had attended if we missed while on vacation. This created some challenges, as you might imagine.

I remember the annual road trips

our family took, and what it felt like to get out of the car in a strange town and walk into a room where I didn’t know any of the other kids. Would I be welcome? Would I know what they were talking about? Would I be dressed appropriately? Would I fit in?

Visiting those Sunday Schools turned out to be a very important part of growing up. I learned that not every church was like my church. I learned how to welcome strangers to our church from understanding how it felt to be welcomed, or not, by others. I learned that the Bible was the same wherever you go in the world, and that the stories of the Bible help us know more about God and how God wants us to live every day. I learned that my parents had faith and hoped I would have faith too. I learned that it was not as important where we worshipped but that we worshipped.

Every day, how we treat one another is an essential reflection of our faith life. Each week-end this fall, we are addressing critical issues of faith in our world, and

thinking about how to respond to them as Christians. We will not always agree on what that faith response should be. That’s okay In the United Church of Christ, we have a long history of affirming an educated and engaged clergy and membership. We believe that it is important to be thinking Christians and to struggle with ways to be faithful communities, that both harbor compassion and charity and

exercise a prophetic voice to call for justice.

Beneath the invitation to faith life rooted in compassion and

justice, is the fundamental call by God to love one another as God has loved us. It won’t, in the end, matter how spectacular our worship or engaging our Sunday School if we fail to extend a wide- armed welcoming embrace that communicates genuine joy to one another, the member as well as the friend. Let us greet one another with such extravagant hospitality that everyone leaves here saying, “Wow, I can’t wait to come back again.”

God’s grace and peace,Verlee A. Copeland

Messagefrom theMinistryTeam

Invitation to Faith: The core commitment of the Union Church is to invite people into a growing life of Christian faith, discipleship, and service in the context of Christian community.

...how we treat one another

is an essential reflection of our

faith life.

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) • 2 •

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 p.m.

Sunday Worship8:00, 9:00 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

LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT WORSHIP AT UNION CHURCH!

Hi David and Pam,

Just wanted to tell you both that JAM yesterday was superb. Your message was clear, well-connected throughout, and powerful. At the same time, the service had its "unique" pauses as kids stepped up to the front, music was sung, videos were watched (where do you fi nd all of those clips?!?). It was all very meaning-ful, and yes, personal. What a great start to the year!

Jeanne and Mark Osgood

Verlee,

Thank you!!!!! Val and discussed your sermon a great deal on Sunday. Wonderfully provacative. You are right....we don't check our brains at the door at UC!

John Paro

Congratulations everyone for a wonderful kick-off week-end. God’s spirit was moving in this place, from the opening worship on Saturday evening, through the four worship services on Sunday, Adult Forum with 115 attendants, Sunday School and youth group start ups. Many families visited on Sunday and there were faces here we haven’t seen for awhile, ready to be welcomed back. Joy abounded and the energy was electric. Thank you for all your labors and hospitality on behalf of all the members and friends of Union Church.

“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?” - I Thessalonians 3:9

In gratitude, Verlee A. Copeland

9:50 a.m. – Sunday School Infant thru Grade 7

Come to the Gathering Place

10:00 a.m. – Worship in the Sanctuary(4th Sunday is an Intergenerational Service)

11:15 a.m. – Confi rmation, High School Class, Adult Forum (childcare available for birth through 5th grade)

YOUR INVITATION TO FAITH COME AND SEE!The Union Church of Hinsdale invites you and your family into a growing life of Christian faith, discipleship, and service within the Christian com-munity.

8:00 a.m. – Worship in the Chapel

9:00 a.m. – Worship in Rowell Hall(except for 4th Sundays)

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE TIME!Don’t forget that Sunday School runs til 11:15 now. If you do get out of ser-vice early please make sure to stop by the Gathering Place to have a cup of coffee and mingle for a bit.

INTERGENERATIONAL SUNDAY

September 24 is our fi rst Intergen-erational Sunday. Intergenerational Sundays are the fourth Sunday of the month and we are encouraging fami-lies to worship together. There will be no Sunday School at 9:50 on these Sundays.

Thank You, Penny Johnson

S I G N U P F O R L O G O S F A L L P R O G R A M

The LOGOS program is a nurturing weekday ministry for youth, their families, and every member of Union Church. The LOGOS Program gives young people a safe place to enjoy Christian fellowship through recreation activities, partici-pation in worship and choir, group study of contemporary and biblical values, and through sharing a meal together. At LOGOS we practice the Christian faith and learn how Christians play, eat, discuss, and wor-ship together. We develop re-lationships with other young people and adults who care about youth. Call the Penny Johnson at the church offi ce for more information: (630) 323.4303

Who can participate? Grades 1-8

When is LOGOS? Wednesdays beginning October 4 through November 15

What time is LOGOS?4:00 - 7:00 p.m. for Grades 1-55:00 - 8:00 p.m. for Grades 6-8

Where is LOGOS?All over Union Church on Wednesdays

FALL STEWARDSHIP PROJECT

Our fall stewardship project is supporting our mission part-

ner, Habitat for Humanity International. In 2007, a group of

adults from Union Church will return to Guatemala to con-

tinue building new homes for Guatemalan families in remote

areas. Each home costs about $2,400 for the construction

materials. If we could raise enough money for the home’s

foundation, it would be a wonderful gift to Guatemalans.

We will track our progress using Legos, so the children will

know how close we are to our goal. We ask for your support

of our Sunday School offering.

YOUTH HAPPENINGS

Saturday September 23rd 6:30PM - Dinner & A Movie Nite

at David & Pam’s House. Come help prepare & eat dinner, watch a movie and discuss it with a group of friends. Everyone’s welcome, but please reserve by 9/22 (so we have enough food). 630-789-9611 / 233 Meadowbrook Ln, Hinsdale

Sunday September 24th DISCOVERY & TnT “RESALE EXTRAVAGANZA”

4-6PM Middle School & High School join in together to help unload trucks, heave boxes, drive forklifts and show how “ripped” we are, as we help out the Women’s Asso. of Union Church with set-up of our Annual RESALE Event. COME SWEAT & EAT PIZZA. We need EVERYONE, so come on over!

High School

Special EVENT!

High School Retreat Heads to Camp Talahi

Oct. 20-22 (Jer’s Camp!) Jer & I have been thinkin’…What could be more fun than staying home on the weekend to do homework? Well, we think we came up with an answer – ROAD TRIP to MICHIGAN! That’s right, OCTOBER 20-22, we thought a High School Retreat to the UCC camp, Camp Talahi in Howell, MI to do some hiking, canoeing, camp firing, worshipping, and plain ol’ chillin’ was just the plan! We’ve got some surprises up our sleeves too, like our special guest musician (for Saturday night) Carl Thomas Gladstone. Carl interned here (just like Jer) about 4 years ago and now is a youth leader, and professional musician and speaker. He’s got a couple of outrageous sets planned just for us. (You can check him out at carlthomasgladstone.com).

Jer thinkin’…

Check out ON-LINE Registration: You can get more details about departure & arrivals, what we’ll do, costs and permission slips by going ON-LINE to Union Church’s website www.uchinsdale.org/youth. You have to Sign Up ONLINE for this Retreat, so tell your friends, and don’t waste time. This will be a weekend you don’t want to miss, and space will be limited.

11:15AM – JAM (on the 2nd Sunday of the month). Jam is for EVERYONE in high school. Come on! Get OUT OF BED! (It’s 11:15 for gosh sakes!) We need your musical and theatrical and technological talents to help us out, and we need you to be a part of our worship celebration. Don’t like it? Come help change it! JAM is for you! 12:15PM - Young Women’s Group, every other Sunday starting September 10th. This is just for high school women to get together, talk, eat, share and be in community with each other. Waffle Day is Sunday 9/24. Call Christie Schuessler at 789-2258. Led by Pam Knecht & Candy Stevens. 7 PM – DISCOVERY. This is high school fellowship, service/mission, cool outing and work tour planning & bonding time. There is ALWAYS food involved. Each week we take a stab at a new activity around growing ourselves, helping others, having fun, growing our faith, and steppin’ out on the wild side for Christ.

SUNDAYS are Ha ppenin’ around Union! (Be a Part of it!) So, if you’re in high school (sleeping in), this is for you… You’ve been Confirmed, you’re a Member of the church, I tried to teach you about being an ACTIVE member of Union, and what it means to be a part of a faith community that wants to love & nurture you, so I ask…WHY AREN’T YOU IN CHURCH with us? Come on, grab mom, dad, the dog, some Starbucks and jump on over. Check out this stuff just for high school youth on Sunday mornings: 10AM – A New Sanctuary Worship, at a new time, with a fresh look that includes youth and adults as a part of worship. 11:15AM – High School FORUM It’s a discussion group led by Jeremy Hylen, looking at the “stories” that help to shape our personal and spiritual lives. It’s open to all guys and young women in high school. Retreat Registration ONLINE at: www.uchinsdale.org/youth

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

excite

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Adults

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FREE SCREENING OF THE MOVIE "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"

On Saturday, Oct. 7, at 7:00 p.m., our congregation will offer a free screen-ing of “An Inconvenient Truth” in the Youth Room. This fi lm explains the best available scientifi c data on global warming and helps us, as people of faith, to see that curbing our appetite for fossil fuels is truly a moral impera-tive.

Youth, adults and members of com-munity are welcome to attend. Our church will be one of more than 1,400 congregations showing the movie dur-ing the week of Oct. 1-8, thanks to sponsorship by Interfaith Power and Light.

The two-hour movie will be followed by a discussion led by a high school student and an adult, sponsored by our Adult Education Committee.

ADULT FORUM MEETS AT 11:15 A.M. ON SUNDAYS IN ROWELL HALL

Sept. 24: Martha Pierce, director of the Chicago Metropolitan Sanctu-ary Alliance (CMSA), will speak on “A Faith-Based Perspective on Immi-gration Reform.” Martha grew up in Union Church and now lives in Evan-ston. The CMSA works to promote

peace, justice and dignity for people of Latin America through programs of education, advocacy, material as-sistance and accompaniment. Martha has made several trips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cuba and Co-lombia. She is a graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary.

Oct. 1 – Bill Blakemore, national ABC News correspondent, will speak on “Global Warming: Scientifi c Real-ity, Psychological Challenge, Tangled Options and Religious Pertinence.” Bill, whose mother Josephine attends Union Church, has been a reporter for ABC News for more than 35 years. On Sept. 11, 2001, he reported live from ground zero before the Trade Towers fell. He has reported from Afghani-stan, Pakistan, Baghdad, and Jerusa-lem. Bill was the network’s Vatican correspondent during John Paul II’s reign. His special interest in the last few years has been global warming.

Oct. 8 – Jennifer Keldahl, director of our ECP, will speak on “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Early Childhood Program.” A spe-cial art program for young children will be offered during this presentation to allow parents to attend.

Programs are open to the community. Topics are subject to change. Child care is provided. Children from birth through age 4 may go to the nursery in Room E on the lower level. Children from kindergarten through 5th grade should meet caregivers in the Drama Tent on the upper level.

FLU SHOTS AVALIBLE

Union Church encourages our mem-bers to get fl u shots at the offi ce of Dr. Irene Thomas Thevatheril, 115 East First Street, Suite 2W, Hinsdale (630/ 734-0580). Dr. Thevatheril is assisted by our member Marilyn Schaefer, R.N. The cost is $25 per person, and the doc-tor accepts Medicare and Medicaid. Children between the ages of 4 and 9 will need two shots; those age 9 and over will need one shot. Please visit her offi ce during one of these times to receive your fl u shot:

Tuesday, Oct. 3: 4 to 6:30 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 12: 1 to 4 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 14: 9 to 11 a.m.Sunday, Oct. 22: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COUPLE’S BIBLE STUDY BEGINS SEPTEMBER 22Couples of the church who plan to par-ticipate in the small group Bible study, prayer and fellowship groups this fall are invited to come to our opening event on Friday, September 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the church youth room. The evening will begin with a simple supper. We will then introduce the group leaders, get re-acquainted with one another and welcome those who are joining the group this year. If you are planning to participate, please contact Verlee A. Copeland so that you can be matched with a group and re-ceive further information about the program this year. Members from the fi rst year of this program describe it as an opportunity to deepen in faith and strengthen relationship as a couple. Won’t you join us this year?

TH E NI G H T MI N I S T RY Connect ing at the Crossroads s ince 1976

The Night Ministry, a non-profi t, non-denominational organization founded in Chicago in 1976, responds non-judgmentally to the needs of people on the nighttime streets of Chicago – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual ori-entation or social status. It is a ministry of presence, of “being there,” when traditional agencies are closed. Through its core programs – the Open Door Youth Shelter, the Outreach and Health Ministry, the Youth Shelter Network and Community & Congregational Relations – over 60 staff and 400 volunteers promote access to services, encour-age healthy life changes, provide stability for those who have few or no relation-ships and work to change the policies and practices that result in the isolation of life on nighttime streets. The Ministry is completing a capital campaign, which funded the purchase and rehab of a building on north Noble Street, in Chicago. This facility is now the home to 24 young men and women, including pregnant teens and their infants and toddlers, while they receive a full range of services to help them gain skills needed for independent living. This program is modeled after the successful program at Open Door Youth Shelter which the Ministry had operating since 1992 in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood.

The campaign also funded the purchase of a second custom built Health Out-reach Bus, at a cost $250,000. In addition to bringing refreshments, street coun-seling, education and referrals to underinsured and uninsured youth and adults, the bus is actually a traveling medical offi ce. Registered nurses provide health assessments, physicals, rapid HIV testing, and vaccinations.

This year, Night Ministry Founder and President, Rev. Tom Behrens, received the Lincoln Laureate Award, the highest honor for individual achievement that the State of Illinois can bestow on one of its citizens. The Ministry is further recognized by Charity Navigator with its Four Star Rating for its commitment to prudent fi scal management.

Union Church has been a proud supporter of the Ministry since its inception. As a longtime recipient of funding from the Christian Mission Ministry, nearly $100,000 has been contributed to the Ministry by our Church. Our youth regu-larly prepare “picnic” suppers and travel alongside its Health Outreach Bus to disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago to serve these meals to people in need. It is a privilege and an education to support this wonderful organization and to share in these experiences.

A variety of volunteer opportunities exist to support this exemplary organization as well as a list of donated items that will be put to good use by vulnerable youth and adults on nighttime streets. See Union Church’s website, www.uchinsdale.org/ministries/, for more information.

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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission For All PeopleWHY RESALE?In the midst of running around taking care of some of the “nuts and bolts” details of resale, a long-time church member and Resale volunteer encour-aged me to write about what resale re-ally means to us as a congregation.

Resale is: • A collection of the best bargains you’re likely to fi nd all in one place anywhere—but that’s not all… • A fundraiser for Women’s Asso-ciation and its mission partners—but that’s not all… • A great opportunity to clean out your closets, basements and attics for a good cause—but that’s not all... • A chance to spend time working side by side with others in the church that you may not have met before, as well as a chance to spend time with old friends • The feeling you get when you can offer a hug to someone who is drop-ping off things that belonged to a loved one who has passed away. • The “we’re all in this together” feel-ing we get as volunteers that makes us more than a congregation—it makes us a family.

That just begins to describe it. Think about it—what does resale mean to you?

RESALE ’06Thursday, September 28 Presale: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday, September 29Public Preview Sale: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, September 30Offi cial Resale Day: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

GU AT E M A L A MI S S I O N TR I P PL A N N E D F O R JU N E 2007There will be an informational meet-ing on Saturday, September 23 at 9 a.m. in Brook Conference Room for those interested in participating in the June 2007 Adult Mission Trip to Guatemala.

The second international adult mission trip is planned for mid June 2007 to Guatemala with the Rev. Verlee Cope-land. We will engage in two mission opportunities, through Habitat for Hu-manity Global Village and Common Hope ministries. Please contact Verlee Copeland at this time to express inter-est.

M E M B E R N E W S

DeathCondolences to Nadine Woodle, her cousin Sally recently passed away.

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MORTON ARBORETUM FALL COLORSCome take advantage of the crisp fall days coming up by joining Women’s Association for an outing to the Mor-ton Arboretum on Thursday October 19th.

We’ll take a guided tram tour and then enjoy lunch at the Gingko Café at the Arboretum.

Come to the 3rd St. parking lot at 9 am on October 19th. We’ll organize carpools to make the trip out to the Ar-boretum in Lisle. Our tour will take about one hour, followed by lunch; putting our arrival back at church around 2:00-2:30 p.m.

Space is limited, so sign up now by calling Audrey at the church offi ce

(630-323-4303). The cost for entrance to the Arboretum and the tram tour is $9.00 payable in advance in cash or by check (made out to Union Church Women’s Association). Please drop off your payment marked with your name and “Women’s Association Ar-boretum Tour” with Audrey in the church offi ce. We can accept reserva-tions through October 12th.

MEN'S CLUB LUNCHEONWednesday, October 11, 2006

at 12:00 p.m.Union Church Dinning Room

Save the Date and Bring a Friend!

Imagine Art Studio to Union Church. I look forward to meeting you, and am so grateful for the opportunity to share a working space with such a vibrant parish and outstanding early childhood program.

See you in the fall!

Fondly,Rachel Weaver Rivera

WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION UNIT MEETING LOCATIONS FOR OCT. 2006Units 1, 2 & 3 10/05 9:00 a.m.Rowell Hall - Union Church

Unit 4Contact Susan Young for information at (630) 325.4641

Unit 5 10/05 7:30 p.m. Home of Winnie Leathers225 W. 6th St., Hinsdale

Unit 6 10/13 1:00 p.m. Home of Rita Chandler7326 Richmond Ave., Darien

Unit 7 10/04 9:00 a.m. Kitchen Classroom - Union Church

IMAGINE ART STUDIOMy name is Rachel Weaver Rivera. I am a professional artist and owner of Imagine Art Studio, located in down-town Clarendon Hills. I have been in business two years in my current loca-tion. It makes me very happy to share that on October 1st, I will be moving my art school to rent the art room lo-cated on the third fl oor of the educa-tion building at Union Church!

Imagine Art Studio is a working art space for families and children. I of-fer art instruction, private lessons, birthday parties, and teacher education workshops. I have over ten years in the fi eld of art education. When not teaching in the studio, I am a consul-tant for Chicago Metro Association for the Education of Young Children’s early literacy initiative.

Classes at the Union Church location will begin in mid October. The fall schedule includes everything from drawing and painting people, animals, and nature for school age children, to drawing and watercolor for adults, and process-oriented painting for pre-school age children.

Thank you in advance for welcoming

NEW YOGA SESSIONJoin us for a 75- minute Hatha Yoga class. The class will focus on medita-tion, breath work and postures. The many benefi ts of Yoga include:

• a release of stress and tension • an increase in strength & fl exibility • the quieting of the mind • inner balance • a boost to energy and health • peacefulness

Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 in the youth room on the second fl oor.

Next session will run from Septem-ber 6 thru November 1 (class October 9 cancelled due to holiday). The cost is $13.00 per class or $12.00 per class when session is paid in full (paid on the fi rst day of class).

To register, call 630.325.1880 be-tween 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Partici-pants must bring a mat and wear com-fortable clothing.

Invitation to Faith: Community Care

Invitation to Faith: Community Life

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

TRANSFORMATIVE WORSHIP

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR CHILDREN

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR YOUTH

CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ADULTS

EXPANDING MISSION FOR ALL PEOPLE

COMMUNITY CARE

C A L E N D E R O F E V E N T SSunday, September 248:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services9:00 a.m. Current Events & Fellowship11:15 a.m. Adult Forum & Confi rmation Classes7:00 p.m. Newcomers Group

Monday, September 259:00 a.m. Resale Sorting9:30 a.m Yoga Class6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Tai Chi Ch'uan7:00 p.m. Spiritual Health Club

Tuesday, September 269:00 a.m. Resale Sorting7:30 p.m. Union Bells

Wednesday, September 279:00 a.m. Resale Sorting7:00 a.m. Prayer Group5:00 p.m. Allegretto Bells7:00 p.m. ONA Meeting

Thursday, September 287:00 a.m. ECP Photo Shoot9:00 a.m. Resale Sorting

Friday, September 296:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Resale

Saturday, September 308:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Resale5:00 p.m. Journey Worship

Sunday, October 18:00, 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services9:00 a.m. Current Events & Fellowship9:30 a.m. Sunday School – infant – 2 years11:15 a.m. Adult Forum & Confi rmation Classes

Monday, October 26:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Tai Chi Ch'uan

Tuesday, October 39:00 a.m. Imagine! Art Studio

Wednesday, October 47:00 a.m. Prayer Group9:00 a.m. Unit 7 – Women’s Association9:30 a.m. Yoga3:45 p.m. Logos Thursday, October 59:00 a.m. Imagine! Art Studio9:00 a.m. Unit 2 & 3 – Women’s Association12:30 p.m. Unit 4 – Women’s Association1:00 p.m. Kerygma 7:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Team7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Friday, October 69:00 a.m. Imagine! Art Studio

Saturday, October 75:00 p.m. Journey Worship Service7:00 p.m. FREE SHOWING of "An Inconvenient Truth"