June 12, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 11
Summer Work Tour From July 15-23 the youth of the Union Church of Hinsdale will be heading off to do mission work. There will be about 35 of us heading back to Cosby, Tennessee to Sunset Gap Community Center, where we went last summer. We have begun a partnership in this small city in Tennessee so that we might have some roots and we might be of service to a community that could use a hand. As you can imagine, we have many things to do to get ready. First off, we have our annual car wash and bake-sale. Because this is one of our main fundraising opportunities, we encourage you to swing by, buy some cookies, and get your car washed. It is June 18 from 9am-1pm.
Our other big preparation for the trip is something we all need your help and support. It is time once again to begin our campaign to partner church members with participants on the trip through the Work Tour Sponsor A Youth program (SAY). Each trip we ask the members of the church to support us as sponsors, which partners you with a student or an adult leader from the trip. With a $100 donation to the trip, you will get your very own sponsoree who will send you a postcard from Tennessee and who will also invite you to our SAY dinner and movie, where we share pictures and stories from our mission work. We have also added the option for those of you who would like to support the trip with more than $100 and you can be a patron of Work Tour. As with all things, your support makes the trip possible. If you would like to support us and cannot do so monetarily, please keep us in your prayers as we work in Tennessee. Everything helps!! Check out the display in the Gathering Place about Sponsor A Youth.
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 Administrator: 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
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June 12: June 19: June 26:
Sundays in June: “Being a Witness” PENTECOST SUNDAY, one worship service at 10:00 a.m. Join us as we celebrate the birthday of the Church, celebrate New Member Sunday and Commission our Bell Tour. Special liturgy and special music is being planned. Worship is led by Thom Parrott-‐Sheffer at 9:00 and Jeremy Hylen at 10:30. Special liturgy and special music is being planned. VBS SUNDAY! Worship is led by Penny Johnson at 9:00 and the 10:30 worship will be led by our VBS children.
Hello all! Thank you so much for all your prayers, cards, emails, and CaringBridge messages! They are much appreciated!
On April 27, the tumor on my spinal cord was successfully removed, and the pain the tumor was causing is completely gone! I am progressing quite well with my recovery. I am currently receiving physical therapy.
I have my next appointment with the neurosurgeon on June 10. At that time, I will learn when I can return to ministry. Thank you for your care! Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer
Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
The Union Church of Hinsdale Transitional Steering Committee Report – June 2011 The Transitional Steering Committee thanks those in the congregation who participated in the Spring’s Open Forums. Your responses provided great assistance in the selection process for a new minister. The TSC was asked to create a statement of values and vision for Union Church. There are two phases to our work: A. The recently completed Open Forums B. Congregational Cottage Meetings to be held in the Fall, 2011 The responses, from the Open Forums, painted a vivid, multi-colored tapestry of Union Church. Some responses were very pointed at specific issues, and offered solutions. Often there were differences of opinions as to the possible solutions. From these varied responses, the committee identified four common themes to explore in the cottage meetings. These themes are: 1. We value in Union Church a spirit and culture of acceptance, respect, inclusivity and diversity in our thoughts and actions. How can we improve our welcoming and communications to strengthen and build our faith community? 2. There was a strong consensus that we feel most valued when we are in service to others. How do we facilitate the matching of needs, with our spiritual gifts and talents? 3. We value that Union Church is “Lay-led in partnership with Clergy.” How do we define roles and responsibilities for both the congregation and clergy in this partnership? 4. Based on our discussion of our values and vision for Union Church, what qualities and characteristics do we need in our next Senior Minister? At the Open Forum meetings, certain topics were raised that will not be part of the cottage meeting discussions. These were: - Music program changes - Worship service structure - Christian Formation programs SIGN UP TO BE A HOST OR SCRIBE FOR THE COTTAGE MEETINGS THIS FALL!
Union Church needs you! We need an additional 8 hosts and 27 scribes for the Cottage Meetings to be held in September and October 2011. If you become a host, you get to pick the date and time of your meeting as long as it is in September or October. Scribes will be asked to attend one of the scheduled meetings. If you have not stepped up to the plate yet, please contact me at winnie.leathers@usbank.com and let me know if you would like to be a host or a scribe. If you are flexible and would be willing to be either a host or a scribe, let me know. Once I have all the names of the hosts, I will ask each of you to specify a date for the meeting at your home. You will also be asked to attend a meeting at church on Thursday, August 11th, at 7 PM for a briefing on the Cottage Meetings. 3
Invitation to Faith: Mission and Social Justice
Social Justice Engagement Invitation
DuPage United will hold a Delegate Assembly on the evening of June 16 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at St. Mary’s Parish, 140 N. Oakwood Ave in West Chicago. This is an opportunity to come together with representatives of the DuPage United member organizations, along with public officials, to identify and discuss local issues and engage participants in a “call to action”. We invite you to come to learn about DuPage United and to help give a voice to justice issues. DuPage United is an inclusive group of non-‐partisan religious and civic organizations that work in partnership to improve the quality of life in DuPage County by engaging in democratic action in the public arena to solve challenges in our communities. It was founded in 2003 and is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, an international network of community organizations. Member organizations include churches, mosques, synagogues, nonprofit agencies and civic organizations. DuPage United develops institution-‐based leadership through its training programs, builds relationships among institutions, identifies and researches issues of mutual interest, and takes disciplined, organized action toward a more just society. Although Union Church is not currently a member of DuPage United, we believe it presents an opportunity for our congregation members to be engaged in local justice issues and hence we are exploring a potential relationship. This involvement in social justice among interfaith institutions would certainly honor the work and memory of Hank Maxwell, longtime UC member and champion of peace and justice in our community until his death in 2007. Please contact Rev. Thom Parrott-‐Sheffer, Bill Sutton or Laurie McMahon for more details about DuPage United or the June 16 event.
Food Pantry Volunteer Help Needed The food pantry at HCS Family Services in Hinsdale is currently looking for passionate and committed volunteers to help with the following regular basis: Helping client’s shop, stocking shelves, picking up local weekly donations, mobile food pantry support, driving to Northern Illinois Food Bank, and driving to Bartlett once a week for produce donations. The food pantry at HCS Family Services provides low-‐income families of Southwest DuPage County with food and personal care items. We are looking for adults and older teens with a few hours a week or month to help. This is your chance to “give back” to your community and those in need. HCS Family Services is located at 19 E. Chicago Ave. (Memorial Building) Hinsdale, IL. Please contact, Julie Suarez at (630) 323.2500 x108 or jsuarez@hcsfamilyservices.org for more information.
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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation
Children Learn What They Read
“I want to hear a story,” is a request familiar to parents of 3s & 4s. This summer the 3s & 4s will be exploring the presence of God through familiar stories, such as Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and many more. These books, many of them award winners, demonstrate God’s love, presence, care and principles through the portrayal of nature, families, and diverse settings. Summer will be a relaxing time to read and play outside.
“Brown Bag” Children’s Church
This summer we will offer Sunday School for Kindergarten through 5th grades at the 9:00 hour of church. It will be in the format of a Children’s Church. We will gather in the Lounge for bagels and then head to the chapel for singing. Everything sounds familiar, but after the singing, all ages will go to Classrooms J&K on the main level for the “brown bag” message. Each week the children will hear a message based on the scripture of the day in church. Our message will use objects in a brown bag to discuss the scripture. Families will have a common message to share together. The following is the format for the morning: 8:50-‐9:00
Gather in Lounge
9:00-‐9:15
Music in Chapel
9:15-‐9:50
Classroom J&K
All K-‐5th grade children can be picked up in Classroom J&K immediately following the service.
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Invitation to Faith: Mission and Social Justice
Church “Family Work Tour” Day On Saturday, May 14, over 60 members and friends of Union Church gathered to combine work and fellowship. Families, young adults and empty nesters of all ages planted flowers in our gardens and pots, weeded, and cleaned the sanctuary and chapel. Pews were polished and windows were wiped. And over 130 Disaster Relief Hygiene Kits were packed for Church World Service. One of the participants remarked that she had gotten to know so many new people. The fellowship was as important as the work accomplished. Mission Ministry would like to thank all who helped that day and on Friday to set up. Thank you also to those who donated supplies and flowers, including Women’s Association who donated funds for the hygiene kit supplies!
MOVIE NIGHT: FRIDAY JUNE 24, 7 – 9pm YOUTH ROOM AT UNION CHURCH Question and answer period to follow film In memory of Dave Novak and honor of Gay Pride Month This movie is an unprecedented award-‐winning feature documentary that shatters assumptions about faith, sexuality and religious fundamentalism. The film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma – how to reconcile their passionate love for their faith and the Divine with the drastic biblical prohibitions that forbid homosexuality. 6
Invitation to Faith: Community Life How are YOUR Healthy Habits? Join Women’s Association this summer for 8 weeks to work on improving the four pillars of health. What are the four pillars? Diet, exercise, sleep and skin care. Each week, we will gather for discussion, support, and maybe a little walk around the block! Learn together. There’ll be quests, film clips and other material to generate ideas. Join any time you can. We’ll kick off our weekly efforts on Tuesday June 21st. at 9:15 AM. Come then for more information -‐-‐-‐ join in on any Tuesday you can through August 9th.
Women’s Association will host a monthly birthday gathering for all women of Union Church over the age of 25 who happen to share a birthday in a particular month. The June gathering is planned for Sue Becker's home on Saturday, June 11 at 3:30 PM.
We will have birthday cake, strawberries, champagne and fellowship.
Summer is a Time to Think about Making Stockings
It is never too early to think about Christmas – especially if you know that in early December the Women’s Association will be stuffing over 100 stockings. The Association is looking for donations of Christmas material and 4-‐ply, worsted wool or acrylic yarn. We can use a few people to cut “stocking patterns” out of newspaper. Volunteers are also needed to sew
Calling All Authentic Women and/or “Wannabes”!!
Join Us for our Summer Session of Authentic Women!!
Starting Wednesdays, June 15, 2011 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Kitchen Classroom
Gather with friends to -‐ Discover more about your self! Live life to the fullest! Enjoy new friendships! We will be using the book “What I Wish For You” by Patti Digh as the “springboard” for our discussions which will be led by Jacki Peterson Sluder, a local life coach. A “peek” at the 6 themes: Remember who you are: be you! Know what matters most: be passionate! Make peace with time: be present! Let go of certainty: be unsure! Learn something every day: be curious! Open up your hand: be free! We will have a relaxed summer schedule with 7 sessions to the end of July. This is a program for all ages – 20’s to 80’s! Bring your friends! Call Sue Nibeck 630-‐638-‐0540 or Kim Nibeck Notaro 630-‐750-‐4516 for more information and to reserve a spot in the dynamic conversation!!
Cathy Schultz wishes to thank everyone who sent cards, made calls, or sent food after her medical procedure in April. The expressions of concern really lifted her spirits. She is on the mend. 7
Save the Date Sunday, June 26, 2011 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Allegro Handbell Ensemble Coming Home Concert Following their concert tour to Sweden and Denmark June 12-‐23. http://www.allegrobells.org