February 20, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 4 Inside This Issue: Volunteer Opportunities Farewell Reception Wednesdays in Lent Holy Happenings in CF Brunch with Rev. Zoelzer Financial Planning Seminar Memorial Service Spaghetti Dinner 2011 And more! Message From The Staff “OUR FAMILY MINISTRY TOGETHER” My family first came here in February of last year when I was called to be your Minister of Christian Formation and Family Life. To make it simpler, I have spent the year introducing myself as “The Family Pastor” and I think that is just right. As I reviewed our year in ministry together I realized that my ministry extended to all sorts of families at Union. This ministry included many couples with kids living at home, young couples with new babies, and newlyweds. I performed 5 baptisms, welcomed 3 new members, married one couple and helped one family celebrate their 25 th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows. But my family ministry did not stop there. I ministered to the Wednesday Logos family, the Sunday Chancel Choir family, the Thursday Joyful Noise Band family, and the Monday Soup Kitchen family. But my family ministry did not stop there. I worked within many of our church’s family of ministries including Lay Visitors, Parish Life, and Christian Formation. I helped to start two new church family ministry teams—the Liturgy and Word team and the Family Life Ministries team. I learned to call the talented staff of Union Church my family of colleagues. But my ministry to families did not stop there. I helped families say farewell to their husbands, mothers, and friends in 4 memorial services and then helped them to begin to rely more on their church family. Ultimately the family I ministered to was God’s family here at Union Church of Hinsdale and yet, this was not really “my ministry” but “our ministry.” What does it mean to be part of a church family? We strive together in work, worship, faith, and service. We learn to trust and rely on one another. We build each other up and catch one another when we fall. We forgive one another, we rejoice together, we cry together, and we live in this life together as faithfully as we can. I have been so blessed to be part of your church family this year. Our ministry together has been rich and fruitful. We sowed many seeds together and we harvested some fruit. Yet much of our hopes and dreams did not have time enough to ripen on God’s tree of life. The ways of God are always mysterious and though we seek understanding, the fullness of that understanding remains as a dim reflection in the mirror of our Christian faith. There are a few gifts I want you to carry on after I am gone… 1) Share Joy, 2) Give Encouragement and 3) Continue all these important Family Ministries of the church. I cannot say where my next church family will be… but I do hope we will enjoy a long and abundant ministry together as part of God’s family. I leave you now with a blessing from Paul who called all churches his family. Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:1112 NIV Peace and Love from your Family Pastor, Tanya
Transcript
February 20, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 4
Inside This Issue:
Volunteer Opportunities
Farewell Reception Wednesdays in Lent Holy Happenings in CF
Brunch with Rev. Zoelzer Financial Planning Seminar
Memorial Service
Spaghetti Dinner 2011 And more!
Message From The Staff
“OUR
FAMILY
MINISTRY
TOGETHER”
My family first came here in February of last year when I was called to be your Minister of Christian Formation and Family Life. To make it simpler, I have spent the year introducing myself as “The Family Pastor” and I think that is just right. As I reviewed our year in ministry together I realized that my ministry extended to all sorts of families at Union.
This ministry included many couples with kids living at home, young couples with new babies,
and newlyweds. I performed 5 baptisms, welcomed 3 new members, married one couple and helped one family celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows.
But my family ministry did not stop there. I ministered to the Wednesday Logos family, the
Sunday Chancel Choir family, the Thursday Joyful Noise Band family, and the Monday Soup Kitchen family. But my family ministry did not stop there. I worked within many of our church’s family of ministries including Lay Visitors, Parish Life, and Christian Formation. I helped to start two new church family ministry teams—the Liturgy and Word team and the Family Life Ministries team. I learned to call the talented staff of Union Church my family of colleagues.
But my ministry to families did not stop there. I helped families say farewell to their husbands,
mothers, and friends in 4 memorial services and then helped them to begin to rely more on their church family. Ultimately the family I ministered to was God’s family here at Union Church of Hinsdale and yet, this was not really “my ministry” but “our ministry.”
What does it mean to be part of a church family? We strive together in work, worship, faith,
and service. We learn to trust and rely on one another. We build each other up and catch one another when we fall. We forgive one another, we rejoice together, we cry together, and we live in this life together as faithfully as we can.
I have been so blessed to be part of your church family this year. Our ministry together has
been rich and fruitful. We sowed many seeds together and we harvested some fruit. Yet much of our hopes and dreams did not have time enough to ripen on God’s tree of life. The ways of God are always mysterious and though we seek understanding, the fullness of that understanding remains as a dim reflection in the mirror of our Christian faith.
There are a few gifts I want you to carry on after I am gone… 1) Share Joy, 2) Give
Encouragement and 3) Continue all these important Family Ministries of the church. I cannot say where my next church family will be… but I do hope we will enjoy a long and
abundant ministry together as part of God’s family. I leave you now with a blessing from Paul who called all churches his family.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of
one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11-‐12 NIV
Peace and Love from your Family Pastor, Tanya
2
Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship
Our Staff Transitional Minister: Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer Minister for Mission
and Outreach: Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer
Minister for Christian Formation and Family Life:
Rev. Tanya Sadagopan 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 Executive 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.
Join Us in a Farewell Reception for Rev. Tanya Sadagopan
The Union Church will be celebrating the ministry of Tanya Sadagopan, Minister for Christian Formation and Family Life, following both services of worship on Sunday, February 27 in the Gathering Space. Please come and share this moment with Tanya and her family. Tanya will be bringing the message at each service of worship that day. Plan to join us in worship this morning. If you would like to share a thank you gift with Tanya, please send your gift to the Financial Manager at [email protected] or send a contribution to the church office.
Join Us for Worship on March 6, 2011 when the Spiritoso Singers,
along with the Allegro Handbells, will present music for the glory of God.
9:00 a.m. worship
Newsletter Articles and Submissions
ALL contributions to the newsletter should be emailed to: [email protected] If you need to send graphics or pictures please be sure that they are less than 1 MB in size, total. If you have ANY questions or concerns about the newsletter please contact Pastor Thom with all inquiries. Thank you!
ASH WEDNESDAY, March 9 There are two opportunities to worship on Ash Wednesday. We begin the day with a Morning Matin, from 7:00 – 8:45 a.m., in the chapel. You come when you want, spend time in reflection and prayer, receive the Imposition of Ashes (if you desire) and leave when you are ready. The day ends with an Evening Worship at 7:00 p.m., in the chapel. This service will offer prayer and song, a message from Rev. Tom Zoelzer and the Imposition of Ashes (or an Anointing with oil, if you prefer). The service will last around a half hour; and a light refreshment will be offered in the Church Lounge. Wednesdays in Lent Each Wednesday in Lent we gather in the chapel at 7:00 p.m. for a half hour Taize style worship. Michael Surratt will be leading these services featuring music and prayers designed for personal reflection and meditation. Join us for as many Wednesday evenings as you can.
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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children
Holy Happenings in Christian Formation On this page, I am sharing Holy Happenings in Christian Formation, such as Sunday School, Confirmation, and LOGOS. It is the CF Ministry’s hope to provide families with information to help continue the Sunday morning learning throughout the week at home. The vision of Christian Formation is “A Family of Christians Growing by Embracing God’s Love and Passing it On.” We seek to support and equip parents, grandparents, and other members to teach, practice and pass on faith in their home and daily life. This page is one step in helping families put this into practice. 3s&4s – Over the next two weeks, we will continue learning about Jesus' ministry. Upcoming are The Disciples and The Transfiguration. K-1st grades – For the next two weeks, we are continuing with our pre-‐Lenten series of parables. The children will hear the stories of The Good Samaritan and The Great Banquet. Parents can find this story in the New Testament, Luke 10:25-‐37 and Luke 14:15-‐24. A couple of wondering questions the children will be exploring:
• I wonder if the person who was left by the side of the road half dead has a name? • I wonder who was a neighbor to the Samaritan? • I wonder how it felt to be invited to this great feast? • I wonder how many could really be at this table?
2nd - 3rd grades – For the next two weeks, we will continue with Jesus’ ministry and hear the stories of Jesus Heals Two Daughters and Jesus Heals a Boy. Parents can find these stories in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 5:21-‐43 and Mark 9:14-‐29. A couple of wondering questions the children will be exploring:
• I wonder why Jesus would heal the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue when the scribes of the synagogue didn’t like Jesus?
• I wonder what both daughters will do now that they are healed? • I wonder how the boy feels being free of the spirit? • I wonder how the father feels as Jesus lifts the boy up and he can stand?
EDJ – As we approach Lent, we will finish the stories of Words to Live By with service projects around the Greatest Commandment. We are baking cookies for our fellowship time on Sunday morning and will have a presentation and discussion from a few of our adults returning from the Guatemala trip sharing their experiences. The youth have done a wonderful job of interpreting the Beatitudes and designing stained glass windows for our Upper Level. We hope to have those hanging before Easter.
Offering Our Sunday School offering for the upcoming months leading to Lent will be supporting 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.
Save the Date: Vacation Bible School is June 20-24, 2011
More information will be following.
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Invitation to Faith: Mission and Social Justice
Volunteer Opportunities at Union Church
Are you this man or woman? - Available to serve as a weekly Wednesday or Friday morning telephone volunteer from 9:00 a.m. to noon? - Enjoy interaction with Union Church members and friends? - Comfortable answering moderately busy phones, directing calls to staff? - Able to act in a discreet and confidential manner as a Union Church staff member would? - Willing to arrange for a substitute should you not be able to serve?
Then you are the Volunteer Receptionist that we are looking for – contact Merrilee Hall if you are interested. (630) 323.4303, (630) 590.6689 or [email protected].
FAC – Friday Afternoon Club Needed: 2 teams of 2 people each to replenish and refresh the pews in the Union Church sanctuary on Friday afternoons. The teams can alternate or work out a schedule of service. Estimated time – one, at most two hours. Meet for lunch and then tackle the sanctuary. Be part of the effort to welcome folks to worship each Sunday by preparing the pews, restocking and straightening materials in the sanctuary. Your help is needed; work with a friend or spouse. Please contact Merrilee Hall with questions or to volunteer – (630) 590.6689 or [email protected].
Artist-‐In-‐residence for ECP The ECP is looking for a performing artist to serve as an “artist in-‐residence” for the 2011-‐2012 program year. The artist would work on a weekly basis with the classroom teachers and the children in our 4 year old and 5 year old classrooms. The proposed plan would allow for 3 hours a week of paid time with the teachers and children. Please send resumes to Jennifer Keldahl @ [email protected].
Habitat for Humanity Build We are getting a team together for a build at a rehab site in Carol Stream on Saturday, March 19. The build day is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will carpool as desired. We need at least ten people. Please email Pastor Thom (tparrott-‐[email protected]) or give him a written note with your name and email on it as an indication that you wish to join in the build. You will receive the paperwork and logistics through emails. Any questions feel free to talk with Pastor Thom.
DuPage Hab itat for Humanity wants your old toilet! We will also take your old cabinets, and other new or gently used building supplies. Habitat will be opening a ReStore in Addison this summer, but we are accepting donations of construction materials NOW. ReStore is a facility that collects and sorts used or surplus household and construction materials, then sells these materials to the general public at greatly reduced prices. All profit from the sales funds the DuPage Habitat mission.
• What we can take: Cabinets, Large appliances, Kitchen and Bath items, Unopened Paint, Wood, Flooring, Wood Furniture, Light Fixtures, Roofing, Tools.
• What we cannot take: Opened Paint, Upholstered Furniture, Small Appliances, Books, Clothes, Dishes. DuPage Habitat’s ReStore will open in Summer 2011 but we are accepting donations NOW. The ReStore is located at 869 S. Route 53 in Addison (just north of North Ave.) Donations are tax-‐deductible. Please call (630) 510.3737 to schedule a pickup of donated materials.
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Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
Sharing Connections Furniture Bank in Downers Grove has an urgent need for gently-‐used FIXED-‐SIDE cribs which are less than ten years old. Help them to assist low-‐income clients in crisis who are expecting a baby. Pack & Plays are also desperately needed. Or, please consider a financial donation earmarked for the SCFB Crib Fund.
Residents of Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Hinsdale, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Oak Brook, Western Springs, and Willowbrook can schedule a free pick up of large furniture, including cribs, by calling (630) 971-‐0565, x300, or by visiting their website. The website www.sharingconnections.org explains what items are accepted. Please note that they cannot pick up small items. If you are donating a Pack & Play, please bring it to the SCFB warehouse at 5111 Chase Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515. The warehouse is open to receive donations Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm and Saturday from 9am until noon. Sharing Connections Furniture Bank is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-‐deductible. The charity provides furniture and household goods to low-‐income families who are facing issues such as fires, floods, unplanned pregnancies, domestic violence, and war trauma. Sharing Connections Furniture Bank also currently needs silverware and cleaning products for their clients. If you can donate these, please drop them off at the warehouse.
LOVE Christian Clearinghouse is a non-‐profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. Supported by local Christian Churches of all denominations for the last 26 years, LOVE operates a “Call-‐In Ministry” providing referrals to community resources and financial assistance to qualified callers for rent, utilities, or car repair. In 2010 we received 5652 calls, a 23% increase over 2009. We aided 3062 individuals with our services and ‘clocked’ 2879 volunteers service hours. LOVE’s ministry is the phone call, so no call is rushed and each caller is treated
with dignity and respect. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, or if you would like to volunteer 3 hours a week to this important service to our neighbors, please call the Clearinghouse at 630-‐512-‐8665.
Thank you for your support. Ada Hayes Anne Marie Schuster
Church Relation Director Clearinghouse Director
Attend ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS March 25 – 28, 2011 with the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) for a weekend of worship, issue briefings, legislative advocacy training, and meetings with your legislators!
Be a part of an action weekend during which we will learn how to speak boldly for people-‐centered sustainable development, economic justice, and peacemaking, with a particular focus on women and girls. Please join us! For more information contact Corinthian Davis by email at [email protected] or by phone at 773-‐293-‐2964 and visit the CRLN website at http://www.crln.org/ecumenical_advocacy_days_2011. Scholarships are available through EAD for participants 18-‐35 years old and some denominations offer scholarships as well. The deadline for conference-‐rate hotel rooms is February 19.
COMMON HOPE -‐ GUATEMALA Several years ago a group of Union Church members journeyed to Guatemala to work with Common Hope; providing housing, education and health care to many needy people in that country. If you are interested in returning to that work, contact Pastor Thom as teams are being created for 2012.
6
Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth
Duct Tape Night at TNT
Youth Events: February 20 – March 6, 2011 TNT (Sunday Nights 5-‐6:30pm) February 20-‐ Crazy Games Night February 27-‐ No TNT (Come to Spaghetti Dinner 4:30-‐7:30pm) March 6-‐ Dodgeball!
High School February 19-‐Fullersburg Woods @10a-‐12n (RSVP with Jer) February 19-‐PADS Soupmaking @ 3:30-‐4:30pm (RSVP with Jer) February 19-‐Night Ministry @ 7-‐10pm (RSVP with Jer) February 20-‐ Really Bad Movie Night @ 7-‐9pm February 27-‐ Come to Spaghetti Dinner @ 4:30-‐7:30pm Keep an eye open on Facebook for details for Youth Group
Club Español
¡Venga! Afíliese a nosotros para una posibilidad para aprender y practicar su español. Yes: COME! Join us for a chance to learn and practice your Spanish.
Thursday, February 24, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,
en el casa de Parrott-‐Sheffer, 1340 Laurie Lane, Burr Ridge, IL.
We will have food, flashcards and fun! Join Us!
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Invitation to Faith: Community Life
Memorial Service
Adventist St. Thomas Hospice invites you, your family and friends
to attend a celebration of life and remembrance in honor
of your loved ones.
MEMORIAL SERVICE Sunday, March 6, 2011 -‐ 2 p.m. Service
Zion Lutheran Church 204 S. Grant Street Hinsdale, IL 60521
One Week Until Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, February 27 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Look for the bright red apron-‐clad youth following worship, and buy your Spaghetti Dinner tickets; $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 4-‐12, and children 3 and under are free. (Tickets cost an extra $1 at the door, so buy early!) This is a great Sunday evening out with a delicious dinner, great entertainment and the chance to win some wonderful packages from the silent auction. There is something for everyone—gift certificates to restaurants, theater tickets, spa services and much more. The dinner and auction support our youth going on work tour this spring (to Whitesburg, Kentucky) and our Allegro Handbell Ensemble who will tour Sweden this summer. We greatly appreciate your support!
For more information, please contact
Kearney Kilens (630-‐325-‐5627) or Elizabeth Krainc (630-‐969-‐0545).
Brunch with Rev. Tom Zoelzer
Sunday, March 6 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 Rev. Tom (and he with us). We hope to continue having brunch on the first Sunday of each month, with Rev. Tom when he is available.
Call Joan Hurst at (630) 325.2548 for reservations.
Financial Planning Seminar What advice would a tax professional give me concerning my tax return and tax planning? What would an expert have to say about the current state of the economy and investment environment? How do the new estate tax laws affect me and my family? If you are wondering about any of these questions, please join us …
Financial Planning Seminar: 2011 Updates and Insights Saturday, March 5, 2011 in Rowell Hall, Union Church of Hinsdale (No reservations are necessary)
8:00 – 8:30 am light breakfast | 8:30 – 11:30 am speaker presentations and questions
Speakers: Peter Rub, Certified Public Acountant and Consultant Tim Baltz, Senior Portfolio Manager at Northern Trust’s Hinsdale Branch
Larry Staat, Partner at Shaheen, Novoselsky, Staat & Filipowski
Sponsored by the Endowment Ministry of Union Church
Current Events
Sundays @ 10:30 a.m. Ongoing
Join us as we look through the week’s news events and discuss its impact on our faith.
Led by Andrew Johnson
Kerygma
Thursday Afternoons from 1:00 -‐ 3:00 p.m.
Please join us as we go through the
One in Christ Bible Study of I Corinthians.
Led by Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer & Seminary Intern Jeffery Dodson.
