October 22, 2006 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale Volume 38, Issue 21

Our theme for Stewardship this year is Dessert First, which I suppose is not a novel idea. Effie and I have been married for 29 years and when dining out, she will invariably look at the dessert portion of the menu first. After selecting the dessert, she will then plan the rest of the meal and what to order around the dessert!! She is a dessert lover…and a chocoholic. Effie is doing what most of us truly want to do…get to the good stuff first…for we may not have any room left over after filling it with “the basics.”

This is what we are actually called to do by God…enjoy Dessert First.

God asks us to give our First Fruits…our Best Fruits. The First Fruits of our labors. But what does this actually mean? Give to God First…Give God your Best…This is Faith-Based Giving.

That is what we are promoting during this year’s stewardship effort, Dessert First. So on Celebration Weekend (which we called Commitment Sunday last year) November 11 and 12, we will be celebrating our giving to God First…by eating Dessert First. And to symbolize our First Fruits, we’ll be served a Fruit Dessert!! These desserts you’ll be expected to enjoy before you go on your own merry ways to lunch.

Effie and I have practiced tithing to God for many years…not because we can afford to…it is because we can not afford…not to.

Some of you know that I’m in year 6 of a 7 year program to study the Bible. This is without a doubt the most wonderful, directional and thought-provoking study/revelation I’ve been involved in my entire life. The scripture is filled with instructions and meaningful direction for your life. One of these instructions is giving to our God first. Give to God what’s right…not what’s left. Give to God your best-- the first fruits of your labors. That is what I’m asking everyone in our church to do…Tough message…Sure…but I didn’t write it.

Give God What’s Right, Not What’s Left Over,

Gary Richert, Chair2007 Stewardship Committee

Dessert First: First, Our Best to God

artwork by Dawn Feller

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

TRANSFORMING WORSHIP CONTINUES TO EMERGEWorship this fall offers expanded opportunities for lead-ership, imaginative telling of Bible stories, and a wider repertoire of musical styles and ensembles. You may have already noticed a physical change in the chancel area of the sanctuary. Sunday, October 15th, the chan-cel area, at the front of the church, began to have a new look. Several pews on both sides of the chancel were removed to allow fl exibility in worship leadership, and to shift the focal point of worship from the altar to the communion table.

The idea of a high, sacrifi cial altar was strengthened in the eighth and ninth centuries, as the priest and the Eu-charist were removed further from the gathered people. It symbolized the high, holy place of heaven, and our striving for God as human creatures. The shift to a table fellowship, centered on a communion table surrounded by the community of faith was developed during the Protestant Reformation, as the theology of Christ in and among us received greater emphasis. This table fellowship, where the communion of saints gathered, devel-oped and prevailed as a predominant theme in worship space for our forebears in the United Church of Christ.

Today, we initiate this practice by visually shaping the choir and congregation around the communion table, where the life of Christ nourishes the gathered people and from which it is shared with a hungry world.

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)

11:15 a.m. – JAM Sundays (Held every 2nd Sunday of the month in the Youth Room)

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.

Saturdays:5:00 p.m. – Journey Worship in the Youth Room.

Sundays:8:00 a.m. – Worship in the Chapel

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

SAVE THE DATEThe Thanksgiving Eve worship service is on

November 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children

RUDOLPH’S BOUTIQUE, HOLLY MARKET & JINGLE BELL CAFÉIt’s not even Halloween yet! But imag-ine getting your Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving—and sup-porting good causes while you’re do-ing it!

If that sounds good to you, set aside the morning of Saturday, November 18 for you and your children or grand-children to shop here at church.

Rudolph’s Boutique features items priced so that children can afford to choose gifts for the whole family. An adult or youth “personal shopper” will accompany your child through the boutique and help him/her choose the perfect thing for everyone on the list. Free gift-wrapping included!

Holly Market is the place for you to shop for one-of–a-kind gifts from a variety of vendors, all of whom devote at least a portion of their sales for mis-sion oriented activities and organiza-tions. Watch for more details on the specifi c vendors who will participate.

After you’ve done all that shopping you deserve a break—stop for a light lunch at the Jingle Bell Café (located in the Gathering Place), and pick up some fresh home-baked goodies at the Bake Sale to make your day com-plete.

This wonderful day of holiday spirit is brought to you by the Women’s As-sociation of Union Church. Proceeds from Rudolph’s Boutique and Jingle Bell Café have been designated for Harambee, an organization helping women and children in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Union Church of Hinsdale presents:

Session I: November 8 - January 24Session II: January 31 - March 20

Wednesday eveningschildren and youth

Grades 1-2, 3-5 and 6-8

Bible StudyChoir and Bells

Games and CraftsDinner

LOGOS is a Wednesday evening program for children and youth that gives them a safe place to enjoy Christian fellowship through recreation activities, participation in worship and choir, group study of Bibilcal values and sharing

a meal together. The program is 3 hours and begins at 4:00 p.m. for grades

1-5 and 4:45 p.m. for grades 6-8. The fee is $80 per child for each session.

Registration Night for Parents and Children isWednesday, November 1, 2006

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Gathering Place

LOGOS brochures are avalible in the church office at

137 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521 For more information please visit UCHinsdale.org or call us at (630) 323.4303

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Adults

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

Oct. 22 – Rev. Verlee A. Copeland, senior minister, will hold “A Conver-sation with the Minister.” This is a fo-rum for Rev. Copeland to update the congregation on new initiatives in the life of the church and to receive ques-tions and comments from members.

Oct. 29 – “Israel Update: Prospects for Peace” led by Robert Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz is the director of politi-cal and interreligious affairs for the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

Nov. 5 – “New Initiatives for the Community Renewal Soci-ety” led by Dr. Calvin Morris, Ex-ecutive Director of the Community Renewal Society

Programs are open to the com-munity, and topics are subject to change. 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.

CHRISTMAS TOYS FOR ERIE HOUSEYou are invited again this year to help Erie House (one of our mission agen-cies) stock its “Christmas Store.” Gifts of toys, games, and new clothing for children ages 2-12 are needed for the 325 children in various Erie House Programs.

The “Christmas Store” opens a few days just before Christmas. Parents come by appointment to “shop” at the store. Each parent selects two gifts for each child in their family. Erie House volunteers then wrap the gifts, which the parents take home to give to their children on Christmas Day.

We hope to have the usual enthusi-astic response from Union Church members that we have experienced in past years. Place your unwrapped gifts in the boxes marked “Erie House Toys,” located in the Gather-ing Place near the receptionist desk.

If you are unable to deliver your gifts to the church, please call Chuck Armstrong at (630) 323.5369.

BIBLE READING BEFORE THE SERVICE Each Sunday morning at 9:40 a.m., in the Chapel, a chapter of the bible will be read without commit containing those scriptural passages included in the 10 o'clock service.All are invited enabling us to have a greater under-standing of the intended ministerial message. Please contact Noel Parlour if you would like to be a reader.

DROP INTO THE BOOK DISCUSSIONYou are invited to a casual con-versation about Susan Vreeland’s The Forest Lover on Wednesday af-ternoon, October 25 at 1:30 pm in South Parlor.

This biography of Canadian artist Em-ily Carr, a contemporary of Georgia O’Keeffe and Freda Kahlo, chronicles her quest to paint totem poles and other artifacts of the indigenous peoples of British Columbia in the early 1900’s. Join us for this glimpse of another place and time.

Everyone is welcome to join us. Reading the book ahead of time is not required!

INTERNET SAFETYPROTECTING OUR CHILDRENJoin Offi cer Keller from the Hinsdale Police Department for this timely dis-cussion of how to keep your children safe on the internet in this “MySpace” world. Come to Rowell Hall on Wednesday, November 1st at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to this talk spon-sored by Unit 7 of Women’s Associa-tion.

DISCOVERING THE BIBLE CLASSAll are welcome to join a new 30-week survey of the Bible led by our minis-ters. The class, known as Kerygma, begins on Thursday, Oct. 26, and meets weekly from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Grace Room. If you would like to learn more, please contact Rev. Julie Ruth Harley at jrharley@uchinsdale.org or via phone at (630) 323.4303 ext. 14.

QUESTIONS OF FAITH We all have questions of faith that we ponder from time to time. If you have a question of faith to submit for consideration in the Good News, one of the ministers will respond in this column. Please submit your question to vcopeland@uchinsdale.org. These questions will be shared among the ministry team and will appear in an upcoming edition of the Good News.

Question: As Christians, are we supposed to keep the Ten Commandments?

Response:Scripture tells us that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfi ll it. Jesus was concerned that the Hebrew people had become so concerned with following the letter of the law that they had forgotten the spirit of the law. To help us remember the spirit of the law, he summarized it in Matthew 22:36-40. “’Teacher, which commandment is the greatest?’ Jesus said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and fi rst commandment. And a second is like it. ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” The commandments are given to us to show us how to love God fully and how to honorably live with one another as peoples of the earth.

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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission For All People

WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?You’ve probably heard the term “fair trade”, perhaps even seen grocery items with this label, particularly coffee. In a nutshell, “fair trade” means that the growers were paid a fair price for their product.

The Fair Trade movement dates back to the late 1940's, when US churches began selling handicrafts made by refugees in Europe after World War II. Fair Trade certifi cation of com-modities began in the Netherlands in 1988, in response to plummeting prices in the world coffee market.

Today, a multitude of both foods and handicrafts are produced and sold on a fair trade basis. Fair Trade serves to help small-scale farmers and artisans earn a liv-ing wage under humane working conditions, thereby improving the prospects for their families and communities. It offers consumers a way to channel their purchases into socially responsible products in support of families who might not otherwise get a fair deal. By purchasing Fair Trade Certifi ed™ items, we are also supporting a socially just system that makes the world a better place.

Chicago Fair Trade is currently compiling a directory of fair trade re-tailers in the Chicago area. Until this is complete, you can start by buy-ing fair trade coffee at Jewel or Wild Oats (look for the Fair Trade symbol), or by visiting Ten Thousand Villages for handicrafts in Glen Ellyn, (630) 790.1166. On-line fair trade shopping can be found at http://chicagofairtrade.org/shopping

BRIDGE COMMUNITIES... connecting homeless families to a better future…is a non-profi t organization, with offi ces in Glen Ellyn, whose mission is to inspire and effect change by advocating for homeless families; provide services and opportunities that connect families to a better future; collab-orate with faith-based partners, community groups and busi-nesses to leverage resources and create long-term solutions; and lead through example through innovative programs and grassroots involvement.

Bridge Communities is a partner agency of Union Church. Mentors are the “heart “of the program meeting weekly with families to encourage, support, teach and guide. Presently, mentors from the congregation are working with 2 families. If you are interested in the program or would like to become a mentor, contact Liz Doucette (630) 325.4379 or Rev. Thom Parrot-Sheffer, our Minister for Christian Formation and Mission.

SPIRIT GIFTSComing this holiday season – from November 19 through December 24

Have you made your Christmas lists yet? Are you getting him another tie? Is she slated for another piece of jewelry? What do you get some-one who has ev-erything they need?

Here’s a suggestion: How about giving someone the gift

of hope, faith and love?In the month before Christmas the Mission Ministry will offer you the opportunity to share the blessings of the seasons with people in real need. You will have the chance to secure warm clothes for homeless street people (mostly children). You can help a woman in Africa secure a sewing machine to help her make an independent living. You can supply needed books and school supplies to Head Start children. And many more such “Spirit Gifts” will be available for you to purchase in the name of those on your gift lists.

Look for a member of the Mission Ministry in the Gathering Place on Sunday mornings, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 24.

MISSION DAY – DAY OF MISSIONThus you will know them by their fruits. - Matthew 7: 20

Throughout Scripture we are called to join our faith with our works – to “go and do likewise.” This year the Mission Ministry is beginning a new program: "Mission Day - Day of Mission"

On Saturday, November 4, 2006 all members and friends have the opportunity to answer the call of faith to be the “hands and feet of Christ.” There will be a variety of mission opportunities of varying lengths of commitment and locations. We have arranged work with the Night Ministry, Sharing Connections, DuPage Senior Advocates, Women’s Opportunity Fund as well as here at Union Church. You can sign up for what project(s) your interest and time allows. Transportation will be provided.

We are looking for 100 + volunteers (any age, below 14 needs to be accompanied by an adult) to commit to mission work that Saturday. Sign up now – the deadline is Nov. 1, 2006.

The Mission Weekend will conclude on Sunday, November 5, 2006, with Dr. Calvin Morris (from the Community Re-newal Society) joining us for worship as our guest preacher. Dr. Morris will also be present for an Adult Forum on the mission of CRS at 11:15 a.m.

Please make plans today to participate in this program – you will be glad you did!

M E M B E R N E W SBaptismsGrace Assheton Haarlow child of Blair & Lauren and Claire Noel Snodgrass, child of Edward & Kari were baptized on September 24, 2006

DeathCondolences to Bob McMahon and his family, his father recently passed away.

Former member Kathryn Wendell recently passed away.

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HOST FAMILY NEEDED FOR THAI HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE STUDENTOur AFS exchange stu-dent needs a permanent home until June 28, 2007. Tarin ("Big") Pi-

angsuk is a wonderful guy from Thai-land who is a sophomore at Hinsdale Central. We have been his "welcome family", but due to various family ob-ligations this winter, we will not be able to provide him with the attention and care that he deserves. If you have questions or can help, please call us at 325-2508. Thank you, Karen and Bill Lutz

NO PARKING? NO PROBLEM!Shuttle service will be available starting Sun-day, Oct. 15, before and after the 10 a.m. service. The Union Church bus will pick up passengers from

the Hinsdale Middle School parking lot and deliver them to the door of the church.

L E F T O V E R HALLOWEEN CANDYAre you look-ing for some-place for your leftover Hal-loween candy so that it will not be around to tempt you? Women’s Association has two ways in which your candy can be used to help support mission proj-ects. Candy is needed by Unit 6 to fi ll Christmas stockings for needy children and also to fi ll mugs that young shop-pers can buy at Rudolph’s Boutique (Saturday, November 18th). A box will be placed under the table where nametags are stored for your donation. Thank you for your support.

RESALE ’06 RECAPThanks to the more than 340 workers, the many people who generously donated merchandise, and the count-less shoppers, Resale ’06 brought in about $36,000 before expenses. The net proceeds will be divided among Women’s Association fellowship units and the other groups that worked so hard to make this event the success it was. Then, in true congregational, grassroots fashion, those groups will decide which mission part-ners they would like to support with their portions of the proceeds.

Our thanks to everyone for supporting Resale!

DINNER TO HONOR MEMBERS OVER 70 HAS OPPORTUNITY FOR INVOLVEMENTOn Sunday evening, November 19th, the Board of Par-ish Life will be hosting a dinner for all members of the church who are 70 years or older. If you would like to be part of this celebration, please contact Bonnie Eigel at 986.5415 or Susan Young at 325.4641 or susany123@aol.com. We would welcome help from adults, youth and children; we have need for people to set the tables, greet people as they arrive, serve appetizers or the main meal and clean-up.

ECP TO SELL GOURMET POPCORN & READY BAKE COOKIESThe Union Church Early Childhood Program is thrilled to offer Savory Foods Fresh Home-style Ready to Bake Cookie Dough & Gourmet Popcorn for an ECP fundraiser!

The Cookie Dough is available in ten DELICIOUS fl avors!Each tub (or cube) sells for $ 10.00 and makes approximately four dozen cookies. All you have to do is spoon and bake. The dough is made ready to order and delivered fresh. Each cube is stamped with a “use by or freeze by” date on the lid and can be frozen for up to six months.

The Gourmet Popcorn is available in 3 different fl avors! Each buckets sells for $ 10.00. Carmel and Chicago Style come in a one – gallon easy to carry bucket and the Chocolate Delight is packed in a reusable half gallon container.

BORROWED ITEMS NOTEIf you borrow items from a kitchen or a classroom, please make sure that you or one of the members of your group put the things back. It is unfair to the people who donate their time on Saturday night or Sunday morning to arrive to fi nd the ma-terials they need are no longer there. Searching for materials or replacements can be stressful and cause people to be late for class or miss a signifi cant portion of a worship service. Thank you for your cooperation.

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

HEALTHCARE GRASSROOTS LEADER TRAININGThe United States is among the world’s wealthiest, yet 45 million of its citizens lack health insurance. Many of us make hard choices be-tween paying for health care or for housing, food, and school…. BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! NOW is the time to take action for health care reform in Illinois.

This training, which is sponsored by the Social Justice Ministry of Union Church of Hinsdale and the Campaign for Better Health Care’s Suburban Committee, is for any one who wants to • learn more about Health Care Solutions in Illinois, • learn how to become an advocate for change at the community and state level, • develop skills in educating others about the Health Care crisis, and • take action to effect change now.

It is our expectation that participants will share what they learn with others and upon completion of the training we will be calling on participants to help give presentations in their own communities.

There will be a nominal cost, to cover lunch and a copy of Seeking Justice in Health Care: A Guide for Advocates.

To register contact:

Thom Parrott-Sheffer Jessica PalysUnion Church of Hinsdale Campaign for Better Health Care137 S. Garfi eld Ave 1325 S. Wabash # 305Hinsdale, IL 60521 Chicago, IL 60605630 323-4303, ext. 18 312 913-9449tparrott-sheffer@uchinsdale.org jpalys@cbhconline.org

HEALTHCARE - GRASSROOTS LEADER TRAINING!

For clergy, lay leaders, and community leaders

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 2006

9 am – 3 pm, lunch included

Union Church of Hinsdale 137 S Garfield, Hinsdale, IL