March 25, 2007 Volume 39, Issue 6 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” - Luke 6:31 I write this morning amidst the last remnants of unpacked boxes. Our move across town is nearly complete. We can’t find our daughter’s school backpack, or the pins to put together the bookcase, or the garage door opener, but other than that, we’re fairly well settled. For the next year or so we may ponder over dinner, “I wonder whatever happened to ___________?” The pond out back melted in the past week, leaving room for the summer ducks to return and stake out their nesting ground. One particular couple arrived early and began a tenuous courtship. One day, warm weather, the next, freezing drizzle. From the back deck they look like January vacationers in Florida, bundled up, walking on the beach, grateful to be out of the bitter cold, but hoping for warmer weather. We prepared their nesting pot as instructed by the previous owners, and put out the duck welcome mat to assure them that their future in this place would continue undisturbed. Our human neighbors have generously brought soup, flowers and coffee cake to welcome us to our new home. It is less clear how we communicate with the ducks that all will be well with us, and that we won’t let our dog eat their hatchlings when the time arrives. It appears from our kitchen window observations, that the ducks have greater challenges than their new human neighbors. Determined as they are to set up spring housekeeping and build a nest, the geese are equally determined to rule the neighborhood. One recent morning, the lone duck couple launched from shore, only to find a half dozen geese flying in for morning coffee. The geese landed and started honking to indicate that they had hoped to have the pond to themselves. Soon there were twenty-eight geese on the pond, as rowdy as the summer motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. From where I sit, the pond is big enough for everyone to share. The ducks agree and peacefully went on about their business. The geese, however, are loud, aggressive, and insistent on their own way. First they made a great deal of noise, as if to announce their arrival. Next, they spread out on the pond, nudging the ducks toward the far end. When the ducks did not appear to get the message, a small group of geese called on them, honking directly their displeasure at sharing the neighborhood with this minority couple. When that strategy didn’t seem to work, the entire contingency of geese circled the ducks and ran them off the pond. I was amazed, stunned even. You could tell that the ducks had been through this before. They waited until the geese finished their breakfast and their posturing, flying off to harass some other neighborhood. Then they calmly returned to their home and resumed their courtship with feathers unruffled. These ducks reminded me of our life as Christians in the world. We know our hearts true home and the satisfaction that comes from living close to the One who is our source. However much we try to remain faithful and focused on our spiritual journey, we find ourselves pushed and pulled off course. When we are treated unfairly we are tempted to return the favor, or withdraw, or become bitter. Jesus calls us to a more excellent way. “Do to others as you would have them do to you… Love your neighbor and pray for those who persecute you.” And maybe in a lost gospel, we will one day read, “Remember to share the pond.” Grace and Peace, Verlee A. Copeland Message from the Ministry Team
Transcript
March 25, 2007 Volume 39, Issue 6A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
“Do to others as you would have them do to
you.” - Luke 6:31
I write this morning amidst the last remnants of unpacked boxes. Our move across town is nearly complete. We can’t find our daughter’s school backpack, or the pins to put together the bookcase, or the garage door opener, but other than that, we’re fairly well settled. For the next year or so we may ponder over dinner, “I wonder whatever happened to ___________?”
The pond out back melted in the past week, leaving room for the summer ducks to return and stake out their nesting ground. One particular couple arrived early and began a tenuous courtship. One day, warm weather, the next, freezing drizzle. From the back deck they look like January vacationers in Florida, bundled up, walking on the beach, grateful to be out of the bitter cold, but hoping for warmer weather.
We prepared their nesting pot as instructed by the previous owners, and put out the duck welcome mat to assure them that their future in this place would continue undisturbed. Our human neighbors have generously brought soup, flowers and coffee cake to welcome us to our new home. It is less clear how we communicate with the ducks that all will be well with us, and that we won’t let our dog eat their hatchlings when the time arrives.
It appears from our kitchen window observations, that the ducks have greater challenges than their new human neighbors. Determined as they are to set up spring housekeeping and build a nest, the geese are equally determined to rule the neighborhood. One recent morning, the lone duck couple launched from shore, only to find a half dozen geese flying in for morning coffee. The geese landed and started honking to indicate that they had hoped to have the pond to themselves. Soon there were twenty-eight geese on the pond, as rowdy as the summer motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.
From where I sit, the pond is big enough for everyone to share. The ducks agree and peacefully went on about their business. The geese, however, are loud, aggressive, and insistent on their own way. First they made a great deal of noise, as if to announce their arrival. Next, they spread out on the pond, nudging the ducks toward the far end. When the ducks did not appear to get the message, a small group
of geese called on them, honking directly their displeasure at sharing the neighborhood with this minority couple. When that strategy didn’t seem to work, the entire contingency of geese circled the ducks and ran them off the pond. I was amazed, stunned even.
You could tell that the ducks had been through this before. They waited until the geese finished their breakfast and their posturing, flying off to harass some other neighborhood. Then they calmly returned to their home and resumed their courtship with feathers unruffled.
These ducks reminded me of our life as Christians in the world. We know our hearts true home and the satisfaction that comes from living close to the One who is our source. However much we try to remain faithful and focused on our spiritual journey, we find ourselves pushed and pulled off course. When we are treated unfairly we are tempted to return the favor, or withdraw, or become bitter. Jesus calls us to a more excellent way.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you… Love your neighbor and pray for those who persecute you.” And maybe in a lost gospel, we will one day read, “Remember to share the pond.”
Grace and Peace,
Verlee A. Copeland
Messagefrom theMinistry
Team
Scandinavian Music Recital:Mezzo-soprano Victoria Linich and pianist Robert Holst will perform in recital in the Chapel of Union Church on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken, with proceeds to benefi t the Al-legro Bell Choir's summer tour to Great Britain and France.
The program is entitled "Music of the Midnight Sun:Scandinavian Songs of the Seasons," and features music by Sibelius, Grieg, Nielsen, Peterson-Berger,Stenhammar, and Rangström.
Victoria Linich, former alto section leader at Union Church, has both Norwegian and Swedish heritage. Robert Holst, who is music director of the Downers Grove Choral Society, has both Danish and Swedish heritage. Both performers are de-lighted to have the opportunity to share this beautiful music with the Union Church community!
THE UNION CHURCH OF HINSDALE137 South Garfield AvenueHinsdale, IL 60521-4298
www.uchinsdale.org630.323.4303 (Telephone)
630.323.4407 (Fax)
OUR STAFF
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 WorshipSaturdays at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Jesus And Me (JAM)2nd Sundays at 11:15 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
Meals in 20 minutes or less? You bet, with the help of Market Day. Delight your fam-ily with choices like Oriental Chicken with Noodles, Cheese Lasagna Roll-ups, Beef Teriyaki Kit, Roasted Turkey with Stuffi ng and Mexican Crispitos. For “guilt-free” healthy selections, choose from Chicken Cacciatore, Rosemary Chicken Soup with Dumplings, Southwest Chicken Steaks and Spectrum Blend Fruit Singles.
Market Day benefi ts the Allegro Bell Choir. Look for your Market Day fl yer in the mail or in the Church Narthex. Orders are due in the Narthex Sunday 4/8 (internet Wednesday 4/11). Pick-up is in the Garfi eld Circle Saturday 4/14, 9:00 – 10:00. Use the internet and pay by credit card—it’s easy! As always, please pick up your orders within the specifi ed time block. The Allegro Bell Choir thanks you!
Lenten Worship on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Mar. 28 – Theme: “Were You There?”
Maundy Thursday - April 57:00 p.m. - Service of Communion and Tenebrae
Good Friday - April 612:00 p.m. (Noon) - Good Friday Worship Service
Join us in the Chapel for a one-hour service featuring music, prayer and refl ec-tions on Jesus’ Seven Last Words from the Cross. Speakers include: Verlee
Copeland, Julie Ruth Harley, Thom Parrott-Sheffer, Michael Surratt and Gary Wilhelm.
Easter Sunday - April 86:30 a.m. Sunrise Service in the Youth Room
8:00, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary(Brass Quartet and Choir at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.)
• 3 •
Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT UPDATE
The kids are currently at $1400 towards our goal of $2400 for our Habitat for Humanity International project.
We also have a special offering during Lent. The children and youth have focused their loose change on collecting for our adopted child, Carlos, in Guatemala and additional youth.
We have collected over $350 for our sponsor-
ship! We have a few more weeks during Lent to reach our goal of $1200. Thanks to all the youth and children for their enthusiasm!
Date: June 18-22, 2007Time: 12:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Place: Union Church of Hinsdale, United Church of ChristContact: Penny Johnson, (630) 323.4303
$2,400
$2,200
$2,000
$1,800
$1,600
$1,400
$1,200
$1,000
$800
$600
$400
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$0
Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth
Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Adults
• 5 •
11:15 a.m.
each Sunday in
Rowell Hall
March 25 – “Veterans for Peace”
Apr. 1 – “The Meaning of the Seder Meal,” led by Alan Becker. Alan will explain the traditions and symbols of the Passover Seder Meal, which is the meal Jesus shared with the disciples at the Last Supper. Understanding this holiday gives us a deeper understand-ing of Jesus’ ministry and the meaning of communion. A full Seder meal will be served at 4:00 p.m. the same day in the Dining Room, sponsored by the Parish Life Ministry.
Child care is provided each week for children from birth through age 4 in the nursery. If you would like child care for children from age 5 through 5th grade, please contact Rev. Julie Ruth Harley one week in advance at
(630) 323.4303 ext. 14.
UNION CHURCH WORSHIP ON CABLE Tune in to Channel 19 (public access cable) from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. every Saturday to see Union Church at wor-ship. The services are broadcast free through Comcast Cable as an outreach to 30 communities in the western sub-urbs.
Women's Association Offers College Scholorships
Applications are now available for scholarships offered by the Women’s Association. Any student who will be in col-lege in the fall of 2007 is eligible to apply.
While the amount of awards varies in size, the minimum award to each recipi-ent will by $500. Applications are available from the Women’s Association, from David Knecht and Rev. Thom Parrot-Sheffer, or they may be downloaded from www.uchinsdale.org.
EASTER BREAKFASTBegin your Easter Celebration enjoying breakfast with your church family. Join us for an Easter Morning Brunch between the 9:00am and the 11:00am church services. Cost is $5.00 per person, $15.00 maximum per family and children under 5 are free.
DROP-IN BOOK GROUP FOR MARCH: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Stop by Susan Young’s house (132 E. Walnut, Hinsdale) on Tuesday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m. to enjoy an informal chat about Lisa See’s novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Everyone is welcome to drop in, even if you haven’t read the book!
Our group of prayerful knitters and crochet-ers is growing, both meeting in a group and working at home. We welcome anyone who wants to learn. Next opportunity will be April 12 (Thursday) and April 18 (Wednesday) from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the church lounge. Contact Bonnie Deke (630.325.8782) for more information.
OPERATION FILL A SUITCASE -HUGE SUCCESS!! Thank you to the members of Women's Association and others in the congregation who helped "PULL TOGETHER" to supply a trunk and a suitcase with drugs for Kenya. Dr. Harrison picked up 26,509 adult pain killers, 9,170 women's multi vitamins, 904 children's pain killers and 5,030 children's multi vitamins! These will make their way to Kenya along with $38.00 in cash on March 12th and will be welcomed by the women and children affected by the HIV pandemic.
The Open and Affi rming (ONA) Task Force invites you to a free screening of “Transamerica” on Sunday eve-ning, March 25th at 6:30 p.m. in the Lounge.Come see and discuss this thought-provoking fi lm which fea-tures an Academy Award nominated performance by Felicity Huffman. (Because this movie is rated R, chil-dren under 17 must be accompanied by a parent.) Because the purpose of the ONA Task Force is to offer educa-tional opportunities at Union Church as our congregation strives to under-stand, affi rm, work and worship with people of all sexual orientations, we chose this movie, which examines the life of a transgendered person, as a springboard for discussion. Everyone is welcome to join us for the movie, a pizza supper, and for discussion afterwards.
• 6 •
Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission For All People
Thank You'sFamily Shelter Service: 1.) We are very grate-ful for your recent do-nation of cell phones and other items. We are honored and de-
lighted to be the recipients of your gen-erosity. 2.) Thank you very much for your [monetary] gift, which comes at a particularly crucial time, as we work hard to meet the urgent needs of do-mestic violence victims and their chil-dren. Your gift was immediately put to good use, providing shelter and aid to a abused woman and her three children.
Night Ministry: We want to thank you for your generous gift, and for your continued interest in and support of the Night Ministry. Your recent gift will help us to carry on our mission of building relationships with the street community. Thank you for joining us in our work.
The Women’s Opportunity Fund: We are thrilled about your gift to Oppor-tunity International this year! On be-half of the poor that we serve, THANK YOU for choosing one of the most sus-tainable and effective way to empower poor women and foster economic, so-cial and spiritual transformation! Your donation this year will unleash 1300 families from poverty over the next ten years! To fi nd out more about the excit-ing ways that your donation is helping to abolish poverty around the world, visit www.opportunity.org.
Friday, April 13, 2007: Rally for Human Rights and Fair Food in Oak Brook, IL. Outside
McDonald’s Global Headquarters.
Saturday, April 14, 2007:Carnaval and Parade for Fair Food, Real Rights and Dignity!
Downtown, Chicago, IL
Monday, June 18 - Friday, June 22, 2007:
Come to Vacation Bible School!
Spring/Summer Planning Dates:Sunday, July 29 -
Saturday, August 4, 2007:Confi rmation Camp at Pilgrim Park
A week long experience for Confi rmands to grow. The registration
deadline is TBA.
Saturday & Sunday, August 11-12, 2007:Family Mission Trip,
– An Overnight – St. John’s U.C.C.
in Chicago
Open to the entire church family, chil-dren under 16 must be accompanied by a parent. Come as a family, come
alone, Come!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007:Confi rmation 2007-08 Parent
Meeting / Orientation!
Hands On New OrleansYou are invited to be a part of “Hands On New Orleans.”
It's a mission trip the week of May 12-20, 2007 to get our hands dirty, and our abilities tested, through our committed participation in the huge ef-fort to rebuild some of housing in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. A group of twenty volunteers from the churches of The Chicago Metropolitan Association for a peri-od of nine days, inclusively. Our work will be done as part of the disaster relief activities of the South Central Association of the UCC, under the supervision of Rev. Alan Coe, who is the Disaster Relief Coordinator for that Association.
Be part of Hands On New Orleans or get more information about the trip by contacting any of the following people:
Looking for a Bargain?The Annual Petite Repeat Sale will will be held in the church on Saturday, April 14 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Donations of gently used children's clothing, toys, equip-ment, furniture, and maternity clothes would be greatly ap-preciated. Please consider volunteering to set up the week before the sale. Volunteers will be given the opportunity
to shop during our Pre-Sale (not open to the public) on Friday, April 13 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. You can bring your donations directly to the church begin-ning on Monday, April 9. To schedule a drop-off of large or oversized items, or to volunteer, please call Stephanie Ley (590-5360) or Jill Witt (850-4166). Thank you!
Women's Association Unit Meetings for April 2007Unit 1 April 5 9:15 AM Home of Ilene Boudreaux 601 Lake Hinsdale Dr., # 403, WillowbrookUnit 2 April 5 9:00 AM Youth Room - Union ChurchUnit 3 April 5 9:15 AM Rowell Hall - Union ChurchUnit 4 April 13 12:30 PM Rowell Hall - Union Church (With Unit 6)Unit 5 April 5 7:30 PM Home of Karen Schwarzbauer 128 Arthur, Clarendon HillsUnit 6 April 13 12:30 PM Rowell Hall - Union Church (With Unit 4)Unit 7 April 4 7:30 PM Rowell Hall - Union Church
DEATHS:Long time member Irja McCarthy died on March the 6th, her service was held at Fairview Baptist Chapel in Downers Grove.
Susan Pedersen, her father died.Jennifer Keldahl, her grandmother died.
David Bozeman, his father died.Condolences to all.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF:Connor Allen Furby, great-grandson of Chuck and Jane FosterCooper Andrew Rathburn, grandson of Sally and Bob Manion
Moment for Mission
The Night Ministry to Receive Easter Offering
The Christian Mission Ministry invites your support of The Night Ministry through the Easter Offering on April 8th. The Night Ministry, a non-profi t, non-denominational organization re-sponds non-judgmentally to the needs of people of the nighttime streets of Chicago – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or social status. It is a ministry of presence, of “being there,” when traditional agen-cies are closed.
• Youth Services: The Night Minis-try offers age-appropriate services for Chicago’s homeless youth who are not wards of the State. These programs come in contact with youth at all stag-es of their homeless experience. If a youth successfully learns life skills while young, there is a better chance of avoiding homelessness as an adult. In 2006, through the 120-day Interim Housing Program at the Open Door Shelter, 178 youth, ages 14-20, and 21 of their infants and toddlers, worked with case managers to create individu-alized plans for fi nding stable housing, furthering education or job training and building self-esteem.
• The Outreach and Health Ministry: The health outreach bus travels from 7 pm to 1 am six nights a week, 52 weeks a year, throughout seven neigh-bors providing healthcare, guidance, food and companionship to unsuper-vised children, working poor adults, the homeless and others in need. In 2006, The Night Ministry Outreach staff made a total of 72,697 contacts to an estimated 5,600 people.
On Palm Sunday, Rev. Joan McPher-son, Coordinator, Community and Congregational Relations, will share the mission and work of The Night Ministry at the 10:00 am service. Please give generously to this remark-able and important organization by returning the enclosed offering enve-lope. Thank you!
A Hunting We Will Go!!!Join us on April 7 at 10:00 a.m. (not 9:00 a.m. as stated in the last Good News) for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt Meet in the Gathering Place for a devotion time with Rev. Harley Then hunt for eggs, and then… meet the special guest of the morning… THE EASTER BUNNY!!!!
Seder Service & MealJoin us on April 1 at 4:00 p.m. in the dining room for a traditional Seder Service and Meal. It is a Jewish tradi-tion that is related to our Christian Communion. The evening will consist of a service and meal with tradi-tional foods. This is an all ages event and reservations must be made to Joel in the church offi ce by 3/28/07.
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 LIFE
In 2007, people of faith have a historic opportunity to reduce hunger and poverty both here in the United States and in poor countries around the world.
The U.S. Congress will reauthorize the farm bill–some-thing that happens only every fi ve years. This piece of legislation is one of the most far-reaching sets of laws in our country and touches us all. It has an impact on everything from energy to soil conservation, from cash payments for farmers to the Food Stamp Program.
Bread for the World's Offering of Letters, Seeds of Change, supports these needed improvements in the farm bill. Thousands of local churches, campus groups and others are a part of Bread for the World's efforts to mobilize grass-roots support and convince Congress to act on this legislation. All that is needed is you!
On May 5-6, Union Church will join Bread for the World's 56,000 members in their 2007 Offering of Letters by pro-viding church members with letters to sign and send to Congress urging passage of this bill. Meanwhile learn more about this worthy cause by visiting our website at www.bread.org, calling Publications at 1-800-82-BREAD, emailing [email protected], or writing:
Bread for the World Institute, 50 F Street NW, Suite 500
