Celebrating the Journey September 2013

Fall Kick Off

Luncheon

September 8, 2013

11:15 am

Come and join us Sunday September 8th as we start a new

program year! We will have lunch at 11:15 am with grilled

hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob! Please bring a

side dish or dessert to share. Sign up on the bulletin board in

Fellowship Hall or call the church office. Everyone is

welcome! And…don’t forget the many opportunities to

meet new friends, have fun and grow in your faith by joining

one of the many activities in the church! For the children

and youth there is Shepherd U., Puppets, Confirmation and

Chimers! For the adults there is Senior Choir, Joyful Sound

Bell Choir, Men’s and Women’s Fellowship, Tuesdays with

the Pastor, LIFE Class, Yarn Works, and Faith in Action!

WHAT’S INSIDE

1 Fall Kick Off

2 Pastor’s Corner

3 Pastoral Counseling

Resources

4 Christian Education

News

5 Fair Trade Coffee

6 Prayers

7 September Birthdays,

Anniversaries & Themes

8 Men’s Fellowship

Breakfast, Women’s

Fellowship, Bible Study,

The Puppet Ministry

9 CCA Bulletin Board

10 September Schedules

11 Faith in Action

12 Woodstock Playgroup

13 Richardson’s Corn Maze

14 Photo Road Rally

15 CROPWALK,

Neighbors in Need

16 About CCA, Church Staff

Inserts

September Calendar Treasurer’s Report

CCA Event Calendar

Planting Trees –

Schweitzer Woods

Forest Preserve

Congregational Church of Algonquin * 109 Washington Street * Algonquin, Illinois 60102 * 847-658-5308

“Living Our Faith in Jesus Christ Through Acceptance, Service and Love”

Dear Friends, The Church Council has received the final draft of the revised Constitution and is calling a congregational meeting for September 22 at 11:15 am (following the Worship Service) to vote on this draft. The final draft, a listing of the changes, and the current Constitution is available upon request. We urge you to look it over carefully. At first reading, you will see major changes that will not carry much weight on the work of the church (cosmetic changes made to make the constitution easier to read). But when you read it more closely, you will understand the changes that hopefully will carry a lot of weight in our future ministry together. While it may seem that the major change is going from three to five “Boards” (we will be calling them ‘Ministries’ instead of ‘Boards’), this increase is to make the work of the Ministries more efficient. The five Ministries will be doing the work of the three Boards – nothing has been added to their work. The Church Council is smaller, but its work has not changed from the current Constitution. The most significant changes occur in two areas – the order of accountability and the role of the Committees. The revised Constitution clarifies the order of the accountability in this manner:

The Congregation is the supreme authority of the church under God and Jesus Christ. The Council is the next in line, accountable to the Congregation. The five Ministries are accountable to the Council ( and, therefore, to the Congregation). Committees are accountable to the Ministry which calls them into being (we envision a small number of committees directly accountable to the Council – currently, we are recommending that the Personnel Committee and the Nominating Committee are accountable to the Council.)

The Officers are accountable to the Congregation, and will act as resources to all bodies of the church. The Pastor, like the other Officers, will act as a resource to all bodies of the church. The Pastor will not have a vote in any body; the Officers will have a vote on the Council and at congregational meetings. The intent behind the changes is to allow the congregation as a whole to be more intimately involved in the complete ministry of the church. To that end, we foresee that the majority of the work will be done at the committee level with the Council and Ministries providing oversight. Ministry members and Officers will be elected by the congregation as usual. They will have specific term limits. But Committee members will be appointed from the congregation. They will be appointed to one year terms, but will be able to serve again without limit. The other major change that this Constitution puts into place is a process in which we will annually decide upon a Vision of Mission and Ministry that will guide us through the next year. This will mean that all of the work of the church will follow a Mission Plan rather than be the administration of the ministry. We are excited about the possibilities that are ahead of us, and pray that you will be excited too. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me. And please attend the meeting on September 22. We need you! Pastor Cope

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 22, 11:15 a.m.

To adopt the revised Constitution

\

“Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible.” Cherie Carter-Scott “It’s time to stop tiptoeing around the pool and jump into the deep end, head first. It’s time to think big, want more and achieve it all!” Mark Victor Hansen “Where there is an open mind there will always be a frontier” Charles F. Kettering “Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you.” Wayne Dyer

Pastoral Counseling Resources Arn Schaper, M. Div., Ph. D.

Christian Education News

Sunday September 8th will be our “Fall Kick Off” for the new program year!

Let’s celebrate a new beginning of learning our faith no matter what age you

might be. Please join us for a picnic style lunch at 11:15 am that day. We will

provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and “Merai” corn on the cob and you bring a

side dish or dessert to share. Please sign up on the bulletin board or call the

church.

Sunday September 8th Shepherd U. will begin upstairs at 10:00 am. Teachers

are preparing for a lot of fun lessons, crafts, stories and Bible learning! All children

kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to attend. There is no cost. New this

year we will have Family Worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. This is a great way

for your family to worship together and allow your children the opportunity to get

used to worship. Don’t forget we have the “Kid’s Corner” in the Chapel where

your younger children can read and play quietly. So this means that Shepherd U.

will be open on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays!

Sunday September 8th resumes L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone) class at 9:00

am. We will discuss many different topics that currently affect our lives and our

faith. Nursery care is provided at this time. We encourage you to come every

Sunday or just drop in whenever you can! Tuesday with the Pastor continues

from 4:30 to 6:00pm every Tuesday. Join the above classes every week or any

time.

Confirmation will be starting soon for all 7th and 8th graders! Please watch

your mailbox for a special letter from Pastor Brian. If you know of a neighbor or

friend who would like to join Confirmation, please let Pastor Brian know.

Christian Education News

FAIR TRADE COFFEE & PRODUCTS

Fellowship Hall September 8th

Check out the church website: algonquinucc.org At the top, touch the "list" symbol. When that drops down, touch "Faith in Action" then select "Fair Trade Coffee". Fill in the blanks, and your questions or order goes right to my email. I will always confirm receiving your information. How cool is this! Thank you, Sally Cope! While you are on the web, take a look at Franklinton Center at Bricks. This center receives our gifts of 15¢ for every pound of all products we sell through Equal Exchange. Our upcoming delivery dates are September 8 and October 13. We are extending last day to order to 2 weeks from delivery, since shipments are coming faster, so September 22 is the last day to order for October delivery. Chocolate bars are now available with no additional shipping cost. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

Remember in Prayer As well as with a card, call or visit the following individuals who are not always able to be with us:

Edna McCormick 1215 Geringer Road Algonquin, IL 60102 Ron Reed Florence Nursing Center 546 East Grant Hwy. Marengo, IL 60152 Margaret Tatarinowicz 1523 Vassar Rd. Rockford, IL 61103 Barb Whitaker Sunrise Assisted Living 751 Terra Cotta Avenue Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Louise Dahm 1005 South Rd. Fox River Grove, IL 60021 Joyce Horn Alden Terrace 803 Royal Dr. McHenry, IL 60050 Donna Krueger Sunrise Senior Living 790 N. Plum Grove Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 Janet Larsen Valley Hi 2406 Hartland Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098

Tom Houp Mekever Roman Tatarinowicz Jr. Paul Finch Matt Woeltjie Max George Ryan Williams Sean Hackney Willie Lyons Michael Hartman Dale Kneip Chris Higgins Patrick McMahon John (Jay) Hogrewe Travis Primrose

HELP US HONOR OUR CHURCH MEMBERS

Not all of our church members can come to church. Through no fault of their own, circumstances force them out of the church building. Over the years, we have labeled them “Shut-Ins” or “Homebound” to identify them, but the labels themselves end up isolating them from our fellowship. What we want to know especially when we can't get to church is that our fellowship is not bound by space. We want to know that as a part of this congregation, we belong together as a family. To help people who cannot come to church feel a part of our family, we are asking you for three things: Remember them in your prayers Send them a note or card letting them know that you are thinking of them.

If possible, call them to say 'Hello”. This month we are lifting up two of our members:

Ron Reed and Margaret Tatarinowicz. You will find their

addresses listed above. Let them know that they are a part of our family and that they are missed and thought about.

The following individuals who have been

recently hospitalized or ill since our last

newsletter:

Bill Soto

Jo Martensen

Helen Stauffer

Please keep Steven Thime in your

prayers. Steven is Ken and Pat

Thime’s son and he is a firefighter

from Colorado. He is fighting fires

in Oregon.

September Birthdays

01

Ann Armato

18

Kathy Jamison

01

Macy Barham

18

Carol Whitney

02

Karen Parker

19

Richard Kent

04

John Tipps

19

Rick Carlson

05

Alice Woertendyke

20

Alfred Roesslein

07

Ellen Kuroghlian

20

Paul Sigrist

10

Krista Cope

20

Layne Pekarek

10

Cole Guenther

21

Steven Canington

11

Marc Leider

23

Terri Dawson

12

William Kurtz

23

Tyler Stroud

14

Ella Barham

25

LuAnn Long

14

Sophia Gray

26

Jacqueline Sigrist

16

Matt Hellyer

27

Madison Alexander

17

Eric Jensen

28

Tanner Martin

17

Kevin McMahon

29

Julia Stroud

18

Gary Gray

30

Linda deVenecia

SEPTEMBER THEMES

September 1 (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost) (White) Jer 2:4-13 Ps 81:1, 10-16; Ps 112 Sirach 10:12-18 Prov 25:6-7 Heb 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 September 8 (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost) (Green) Jer 18:1-11; Ps 1 Ps 139:1-6, 13-18 Deut 30:15-20 Philem 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 September 15 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost) (Green) Jer 4:11-12, 22-28 Ps 51:1-10; Ps 14 Ex 32:7-14 1 Tim 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 September 22 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost) (Green) Jer 8:18-9:1 Ps 79:1-9; Ps 113 Amos 8:4-7 1 Tim 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 September 29 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost) (Green) Jer 32:1-3a, 6-15 Ps 91:1-6, 14-16 Ps 146 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 1 Tim 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31

September Anniversaries

01

Frank and Wendy O’Laughlin

07

Robert and Bonnie Soukup

10

David and Kristen Pellicane

15

Bill and Dorothy Baldauf

20

Steve and Heather Wilson

27

Doug and Michelle St. John

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING

SEPTEMBER 22, 2013

11:15 a.m.

To adopt the revised

Constitution

WEEKLY/MONTHLY ACTIVITIES – PLEASE JOIN US ANYTIME!

Women’s Fellowship Wednesday 10:00 am

The Women’s Fellowship meets every Wednesday morning at 10:00 am for coffee, fellowship and Bible study.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast September 14, 2013

Breakfast: 8:00 am Speaker: Don Schmidt Topic: “Faith & Health” A Personal Journey

The Men’s Fellowship will be having a breakfast on Saturday, September 14th, at 8:00 am.

If you have any questions about the Men’s Fellowship, please contact John Novak or Ken Thime.

PUPPET MINISTRY

Want to be a part of an exciting

and fun ministry? Join the Puppet

Ministry. Our ministry is for all ages.

Last year, our Puppetmeisters

designed and made their own

puppets. New inductees this year

will be given the opportunity to

make your own puppet as well.

Our puppets plays are filmed and

presented live. Want to join or need

more information? Please sign up in

the Fellowship Hall. If you need

more information, contact Rev.

Cope. Our first rehearsal date will

be announced soon!

Tuesdays

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

(Every Tuesday afternoon)

We invite you to join us every Tuesday from

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm as we study the topic,

“How to Interpret Scriptures.”

CCA BULLETIN BOARD

THE JAZZ CONSORTIUM BIG BAND

DURTY NELLIES

180 NORTH SMITH ST.

PALATINE, IL 60067

847-358-9150

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2013

6:00-9:00 PM

$10.00 Cover Charge

$5.00 (Age 17 and under)

All ages are welcome!

The 17-piece Jazz Consortium

Big Band in Chicago features swing

and jazz-rock favorites from such

iconic Big Bands as Count Basie, Glen

Miller, Buddy Rich and Maynard

Ferguson, with a brassy mix of 5

saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and a

rhythm section. Come and join us on

September 8th to hear some great

music. This event is open to all ages.

Senior Choir Resumes

Senior Choir begins on Wednesday, August 28th. We are looking for members to join us in sharing musical talent and enhancing the worship experience. Here are some details:

The Senior Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm and sings three to four Sundays per month from September to May.

Membership is flexible; if you need to take some weeks off for any reason, just return when you can - we always love to see you!

We always work 3 - 4 weeks ahead on material, so even if you have to miss a rehearsal or some Sundays you won’t get behind.

The music, folder and robe are all furnished so all you have to do is show up and sing!

Our Senior Choir is an important asset to the church. Our stewardship is sharing our music and it is a stewardship that is fun because of the people we have. We hope you will consider joining us..... it’s not a huge commitment, costs nothing, has led to many wonderful friendships and adds greatly to the worship experience. We hope you will join us for another great year of making music.... the more the merrier!

CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN

The Confirmation Class for 2013-2014

will begin on Wednesday, September 4

at 7 p.m. Confirmation is open to all

youth starting the seventh grade

through Senior High. The goal of this

class is to teach the youth the faith of

the United Church of Christ so that they

can confirm the baptismal vows that

their parents made for them when they

were infants (or to make the decision

to be baptized if they are not). We will

be sending out letters to the continuing

confirmands as well as inviting those of

the age to begin. If you do not receive

a letter or have any questions, please

contact Rev. Cope.

COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Ed Turk

Sept. 8 The Hellyer Family

Sept. 15 The Elliott Family, Michelle Bockrath

Sept. 22 The Guenther Family

Sept. 29 The Benjamin Family

ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Tim and Lore Sprouse

Sept. 8 Ian & Marian Wilson

Sept. 15 Robert Woertendyke

Sept. 22 Joey Mann & Scott

Kapusinski

Sept. 29 Hanna Pociejewski

LITURGIST SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 Ann Armato

Sept. 15 Dick Elke

Sept. 22 Shirley Basler

Sept. 29 Bob Blair

FAITH IN ACTION

Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 21, Jan. 16, Feb. 20, Mar. 20, Apr. 24, May 15

The Faith in Action group meets once a month, usually the 3rd Thursday of the

month. Our next meeting will be Thursday, September 19th at 7:00 pm. We

gather to talk about social issues and concerns. Some of the topics that were

discussed in the past are: poverty, global warming, fracking, human trafficking,

and the political elections. In addition to discussing various topics we also put

our faith in action by sponsoring two children at the Family Village Farm near

Vellore, India; hosting a jewelry party for the “Women at Risk International

Organization; participating in the United Church of Christ Mission 4:1 in which we

planted trees, wrote to our congress about environmental issues and provided an

opportunity for the church to make worm tubes. If this group is something you

would be interested in participating in, please contact the office at 847-658-5308

or email the church at algonquinucc@gmail.com

The Men’s Fellowship is selling

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

$25.00

CALL KEN THIME (847-658-9134)

Beginning on Sept. 8, 2013

You are Invited!

2013-2014 Playgroup

The Townsquare Players and Woodstock Musical Theatre Company

offer a season ticket package and it’s time to purchase our tickets

together. Our scheduled dates are as follows:

Friday October 4 Shout! The Mod Musical

Friday November 8 The Nerd

Friday March 7 The Wedding Singer

Friday April 4 Annie

All shows start at 8 pm. All shows are at the Woodstock Opera House,

121 Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098. The season ticket for all four

shows is $71.00. Please make your checks payable to the Woodstock

Opera House. Please leave your check in the designated envelope in

the church office or forward to Ann Venzon, 1140 Maplewood Ln,

Algonquin, IL 60102.

We will plan to meet prior to each show at a restaurant near the

theatre for dinner. October 4 we will meet at Angelo’s at 6:15 pm. I

will e-mail a list of the participants prior to our first show to enable car

pools. Please provide your phone number and e-mail address with

your check. Let me know if you have any questions.

Ann Venzon, annvenzon@sbcglobal.net, 847-778-9174

*If for some reason you will not be purchasing a season ticket, you

may join us for any individual show by calling the box office directly

815-338-5300 to purchase a ticket.

Richardson's Corn Maze

Weenie Roast, Smores, Corn Maze and Good

People to enjoy, who could ask for more?

Fun for the Whole Family!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

3:15pm (meet at church)

Where: Richardson's Farm, 9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove, IL 60081

Date: Saturday, September 14, meet at church at 3:15pm to carpool.

Admission Price: $13 for ages 13 and up

$10 for ages 4-12 (3 and under free)

Bring: a lawn chair, jacket and any personal items you may need. There

are also additional snacks and attractions, such as a zip line, etc..

that cost extra dollars. You may want to consult the Richardson's

website to see all that they offer www.richardsonadventurefarm.com

Schedule: 3:15-meet at Church

4:00pm-4:15pm check in and set up campfire area

4:15-6pm Free time to explore and do maze

6pm-8pm Weenies and Smores and Fun at the Campfire

8pm-Campfire Time over.

How to reserve your spot: Please sign up on the bulletin board. Please sign up

to bring one additional item to share around the campfire. This year no money

will be collected before time. Just bring your money to Richardson's.

Last year we had such a nice time. We start by establishing our “base-camp” in

our picnic area. From there everyone branched out to find their favorite things

to do. The little ones loved the play area with slides, the corn bin cabin, pedal

trikes and goat walk. As a family or in small groups, you may want to venture

the world's largest corn maze. Richardson's keeps a roaring campfire going for

us from about 6pm on.

Congregational Church of Algonquin

22001133 PPHHOOTTOO RROOAADD RRAALLLLYY

If you like solving puzzles, taking pictures, fun competition, hanging out with friends and good food, this is the event for you.

SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2211,, 22001133 4:00pm Registration

Assemble your team and go to our website to fill out the official registration form. (One registration form per team) Teams can be as large as the vehicle you

are driving. Each team must have a cell phone capable of taking and either texting or emailing photos back to headquarters.

$30 per person (includes dinner)

TThhee wwiinnnniinngg tteeaamm wwiinnss $$110000..0000..

Space is limited to 80, so register early.

Official website: www.algonquinucc.org (click tab: Road Rally)

Registration Deadline is September 8th.

All proceeds benefit the ministries of the Congregational Church of Algonquin

109 Washington Street, Algonquin, IL 60102

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013 REGISTRATION 1 PM

The Crop Hunger Walk is coming soon and we need you. We need you to walk. And we need people to sponsor our walkers. Together, step by step, we can make a difference in the lives of hungry people around the world. 25% of the money raised in this Crop Walk is divided among FISH food pantry, LITH food pantry, and PADS. Each year, Crop Walks provide over $4 million to 3,000 soup kitchens and food pantries across the U.S. And world wide, Crop Walk provides over $15 million dollars to assist hungry people annually. This includes food for people hit with disaster, as well as tools and training for people to provide food security for themselves. The Congregational Church of Algonquin, UCC, is again joining neighboring churches in the Walk. Here's how you can help: >Go online to crophungerwalk.org/cardunalil and sign up to walk. Email friends and family and ask for support. They can also go on this website to pledge for you. > Pick up a pledge envelope at church and ask people in person to support you. > Clear your calendar for a couple of hours on Sunday, October 20, setting your DVR for the Bears game. Bring the envelope and insurance form (provided) that day, and walk with new or old friends. We guarantee you will feel good for it! > If you can't walk, your pledge envelope is still welcome. There are also other jobs to be done to help like driving as assistance for walkers, snacks, and more. Years ago, the walk was about 6 miles. Recently, it has been just over 1 mile. Watch for the information table in Fellowship Hall soon.

OUR CHRISTIAN MISSION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013

NEIGHBORS IN NEED – Imagining Another World Possible Our NIN annual offering is used to support ministries of justice and compassion throughout

the United States. The offering also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC.

Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one; urban multi-tribal UCC

congregation who rely upon our offerings to help them pay their pastors as well as keep

the church buildings open.

About CCA and the UCC Congregational Church of

Algonquin

A United Church of Christ

109 Washington Street

Algonquin, Illinois 60102

Phone

847.658.5308

algonquinucc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor

Rev. Brian Cope

Pastoral Counseling

Rev. Dr. Arn Schaper

Administrative Assistant

Kathy Jamison

Nursery Attendants

Hannah Elliott

Jordan Guenther

Alison Kelley

1957 by uniting several different Christian traditions. From the beginning we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Our motto—"that they may all be one"—is Jesus' prayer for

the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the U.S.

Affirming that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the UCC claims as its own the faith of the historic church expressed in the

The Congregational Church of Algonquin is a congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It is one of the oldest churches in McHenry County. Members have been worshiping in its current sanctuary since 1868.

The church is located a block east of Main Street (Route 31) and a block south of Algonquin Road (Route 62) in downtown Algonquin.

The United Church of Christ is a denomination with over 1.4 million members in nearly 6,000 congregations. The UCC was founded in

ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of Protestant reformers. Yet the UCC also affirms the responsibility of each generation and community to make faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world.

For more information about the United Church of Christ, go to www.ucc.org.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ALGONQUIN

A UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

109 WASHINGTON STREET

ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS 60102

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.algonquinucc.org