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The church newsletter published by the Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
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February 6, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 3
Inside This Issue:
Farewell to Rev. Sadagopan and to staff member Ann Suda Volunteer Opportunities
Spaghetti dinner: Save the date Habitat for Humanity
Matching Gift
Transition Steps And more!
Message From The Minister
“WHAT IS
YOUR IMAGE
OF CHURCH?”
In my ministry, I have served congregations as small as 200 members, as large as 1700 members, and many sizes in between. Because of these experiences, I have discovered that people have an image of “church” based on the size of their congregation, and that image affects their opinion of what a congregation should be and could be doing. My hunch is that as we move forward in the days ahead your image of “church” may be challenged as we imagine what kind of church Union Church will be and how it will operate. For the immediate future, our image will be challenged as we work through some issues. At the annual meeting of the congregation on January 23, the congregation affirmed some hard recommendations of the Executive Council that will reduce the pastoral staff and office staff of Union Church. This means that as ministries, committees, staff, and a congregation we will be doing things differently in 2011, and we will have to learn what we can expect from the office staff and pastoral staff as we do our work together. Already the professional staff has stepped up to help me with pastoral care. We have developed a calling system to hopefully meet the pastoral needs of the congregation. The staff will be employing the following rotation for making calls: Sundays -‐ Tom Zoelzer Mondays -‐ Thom Parrott-‐Sheffer Tuesdays – Tom Zoelzer Wednesdays – Jeremy Hylen Thursdays -‐ Thom Parrott Sheffer Fridays -‐ Penny Johnson (as requested by Tom and Thom) Saturdays -‐ Thom Parrott Sheffer (on call) There will also be some changes in how the office will operate, and there will be volunteer opportunities where members of the congregation can use their gifts and interests to serve. You will read about these opportunities in this issue of the Good News and in the Good News’s in the weeks ahead. In the next Good News, there will be a listing of telephone numbers to reach the professional and office staff directly. You will also read in this Good News about a matching pledge opportunity that will help Union Church continue to do quality ministry in 2011. Life is on the move here at Union Church, and I look forward to inspiring your imagination about what it means to be a church of Jesus Christ in this place.
Peace,
-‐ Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer [email protected]
Transitional Minister Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
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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.
Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, February 27
Union Church Work Tour and Allegro Handbell Ensemble families cordially invite you to an evening of great food, wonderful and varied entertainment, exciting silent auction packages and most of all friendship and fun at the Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 27th from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm right here in our Dining Room and Spirit Hall.
Tickets may be purchased from youth in the Gathering Place following both Sunday worship services for $10 per adult and $5 per child aged 4-‐12. Children aged 3 and under are free!
Tickets will also be available at the door for an additional $1 per ticket, so buy your tickets in advance and save.
We welcome donations of silent auction items. Theater and sports tickets are very popular as are stays at vacation homes. Do you have a special talent you could donate? Perhaps you could tutor a student, bake a dessert a month, or help someone convert photos or movies to digital files. We welcome your creativity! For more information on silent auction, please contact Regina Walker at [email protected] or Caryn Yarbrough at [email protected].
Funds raised from the dinner and auction support our youth going on work tour this spring to Whitesburg, Kentucky and our Allegro Bell Ringers who will tour Sweden this summer. We greatly appreciate your support!
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!
Ann Suda Ann Suda will be retiring from the Union Church staff at the end of January. If you would like to share a retirement gift with Ann, please send your gift to Gaby Perez at [email protected] or send a contribution to the church office.
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Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
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 four weeks, we will be learning about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Upcoming are The Disciples and Four Friends.
K-‐1st grades – For the next two weeks, we will continue with the parables of Jesus. The children will hear the Parables of
the Great Pearl and The Good Samaritan. You can find these stories in the first book of the New Testament, Matthew 13:45-‐46 and Luke 10:25-‐37. A couple of wondering questions the children will be exploring:
• I wonder how this pearl could be the Great Pearl, and all the other pearls could be just pearls? • I wonder what the Great Pearl could really be? • I wonder if the person who was left by the side of the road has a name?
• I wonder who was a neighbor to the Samaritan?
2nd -‐ 3rd grades – For the next two weeks, we are learning the story of Jesus Calls the Twelve and Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People miracle. Parents can find these stories in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 3:7-‐19 and Mark 6:30-‐44. A couple of
wondering questions the children will be exploring: • I wonder why it was these people Jesus called from the crowd?
• I wonder how the disciples are feeling about what just happened?
EDJ – We continue our stories of the calling of Jesus and the Twelve Disciples. You can find these stories in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We will be playing a disciples game and applying what it means to be “called” today
through video and discussion.
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.
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Invitation to Faith: Music & Community Life
Youth News
TNT
February 6-‐ No TNT (It’s the Super Bowl!) February 13-‐ Movie Night
February 20-‐ Crazy Games Night February 27-‐ No TNT (Come to Spaghetti Dinner 4:30-‐7:30)
High School
February 6-‐ No Youth Group (It’s the Super Bowl!) February 13-‐Spring Work Tour Meeting (7-‐9pm)
February 20-‐ Really Bad Movie Night February 27-‐ Come to Spaghetti Dinner 4:30-‐7:30
Keep an eye open on Facebook for details for Sunday Nights
Martin Luther King Jr. 4 Speeches Class
Listen to Martin Luther King Jr.’s original Speech Recordings followed by a group discussion at both 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday February 6th
1. Address to the First Montgomery Improvement Association’s Mass Meeting
Sunday February 13th 2. I have a Dream
Sunday February 20th
3. Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March
Sunday February 27th
4. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop
Please register for this FREE class with Rev. Tanya Sadagopan
at The Union Church of Hinsdale 137 S Garfield Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521 via phone: (630) 323.4303 ext. 6659
or email: [email protected]
God is Closer Than You Think
Sundays @ 9:00 a.m., March 6 -‐ April 10, 2011
The Bible is filled with examples of an intimate God, a God keenly interested in connecting with ordinary people. God promises to be with us. Yet somehow, intimacy with God eludes us. But how do we attain it?
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 Beginnings Bible Study of the Book of Genesis. The class starts February 3, 2011. Led by Rev. Tanya Sadagopan & Seminary Intern Jeffery Dodson.
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Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
Transition Steps
January: Appointment of a Transitional Steering Committee. Committee Planning with Rev. Dr. Zoelzer begins including the development of a method to involve the entire membership in a series of Forums February – April: Series of Forums conducted by the Steering Committee around specific questions that discern and envision April – June: Sharing of gathered information with the congregation, staff, Executive Council, and ministries. Action steps based on information gathered September – November: Cottage meetings about the future of Union Church including qualities in the next Senior Minister of the Congregation January 2012: Senior Minister Search Committee begins its work
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? 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 for either of these opportunities to serve – 630.590.6689 or [email protected]
Good News to Share! Matching Gift Opportunity
An anonymous donor has stepped forward to offer a matching gift of up to $50,000 to the congregation to rebuild the foundation of Union Church and help us into our future. The Executive Council is announcing that all new pledges, increased pledges, or contributions given between January 23 and March 1 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000. Can you help? Union Church is moving forward to shape its future and continue quality ministry! Your pledge, increased pledge or contribution will really make a difference and set a new tone for Union Church. You can indicate your wishes by emailing Gaby Perez, Financial Manager at [email protected] or by sending your contribution or pledge to Gaby at the church. Challenge donations will do the following: -‐ First $25,000 plus match avoids further staff reductions
in 2011; -‐ Next $9,000 plus match restores section leaders funding
for the Chancel Choir for all of 2011; -‐ Balance restores portion of Mission funds and provides
reserves for unforeseen expenditures in 2011. Thank you for your consideration of this matching opportunity!
Craig Schaefer, Union Church of Hinsdale, Moderator
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Invitation to Faith: Music & Community Life
Tanya Sadagopan to be Leaving Union Church Staff Because of downsizing at Union Church, Tanya Sadagopan has submitted her resignation as Associate Minister for Christian Education and Family Life. Tanya's service to Union Church will conclude at the end of March with most responsibilities concluding at the end of February. Below is Rev. Sadagopan's letter to the congregation:
Peace, Shanti, Shalom,
Pastor Tanya
Members, Leaders, Church Staff, ECP staff, and Friends of Union Church of Hinsdale,
During these times of transition and challenge I find myself greatly comforted by two things… our relationships in ministry and our scriptures. I offer you today a scripture upon which my heart has been meditating and that is giving me comfort. These are the words of Paul to the church in Ephesus.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-‐3
I thank you each and everyone for your kind words of support and comfort upon hearing the news and impact on staffing that our budget shortfall has created. I have been deeply touched by you and each occasion of ministry we have shared together. I have felt very blessed as a pastor to engage in meaningful ministry throughout the life of the church here in Hinsdale. I have truly felt that my work with kids, families, elders, shut-‐ins, and Early Childhood Program staff has been intimate and productive. I have felt supported by our faithful administrative staff and amazing program staff. They have each done their best to make me feel at home. My family has found a church home here at Union and all of us are saddened by the turn of events. It is my duty to minister to the church and its future even if it means for us to part ways. Therefore, with a sad heart, I offer my resignation to the good people of Union Church of Hinsdale in hopes that in doing so, you may find a strong and firm foundation on which to stand in the future—stand together, therefore, strong in Christian faith and united in the bonds of peace. My blessings go with you in all the days ahead.
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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission and Social Justice for All People
DuPage Habitat for Humanity
DuPage Habitat 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 fund the DuPage Habitat mission. Every year Illinois landfills accumulate over 15 million tons of waste, which is then replaced by new products. DuPage ReStore will give the public an opportunity to donate usable products to be resold at reduced prices to homeowners and contractors. According to estimates, one ReStore is capable of collecting, selling, and respectively diverting anywhere from 30 tons to 220 tons of material from landfills annually.
• What we can take: Cabinets, Large appliances, Kitchen and Bath items, Unopened Paint, Wood, Flooring, Wood Furniture, Light Fixtures, Roofing, and Tools.
• What we cannot take: Opened Paint, Upholstered Furniture, Small Appliances, Books, Clothes, and 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.
Union Church Family News
Virgil and Diane Oostendorp celebrate the birth of twin grandaughters born Jan 5, 2011. Fiona Winter (5 lbs 14 oz) and Naomi Sky (7 lbs 2 oz) are the children of Kimberly and Steve O'Hare in LaGrange Highlands. Proud great grandmother is Frances Forsek.
Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players
Coming to Union Church
The award-‐winning Chicago Philharmonic announces a new concert series featuring the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players at Union Church of Hinsdale. Guests can enjoy high level classical music performances in Union Church’s inspiring sanctuary. The Chicago Philharmonic is made up primarily of Lyric Opera Orchestra members and other top-‐tier professional musicians from the Chicago area. The series kicks off on Sunday, February 13 at 3 p.m. with a program titled Valentine’s Delights. The group will perform romantic works that will warm the heart. Included will be String Quartet No. 3 in A minor Op. Post by Charles Gounod, Italian Serenade by Hugo Wolf and Piano Quartet in G minor Op. 25 by Johannes Brahms. Performers include William Billingham, Piano; John Macfarlane, Violin; Karyn Macfarlane, Violin; Karl Davies, Viola; and Margaret Daly, Cello. This will be the first concert of a two part series. The second concert Sounds of Spring takes place on Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m. with works to welcome the freshness of springtime. Concerts take place at Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave. The February concert is underwritten by The Blanchard Family. Tickets are $15 in advance ($10 seniors 65 and up)/$20 at the door ($15 seniors 65 and up). Series pricing available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chicagophilharmonic.org or by phone at 847.866.6888.
The Gospel of Matthew gathers most of Jesus’ ethical teachings and teachings about prayer in a large collection of material that we know as the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount will be the focus of worship in February around the theme “Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk – How to be a Christian according to the Sermon on the Mount.” Come explore these principles of faith during the first three Sundays in February:
Sermon Series on The Sermon on the Mount in February
February 6: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk – Being People of the Light February 13: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk – Being People of Prayer and Spiritual Practices February 20: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk – Being People of Love and Reconciliation February 27 – Rev. Tanya Sadagopan’s to bring the Word at both services. There will be a reception for Rev. Sadagopan after each service as this will be her last Sunday with us
