June 15, 2008 Volume 40, Issue 12A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.

SonWorld Adventures – Get ready for the ride of your life! This exciting adventure is based on Joshua 24:15, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Each day kids will learn, from vari-ous people in the Bible, what it means to choose Jesus as their Savior. And they’ll have a blast playing fun games, making cool crafts, and enjoying park snacks. Ages 4 through entering 5th grades can attend.

3’s and 4’s - This summer the 3s & 4s will be having fun with Bob and Larry and all the VeggieTales’ characters in Classroom C.

K - 2 grades – Join us on Sunday mornings in Classroom A as we explore Jesus’ teachings through the parables.

3rd - 8th grades – Eat Your Way Through the Old Testament will be held in the Faith/Hope room on Sunday mornings. Registration is necessary to buy needed food supplies.

Incoming 9th - 12th grades — Way to Live is a new series where we look at how our faith relates to our lives. This summer we will be focusing on Creation and how we relate to it.

For more details check out the Christian Formation page inside…

The Union ChUrCh of hinsdale137 South Garfield AvenueHinsdale, IL 60521-4298

www.UCHinsdale.org(630) 323.4303 (Telephone)

(630) 323.4407 (Fax)

oUr sTaff

Senior Minister:Rev. Verlee A. CopelandMinister for Christian

Formation and Mission:Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer

Minister for Membership and Discipleship:

Rev. Dr. Julie Ruth HarleyDirector of Youth Ministries:

David KnechtDirector of Youth Formation

and Families:Jeremy Hylen

Director of Music Ministries:Michael Surratt

Director of Chancel Choir:William C. WhiteDirector of Early

Childhood Programs:Jennifer Keldahl

Director of Children’sChristian Education:

Penny JohnsonExecutive Manager:

Merrilee HallFinancial Manager:

Chris BiankProject Manager:

Joel GratcykSystems Manager:

Mary BockBuildings and Grounds:

Jim Vojtek

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

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Summer Preaching ThemesOur sermons this summer will be based on 12 principles of progressive Chris-tian faith from a book titled “The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity,” by the Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes. This book articulates where the Christian faith stands today and where it is headed in the future. Order a copy of the book yourself and read along with us this summer.

June 15 – “Caring for Creation,” Jeremy Hylen and Thom Parrott-Sheffer preaching.

June 22 – “One Thing I Ask,” Julie Ruth Harley preaching.

June 29 – “What's in Your ??? Wallet?” John Biegert preaching.

July 6 – “The Spirit of 1776,” John Biegert preaching.

July 13 – “Don’t Just Do Something; Sit There,” Julie Ruth Harley preaching.

Make Time For GOD…God always makes time for you!

For those of you who have given so gen-erously of your time and talent …. please update your survey and place in office area receptacle, youth room, or at Melanie Shafer’s desk in Gathering Place. We welcome the participation of ALL age groups including our youngest children and most seasoned retirees …. ALL so rich in wisdom!

For those who have yet to consider the wonderfully rewarding experience of sharing your “gifts,” please complete the 2008 “Make Time For GOD” surveys and leave in the any of the above locations .

All forms should be received by TODAY, June 15. Note: You may also register on line at www.UCHinsdale.org.

11th Annual Pillars House Tour Volunteers NeededIf you are interested in architecture or interior design and would like to help out one of our mission agencies, please consider volunteering to be a docent at the 11th Annual Pillars House Tour on Sunday, June 22, in LaGrange and Western Springs. Proceeds go to support the programs of Pillars, including the Constance Morris House, Head Start program, and mental health services. For more information please call Karen Lutz (630) 325-2508

Prayer & Healing ServiceJune 15 @ 7:00 p.m.

Join us in the chapel to pray for healing as a community of believers.

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children and Families

Summer Sunday School Schedule...June 8 - August 31,

9:50 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Nursery: Room E Birth up to 3 years by August 2008

3s & 4s: Classroom C

K - 2nd grades: Classroom A

3rd - 8th grades: Faith/Hope Classroom

3’s and 4’s – This summer the 3s &4s will be having fun with Bob and Larry and all the VeggieTales’ characters in Sunday School. It will be a fun way for the kids to experience God while learning some of the core values of life, such as loving others and forgiveness. The lessons include Bible stories, games and snacks. Our high school youth will be leading the classroom this summer.

K - 2nd grades – The Kindergarten through second grade classes will combine this summer and meet in Classroom A on the lower level. The kids will be learning Jesus’ teachings through the parables and how the lessons apply today. For parents, this summer is a wonderful opportunity to sit in on the classroom and observe our Sunday School program. Please call Penny if you can help.

3rd - 8th grades – There are many ways to learn the history of God’s people. This summer we are doing it with Bible stories and enjoying appropriate foods to enhance each week’s lesson. Eat Your Way Through the Old Testament will be held in the Faith/Hope room on the Upper Level. Please register for this class so we can order enough food. Registration forms are available from Penny.

Incoming 9th - 12th grades -- Way to Live is a new series where we look at how our faith relates to our lives. This summer we will be focusing on Creation and how we relate to it. In the fall we will work with many different topics using, Nooma and other media sources. Call or email Jer for more details.

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Youth

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Go to http://youth.uchinsdale.org for summer calendar info about Middle School (TNT) and High School (Discovery) events!

ALSO, check the blog for Daily Photos: http://UCHinsdale.org/youthcmsblog

Union Youth Help Lead Baccalaureate Graduation Service

On Wednesday May 28th, the senior students at Hinsdale Central cel-ebrated, and gave testimony to their faithful, spiritual path through high school at a special Baccalaureate Service. The annual “pre-gradua-tion” service traditionally held the night before the actual graduation ceremony for seniors and their families, is designed, planned, and led by graduating seniors. Among the 30+ seniors who pulled the evening together included at least 10 students from Union Church. They were: Jenna Kauppi, Amanda Graveline, Chase Culbertson, Noah Johnson, Nick Brady, Anne Lindberg, Allie Zott, Allie Emery, Chloe List, and Phoebe Berndt. Several hundred seniors and their families attended the worship service which included music, faith stories and testimo-nies, skits, poems, reflections from scripture, and prayers about the path travelled thus far, and the path that remains ahead. It was a proud moment for parents, for me and for Union Church. Congratulations to all!

Additionally this past week, our Union Church family “sent off” into the world over 40 graduating seniors from a number of local high schools. We are amazingly proud of everything our students have accom-plished, and send them with prayers and great joy out in to the world to continue the work they have started with the gifts that God has richly blessed them with. Godspeed Seniors! Union Church youth graduat-ing from local schools include:

Sarah Abrams, Claire Bajadek, Matt Davis, Nick Brady, Cecile Cosby, Chase Culbertson, Allie Emery, Amanda Graveline, Noah Johnson, Jenna Kauppi, Anna Kuhn, Elizabeth Lewis, Anne Lindberg, John Sha-kon, Katie Sims, Katie Sipos, Alexandra Zott, Phoebe Berndt, Neal Bott, Kyle Bowman, Caroline Berger, Jordyn Brooker, Brett Carlson, Daniel Herber, Mitch Hesik, Carl Reider, Olivia Roman, Gret Ross, Morgan Tomlinson, Parker Johnson, Molly Kinsella, Zachary Leath-ers, Emily Lombardi, Cassandra Lubenow, Caroline McMahon, Chase Miller, Hannah Neff, Greg Patterson, Charles Tarabour, Alice Werley

Sponsor-A-Youth (SAY) And Be a Part of Summer

Work Tour

Summer Work Tour 2008 is fast approaching. On July 11th we head for Swan Quarter, NC with 33 Youth and 7 Leaders. We’ll be hosted again by YouthWorks! doing house painting, Kid’s Club and working with families in the lo-cal community! We do this because we feel we have been called to “ be the Christ oth-ers will see – out in the world.” Your SAY (Sponsor-A-Youth) sponsorship of $100 will provide much needed financial help for our youth and leaders, but more importantly it will help you to build a relationship with our youth in a more personal way. It is our goal to have every one of the kids and leaders go-ing on Summer Work Tour to be sponsored by a member of the congregation. Contact me at (630) 323.4303 ext. 6655 or dknecht@uchinsdale.org, or stop by the S.A.Y. Table in the Gathering Place for more info. Please fill out and send in a SAY Registration Card today.

Nick “Peaches” Brady and Noah Johnson are all smiles after Graduation on May 29th!

Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Adults

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Sundays from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in Rowell Hall

June 15 – “Teaching Children about Stewardship,” led by Susan Young. Designed for parents, grandparents and teachers who can guide children about saving, spending and giving.

June 22 – Church Picnic NO Forum

June 29 – “Portfolio Life: The New Path to Work, Purpose and Passion after 50,” led by Julie Ruth Harley. David Corbett’s book by this title claims we should banish the word “re-tirement” and simply develop a port-folio of interests and involvements that change throughout our lives.

Summer Reading Group: “Take This Bread”

Join Rev. Harley for a drop-in book discussion group from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, in the Lounge. You don’t need to read the book in advance, but it helps.

An excerpt from “Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion,” by Sara Miles. “One early, cloudy morning when I was 46, I walked into a church, ate a piece of bread, took a sip of wine. A routine Sunday activity for tens of millions of Americans – except that up to that moment I’d led a thorough-ly secular life, at best indifferent to religion, more often appalled by its fundamentalist crusades. This was my first communion. It changed ev-erything. Eating Jesus, as I did that day to my great astonishment, led me against all my expectations to a faith I’d scorned and work I’d never imagined. In that shocking moment of communion, filled with a deep de-sire to reach for and become part of a body, I realized what I’d been doing with my life all along was what I was meant to do: feed people.”

The Union Forum

The Academy for the Common GoodAugust 8 - October 31, 2008"Bringing Faith to Public Life"

The Academy invites older adults age 50 and above to participate in its Fall Pro-gram. Sessions take place on several Fridays between August 8 and October 31 from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., with an hour for lunch and conversation with fellow participants and instructors.

All the Sessions Meet at the Following Location:

The Cornerstone Center, Room 100, 1111 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60610

Registration fee: $250 — Full scholarships are available.

For Further Information or to Apply to Enroll, Contact:Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer – Union Church of Hinsdale(630) 323.4303 | tparrott-sheffer@uchinsdale.org

Instructional Faculty Includes:Walter Boyd, Dr. Charles Cosgrove, Todd Dietterle, Laura Dean Friedrich,Rev. Dr. Franklin Gamwell, Rev. Dr. Larry Greenfield, Margaret O’Dell,Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer, Rev. Jeffrey Phillips, Rev. Alexander Sharp,Rev. Dr. Douglas Sharp, Rev. Dr. Geneace Williams

Lay Reader / Liturgist Training

Are you signed up to read scripture at worship? Are you a regular worship leader at J.A.M. or Journey? Would you like to participate in the liturgy at Union Church? Then we have an opportunity for you!!!!

Join us on Saturday, July 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – in the Youth Room for Reader and Worship Leadership Training. If you have any desire or willing-ness to be scripture reader or worship leader this is a must event for you. Join us and find your voice!

- Rev. Thom Parrott-Sheffer

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Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission and Social Justice

South Africa Testimony from Adam Parrott-Sheffer:

Having shared my stories of mission with family, friends, and strangers, what I have come to realize is the simple, yet powerful truth of our mission. It did not end when we said our goodbyes to the students of the Bridgman Center. It did not end when we packed up onto the bus for the last time with all of our tasks com-plete. It did not end as our plane lifted off the runway and we glimpsed the red dust of South Africa one last time. It did not even end yesterday when the group met for our reunion lunch sharing new stories and pictures for the first time together since leaving Africa. Our real mission was to witness God's hand in the workings of the Bridgman center and the role it serves within the Soweto community. Having witnessed God's need, we have been called to act—and like the continent of Africa, that is a calling that does not leave us despite our leaving the continent.

Yes, we saw roofs painted that hadn't seen new paint in 25 years and ovens that hadn't been cleaned in at least as long. However, we also saw needs yet to be filled. We saw three doing work that required five to do effectively. We saw chil-dren yearning for the opportunity education provides. These children had all the support that could be mustered but for many it will not be enough to break through barriers poverty has put in their future. As witnesses to this work, we must act to fulfill God's vision for the Bridgman Center and the children of Soweto.

The survival of the Bridgman Center depends upon our ability to take action. God has challenged each and everyone one of our team to take what we have witnessed and transform it into action. The center operates without a sustainable fundraising plan. It operates without marketing of any kind. It operates without a consistent source for food or a person to prepare it for the after school program. It operates without a consistent supply of tutors. However, each week students come. Each week there is enough food. Thus far this has been due to the intense commitment of the Bridgman leadership and the grace of God.

So I stand here today, not a missionary for, but a witness to God's work in South Africa. Through the stories of my fellow witnesses, you are also all now witnesses to this work and to the needs of the Bridgman center. And it is as witnesses, I invite you to action as well. You have heard the needs of the Bridgman center and the children of Soweto. How does God call you to act? Our commitment to the people of Soweto and the work being done there did not end with our trip, but began. That is the truth of our mission and I hope now your mission as well. We came. We witnessed. We interacted. We must continue to act to ensure God's work can continue in the lives that are now wrapped up in our own. Our mission in not in the pride in what we have done, but the drive to do what is still undone. The Spirit continues to challenge.

Faith in Action

1) Bring food to the July 4th Parade – Hinsdale Community Services will pick it up during the festivities.

2) Join in the work. Immediately after the parade the donated goods are off loaded from the truck and placed in the food pantry. 50-60 people are needed to form a human chain to pass the bags from the truck to the second floor of the Memorial Building. It generally takes an hour to get this done. Meet at the back door to the Memorial Building. The more hands the lighter the work. All are welcome.

3) Sign-up today to work at PADS on June 28 – Contact Susan Pedersen or sign the form in the Gathering Place.

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life

Fourth of July Breakfast$4:00 per person

9:00 a.m. in the circle drive

Bring your chairs and join in the fes-tivities on the Fourth of July. The pa-rade begins at 10:00 a.m. Breakfast will be served beginning at 9:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Parish Life Ministry Board.

Hinsdale Community Services

The Hinsdale Community Services will again have a float in this year's Hinsdale Fourth of July parade to col-lect food for the food pantry. Please bring you nonperishable items to the parade. Immediately after the parade, the do-nated goods are off loaded from the truck and placed in the food pantry. They need 50-60 people to form a hu-man chain to pass the goods from the truck to the second floor of the Me-morial Building. It generally takes an hour to get this done. Meet at the back door to the Memorial Building.

The more hands the lighter the work.

All are welcome.

Please pass the word.

Annual Church PicnicSunday, June 22, 200811:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Join in the fun and fellowship at our annual church picnic. A delicious lunch will be served for $5.00 per per-son, $20.00 per family and under 4 free. There will be games and fun for all ages. Please buy your tickets early. They will be available after services in the gathering place.

Summer Work Tour Car Wash & Bake Sale

Saturday, June 21 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Third Street Parking Lot (Rain date June 28)

Help support our youth on Work Tour. Bring your cars, your friends, and your friend's cars!

People's Resource Center Volunteers

The People’s Resource Center is in need of volunteers for our new center at 649 Blackhawk in Westmont. Vol-unteers are needed Wednesday morn-ings from 8:00 to noon, starting July 2, 2008 and Thursday evenings from 5:00-8:00 pm starting July 10th. Vol-unteers are needed to stock shelves, assist clients, pickup donations, un-load trucks and register clients. If you are interested in joining our fun team, please fill out a volunteer application at www.peoplesrc.org or call Melissa Travis at (630) 682.5402.

ReSale Date ChangesItems to be donated can be left on the Dining Room Stage beginning June 16, 2008.

Tuesday Sorting begins June 17, 2008 from noon – 3 p.m.

Friday Sorting begins June 20, 2008 from 9 a.m. – noon

We still need garages for storage. Please call Fran Evans at (630) 986.1438 if you have questions.

Thank YouThe family of Samuel W. Anderson would like to thank Union Church for your kind expressions of sympathy during this difficult time. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

– Kathy Anderson

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

C a l e n d e r o f e v e n t sSunday, June 158:00, 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services9:45 a.m. Sunday School11:15 a.m. Union Forum7:00 p.m. Prayer & Healing Service

Monday, June 166:00 p.m. TNT Movie Night7:30 p.m. Tai Chi Ch'uan

Tuesday, June 177:00 p.m. Executive Council

Wednesday, June 18 GOOD NEWS Submission Deadline for June 29 Issue9:30 a.m. Yoga

Thursday, June 197:30 p.m. CODA

Friday, June 206:00 a.m. Men's Ministry Group #16:30 a.m. Men's Ministry Group #2 Saturday, June 215:00 p.m. Journey Worship

Sunday, June 228:00, 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services9:45 a.m. Sunday School11:15 a.m. Union Forum

Monday, June 2312:45 p.m. Vacation Bible School

Tuesday, June 24 12:45 p.m. Vacation Bible School

Wednesday, June 2512:45 p.m. Vacation Bible School

Thursday, June 2612:45 p.m. Vacation Bible School Friday, June 2712:45 p.m. Vacation Bible School3:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School Closing Program

Saturday, June 288:00 a.m. Caring and Sharing5:00 p.m. Journey Worship

For our full events calendar please visit:http://uchinsdale.postman.com/