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THE MESSENGER November 2015
Millburn Congregational
United Church of Christ
Celebrating 175 years in the community 1840 - 2015
The Underground Railroad
Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus! Steal away, steal away home, I don’t have long to stay here! – African-American Spiritual
As long as slavery existed, slaves tried to escape its bondage, and abolitionists and former slaves had for some time organized networks to lead run-away slaves to safety and freedom. The ur-gency of this effort was magnified by the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Part of a package of com-promise legislation enacted by Congress to hold together the increasingly belligerent national factions, the Fugitive Slave Law only succeeded in making the situation worse. To already ex-isting laws which allowed slave owners to pursue runaways, the Fugitive Slave Law added provi-sions that entangled everyone in the ugly business of recapturing runaway slaves. The Law, which required no written documentation of ownership by the slave owner and prohibited a slave’s testimony, now required that not only public officials but ordinary citizens were required to assist in the slave’s capture. The informal network of people already in place to aid runaway slaves took on new significance. With “station agents” and “forwarding merchants” and hiding places in closets and barns, the Underground Railroad brought the anti-slavery movement to Millburn with dramatic reality. By its nature as a movement defying federal and state laws, the Underground Railroad left few documents or artifacts. Unverified legends connect Millburn with a “station” at nearby Ivanhoe and identify a huge glacier rock in Newport Township as a direction sign guiding “passengers” to the Michael Kuhn home nearby on their way north. Deacon William Bonner, Dodge’s neighbor, may have furnished transportation by team and wagon either from Ivanhoe to Millburn or from Millburn to Somers, Wisconsin, for family stories recall that Bonner’s son John and his nephew James Bonner were sometimes called to get up earlier than usual to clean up a mud-splattered wagon and horses lest neighbors become suspicious about unusual night-time journeys.
Continued on page 7
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November 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 ALL SAINTS DAY 2 3 4 5 6 7
8:30 Worship/Communion 6:30 Dens 1,2 & 7 6:00 Den 9 CHURCH AUCTION
10:00 Worship/Comm. 6:15 Handbell Choir 9 a.m. Preview
Sunday School 7:15 Adult Choir 10 a.m. Auction
11:00 Coffee Hour 8:15 House Band
Daylight Savings Ends
8 9 10 11 VETERAN'S DAY 12 13 14
8:30 Worship 7:00 Pack 87 Comm. 6:15 Handbell Choir 8:30 Recital
10:00 Worship/Sunday 7:15 Adult Choir 4:30 4H
School 8:15 House Band
11:00 Coffee Hour
MESSENGER DEADLINE
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
8:30 Worship 6:00 4H 9:00 Messenger 6:15 Handbell Choir 7:00 Compassionate
10:00 Worship/Sunday 6:30 Den 4 Collating 7:15 Adult Choir Friends
School 7:00 CE Committee 1:00 Homemakers
11:00 Coffee Hour
22 23 24 25 26 THANKSGIVING 27 28
8:30 Worship 7:00 Pack 87 6:15 Handbell Choir
9:15 Bells & Choir 7:15 Adult Choir
10:00 Worship/Sunday
School
11:00 Coffee Hour
29 ADVENT BEGINS 30
8:30 Worship
9:15 Handbell Choir
10:00 Worship/Sunday
School
11:00 Advent Fair & lunch
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Pastor Jed’s Message Friends:
How do you get your answers? How does God speak to you in a time of decision? How are your prayers and your cries for discernment and guidance answered?
I decided to pursue the ministry thing. One day I was sitting in the cafeteria at Luther Semi-nary in St. Paul, where I was taking a class, having lunch by myself. At the table in front of me a group of students were sitting with a Luther professor, and they were listening very intently to him. He spoke as one with authority, it seemed. I was able to hear most of the conversation. It was the movements of God’s Spirit in our lives, and those moments, rare and varied though they may be, when we hear God’s speech, so to speak. I remember him saying, as he was preparing to leave, something like, “I think, for me, it’s usually in looking back on things that I see God’s presence. Sometimes I’ve been able to say, ‘Here the Spirit is.’ But many more times I have said, “There the Spirit was.”
Does that resonate with anyone? I suppose the older we get the more likely we are to see that. That day he was talking to a bunch of twenty-two year-olds. But that was thirteen years ago; maybe now they better appreciate his wisdom. You look back at things and you find that you weren’t alone. You were being guided even when you thought you were mak-ing it all up. A road was being paved, and the brush was being cleared for another as yet un-seen path, even as you were asking for answers. It’s not all up to you, as I often say here.
Peace and Love,
Pastor Jed
Children with Pastor Jed and the teachers leading the Lord’s Prayer at Rally Home Sunday 2015.
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News from our Preschool
Advent Faire is held on the first Sunday of Advent, which will be November 29. This will be the last event of our year-long 175th Celebration! Special family crafts will be offered as we all gather for a time of fellowship in preparation for Christmas. Planning is underway with more information to follow. Lunch will be provided and served by the Senior High. Please join us on this very special day.
Parents: Please fill out the form to let us know if your child will or will not be here for the Christ-mas Program December 13. Teachers will be handing the forms out on November 1. Return it to the classroom teacher as soon as possible.
Save your change for another Noisy Offering! We will be pulling the wagon around on November 29 for a Noisy Offering. All proceeds will be going towards our 2016 Mission Trip! So save your change and let’s make some noise!
Youth Club, praise, worship and fellowship, will be November 1 and Youth Mission Club, helping with the P.A.D.S. meal, on November 15. Club is open to all 7th graders through Senior High! We begin after church with pick-up at 2:00. Lunch will be served!
School started and has been super busy ever since. September was filled with games to help us get to know our friends, October couldn't be beat! We learned about Fire Safety and had a visit from the Fire Department, we even got to climb on the fire truck. Of course, the month would not have been complete without celebrating autumn and Halloween. We watched the leaves change colors and the air get cooler as we played outside. We enjoyed class par-ties for Halloween, it was so much fun seeing all the costumes! Finally, our field trip to the pumpkin farm was tons of fun, we took a tractor ride, enjoyed yummy donuts and played in a giant corn kernel box. November is going to just keep the learning going, we will celebrate Thanksgiving and learn about Pilgrims and Indians. Of course we will not leave out the Tur-keys! Preschool is always loaded with lots of fun, if you are interested in learning more about our program feel free to stop in or call to set up a tour. The preschool can be reached at 847-356-5237 x5. We hope to see you soon! The preschool will be hosting Sundae Sunday on Novem-ber 22, 2015, during coffee hour, stop by after church for a yummy treat! Julie Zehner, Director
Margo’s Message
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November birthdays
Cindy Hightower 02
Audrey Szpylman 02
Mikkel Storaasli 03
Allison Grandos 04
Luke Etienne 07
Sue Watson 08
Michelle Crombie 10
Liam Benson 10
Katelyn Tipler 10
Kevin Gniadek 12
Jake Slade 12
Ava Doner 12
Michael Jesse 13
Sarah Cardinell 14
Jeff Frentz 14
Emily Szpylman 15
Lucille Engh 18
Mary O’Young 18
Scott Zradicka 19
Amanda Warren 20
Todd Schmeling 22
Kyle Paramski 22
David Cunningham 24
Margo Paramski 26
Lynn Doolittle 30
Jack Frentz 30
Fall Rummage & Bake Sale Earns New Record !!
The fall Rummage and Bake Sale reached a new record for sales, earning $4,793 for the church. Thank you to the many people who donated their rummage to sell; to those who baked for the Bake Sale, which raised $427; and to the team of volunteers who helped sort and display the rummage. And, a spe-cial Thank You to Kris Franks who worked with me to price most of the rummage, working since July to make this sale a success.
–Donna Zradicka,
Rummage Sale Coordinator
Sunday Scriptures Oct. 4—Mark 10:13-16
Oct.11—Hebrews 4:12-16 and
Mark 10:17-31
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Consignment
AUCTION Antiques * Collectibles
Jewelry * Furniture
Sports-Related Items
Household Goods & More!
There is still time to donate Auction items by
Oct. 30! Want extra cash? Donate as a 50:50
contribution.
Auction donation forms available at the
Lauren Hall bulletin board.
Sign-up sheets for the Bake Sale,
Pie/Dessert of the Month, and more.
Proceeds benefit the mission of Millburn Congregational
Church.
To donate, volunteer or learn more, call Gary Doolittle at 847-395-3828.
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The Underground Railroad, continued
Beyond the legends, church records give only one oblique reference to the church’s involvement in the Underground Railroad in a December 2, 1859 resolution that also memorialized John Brown’s execution that same day for leading a slave revolt at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Behind the resolu-tion’s elaborate language lay the deliberate civil-disobedience of otherwise law-abiding citizens.
Resolved that we will do good to those who have escaped from bondage as we have oppor-tunity, by supplying their present wants and aiding in their flight.
Although several buildings and houses in the village survive from that era, none can be identified for certain as a hiding place, and although stories of tunnels and secret compartments circulate, none have ever been found. However, when the William Bradford Dodge home, which was located on the southwest corner of what is now Route 45 and Sand Lake Road, was torn down in the 1940’s, eyewitnesses reported that the cellar contained two chambers. One was an ordinary root cellar, but the second could be entered only through an easily hidden opening from the first cham-ber. The dirt floor of this room was still covered with straw, and the walls were lined with layers of newspaper for insulation. Given Dodge’s anti-slavery fervor, it is reasonable to suspect that this “secret room” provided shelter for run-away slaves. William Bradford Dodge lived to see his cause vindicated by Union victory in the Civil War and the abolition of slavery in 1865. By then he had already moved on to press for new rights. A Waukegan Gazette article from June 1865 invites people to a Fourth of July Sabbath School picnic on the “Jake” Strang farm east of the village “to express in this public manner their views and feel-ings upon the great National question of the hour, the demands of the negro upon the Nation for full citizenship.” From The History of Millburn Congregational United Church of Christ by Paul R. Meltzer
From the Worship Committee….
Please help provide flowers for our worship on Sundays. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in Lauren Hall. Effective Sept. 1, 2015 the cost of the flowers has increased to $28.00 Sue Heinlein, Secretary and Kris Franks, President of MYLO
presenting the cross quilt given to the church at the 175th celebration dinner. Quilt now hangs in the Chapel.
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Concerns Rev. Aaron James After knee surgery Barb Coon’s friend, Judy Diagnosed with ovarian cancer Lew McGuire Recovering from wrist surgery Diane Etienne’s friend, Terry Diagnosed with cancer Ruth Young’s friend, Linda Heynis Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer Ruth Young’s friend, Patti Weiske Having foot surgery Joys Alison and John Storaasli Birth of 1st great-grandchild Mourning Kris Franks and family Death of her aunt, Gerry DusSault Laura Dragin Death of her grandmother Friends of the Storaasli’s Death of an infant Stacy Stewart Death of her sister Continued Prayers Norma Welch Stacy Messner’s brother Struggling with ALS Dave Force’s sister, Eileen Diagnosed with early stage breast cancer Steve Strang Joan Simmons’ daughter Diagnosed with breast cancer Cathy Knight’s brother-in-law, Steve Struggling with serious health issues Meryl Perlstrom Joan Simmons Continuing cancer treatments Bob Venn’s daughter Struggling with life’s issues Jan Malak’s son Struggling with life’s issues Janelle Overocker Undergoing medical testing Alicia Rayner Tumors have grown
If you wish to have someone added or removed from the prayer list, contact the church office or speak to Pastor Jed.
Circle of Prayer
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The Faces of Millburn Church...
..at the 175th Celebration Dinner
Lois Doolittle, member since Aug. 7, 1938. One of our oldest members.
Keegan Overocker, our youngest member.
Dawn Revenaugh and Milt Anderson
Margie Petroff, Karen Ende and Jan McGuire
Laura Dragin and Emily Anderson. Luke Dragin snuck into the picture.
Terry Knight and Vi Miller
Norma Welch and friend
Yvonne and Paul Meltzer
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Messenger Team
Editor/Publisher—Kris Franks [email protected]
Collators:
Ron Bratzke, Lynnette Bratzke, Donna Geiger, Ruth Young Deadline for article submission is the 2nd Sunday of each month. Next deadline is Sunday, No-vember 8th. Email your articles, comments, kudos, etc. to Kris Franks, Editor or to the Church Office Coordinator. You can also drop off your submissions at the church office.
Church Staff Pastor Jed Watson
Monday – Thursday- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday - Pastor’s study day
Friday - Day Off
Margo Paramski, Director of Christian Education
Monday and Tuesday – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Laura Dragin, Office Coordinator
Monday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.,
Tues, Wed, Fri — 8:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Becky Fuller, Music Director
Millburn Church Early Learning Center
Julie Zehner, Preschool Director
Worship 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Nursery Care and Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.
www.millburnchurch.org
T: 847-356-5237 F: 847-356-5669
Did you know…. Millburn Church facts:
2 people have been members since Oct. 7, 1938—our oldest members—Lois Doolittle and Lucille Engh.
Currently we have 296 members
More people have become members in the month of May than any other month— 109.
No one joined the church in February
MYLO, Millburn Young Ladies Organiza-tion was formed in March 1944 . It was started by Rev. Lauren Messersmith and his wife Marguerite and is the oldest active group at Millburn Church.
Before Lauren Hall was added on, the kitchen and dining room were located in the basement of the church (Holden Hall) in what is now the high school classroom and lounge area respective-ly. The “stage” , where Christmas pro-grams were put on, is also in the base-ment and is now used by the Boy Scouts for storage.
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New Testament Bible Trivia
1. How many books are in the New Testament?
2. What man wrote at least 14 books of the New Testament?
3. Who baptized Jesus?
4. Finish this line from the Lord’s Prayer: “Give s this day our _____ ______...”
5. For how many days was Jesus tempted in the wilderness?
6. Which 2 brothers were the first of Jesus’ disciples?
7. Who was the man that came to Jesus at night and asked how an old man could be born again?
8. Jesus touched and cured a man with what contagious skin disease?
9. What man did Jesus raise from the dead, four days after he died?
10. Where did Jesus tell his disciples to find a coin they needed to pay a tax?
11. Who was Bartimaeus?
12. Where was Jesus’ hometown in which his teachings were rejected?
13. Who went up the mountain to pray with Jesus when he was transfigured?
14. Who carried Jesus’ cross before he was hung on it?
15. Who was the first one to see that the stone had been rolled away from Jesus’ tomb?
16. On the day of Pentecost, which of the disciples preached boldly to a crowd explaining about the arrival of the Holy Spirit?
17. Who prayed for Saul’s sight to be returned after he was blinded on the road to Damascus?
18. In which book of the New Testament do we read about the Fruit of the Spirit?
19. Fill in the blanks: “For it is by _________ that you have been saved, through ________ - and this not from yourselves, it is the ________ of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Hint: Ephesians 2:8-9)
Answers: 1. 27 2. Paul 3. John the Baptist, John 1:29-31 4. daily bread, Matthew 6:11 5. 40, Luke 4:1-2
6. John and Andrew, John 1:35-42 7. Nicodemus, John 3:1-4 8. Leprosy, Matthew 8:3
9. Lazarus, John 11:17-43 10. In the mouth of a fish, Matthew 18:24-27 11. A blind beggar whom Jesus healed,
Mark 10:46-52 12. Nazareth, Mark 6:1-3 13. Peter, John James, Luke 9:28 14. Simon of Cyrene,
Mark 15:21 15. Mary Magdalene, John 20:1 16. Peter, Acts 2 17. Ananias, Acts 9:17-18
18. Philippians 4:19 19. grace, faith, gift
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Millburn Congregational United Church of Christ
19073 W. Grass Lake Rd. Lake Villa, IL 60046
4th—MYLO Soup & Salad Lunch
11th—Angie Farella & Antioch
Rainbow Girls
18th—Open
25th—Mission Committee
Thank you for hosting a coffee hour this month. If you have not signed up for a coffee hour, please consider doing so. Sig-nup sheet is located on the bulletin board in Lauren Hall.
Groups, committees and families are wel-come to provide light refreshments after the 10 a.m. service. Coffee, creamer and sugar, along with plates, cups and plastic silver-ware, are available at the church for you to use.
October Coffee Hour Hosts
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we worship God as a spiritually alive church, welcoming all and reaching out with love as Christ’s disciples.
Please recycle...save our earth.
Celebrating 175 years in the community 1840 - 2015
Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 1st! Don’t forget to turn your clock back 1 hour be-fore you go to bed on October 31st.
