October 3, 2010 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 42, Issue 18

"What you can plan is too small

for your life." Recently Jeremy Hylen and I attended a grant-funded conference on creating cultures of call within our congregations. We explored how mentors inspire others by pointing to something ahead. They ask big questions which give birth to worthy dreams. Our leader, Sharon Daloz Parks, wrote a book, Big Questions, Worthy Dreams, which encourages leaders to create mentoring communities that help young adults in their search for meaning,

purpose and faith. She said that we have long believed the purpose of mentoring is to help proteges climb the corporate ladder. Rather, she encourages us to consider that in these times, it takes a community to mentor someone into their discipline. In our case, it takes a community to mentor a young adult, a lay leader, a minister into the church. Only a mentoring community can help imagine what can be and create a culture in which this can happen. Good mentoring communities are permission givers who do four things: recognize who you are now and who you can become, provide support, provide challenge and inspire worthy dreams. I wonder how the culture of our church might shift if we began to draw greater energy to how we might help one another ask big questions that support worthy dreams? I wonder what it would be like to work and lead in an environment where everyone leaned forward with the encouragement of a grandmother at her grand-daughter's first piano recital. I wonder what would be

different if we held one another as if each had a gift so precious the community could not thrive without it? In the weeks to come, we will widen our conversation about how to nourish this culture, so that our young may dream dreams and achieve them, and all of us might enjoy the nourishment of a community who loves us, cherishes us and anticipates that all our gifts are holy offerings to God for the building up of the church and serving Christ in the world. If someone were to ask you to share a big question in your life, what would it be? Share it with someone in this community whom you trust, commit it to God in prayer and watch what dream begins to take shape in your life.

Grace, mercy and peace, Verlee A. Copeland

Senior Minister Union Church of Hinsdale

United Church of Christ

Message from the Minister

“Living God’s Promises” Exploring God’s Covenant Stories

Sermon Series through Nov. 21

Prayer & Healing Service

Oct. 17, 2010 – 7:00 p.m.

During this 45-minute service, participants join in the Chapel for prayer, meditation,

music, scripture reading and a reflection on healing ministries. During the service, we pray for names of individuals in need of

healing. We offer communion and the laying on of hands for those who wish to receive it.  

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Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship

Our  Staff  Senior Minister:

Rev. Dr. Verlee A. Copeland 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

8:00 and 10:00 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.

Classic Worship – 9 a.m. Lead Preacher V. A. Copeland

Traditional Liturgy Led by the Ministry Team and Lay Readers

Music by the Chancel Choir and Organ

Under the leadership of T. Diehl and M. Surratt

Children Invited to Sunday School

Fresh, Experiential Worship – 10:30 a.m.

Preaching Shared Among Ministry Team: J. Hylen, T. Sadagopan, T. Parrott-Sheffer and V. A. Copeland

Worship Leadership by Lay People

Music by the Joyful Noise Band Under the leadership of B. Nye

Engaging for People of All Ages

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Invitation  to  Faith:  Community  Life  

Put Some Heart Into It! Years ago, following soccer practice, our team would run laps around the playing fields to “cool down.” Some cool down! We would run in single file, at a fairly good clip, for at least a mile, but with this added twist: the runner at the rear of the line was required to sprint past his teammates to the front of the line. The moment that runner had arrived in the lead position; the next teammate at the end of the line had to do the very same thing. And so it would continue, over and over, until practice had ended. Any runner who attempted to participate half-heartedly could be assured of an audible encouragement from the coach: “Put some HEART into it!!!!” It was exhausting, but it was exhilarating! When was the last time you experienced a gift to your own church as exhilarating? If it hasn’t felt that way in come time, perhaps it’s been a little too long since you’ve considered yourself a leader. This church of yours, your spiritual home, with all of its strength and blemishes, needs more than half of your heart, more than your mere participation; it needs your leadership. And frankly, don’t you, too? Surprise yourself this year by giving more than you usually do! Re-discover the exhilaration of taking the lead. Jesus was given to us so that we might “run the race” with confidence and joy. He came to show how to live out the ancient commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart.”

Jed Rardin, Pastor South Congregational Church, UCC

Concord, New Hampshire “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

Let’s Gather This year as we emphasized hospitality as a congregation, various plans are being considered for how the Gathering Place can best serves our needs. We have need of a space that welcomes people visiting our church, a space to gather for refreshments and conversation, a space to let people know about our ministries and facilitate their involvement, etc. A number of ideas have surfaced. In order to best serve the congregation and the ministries, we are trying a few different floor plans – the first floor plan was used last Spring, in September the furniture and coffee were arranged in another configuration; and after Resale, we will try a different floor plan . Our intent is to review the plans with an eye to taking the best aspects of each with the goal of finding a workable, welcoming way to use this wonderful space. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

Erie House Toy Drive This year the Holidays with Heart Gift Bazaar at Erie House is happening on Sat, Dec. 11, 2010. Toy donations will begin being accepted soon, with a Wed., Dec. 8 deadline. There will be a toy collection box in the Gathering Place. The toy drive benefits Erie program participants aged infant through age 18. Erie parents have the opportunity to select one gift for each child individual toy value should not exceed $35. Gifts should be unwrapped. Donations can be toys, books, new children's clothing, and store gift cards. No toy weapons, action figures or materials with violent or sexist images. Wrapping paper, tape, scissors, ribbons and bows are also appreciated. Thank you!

Yoga for Flexibility & Strength Join Vi Smith, RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher), assisted by Candy Stevens, RYT, for classes that include breathwork, yoga poses (chairs optional), and relaxation/focus. A weekly yoga practice can help men and women maintain health and slow down the effects of aging. Practitioners can benefit from a gradual increase in energy and stamina, improved joint health and mobility, and even a more positive mood and attitude. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, October 13, 20 and 27, from 10 - 10:45am at Union Church. Please call Candy Stevens for details (630) 655.2027.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS 3-WEEK SESSION.

Middle School – Fall Events October 3: Dinner and a Movie October 10: Gutter Sundaes October 17: Blanket Making (and a little surprise) October 24: Bowling Night (RSVP Required-Cost $10) October 31: Halloween Party (location TBA) November 7: Dinner and a Movie November 14: Whirly Ball (RSVP Required-Cost $20) November 21: Brown Bag Challenge November 28: No TNT (Thanksgiving) December 5: Christmas Craziness December 12: Christmas Cookies December 19: Christmas Party (location TBA) December 26: No TNT (Christmas)

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Children & Youth

High School – Fall Events October  3:  Chicago  Bears  Party  (location  TBA)  October  9:  Apple  Picking  October  17:  Really  Bad  Movie  Night  October  24:  Blanket  Making  October  31:  Halloween  Party  (location  TBA)    November  7:  Golden  Appreciation  Dinner  November  14:  Harry  Potter  Night  November  21:  Harvest  Party  (location  TBA)  November  28:  NOTHING    December  5:  Really  Bad  Christmas  Movie  Night  December  12:  Christmas  Cookies  (location  TBA)  December  19:  Christmas  Party  (location  TBA)  December  26:  NOTHING  

LOGOS is Coming!

Are you missing Crazy Hair Day or Backwards Night fun? Do you have a

taste for “brown bag tacos”?

Mark your calendars for the first night of LOGOS: Wednesday, November 3

Open for grades 1-8, After school from 4-7pm.

Registration information will be available on Sunday,

October 17 in the Gathering Place.

John Ortberg Book Study

Oct. 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14 & 21

Join us for this 6-week video bible study and small group discussion series based on the book If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat.

Led by Rev. Tanya Sadagopan

Current Events & Faith

Sept.19 – Nov. 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Join us as we look through the week’s news events and discuss its impact on our faith. Led by Andrew Johnson in the Ktchen Classroom.

Disciple Bible Study

34-Week Program

Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study Monday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

There is still time to register if you are interested!

Led by Rev. Tanya Sadagopan.

The Five Foot Bookshelf meets the second Sunday of every month to study books that we consider basic to developing a strong faith life in Jesus Christ. We will be finishing our study of Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, in October. Beginning in November we will begin a new study. Look for information in the upcoming publications.

This is a round table group led by Pastor Thom.

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Invitation to Faith: Christian Formation for Adults

Nooma DVD Discussion Group

Through Nov. 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. This is a series of 10 short films that explore our world from a perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and join the discussion. Led by class members.

Oct. 3: How does God help us through life’s storms? Oct. 10: Can we live our lives to the fullest if we are stuck in the past? Oct. 17: If I ask God for what I want, how do I know God is really listening? Oct. 24: How is our breath connected to the name of our Creator? Oct. 31: Who are you and what is God calling you to do next?

Women’s Association October Program

 

Please join the Women's Association for it's October program "Giving the Lady What She Wanted." Former Marshall Field's employee, will tell us all about the history of Marshall Fields and entertain with stories of its heyday. We will meet in Rowell Hall at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there!

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OPPORTUNITIES  

 

One  Time  Need    

Help  Host  the  Lombard  Mennonite  Peace  Center  Mediation  Skills  Training  Event  

October  4-­8,  2010  -­  Union  Church  of  Hinsdale    

Involves  helping  make  coffee,  laying  out  snacks,  preparing  two  lunches  and  serving  as  general  hosts  to  those  who  attend  this  training.    

Thanksgiving  Dinners  Tuesday,  November  23,  2010  

Help  serve  Thanksgiving  Dinner  at  San  Lucas  U.C.C.    

Wednesday,  November  24,  2010  Help  serve  Thanksgiving  Dinner  at  St.  John  U.C.C.  

 

Regular  Opportunities    

CROPWalk  -­‐  October  17,  2010  –  1:00  p.m.    

Raise  money  and  awareness  of  global  hunger  by  participating  in  the  annual  CROPWalk.    This  year  the  walk  begins  at  Christ  Lutheran  Church  in  Clarendon  Hills.    

Spirit  Gifts  -­‐  November  –  December  2010    

Alternative  Gifts  for  the  holidays,  buying  services  and  satisfying  needs  instead  of  a  new  tie.    

Habitat  for  Humanity,  Du  Page  -­‐  As  scheduled    

We  often  schedule  build  days;  but  there  is  also  other  opportunities  to  serve  –  committees,  special  events,  etc.      

Mission  is  central  to  a  vital  and  growing  faith.    Christ  offers  us  grace,  salvation  and  instruction;  and  simply  says,  “Go  and  do  likewise.”    Our  faith  becomes  real  in  our  “doings,”  much  like  in  the  Velveteen  Rabbit  –  who  becomes  real  by  the  selfless  act  of  loving.    It  is  much  like  a  couple  who  must  go  beyond  saying  “I  love  you”  to  acting  in  loving  and  caring  ways.    Through  mission  our  faith  and  life’s  lyrics  become  in  sync  with  its  music;  and  our  belief  becomes  tangible  and  powerful.    

Union  Church  of  Hinsdale  encourages  all  its  members  and  friends  to  engage  in  a  deep  and  fruitful  mission  life;  and  offers  many  opportunities  to  be  “hands-­‐on”  in  the  work  of  faith.    Won’t  you  consider  getting  involved  in  the  work  of  faith  and  the  ministry  of  Jesus  Christ?    

If  you  are  interested  in  getting  involved  or  have  other  opportunities  that  you  want  to  share;  please  contact  Pastor  Thom  at  630  323-­‐4303  or  tparrott-­‐sheffer@uchinsdale.org.    

On-­‐Going  Opportunites    

Soup  Making  Ministry  Monday  mornings,  every  week  

 

Join  the  community  of  soup  makers  who  prepare  a  part  of  the  meal  to  be  served  to  needy  people  in  Humboldt  Park,  at  San  Lucas  U.C.C.    

Serving  Lunch  at  San  Lucas  U.C.C.  Tuesday:  10:30  a.m.  –  1:00  p.m.,  every  week  

 

Each  week  San  Lucas  U.C.C.  serves  a  nutritious  meal  to  needy  people  in  the  Humboldt  Park  neighborhood  of  Chicago    

A  Just  Harvest  Soup  Kitchen  (was  Good  News  Community  Kitchen)  

Fourth  Sunday  of  every  month:  3:30  –  7:00  p.m.    

This  ministry  has  been  a  part  of  Union  Church  mission  for  many  years.    Each  month  a  group  brings  food  to  the  kitchen  and  helps  serve  a  meal  to  over  100  people.    

Food  Distribution  in  Humboldt  Park  Third  Monday  of  every  month:  8:30-­11:30  a.m.  

 

A  cooperative  program  between  San  Lucas  U.C.C.  and  the  Food  Depository  of  Chicago  hands  out  bags  of  food  to  over  120  people  each  month.    Help  is  needed  in  bag  the  food  and  handing  it  out.    

HCS  Family  Services  (was  Hinsdale  Community  Service)  

All  the  time    

There  are  many  ways  to  be  involved  with  HCS,  from  donations  of  food,  volunteering  at  the  pantry  or  the  office.  

 

In  2011    

January  8-­‐16,  2011  –  Guatemala  Mission  Trip     Throughout  January  2011  –  ANNUAL  COAT  DRIVE            A  Habitat  for  Humanity  Build  Event  in  Rabinal     Again,  this  year,  we  will  collect  adult  coats  for  Interfaith                     House.  

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Invitation to Faith: Community Life

Dinner Dance

Union Church's major fundraiser of the year will be the Dinner Dance on Sat., Nov. 13 beginning at 6:00pm at the Hinsdale Golf Club. Proceeds from this benefit will go to the GENERAL OPERATING FUND of Union Church. Ticket prices are $80.00, $100.00, or $200.00 per person. Dick Johnson, Channel 5 NBC News, will be our Master of Ceremonies. DEJA VU, Chicago based band, will provide live music for dancing and/or listening. Black Tie IS optional, valet parking is available and there will be a Silent and Live Auction. Maximum seating for a sit down dinner is 240 people so, please start thinking about who will be at your table of 8 to 10 people. This is not for couples ONLY, ALL adults are welcome. Invitations will be mailed out the first part of October. Both personal checks and credit cards will be accepted that evening. The majority of the money raised from the evening will be from the Silent and Live Auction. We are encouraging people to donate things that they already have or services that they can easily provide in this tough economy. If you are blessed enough to have a vacation home that you would donate for a week or a weekend that would be awesome. Sporting tickets of any kind, professional or college, would be fabulous. Wine tastings, a wine and cheese party, or a lunch, dinner or barbeque are always very popular. If you like to cook or bake, wrap Christmas gifts, address Christmas cards, deliver gifts, read to someone, helping design a garden, walk their dog, run their errands for two hours would be something you could donate without spending money. PLEASE ASK the merchants that you do frequent (i.e. where you get your car washed, go out for lunch/dinner, car oil changed, Dry Cleaners, Barber Shop,hair or nails done if they would donate gift certificates). We are hoping for a very successful, fun, and festive event! Thanks for your help.

Questions? Contact Melissa Mann

(mannmelissa@comcast.net) or Mary Sue Honigschmidt

(marysue@red-works.com).

Men’s Club Dr. Patrick Stiff to present on Stem Cell Research. Invite your partner, significant other, or a friend to

join us for this important forum

We are most fortunate to have Dr. Patrick Stiff as our speaker for the Nov. 10 Men’s Club luncheon. He will present on the subject of Stem Cell Clinical Research. Dr. Stiff is widely recognized for his efforts in this rapidly emerging therapeutic area, particularly so in the field of hematological malignancies.

Lost & Found Please check the lost and found located near the volunteer desk in room 7 of the church offices. Any unclaimed items will be donated to Women’s Resale.

Fall Association Meeting The Chicago Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ will be having its fall meeting on Saturday, October 16th at Trinity Church in Chicago. Our own Susan Young will be a presenter at a workshop on Christian Education resources for the churches and Pastor Thom is presenting a workshop on media in worship. For more information about the meeting, please talk with Verlee or Hadley Pihl.

Summer Sunday School Program Exceeds its Goal

This summer the 2nd through 5th grade (and older) Sunday School program “God is Still Speaking” contributed $368.95 to Church World Service. Church World Service is an ecumenical organization which is sometimes referred to as “the Crop Walk people” or the agency involved in Pakistan Relief) The $368.95 will enable the agency to provide a family a tent for temporary shelter, one or two food kits and a number of jerry cans for people to carry safe water to their home. The class surpassed its goal of collecting $250 dollars and a number of students met and surpassed their own personal giving goal. Great job class!

 

Visit our website to get more information about upcoming events, listen to the Sunday

Morning Sermons podcast, read the blog, view current and past newsletters, plus much more!

http://UCHinsdale.org

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