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January 2017 Volume 18 Number 1
Looking Back, Looking Forward
But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's
ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works,
hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's
covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world
at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were
once out of it altogether are in on everything.
Ephesians 2:11-13 (The Message)
As the year draws to a close it is common for people to take a few moments to remember what has
happened over the past 12 months. Sometimes this is challenging if the year was filled with grief or
illness. Sometimes it is uplifting if there were moments of great joy. Either way, looking back should
probably bring us to a place of gratitude. If the year has been painful, then we are grateful to have
withstood the challenge thus far. If it has been joyful, then we are grateful for our many blessings. By
remembering and being moved to gratitude, we can then be filled with hope for the coming year where
God will be with us once again.
This passage from Ephesians invites a similar looking back and looking forward. The point this passage is
making is that Christians are formed, not born. You can become Jewish by birth because identity as
Jewish is an inherited trait. However, this is not the case with Christianity. Having Christian parents does
not make us Christian; Christ transforms us from the inside out to make us Christian.
Every Christian can look back to a point when they were not a part of Christ’s family. Some people may
not remember those days if their parents and church did a wonderful job of guiding them in faith
formation. Others will look back and realize that they have grown and changed substantially over time.
Many made a 180 degree change in the direction of their life due to the presence of Christ. Either way,
there was a time in everyone’s life when we “hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ,” and “hadn’t a clue
about what God was doing in the world at large.”
Looking back to remember that this was the case brings us to a point of gratitude. Pausing at the end of
the year to thank God for the gift of faith, and hopefully for faith growth over the past year, is a very
good practice.
Looking back and remembering also guides our interactions with others as we walk forward into the
coming year. It reminds us that we should never judge someone who does not yet share our
understanding of Christ; after all that was us just a short time ago. We should never give up hope that
others will come to know Christ, after all if Christ was able to change us than why would we think that
The Carillon
Christ was unable to change someone else. As Christians, looking back at our own story of faith, gives us
hope for other people’s faith in the future. As people all over the world make New Year’s resolutions for 2017, I pray that some will make a
resolution to give church a try. I pray that some will come to our doors on a Sunday morning and find
themselves welcomed by grateful, understanding, caring people. I pray that as we remember our own
stories, we will be able to encourage others to continue walking their path of faith. These are my prayers
for the New Year, I hope you will join me in these prayers.
In Christ
Pastor Mary
Caring Ministry
The Caring Ministry has a couple opportunities for you to think about to begin 2017:
On Thursday January 12 at 11:30 there will be a potluck lunch and planning meeting for the Young at
Heart group. This is for any of you that would enjoy getting together with others once/month and for
special events in the community. The regular meeting time is the second Thursday of the month at
11:30. The special events could be anything that might appeal to a generally-retired group. For
example, in the fall they attended a concert at the Arcada and the Veterans Day celebration at St.
Charles North High School. If you have the time and new ideas, bring them on January 12!
Also, coming soon is the 4-week series called 4Ever Together. Pastor Mary will facilitate this course for
couples looking to strengthen their marriages. It will be offered on Tuesdays, Feb 7, 21, 28 and Mar 7 in
the evening. This is a slight schedule change from the previous announcement so please note that we
will begin February 7 rather than in January.
Our card ministry and meal trains are alive and well. The most important piece of this ministry is
knowing who needs it! It is a bit easier to learn the needs of those that are able to come to church but
sometimes those in greatest need of a caring touch are not able to communicate that to us. Please
reach out to those you think would welcome hearing from us and get permission to let us know.
Sign-up for events using the attendance/registration forms available each Sunday or by contacting Judy
Schlarb ([email protected]) or Sandie Benhart ([email protected]).
Children & Family Ministries
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions but I am interested in continual improvement. I think one
reason New Year’s Resolutions end in failure for most people, not surprisingly, is that it is a seasonal
event. The days march forward and the farther we get from Jan. 1 the farther we get from the
inspirational thoughts of growth and renewal we had that drove us to set whatever goal it was….
Continual improvement implies a starting and stopping, but always returning, condition.
I encourage you this year to seek continual improvement in your relationship with God and to help your
children do the same. Work as a family to strengthen your relationship with God and each other. Let
your children see you practicing continual improvement of your faith so they grow up knowing that it’s a
lifelong journey, not one that ends at confirmation. John Wesley believed that if we weren’t moving
forward in our faith, then we would begin to move backwards. We all need to nurture our relationship
with God continually, just as we nurture any relationship we care about.
There are many opportunities at Baker to enrich your faith individually and together as a family. Do not
miss Wednesday nights… The new dinner crew is amazing and the food they are putting out is good
home cooking! And after dinner there is something for everyone. Debbie Lewis and I have been working
hard with BakerKids on Wednesday nights teaching and serving the communities around us. In just the
last few months, we have baked cookies for IYC, stuffed stockings for our church’s home-bound
members, and made lunches for Lazarus House! All of our kids here at Baker have something to offer
and are ready to grow and work their faith. While the kids are doing their thing, you’ll have time to sit
and chat with friends, take a Bible study, or join the Young Adults group. If you haven’t taken the
Blueprint for Discipleship class you are missing out on a great way to learn more about the roots of our
faith, show your kids you’re never too old to learn, and give your spiritual renewal a kick start. Bible
studies, Circles, and short term Bible lessons also provide chances to learn about and act out your faith.
Sunday School is another opportunity to grow in your own faith while nurturing another’s. Our new
curriculum is fun and easy to use, and the 1 month commitment can fit anyone’s schedule! If you’d like
to use your natural talents teaching your kids and grandkids, please write it on the yellow attendance
slip or call me at the church.
Spiritual formation is a continual process. Please do not let yourselves be fooled into thinking that when
we become adults we suddenly have all the answers to our faith; that there is no more to learn about
God, our relationship with Him, and how He works through us. And we do not want to portray this to
our children either, for when they become adults and find, as they most certainly will, that they still
have deep questions about their faith they may become uncertain in their faith, feel that they have not
done enough or are not good enough because they don’t have it all figured out.
There is no one day that is better than another to decide we need to make a change and can do
something better. With continual improvement, there is no beginning and no end, it is a continuous
loop, and we never get far from the beginning, which is now.
Peace,
Mandy Hale
Youth Ministry
Upcoming Events
January 1 - No Sunday School
January 4, 11, 18, 25 - Study Hall in Youth Center 5:30pm - 7:30pm
January 20-21 Spiritual Formation Retreat (middle and high schoolers welcome) 3pm Friday to 6pm on
Saturday
January 29 - Youth Service! 9am and 10:30am
New year. New us!
Ok, maybe not completely, but I am excited to let you know we are trying out some brand new
curriculum for Middle School Sunday School. If you are the parent of a middle school student, I
encourage you to click here and dig into some of the lessons your teen will learn over the next few
weeks. Also, High School will begin a four-week lesson using "The Princess Bride" as source material,
comparing the theme of "Death cannot stop true love" to Christ's love for us.” Dan Starr will be guest
teaching.
We are also pumped to go on the upcoming spiritual formation retreat and put into practice different
ways to create space for God to speak and us to listen. This promises to be a great time of growth and
fun. We’ve put a lot of thought and prayer into this event and trust it will be a blessing to you and your
teenager.
There is now a youth calendar that you can add to your phone calendar, refrigerator, and desktop. It is
the official BakerYouth calendar and has all major upcoming events included. You can also look forward
to receiving emails from the same email address.
Finally, one major push in our youth program is to connect parents to our work and their young people.
As a parent, it can be difficult to make sense of a changing child, a changing world and everything else
going on each day. We understand. No, really, we do. We do not have all the answers, but we are here
for you. Over the next few weeks, look for materials from Sunday School, Confirmation and our other
programs that will enable you to connect on common ground with your young person/people. In
addition, here are a few suggestions to try out over the next few days:
Listen to a parenting podcast
Seek out a parent with older children and ask for their input and perspective.
Connect with the youth leaders your child interacts with regularly
Read a passage of scripture together before bed
Give thanks for something together in the morning before school
Blessings to you,
Carl King
Attention Dads and Daughters (4th grade and older) – You are Invited
Miriam Circle’s Father Daughter Dinner and Dance!
Saturday, February 4
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Baker Hall
Come for a special evening of dinner and dancing! Girls, if your dad cannot come, bring your
grandfather, uncle, or friend! Tickets on sale during Fellowship on Sundays, January 8, 15, and 22
$40 per couple, $20 for each additional daughter
Please also come to our optional preparation meeting for dads and daughters on Sunday, January 29,
12:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
Tell your friends about this event! Questions or to purchase tickets, contact Sarah Hardwick 630-513-
9138 [email protected] or Jennifer Swenson 630-513-1672 [email protected]
Scenes from the 2016 Father-Daughter Dinner and Dance
Young Adult Ministry
Upcoming Events
January 4, 6:30-7:30pm (childcare provided) - Young Adult Bible Study
January 14, 10-12pm - St. Charles History Museum CleanUp
*Also, we’re putting together a softball team that will play at Pottawatomie! If you are interested in
joining the team, contact Jon Zenker.
So, let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the
promises that keep us going. He always keeps His word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in
encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other
on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25 (MSG)
We have been in the book of John for a few months now, and it has started so many conversations and
deeper looks into scripture. We’ve talked about the Trinity, whether miracles exist, social justice and
even how Jesus’ actions do not always mesh with our expectations - especially the temple scene. (John
2:13-17) The beautiful part is how we can all be at different stages in our Christian experience, yet still
grow together. We started small and have grown over time.
In the same vein, we want to start the Christian mission of helping out small at first. This month, we’re
going across the street to the Saint Charles History Museum to help rehab and remodel the space. They
have reached out to the community for help in expanding their space and working through their records
and we agreed it would be a great opportunity for young adults.
As the scripture above says, we are eager to meet together and are seeking inventive ways of helping
out and encouraging one another. This is rooted in the fact that God has called each of us and made us
presentable. We are accepted by Him.
God’s blessings on you in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Carl King
Director, Youth and Young Adults
Finance Committee Corner YTD November 2016 Financial Information
Current Operating Fund Balance is a POSITVE $ 53,661
Year to date
Total Giving to date $ 766,821
Total Disbursements $ 725,838
Net Change $ 40,982
These numbers reflect restricted and unrestricted funds.
Apportionments paid Year to date $ 86,152
Overall fund balances including restricted funds of $ 50,139, totals $ 103,800.
Stewardship Campaign update The total operating budget for 2017 is $ 782,000 which we prayerfully hope to support by an increase in
pledged giving by 7% to a total of $562,000. Current update on the Stewardship Campaign is that we
have received 116 pledges for a total of $517,000. Please submit your pledge if you haven’t already
done so. $46,000 to go!!
So many wonderful things are happening here. Please make your pledge today by either returning your
pledge card or go to www.bakermemorialchurch.org and click on the Stewardship banner at the bottom
of the page to pledge online. EFT giving is encouraged. If you are an EFT giver… please complete a new
pledge card for 2017 if you haven’t already done so.
$-
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
Budget Commitments received
Missions Corner
Baker Memorial's 2016 NOLA Team worked side by side with both the ladies pictured below. The home
we helped build was for Trenace (right), but Gloria was there every day working hard as well. Gloria's
home was to break ground a few months later. A requirement, among others, is to work on a site for a
total of 350 hours, whether your homes site or someone else's. If this perks your interest in helping to
re-build New Orleans we are going in mission the week of May14th, 2017 and would love to have you
join us helping to construct a home for another! Any skill level is welcome. Call Chris Stumpf at 630-709-
7761 or email 630-709-7761 for details.
The path to becoming a Habitat homeowner is full of excitement, anticipation, and hard work.
Lots of hard work. Over the course of a year, the future homeowner must earn 350 hours of
sweat equity. Future homeowners who begin this process around the same time often get to
know one another as they work side by side, first in the ReStore and then out on build sites.
Because we know that we’re not only building homes, but also communities, we’re always
delighted when future homeowners become friends. Here is the story of the first of two Habitat
friendships.
When asked about their friendship, Gloria and Trenace are all smiles. These new neighbors finish each
other’s sentences and throw their arms around each other’s shoulders. Each took a winding road to get
here, but they’re happy to be on the journey.
Trenance Walker was born and raised in New Orleans, living in the 7th Ward until Hurricane Katrina
forced her to relocate to Virginia for nearly a year. She was thrilled to choose a lot for her Habitat home
back in the 7th Ward, and she’s proud to achieve the dream of homeownership, something her mother
always longed for but was never able to attain. Gloria Poolaw was born and raised in Oklahoma, but
she’s been happy to call New Orleans home for some time now. She’s overcome many challenges in
building a life here. Becoming a homeowner is a symbol of all she’s achieved along the way.
When Gloria and Trenace met in the ReStore, they were delighted to learn that they had chosen lots just
a few blocks apart on the same street. As they chatted, Gloria mentioned that she didn’t have a car, so
the two women decided they would coordinate their volunteer hours to work together. Ever since, the
duo has been a steady, sunny presence on our build sites. Trenace explains it like this: “Our first site we
started out on was in the Ninth Ward, and ever since then we’ve been pals. Good buddies. So, we’re on
the journey together. We’re getting there!
Thank You Dear Members and Friends of Baker Memorial UMC,
Nancy and I are profoundly thankful for the many well wishes, prayers, gifts, visits, and expressions of
support we have received from friends on the occasion of my retirement from full time itinerant United
Methodist Ministry in December after 40 and a half years of service.
I have been blessed by my connections to Baker Memorial because of your vital ministry in providing a
spiritual home, cherished friendships, mission and ministry opportunities, and superb pastoral care to
my parents, David and Doris Wagner in the final chapters of their lives.
Your support in helping my brother, Rev. Richard Wagner, and me conduct memorial services at Baker
for Dad in November of 1999 and Mom in June of 2006 continues to be deeply appreciated.
We will be making our retirement home in Holland, Michigan and look forward to staying in touch in the
years ahead. I will be continuing in my role as co-chair of the design team to help in the formation of a
new Michigan Conference for the United Methodist Church in Michigan, and will be spending more time
promoting my new book: “God Incidents: Real Life Stories to Strengthen and Restore Your Faith”. You
can connect with us via our email address at [email protected] or on Facebook. If you are
interested in the book, check out www.glennmwagner.com and the easy links to booksellers where you
can also get a free preview of the table of contents, forward by Bishop Sharon Rader, introduction, and
chapter 1 online.
Thank you again and a blessed new year. You are a great church and I am privileged that our paths have
crossed.
God bless you,
Rev. Dr. Glenn Wagner
Opportunities to Serve
Baker Memorial partners with local vocational training program
You may have seen a few new faces around our church these past few months. We have partnered with
the Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative (mvse.org) to allow students from their vocational
program an opportunity to gain work experience. These students have completed high school and are
receiving job training and coaching with continued support until age 22 when they “age out” of the
program. In addition to the students, you will see job coaches in the building as well. Coach Mary is
there every Tuesday and Thursday - please say hello!
Donations for the Day Guest meals
Ever wish you could contribute to the Day Guest meals ministry, but that full-time job keeps getting in
the way? It’s hard for some of us to get to church during the week, especially from 11am - 1pm on a
work day. Yet, that’s when this wonderful ministry serves a hot meal and provides an hour of fellowship
to our day guests.
We have an opportunity for anyone to support this program. If you can be here to cook, serve, and eat -
that’s great and we will handle the cleanup. If you can provide ingredients and a simple recipe for
someone else to prepare and serve, please sign up! The students from Mid-Valley need the opportunity
to practice their life skills and develop some potentially employable skills like meal preparation and
running an industrial dishwasher. If you donate the groceries and the recipe, the students will prepare,
serve and clean up the meal. If you prepare the meal and serve it, the students can make a salad and
clean up.
Please consider signing up on the meal train, calling the church office, or emailing the program
coordinators to volunteer.
Meal Train: https://mealtrain.com/z9dyzd
Mandy Hale’s email: [email protected]
Judy Schlarb’s email: [email protected]
United Methodist Men
The next Men’s Breakfast will be held on January 15th at 7:30 am. All Men are invited for great food
and fellowship. A donation of $3 is appreciated. Bring a friend!
The next UMM football gathering will take place in February for the Super Bowl. Stay tuned for date
and time.
Baker Memorial UMC will be hosting a Heartland Blood Drive on Wednesday January 11th from 3:30-
7:30pm in the back of Wiley Hall. To make an appointment go to www.heartlandbc.org or contact Pete
Holmes at 630-377-2183. Everyone who donates will receive $10 to spend at Noodles and Company. A
photo Id is required to donate.
United Methodist Women
SarahRuth: Wednesday, January 25th Edith Goesle will be hosting this meeting at The Holmstad in
Batavia at 1:30 pm
Lydia: Tuesday, January 24 at 7 pm at Pat Warren's home. Our guests will be local author, Ramesh Shah
and his wife Mina. Ramesh has written a memoir of his journey from India to the United States in the
book entitled, "Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day” If you would like to read this book before the meeting, it
is available at the church library, the St Charles library or can be bought at Town House Books or on
Amazon. Ramesh’s journey is both fascinating and inspirational.
Phoebe: January 10 | 9am-Noon | Cozy winter Movie Morning!
We will be watching God Is Not Dead II and following up with a discussion of the movie. Kristin Fischer
has offered to host the meeting.
Priscilla: Tuesday, January 10 at 7 pm in Church Kitchen. We will be making sugar cookies for our
February meeting which will be decorating cookies with children at Ronald McDonald House. Everything
will be provided, so just show up and help roll and bake cookies. RSVP to Jenn Gunn.
Rebekah: Feed My Starving Children on February 20. More info to come.
Miriam: Father/Daughter Dinner and Dance, February 4
Leadership Meeting is Wednesday, January 4 at 9 am in the church parlor.
Winter Mission U will be January 20-22 at Reynoldswood in Dixon. Registration and information sheet is
on the UMW bulletin board at church. See Betty Erickson for more information.
Baker Memorial United Methodist Church Staff
Rev. Mary Zajac—Senior Pastor Jeff Hunt—Director, Music Ministry
Lori Slaymaker-Stahulak—Pastoral Intern Mark Edwards—Organist
Mandy Hale—Director, Children & Family Ministry Jenn Gunn—Director, Administration &
Communication
Carl E. King—Director, Youth & Young Adult Ministries Michele Claney — Creative Director
Judy Schlarb—Finance Manager Karl Lescelius—Facilities
Editor’s Note: My apologies for the late arrival and informal layout of this month’s Carillon. We’ve been distracted by some
family issues.
