St. Charles (Campton Hills) cuccstc.org. Easter Sunday Worship Services

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1 Highlight Increasing Our Love for God & Neighbor The Congregational United Church of Christ St. Charles (Campton Hills) cuccstc.org April 2, 2015 Issue 4 Easter Sunday Worship Services 8:30am Brief Service 9:30am & 11am Identical Services with Sunday School Through 7th Grade. There will be a special Easter Coffee Fellowship in Fellowship Hall. Maundy Thursday - April 2 - Service in Fellowship Hall begins at 6pm with dinner served by the Worship Committee. Good Friday - April 3 - The sanctuary will be open for personal prayer from 9am to Noon. Orientation New Members Received April 19, 2015 An orientation evening will be held on Monday, April 14 at 7:30pm. Contact the church office for more information.

2 Pray for each other so that you may be healed... James 5:16 (NIV) Thanks a bunch! I want to especially thank those who are responsible for recording the sermons and the faith journeys each Sunday, and then making sure they are on our church s web page for those of us who are home bound. You have to love this particular technology that enables us to still be a part of the Sunday worship experience, even when we are unable to get to church for whatever reason! Just to make sure you know your ministry is very much appreciated!!!! Thank you! -Pat Kitner Please Pray for Vic dejourno passed away on March 11th. Marla Hecht Katelyn Keck Ralph Minard Hannah Nieman Barbara Wiebmer Dee Zimmerman Men s Fellowship Walking Group 3rd Saturday of each month, 8am Contact George Mohn for information and location sangeomohn@att.net Pottawatomie Partnership Volunteers are needed each Saturday at 8:30am. #13, 1620 S. 13th Ave, St. Charles. Highlight Newsletter Copy Deadline Monday, April 27 BEFORE NOON Many, many thanks for everyone s kinds thoughts and expressions of support before, during & after my recent surgery. I am returning to normal, whatever that is! And feeling extremely blessed. Pat Kitner We would like to thank everyone for the prayers, cards and concerns with my brothers death. It has been a difficult time but with all the support it has been getting easier each day. Thanks so much Jack & Sandie Bils SAVE THE DATE! Ladies get away weekend, Sharing Love and Inspiration is October 30 through November 1. Mark your calendars and join other ladies of the church for a fun, relaxing weekend. More details later. Food on the 4 th APRIL 26 FRUITS & VEGGIES The theme is household. Please bring canned fruit, canned vegetables, dry potatoes, raisins for the St. Charles Salvation Army Food Pantry and the Elburn Food Pantry Altar Flower Donations There are still many Sundays available for altar flower donations in Sign up on the Worship Bulletin Board next to the elevator. You will be contacted to make arrangements for your flower donation and what you would like printed in the bulletin. And after church you get to take them home! Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Please continue to save pop tabs. Bring them to the hutch just outside the church office. This is an ongoing project, reaching to infinity and beyond... Thank you, Pat Kitner Manna News Thank you all for your generous support of our high school Galilee of Friends (GF) through the Manna gift card program. Profit of $400 from Manna sales on March 1 and March 8 is going to GF for their spring break work trip. Best wishes and safe travels to GF as they demonstrate God s love. No Manna gift card orders will be taken on Easter. Manna will be back on Sunday, April 12. April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 2 MANNA MANNA MANNA MANNA MANNA MANNA _ MANNA MANNA

3 A NOTE ABOUT WORSHIP... I love our church and especially the way we smile and talk when we greet each other on Sunday morning - both long term members and visitors. It is wonderful. But I also like preparing for worship - turning from loving my neighbor to loving God. In worship it is called the prelude and it is not just the warm up act but a way for all of us to focus on our worship experience. I have asked Dennis to do quiet reflective music for our prelude to help us turn our face towards God. I ask you, our worshiping congregation, to let the prelude quiet your tongue and spirit as we help each other come together in God s presence. Let the prelude be your call to meaningful worship. ~ John LIGHT A CANDLE Doesn t lighting a candle feel sacred? It has for centuries. It is today. Now you have an opportunity to light a candle and offer a prayer from our web site. Light a candle to remember a loved one, to pray for someone, to celebrate an event or to seek God s guidance and strength. You may leave your initials next to your candle, and by entering CUCC in the group box, all candles lit by members and friends of our church will be grouped together and visible for all. Your candle will remain on the site for about 48 hours. Please return often for a moment of quiet and prayer and to light a candle of hope. After you have lit your candle you will be asked if you wish to make a donation. Please know that this is not your church asking but the sponsoring agency gratefulness.org Critical Mass The 8:30 informal prayer worship service will go on sabbatical at the end of April for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is attendance, especially summer attendance. Our average for the past 6 months is 19.6 each Sunday with a low of 1 and high of 30. Last summer though, there were a number of Sundays under 10, too small to have an effective community worship service. That is rather ironic since one of the original reasons for creating the 8:30 service was the thought that during the summer members would welcome a brief early worship. Did not work. That s okay; you try something and see. Between May 3 rd (Confirmation Sunday) and September 6 (Labor Day Weekend) there will be NO 8:30 service. If you would like to see it return in the fall speak with John, Suzy or the Worship Committee. Kayla Eichstaedt 1 Ashley Fortcamp 1 Abigail Gust 1 Alexis Lindsey 1 Kate Masinick 1 Robin Pokorski 1 Emily Avellana 2 John Rodgers 2 John DeBates 3 Faith Powell 3 Brianna Wascher 3 Kathy Brens 4 Bradley Graupner 4 Dea Hamilton 4 Gwen Hoepfner 4 Trish Thompson 4 Kevin Kathe 5 Kayla VanBergen 5 Ashley Vial 5 Bailey Harding 6 Mike Baer 7 James Brennan 7 Kim Stines 7 Jim Benzing 8 Miki Powell 8 Joanne Rickard 8 Bill Landgraf 9 Colleen Samuelson 9 Derrick Baer 11 Mitchell Baer 11 Charlotte Caprini 11 Kameron Cluchey 11 Rich Doerr 11 Carol Holmes 11 Carolyn Lykins 11 Rich Megliola 11 Peter Santucci 11 Garett Collins 12 Dee James 12 Stella Moran 12 Cole Balzanto 13 Sandie Bils 13 Larissa MacNeille 13 Mike Daly 14 Nicole Severson 14 Andrew Diorio 15 Haley Tams 15 Janet Munz 16 Samantha Harding 17 Candi Inc 17 Megan Moffitt 17 Joseph Schultz 17 Please pray for them on their birthdays. Jenny Koulback 18 Hunter Sneed 18 Tammy Swanson 18 Pam Reed 19 Callie Webster 19 Ed Boltz 20 Emily Freiny 20 Dave Kathe 20 Judy Legat 20 Jim Lorenz 20 Joshua Stewart 20 Madeline Wadington 20 Eric Weidl 20 Dean Hemmingsen 21 Tom McCracken 21 Sandra Devermann 22 Chris Fernandez 22 Travis Pettijohn 22 Ron Richards 22 Madison Wnek 22 August Larson 23 Barbara Pankoke 23 Sloan Samuelson 23 Andy Schulthess 24 Jacqueline Turyna 24 Shae Urban 24 John Campbell 25 Alexandra Johnson 25 Madi Juby 25 Cam Moore 25 Marc Urban 26 Mark Wodrich 26 Brendan Daly 27 Kirby DeBates 27 Katie Dieckman 27 Shannon Eichler 27 Bryn Kurtz 27 Larry Nothnagel 27 Benjamin Shurts 27 Jocelyn Webster 27 Jenifer Anhalt 28 Ben Banwart 28 Brian Kleckner 28 Abbey McAuliff 28 Mallory Mroz 28 Ateka Piper 28 Jenn Voirol 28 Garrett Gust 29 Drew Blakeley 30 Maryellen Moran 30 Kelly Skowronski 30 Helga Returns Helga Cornell, our exchange minister in 2007, is returning to our congregation from April 27 to May 9. Helga is looking forward to seeing friends in our congregation, especially those she married and baptized! If you would like to share an afternoon or a meal with Helga please call Tricia or Trish in the office to get on her calendar. If you like to go shopping - she would love to join you. April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 3

4 Spring Brunch Mark your calendars for our annual Spring Brunch, April 19th, right after church! Sign-up in Fellowship Hall on the Congregational Life bulletin board to bring a dish to pass. All food should be hot and ready to serve! Any questions, Tara Moffitt at Taramoff5@gmail.com. Congregational Life is looking for volunteers to help serve coffee fellowship. There are step by step directions available by the sign up sheet on the Congregational Life bulletin board. Sign up today - it s fun and you get first dibs on the treats! Keep an eye on our web site for an instructional video coming soon! Mystery Mixer May 30th Congregational Life is looking for Mystery Mixer hosts on May 30th. The host simply supplies paper goods and ice while the guests bring drinks and appetizers! If you are interested in hosting, please contact Kim Barth at connections@cuccstc.org. Indicate whether you are willing to host families or adults only. Book Club 101 (with wine) Looking to try another book club? Book Club 101 (with wine) will begin June 18th at 7:00 in the home of Kelly and Rob Cameron. The sign-up is on the Congregational Life bulletin board. The first book choice is The Girl on the Train. Novel Approaches May 15 Pearl by Mary Gordon. Location Marilyn & Dave Schave. On Christmas night of 1998, Maria Meyers learns that her twenty-year-old daughter, Pearl, has chained herself outside the American embassy in Dublin, where she intends to starve herself to death. Although Maria was once a student radical and still proudly lives by her beliefs, gentle, book-loving Pearl has never been interested in politics nor in the Catholicism her mother rejected years before. What, then, is driving her to martyr herself? Shaken by this mystery, Maria and her childhood friend (and Pearl s surrogate father), Joseph Kasperman, both rush to Pearl s side. As Mary Gordon tells the story of the bonds among them, she takes us deep into the labyrinths of maternal love, religious faith, and Ireland s tragic history. Pearl is a grand and emotionally daring novel of ideas, told with the tension of a thriller. Circle of Friends Wednesday, May 20th 10 am Please join us on Wednesday, May 20 for a tour of Garfield Farm Museum. We will meet at the museum at 10 am where we will be given a guided tour and be brought up to date on all the restorations in progress. The fee is $3 per person. After our tour we will gather at Old Town Pub for lunch. This meeting of Circle of Friends will be our last until the fall. Any questions call Mary Anne Rebernak at All are welcome. The CSO Concert June 25 at Morton Arboretum s signup is on the Congregational Life bulletin board. The theme this year is Hollywood Heroes and Superheroes. Tickets are $35.00 a person. The deadline to sign-up is May 15th. Any questions? Kathy Mizgalski at Kathymizgalski@gmail.com. Do you have an extra counter top microwave you don t really need? The microwave in the church office recently quit working and we could use another one - so we can eat lunch! The dimensions of the opening are 27 W x 16 H x 12 D (the current microwave was 14 deep and fit fine). Please call or the church office if you have a microwave you would like to donate office@cuccstc.org

5 Intentional Travel Northern Italy Travel Group to Meet The Intentional Travel Group going to Northern Italy will gather for a potluck and informational meeting on Sunday afternoon, April 26, at the home of Jeanne and Rett Humke. We will gather at 4:00, have our discussion, and then enjoy our meal. If you have friends or family who might be interested, there are still spaces available. There are brochures at church, and/or you can contact John at jrrucc@gmail.com or Susan at smrmsw@sbcglobal.net with questions. We will be touring the beautiful northern region of Italy, including Milan, Lake Maggiore, Verona, Venice, and the Cinque Terre coastland. This trip encompasses a variety of geography, from mountains to lakes, cities to villages, from the west coast to the east coast. Lake Maggiore is one of several small and large lakes in the north with gorgeous mountain backdrops. Venice is the beautiful city floating on the sea, with a somewhat tumultuous history and captivating architecture. The Cinque Terre, on the eastern coast, is a stretch of five towns charming and picturesque - that are only accessible by boat or train or foot/bike path. On our trip, we will be accompanied by a tour guide from Discover Europe, the travel agency we use, as well as a local guide in some cities. Lazarus House Wednesday, April 15, :30 pm 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles Our meal for April will have an Easter Dinner Theme. We will be serving ham for the main course. Sides for dinner include scalloped or cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce or relish. Your favorite recipe for the casseroles or a suggested recipe can be used. Hams will be provided. We also need milk, juice and cereal for breakfast and 15 sack lunches. Sandwiches for the sack lunches should be packed separately so they can be refrigerated until they are served. Items can be delivered any time during the day but no later than 6:30 pm. Signup sheet and recipes are on the bulletin board near the Mark closet. Questions? Call Grace Caldwell at home or cell. net or Diane Brown: dianegreg@sbcglobal.net. Swing Set Preschool Mom n Tot s Market When: Friday, April pm in Fellowship Hall A variety of shopping for all ages! Approximately 50 vendors and crafters will have items for sale. Raffle Basket Prizes All orders will be delivered in time for Mothers Day. Vendors such as Jamberry Nails, Orgami Owl, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Tastefully Simples, custom clothes for kids, crafters and more! Fox Valley Interfaith DISCOVERING SACRED ARCHITECTURE TOUR Come one! Come all! Mark your calendars and plan three special afternoons of touring sacred spaces in 11 landmark sites of worship. This unique and free event has been organized by Fox Valley Interfaith, with a goal of getting to know our faith community neighbors better and learning how architecture reflects faith traditions. Sites are in Aurora, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles. April 19, May 17 and June 28, from 1-4 pm, docents will welcome the public to tour. You can look forward to charming chapels, inspiring sanctuaries and lovely gardens. There will be stained glass windows from the 1800s, rubble stone limestone walls, needlepoint kneeling cushions, Tiffany and Geller windows, hand carved altars and much more. There are no tickets and no registration. It is flexible, FREE and planned for your appreciation. Children will enjoy this as they explore new places. Our church will be open for the tour on June 28. See the Church Council bulletin board, our website cuccstc.org or go to DuPage-County-InterFaith for all the details. Please help spread the word to all you know. We will serve our friends in Humbolt Park and Pilsen neighborhoods on Tuesday, April 21. Sign up sheets for donations are on the Night Ministry board in Fellowship Hall. April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 5

6 The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second Monday of each month in the church parlor from 10am until noon. Knitters and crocheters can be part of this group even if they are unable to attend meetings. For more information call Mary Anne Rebernak at or her at Peaceful Heart Yoga with Donna Burg Yoga is now being held in the sanctuary Monday s 9:00-10:15am and Thursday s 2-3:15pm. All are welcome to attend 1 or both of the sessions!!! Namaste... New session beginning on Apr. 6 8 weeks, Mondays from 9-10:15am. April 6th - June 1st, No class May 25 $80 for 8 weeks, $12 per week (drop in) Pay at class. Sign up on Congregational Life Bulletin Board. New class beginning on Apr. 9 8 weeks, Thursdays from 2-3:15pm. April 9th - June 4th, No class May 14 $80 for 8 weeks, $12 per week (drop in) Pay at class. Sign up on Congregational Life Bulletin Board. Spiritual Growth Retreat This year s Spiritual Growth retreat will be April 9 and 10 at Loretto Convent in Wheaton. The title for our time together is The Bible, A Source for Spiritual Growth? We will be using the Bible, in some unusual ways, to further strengthen our relationship with God and Neighbor. Donna Burg and her friend Yolanda, will also lead a special spiritual experience. No matter what your knowledge of the Bible or Spiritual Growth, don t be intimidated. Sign up on the Parish Nurse bulletin board. Whoever does not see God in every place does not see God in any place. Rabbi Elimelech Automated External Defibrillator located near office door. Look for overhead AED sign. Phone is on the adjacent wall. To call for help, press an outside line and dial 911. April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 6 Scholarships Available Submit your application before Monday, May 4 for the Westphal or Caldwell-Caldwell-Benter Scholarship Awards. Forms are now available in the church office and on the web site cuccstc.org (downloads tab, newsletters and forms, under miscellaneous forms) or follow this link goo.gl/0hjwjy. Any member of the congregation who is beginning or currently pursuing post-high school education providing they are not completing their education this spring is eligible for the scholarships. This may include, but is not limited to, four-year college, community college and trade or professional schools. Criteria for the awards is based on factors such as church involvement, academic achievement and financial need. Parlor Art For the second year in a row parlor art from Easter through the end of May is featuring the works of the Sunday school kids from preschool through 7th grade. As you enter the narthex, to the left and right are murals entitled God s Earth Laughs in Flowers featuring the handprints of our preschoolers. Each child s handprint is so unique but together they make a beautiful masterpiece. Follow along into the parlor where the theme continues with handprints of our kindergarten and 1st graders turned into beautiful flowers that have bloomed to continue the laughter. Also will be found are footprints of our 2nd and 3rd grades that have been turned into bumble bees and bunny rabbits. Spring abounds! Also in the parlor can be found handprints of our 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th graders with a title developed and chosen by the 4th and 5th graders Hands Around God s Colorful World. Each handprint has been uniquely designed with the student s name incorporated into it. Special thanks go out to Terry Morton for helping produce and develop these art works. Also thanks to ALL the teachers who helped the kids during the Sunday school time make these beautiful pieces of art for all to enjoy and remind us of the promise of new life especially during this Easter time. MEAL MINISTRY If you could provide an occasional meal for a church member, please contact Patti Molloy at nurse@uccstc.org or Mary Lou Bracken at marylou1206@att.net or sign up on the Parish Nurse bulletin board.

7 NEW BOOKS IN THE ADULT LIBRARY Koenig, Karen. Sacred Process. When a devastating disease rendered the author incapable of painting her beautiful portraits, Karen Koenig had many opportunities to fall into emotional patterns of denial, recrimination, grief, and despair. Instead, she chose love of life, love of God, and love of family; and created word paintings demonstrating her resilience, perseverance, and, above all, her splendid optimism. Despite her impaired vision, she had the capacity to see and perceive, as well as the will to enjoy. Morton F. Goldberg, M.D. Kushner, Harold S. How Good Do We Have to Be? A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness. The author puts human feelings of guilt and inadequacy in perspective and teaches us how we can learn to accept ourselves and others even when we and they are less than perfect. This is a book for everyone who experiences that sense of guilt and disappointment. He shows us how human life is too complex for anyone to live it without making mistakes, and why we need not fear the loss of God s love when we are less than perfect. Harold Kushner reveals how acceptance and forgiveness can change our relationships with the most important people in our lives and help us meet the bold and rewarding challenge of being human. Little, Brown and Company publisher. Stegner, Wallace. Crossing to Safety. (Most recent book for Novel Approaches) This book has, since its publication in 1987, established itself as one of the greatest and most cherished American novels of the twentieth century. Tracing the lives, loves, and aspirations of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, it is a work of quiet majesty, deep compassion, and powerful insight into the alchemy of friendship and marriage. CUCC Highlight, March 5, Taylor, Barbara Brown. Learning to Walk in the Dark. The best-selling author, one of Time magazine s 100 most influential people in 2014, and acclaimed Episcopal priest, shares her spiritual insights on balancing light and darkness within us. Taylor has become increasingly uncomfortable with our tendency to associate all that is good with lightness and all that is evil and dangerous with darkness. Doesn t God work in the nighttime as well? She asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us in the dark. Darkness she writes, is SHORTHAND for anything that scares us. She encourages us to turn out the lights and embrace the spiritual darkness, for it is in the dark, she maintains, that one can truly see. June Sawyers Vacation Bible School Registration 4 years old through 5th grade June 22-25, 9-11:30am & Thurs. Night June 25, 5-6:30pm The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles G-Force: Be Transformed to Move! Act! Care! Follow! Share! And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8 Name Last First (Preferred) Male/Female Address City ZIP Birthdate Age Grade Entering Circle One: Church Member or Friend Parent(s) Guardian Are you available to help? Yes No Nursery available for children of volunteers check if needed Cell Phone Home phone Allergies or other conditions which may limit activity In case of emergency, contact One form per child $15 ATTACHED $ (You can write one check for more than one child.) Check if you need a scholarship for registration. Make check payable to: Congregational UCC, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. St. Charles IL Mark VBS on Memo Line of Check. Questions? Call Tassie Brautigam St. Charles church office (630) (Office Credit Account # 3112 Cash Check Number Initial April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 7

8 Tassie Brautigam Christian Education Coordinator SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION: 4 Not the final 4 but this is the number of families that our Sunday school offering will be providing clean water to so far. Now through May, all of the offering brought in will continue to be used to help additional families get clean water. Check out the bulletin board in the Sunday school hallway to see how many drops in the bucket we are up to. Each drop means we have collected $100 and that means we will be able to provide clean water to a family somewhere in the world. Clean water will be provided through our donation to World Vision who is working to provide clean water to millions around the world. They also note how clean water does save a child s life in ways more than can be imagined. Over and over, 4-year-old Gihozo has to walk an hour with heavy cans to get water for his entire family. Unfortunately the water Gihozo gets is dirty and makes him sick. As Jesus said, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25: 40 SUNDAY SCHOOL SCOOP: Preschoolers through 5th grade began learning about Paul and the Early Church through his letter to the Ephesians. As Christians we are grounded in love and celebrate the beauty and value in each individual, and to seek the unity that embraces our differences. This sums up the words on the wall in the Sunday school area and above the doors leading to the parlor: No matter who you are or wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. The 6th and 7th graders will be discovering how the 4 gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - tell the events of Holy Week differently in some ways. However, in all accounts, the ending is the same the power of hope and love that IS the Easter story. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: Help change lives! All of Sunday school will be receiving One Great Hour of Sharing boxes on Sunday April 12th. That penny you see on the ground that might be the one needed to make a difference in the lives of many here and around the world. From April 12th until the boxes are received back here at church on April 26th, save your pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters, and more. Know that what you give will change lives. HELPING HANDS: Spring, glorious spring! On April 15th from 5PM 6PM all 4th and 5th graders are invited to join in adding to the beauty of future springs by planting all the flowers from our Easter décor. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS): June 22 25, 9 11:30 and Thursday Night June 25, 5 6:30. Registration forms are now available online at our website. Go to Christian Education and scroll down to VBS and click on 2015 registration form. Registration forms can also be found in the Sunday school hallway, in this Highlight and on the Christian Ed board in fellowship hall. Our theme is G-Force: Be Transformed to Move! Act! Care! Follow! Share! Come enjoy crafts, storytelling, music, science, games, and snacks! All are welcome to join us family, friends, neighbors. SUMMER CAMP: Registration forms for a great variety of summer camp experiences are available in the Sunday school hallway, on the CE board in fellowship hall and online at Our own Suzy Daly will again be a part of the great leadership team for Sports Camp. Scholarships of $25 for 3 day camps and $100 for 7 day camps are made available through the Linder Colson Campership Fund. Questions? See Suzy Daly or Tassie Brautigam. EASTER EGG HUNT: Many thanks to the CE committee for putting on the oh so fun Easter Egg Hunt on March 21st kids enjoyed crafts, hunting for eggs, and choosing prizes. It was wonderful to have so many in attendance on a beautiful sunny morning!!! UPCOMING HAPPENINGS: April 5 Easter Sunday school at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services for ages preschool through 7th grade April 26 Teacher Appreciation Sunday - Sweet Heart Choir (Preschool 1st Grade) will perform a song during Moments with Children in honor of all of our teachers April 26 Bring in your One Great Hour of Sharing box and leave it in your classroom. June Vacation Bible School G-Force for ages 4 year olds through 5th grade (the grade entered in the fall of 2015) TEACHER APPRECIATION: On Sunday, April 26th, we would like to say a big thank you to all the fabulous caring teachers who are so instrumental in helping our children grow in their faith as they learn to share Jesus love for all people. Your time, talent, and love for our children are so greatly appreciated. Are You Interested in Walking? There is a group of men and women who walk from church each Thursday morning at 8am. We walk a little over 2 miles on trails in Fox Mill. We may walk inside if the trails are in poor condition or if the weather is severe. Please contact Carol Ludemann to be added to the list for updates or cancellations, ludemann@ sbcglobal.net. Followers Of God Puppet Troupe Meetings are from 5-7pm in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Jeanne Humke if you have any questions - humkegrp@aol.com or Jeanne Humke Followers Of God April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 8

9 Who s in the Pews? Mike Linder By Sue Peterson Mike Linder is a person you probably already know. He is our church webmaster! Thanks, Mike, for doing a great job on the website. He has been and still is involved in our local church and the church at large, but let me start at the beginning. In the 1630 s in Massachusetts, Mike s ninth great grandfather was with Rev. Thomas Hooker when they fled through the woods escaping the wrath of the conservative church, ending up founding Hartford, Connecticut and First Church (a Congregational Church). His relative is remembered on a monument in the church cemetery there. So you can see Mike s UCC roots run deep (the Congregational Church became UCC in 1957). Mike s family has been in St. Charles since the 1840 s. If you know where the Filling Station restaurant is, his mother s grandparents (and later his mother and her two cousins) owned that property when it was a gas station and also owned three homes on that block. They sold it around 1982 when the last two homes were torn down. His family is quite connected to the area and to our church when we were at the downtown location at Third and Walnut Streets. So Mike (and his sister, Margie Johnson who is also a member) grew up in St. Charles. They lived on 7th Street near Davis School. In fact, Mike went to school with John Rodgers - yes, our Rev John. They were in the same class. Some of Mike s favorite memories of church were attending church camp at Pilgrim Park and Tower Hill - our two church camps we still have today. It is where he talked about faith and his spiritual growth began. It is one of the reasons he and Margie decided to contribute to a camp scholarship fund using inheritance from their mother when she died in You may have heard of the Linder-Colson Church Camp fund. Winnie Colson began the fund. She was a Sunday school teacher. In fact, when Sunday school was before church, Winnie would pick up Mike s Mother to go to Sunday school. Check out the camp opportunities. Scholarships from the fund are for everyone, passing on the experience to future generations. Mike has received some letters and talked with kids who have gone to camp. Just as Mike s spiritual growth began at camp, he can see how that continues to be true for kids today. Thank you Mike and Margie for helping that scholarship fund grow and offer financial aid to everyone who wants to go to camp, but especially for showing how we put importance on the camp experience for kids. Mike s undergrad degree was in parks and recreation but his first job actually was a teller at a bank. He worked his way up at the 1st National Bank of Elgin to eventually become Vice President of the bank. He then went on to work three years for family services in Elgin, giving financial counseling to those in need. In Barrington, he worked a year for a Savings and Loan branch and then did consulting to various banks. Mike decided to enroll in graduate school at National College for a masters degree and teaching credentials. In 1988, while Mike was starting his teaching career, Mike s father wasn t doing well. Mike came home to help his mother. His father died in the spring of Mike stayed on to help his mother and also taught social studies and physical education at middle school in East Aurora for a few years and then taught Arts and computers. He was active in the teachers union and served as president of the union. In the fall of 2000, Mike became a field service director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers helping with negotiations, retirement planning and much more. He retired in In 2007, Mike became a delegate from our church to the Fox Valley Association and Illinois Conference for four years. He became 2nd vice moderator, 1st vice moderator and moderator of the Fox Valley Association. He is the 2nd Vice President for the Illinois Conference and is currently on the personnel committee and the fitness review response team. After June, Mike is to be the 1st Vice President. He attended 3 General Synods of the UCC, twice as a delegate and will be a delegate again this year in Cleveland. So what else has Mike done through the years at our church? As a high school senior, Mike was president of Pilgrim Fellowship, the forerunner of today s GF. Later on, he was a camp counselor. For a few years, from about 1986, he counted the church offering on a regular basis and substituted on that team until He was on the search committee to call Rev. John Rodgers and is on the committee now to fill his shoes. He was on the new church planning committee and on the committee to study the open and affirming issue. As you can see, Mike is an active, giving church member. When you get a chance, ask Mike about his family history in the UCC and in St. Charles. Interesting roots. Thanks, Mike for all you do. FOX VALLEY ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETING Rev. John Thomas, the past UCC President and CTS Visiting Professor and Assistant to the President, will be the featured guest speaker at the Fox Valley Association Spring Meeting. The meeting takes place on Saturday, April 25, 8:30am-3pm, at First Congregational Church of Dundee. If you are interested in attending, contact Scott Powell, Mike Linder, Pat Kitner or the church office for registration materials. April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 9

10 The Congregational United Church of Christ Calendar Visit cuccstc.org for current calendar April 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Work Trip PALM and COMMUNION SUNDAY 8:30 AM Brief Worship 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM Happy Hearts Choir Practice (Rm. 9:30 AM Sunday School through 7th Grade 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Coffee Fellowship (FH) 5 EASTER SUNDAY 8:30 AM Brief Worship 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM Happy Hearts Choir Practice (Rm. 9:30 AM Sunday School through 7th Grade 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Coffee Fellowship (FH) 11:00 AM - 1 Worship 12 Blood Drive Hoepfner baptism 8:30 AM Brief Worship 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM Happy Hearts Choir Practice (Rm. 9:30 AM Juszczyk Baptism 9:30 AM Sunday School through 7th Grade 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Coffee Fellowship (FH) 19 New Member Sunday (FH) 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM Happy Hearts Choir Practice (Rm. 9:30 AM - 1 Spring Brunch (FH) 9:30 AM Sunday School through 7th Grade 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Confirmation Road Clean Up HIGHLIGHT Newsletter Deadline NOON no F.O.G. Puppet Troupe rehearsal Spring Break - 7:30 PM Stars-Mandarin (112) 6-7:30 PM Stars-Mandarin (112) - 10:15 AM Yoga 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Puppets (FH) 13-7:30 PM Stars-Mandarin (112) - 10:15 AM Yoga 10:00 AM Prayer Shawl Ministry (P) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Puppets (FH) 20 8:30 AM Building Maintenance - 7:30 PM Stars-Mandarin (112) - 10:15 AM Yoga Spring Break 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Richter Facility Rental (FH) 7 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Polling Place (FH) 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bible Study (P) 7:00 PM Mission Committee (O) 14 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bible Study (P) 7:30 PM New member Orientation (P) Night Ministries 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bible Study (P) Spring Break Women's Fellowship (P) 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Mom's Group Open Gym (FH) 6:00 PM Bellissimo Bell Choir Rehearsal 8 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM GF Youth Group (119) 7:00 PM Christian Education Committee (114) 7:00 PM Congregational Life Cm (P) 7:00 PM Swing Set BD Mtg (117) 15 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Helping Hands (FH) 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM GF Youth Group (119) 6:45 PM Lazarus House Homeless Shelter 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM GF Youth Group (119) Spring Break 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Maundy Thursday (FH) 7:00 PM NAMI (114) 7:30 PM Chancel Choir :15 PM Yoga 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Bellissimo Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir :15 PM Yoga 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Bellissimo Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir 23 1:30 PM - Fox Valley Justice & Witness(P) - 3:15 PM Yoga 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Bellissimo Bell Choir Rehearsal 5:00 PM 7:30 PM - 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Puppets (FH) 7:00 PM Church Council (P) April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 10 Spring Break - 5:45 PM Stars-Spanish (112 & 115) - 8:00 PM Spiritual Growth Retreat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Swing Set Homeshow (FH) - 5:45 PM Stars-Spanish (112 & 115) - 8:00 PM 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Swing Set Homeshow (FH) - 5:45 PM Stars-Spanish (112 & 115) - 8:00 PM 24 F.O.G. Puppet Troupe Puppet Festival, Orland Park - 5:45 PM Stars-Spanish (112 & 115) - 8:00 PM returns - 11 Spiritual Growth Retreat 8:00 AM TGIJ FMSC :00 AM Men's Fellowship Walking Group - 25 F.O.G. Puppet Troupe Puppet Festival, Orland Park -

11 The Congregational United Church of Christ No matter who you are, or where ever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:30am Worship Service with Sunday School Sunday School for children through 7th grade. Nursery care. Communion offered the first Sunday of each month. cuccstc.org YOU ARE WELCOME Striving to increase our love for God and neighbor, we welcome persons of every age, health condition, race, marital status, economic status, sexual orientation and religious background. We encourage you to become an active member of our church, sharing your God-given gifts in all areas of church life: worship, education, mission and ministry. Handicapped Accessible MISSION STATEMENT We, as a community in Christ, shall provide and administer a continuum of opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and outreach. It is our mission to serve individual, local, national and world needs. STAFF Church Office FAX office@cuccstc.org financial@cuccstc.org Office Hours Mon Thurs 8:30am-3pm, Fri 9am-12 Rev. Dr. John R. Rodgers Senior Minister Rev. Suzy R. Daly Associate Minister Rev. Patricia G. Kitner Assistant Minister Patti Molloy, RN Parish Nurse Tassie Brautigam Children s Ministry Kim Barth, Connections Coordinator Tricia Steele-Trish Thompson, Office Rosemary Kagel Financial Manager Dennis Beiermann Music Director Denise Beiermann Bell Choir Director Nancy Scorby Council President Tara Moffitt Congregational Life Chair Steve Sidor Christian Education Chair Ann Keck Mission Chair Mary Lou Bracken Worship Chair Bob Brautigam Facilities Carol Ludemann Women s Fellowship President Jeff Graham Youth Director Rev. William L. Nagy Pastor Emeritus All Members Ministers john.rodgers@cuccstc.org suzy.daly@cuccstc.org chatwpat@att.net nurse@cuccstc.org christianed@cuccstc.org connections@cuccstc.org office@cuccstc.org financial@cuccstc.org music@cuccstc.org April 2, 2015 The Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Charles IL Page 11 CUCCStCharles Congregational UCC St. Charles Our denomination is the United Church of Christ ucc.org Swing Set Preschool Kim Barth, Director kim@swingsetpreschool.com