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A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF EDEN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF EDEN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

How does God help us in a time when nations and peo-ple feel so sharply divided? Since the beginning of histo-ry, people have told stories as they have searched for the truth. This December, the members of Eden will search once more for the truth of God's love as they share the Christmas story together. This love, we believe, is eter-nal--it cannot be exhausted or extinguished. This love comes to us over and over, again and again, in the Christ child's birth.

The First Coming (By Madeleine L'Engle)

He did not wait until the world was ready, Until men and women were at peace.

He came when the heavens were unsteady, And the poor cried out for release.

He did not wait until the perfect time, He came when the need was deep and great.

He dined with the weary in their sorrow, Turned water into wine, he did not wait.

He did not wait until hearts were pure. In joy he came, to a tarnished world of doubt.

To a world like ours, of anguished shame, He came, and his light will not go out.

We cannot wait until the world is sane. To raise our songs with joyful voice.

He comes to share our grief, to touch our pain. He comes with love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

We encourage you to join in Eden's activities whenever you can during this important Advent and Christmas time.

Sharon Stolz Interim Pastor

EDEN OPEN: A SPACE TO GROW

Every Tuesday, 11 -7pm @ Eden UCC

DROP-IN/INCUBATOR, 11-7pm:

Come any time for coffee, wi-fi, a change of scenery for your study or

work needs

LUNCH & LEARN, 12-1pm:

November 28 - Holiday Lunch for Faith Community Leaders

December 5 - Forgiveness: The Key to Peace (Rev. Jacki Belile)

December 12 - Surviving the Holi-days after Loss (Ms. Judy Healy, LCSW)

December 19 - Discovering our Roots: A Holiday History (David Angel & Jacki Belile)

December 26 - Christmas Break

BUILDING COMMUNITY DIALOGUE

Tuesday, December 12 (7pm, Doors open at 6:30pm) Season Highs and Lows: Dealing with Holiday Stresses

COMMUNITY DIALOGUES

Monthly TBA 7pm

December 2017

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SEASONS GREETINGS (cont)

AN ADVENT BLESSING

Thus God has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

Luke 1:72-79

A Word from Jacki

The above Scripture has become a special core text for me for Advent devotions. It keeps me clear on the heart of the Gospel - forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Oh, how we need forgiveness and peace...

My prayers are with you in this holiday season, in all that we face alone and together. Together, we choose to remember God’s faithfulness, Emmanu-el’s birth (“God with us”), and the world-changing purposes of Christ’s love. May these strengthen us to do our part in “preparing the Lord’s way” today. May we turn in surrender and frailty to Him, shed-ding the burdens of thinking we must do anything else than “prepare” and receive. For our openness and receptivity open the ways of God’s miraculous powers. May we find our place anew in God’s sto-ry of mercy, light and peace – at Eden and beyond. For the Good News,

Jacki

A Word from our President

As we head into the holiday season, I’d like to take time to reflect on the past year and give thanks for all the blessings God has given us. I look at the fellowship at Eden as one of those blessings. I would like to personally thank the entire Eden family for all that you do to make our church the warm, welcoming, and secure place it is. Our congregation is developing into a strong pillar in the community that is looked upon for guidance.

I would like to thank all the members of the Eden Church Council for their time, work, and devotion to our church. As we plan for next year we will strive to keep our momentum going and develop plans to guide us into the coming years. I would also like to thank Pastor Jacki and Pastor Sharon for their guidance during our time of pastoral tran-sition. From my family to yours I wish you a Hap-py Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Ed Thomas Eden Council President

CONFIRMATION CLASSES SET TO BEGIN

Just in time for Advent, the start of the Christian liturgical year, final plans are underway for this year's confirmation class with two confirmed youth - Jack and Amanda. The vision for this sessionwas cast at a meeting with youth and families lastmonth. Our classes and other experiences withinand outside worship will be fun, informative andmost of all helpful. Special attention will be givento intergenerational learning, with various adultsincluded in conversations or events. We'll grow inChristian knowledge and faith, honor struggles andquestions, and prepare to make decisions aboutbeing confirmed at Eden. For more information,contact Debbie Miranda or Jacki Belile.

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WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

4th Annual Advent Meditation Series

Our sanctuary will once again be open for silent

prayer and meditation on three evenings during

Advent. Stop by on Tuesdays, December 5, 12 or

19 for a time of solitude in the beauty of our space,

anytime between 5pm and 7pm.

Monthly Transportation

Assistance in the Winter

One way to express Eden’s heart is to be sure that

attendees who need transportation assistance are

able to worship at Eden at least once a month. Our

idea is to aim for Communion Sundays, and to be

able to offer a ride to and from church on those

days.

Are you able to help? Volunteering even once or

twice a year in the New Year will make a differ-

ence. You can sign up to be on-call for these Sun-

days on the bulletin board in the parlor. For more

information, see Jacki.

A TESTIMONY FROM LARRY PAVIA (Our Newest Member)

A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, I joined Eden in June of this year. I first visited on Rally Day in 2015, and after occasional attendance committed to a greater presence and help with the summer youth programs in 2016 and 2017, seasonal intergeneration gatherings and our Christmas Institute trip in 2016. At the September Leadership Breakfast and in other settings I have often shared my respect for the way we at Eden our reinventing ourselves, with greater outreach to members and non-members alike in the greater Jefferson Park area. Unlike other struggling churches, we are focused on positive steps to help us find our way. Creating space to have fun, learn and grow is what we’re trying to do in the After School time I’ve been helping with on Tuesdays. I know these are challenging and exciting times at Eden. (I shared with Jacki a few months ago that I thought things might get harder for us before they get easier.) I began serving as the Building Host* in September. I’m enjoying the work of building relationships with our tenants and guests, and doing what I can to help others in caring for the building with our increased space use in mind. I look forward to an exciting period of new programs and growth at Eden.Sincerely, Larry Pavia

*The Building Host, a part-time temporary position supported by UCC grant funds, was created to help us develop the outreach component of Eden Open program, such as Tuesday offerings, and to serve the deepening collaboration with our tenants even as we seek to be wise and careful with our building.

About Larry Pavia (see story in next column)

Ask Larry about his many artistic, history and community interests in addition to his church life. Larry was confirmed in the UCC after a two-year confirmation process and was accredited as a lay leader in the 1980’s after attending the denomination’s CAML and LAMP lay ministry programs. His commitment to youth and education led him to begin teaching Sunday School in 1980, and he’s worked on youth service projects, field trips and recreational outings since then. Larry became a certified Waldorf teacher in 2007. He’s also worked professionally in graphic design and special art projects, such as stained glass windows for Luther North High School and a Baptist church in Elk Grove Village.

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PLEASE KEEP THESE FRIENDS IN YOUR

PRAYERS Send a card or give them a call to show your support.

Victims' families and all those touched by recent shootings; Matt (Katie's friend Jane's brother) injured in recent accident; Bob Decker, gaining strength at home; Gene Schnarr in ongoing knee recovery; Rich Altergott, in rehab at Resurrection; Jerry Hoppe; Hope's mother Marti, undergoing cancer treatments; Ellen's sister, Maureen, still trying to resolve health issues; Phyllis Pfeiffer; For all those affected by recent hurricanes, wildfires and earthquakes; Fritzi Fleck; Betty Norman, with health and housing concerns, including herniated disk; Ed Lorenty's mother Sally and family; Phyllis and John Schneider; Carol and Dale DeSota; Carol’s friend Marge with stage four lung cancer; Dale’s sister Betty, battling cancer; Diane Carpenter; Holly’s mother & family; For our country and citizens in this time of division; For our elected leaders' wisdom and courage; For our church, our mission, and staff; For all other concerns on our hearts.

December Communion Duane Ulrich, Grace Pfeiffer—3 *Bob Decker, Stephanie Brooks—24(Christmas Eve)

December Readers Duane Ulrich—3 Zach Thomas—10 Bob Decker—17 *Gene Schnarr (a.m.)—24Sandy Damlos—31

December Ushers Annmarie & Ethan Campus—3 Ed & Debbie Thomas—10 Daryl & Katie Dahmer—17 Ed & Debbie Thomas—24 Daryl & Katie Dahmer—31

*Christmas Eve 7pm service.

Happy Anniversary Stephan & Gail Angel—29

Happy Birthday Judy Kern—11

Brian Lutzow—13 Donald Hoppe—14 Beth Pfeiffer—14

Robert Decker—18 Emma Tollinchi—18 Aidan Castaing—20 Daryl Dahmer—24

Adriana Mensheha—26 Grace Gilliam—27 Jenny Smythe—27

Beatrice Henderson—28

WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP (cont.)

Scholarship Fund A contribution has been made to the EDEN SCHOL-

ARSHIP FUND in memory of Lilian Schnarr and

Karol (Wiegel) Anderson from Gene Schnarr

Coffee Hour Available Sundays December 3, 10 & 31. Sign up on the Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall or con-tact sandy@edenuccchicago.org or 773-332-5185.

For-Get-Me-Not Fund Thank you to Bob Decker for his contribution to

the For-Get-Me-Not Fund in memory of Sue Decker

and Rob Decker.

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Forgive For Life:

An Advent Retreat

Saturday, December 2

1pm-5pm

Eden United Church of Christ

5051 West Gunnison

Do you want to MOVE ON into a New Year? Just imagine the relief and freedom that will come from let-ting go of the weight of your past regrets, hurts and disappointments. Give yourself the gift of support for a fresh start at this nurturing retreat. Together, we'll explore the present blocks to forgiveness, and a definition which will serve as the foundation of new and lasting progress. Supported by this fresh perspective, we’ll each take our next step on the freeing path of forgiveness, whatever that might be. This event is open to people of all religious backgrounds, and will conclude with timely holiday reminders from the Christian tradition. Rev. Jacki Belile, Minister of Congregational Development at Eden, is also a certified spiritual life coach specializing in forgiveness support for the last decade. Registration: $25 ($15 for Eden attendees). No one turned away for lack of funds. Register by cash or check at Eden United Church of Christ, 5051 West Gunnison, Chicago, IL 60630. For more information, contact Jacki at 773-655-4357 or jacki@edenuccchicago.org.

GIVING & OUTREACH

$$$$$$$$$$$ ———— TREASURER’S REPORT: Our total income YTD through October was $89,108.80 and total expenses were $98,861.79. For more information, contact David Angel at 773-504-9455 or david.w.angel@gmail.com.

"GROWING EDEN'S FAMILY" GRANT UPDATE…

JOB SEARCH

We've concluded the Fall session of Financial Peace University, underwritten by Neighbors in Need grant funds and part of our wider outreach to stressed families. We had 13 class members, five from Eden and eight neighbors. Pastor Jacki and Treasurer David met last week with the UCC grant committee representative to discuss our application for a third year of funding for new inreach and out-reach programs called "Growing Eden's Family." If funded, these dollars will complete the budget for a temporary very part-time staff person with a job title of "Outreach Minister for Intergenerational Ministries." (This position will be underwritten entirely by grant funds received or supplemented internally for this program in 2016-2017.) This person will be supervised by Jacki and the Grant Team, and will coordinate efforts with CE Committee. He/she will serve for nine months up-

on hire, and help us bridge from the expanded youth activities of recent years into a future staff-ing needed to sustain goals set in 2018. See more info in the January Echo.

THANKS TO ALL WHO'VE GIVEN TO THE ROOF REPAIRS SO FAR. As of this writing we have in-hand gifts total-ing $3,870. This is a strong start, but we have much work ahead. Your consideration of this as a year-end Christmas gift would be greatly appreciated. For a status report on work done and further needs, con-tact Daryl Dahmer, Chair of Trustees at 773-259-4540.

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CLUSTER 3

NEWS... The Cluster 3 meeting was held

Monday, November 13 at Pilgrim

Congregational Church of Oak

Park.

Many of our Cluster 3 churches were present, in-

cluding St. Nicole, Eden & St. Peters.

The speaker of the evening was Minister and Law-

yer Michelle Day who spoke about CMA Justice

and Witness Program and how CMA works in con-

nection with justice and witness ministry to edu-

cate and help people who get involved in improv-

ing the criminal system. They also discussed

Christian Unity Service on January 21, 2018 at

3:00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Sandy Damlos

Cluster 3 Rep for Eden Church

FALL MISSION

OFFERINGS/PROJECTS

Our fundraisers advance Eden's

LOCAL mission:

50/50 Raffle - So far we've taken in more than

$800 for Raffle Tickets sales. Buy yours today,

and sign out a batch to sell. ALL PROCEEDS ben-

efit needed roof repairs.

Spaghetti Dinner - We've taken in $2,586 from

this year's Spaghetti Dinner. (Thanks, Sons of

Eden!).

Holiday Appeal Letter - You should have re-

ceived this letter of reflection, calendar and candid

need last week. We pray you'll respond with ex-

travagant generosity.

Thanks to supporters of our denominational and

ecumenical mission work!

RECENT ---

CropWalk to End Hunger: We expect to break

$8,000 for this year's total raised in support of the

walk!

Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to churches

and organizations doing justice work in their com-

munities. (Eden received $1500 in late 2016, to

support our educational outreach on matters of fi-

nancial distress and exploitation.) We collected

$115 for the UCC Fall offering for "Neighbors in

Need." Learn more at http://www.ucc.org/nin/.

UPCOMING --

One Great Hour Sharing Offerings: To dedicate

your mission funds to disaster relief, please write

"OGHS" on your check or regular envelope

throughout December. Together, let us remember

the vulnerable children of God, and that God meets

their need through us. We follow in the footsteps

of the Word-made-flesh.

The Christmas Fund/Veterans of the Cross: The

Christmas Fund offering (sometimes called Veter-

ans of the Cross offering) is an expression of ap-

preciation and caring to those who served as clergy

(and certain lay employees) who are now retired or

disabled and financially strained. During this holy

time of year, the offering is a profound gift. It

helps provide pension supplements, health premi-

um subsidies,

emergency assis-

tance to active or

retired clergy fami-

lies, and Christmas

gift checks to hun-

dreds of retirees

and to those who

disabled. Mark

your check or en-

velope for this des-

ignation as you are

led.

GIVING & OUTREACH (Cont.)

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December 2017 Calendar

WEEKLY

Sundays

9am Sunday School*

10am Worship

Mondays

2-5pm Office Hours

7pm Fencing Club

Tuesdays

11am-7pm Eden Open

12 Noon Lunch N Learn

3-5pm After School Time

5-7pm Girl Scouts

7pm Fencing Club

Evenings: Various Eden Open

Wednesdays

2-5pm Office Hours

5-7pm Girl Scouts

6pm Boy Scouts

Thursdays

4-6pm Super Soccer

7pm Open Gym

Fridays

2-4:30pm Office Hours

7pm Fencing

Saturdays

9am-Noon Girl Scouts

9am-Noon Super Soccer

SPECIAL EVENTS

Eden Open (see page 1)

Forgiveness Retreat,

Dec. 2, 1pm-5pm

EDEN MEETINGS

Dec. 3 CE Committee, 11:30

Dec. 10 Church Council, 11:30

Dec. 19 Worship Committee, 1pm

OUR CHURCH COUNCIL

Ed Thomas -- President ethomas@zebra.com, Cell: 847-420-6398

David Chernich – Secretary Email: djchernich@gmail.com, Cell: 773-213-3839

David Angel– Treasurer David.w.angel@gmail.com, 773-504-9455

Daryl Dahmer—Chair, Trustees daryldahmer@comcast.net; 773-259-4540

Bob Decker — Chair, Deacons 773-685-6130

Debbie Miranda — Chair, CE dmiranda_86@hotmail.com Cell: 773-453-4913

* SPECIALANNOUNCEMENT!

Our CE Team has prayerfully

discussed a change in our

Sunday School time, effective

January 2018. At that time,

Sunday School will begin at

10am. Our children will be in

worship for the first portion of

worship, then be dismissed

with a blessing to Sunday

School. For more information,

contact Debbie Miranda.

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Dated Material

773-283-5557December 2017 ECHO

"Respecting Our Elders, Growing Healthy Families,

Blessing Our Children"

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