The Pilgrim January 2013

Issue 1

Children and Youth 2

Community 3-5

Mission Possible 6

Two Way Street Coffee House 7

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Come join us and participate in true congregational style! With

budget questions, proposed changes to the Constitution, and an

on-going Associate Minister search, YOU,

the members of the congregation, may have

questions, concerns, or ideas.

This is a time to gather and share those

questions, concerns and ideas that may need

research or discussion prior to the Annual

meeting the following Sunday. I have always

believed that if one person has a question,

many others might be thinking the same

thing and just not saying it out loud. So

please join us. The forum will be held in the

sanctuary immediately following worship and

will last about one hour. –Pastor Scott

If you have a question about the

constitution, please bring a copy with you as

we will not have paper copies available at the meeting in an effort

to reduce, reuse, recycle.

Living

Open

and

Affirming

starts

Jan. 13 (see page 3)

Fi rst Congregat ional

Uni ted Church of Chri st

Downers Grove , IL

Annual Meeting

of the Congregation

Sunday, January 27

Following

morning worship

The biggest part of what makes us who we are as a congregational UCC

church is the priesthood of all believers where everyone has a ministry

in the Gospel, and every member has a voice and vote in the welfare

and life of the church. Come participate as we move forward, building

on the momentum gained in 2012 and leading us into a new year.

January Forum

Sunday, Jan. 20

Following Morning Worship

We often move from the blissful storybook

texts of Jesus’ birth into Epiphany, and then

onward to something else. Before we know it,

Lent is upon us and the next thing we know

people are trying to kill Jesus and he is branded

a traitor, and hung on a cross for capital

offenses against the empire.

What happened? Why did MOST of Jesus’

followers desert him? What made his teachings

unpopular among so many and simply too hard

to follow for others? Have we tried too hard to

make Jesus a nice guy? Is the modern version of

Jesus that the universal church follows a

“domesticated” version of the Lion of Judah?

Come and explore with us The Unpopular Jesus,

January 6th-February 10th.

January-February

Sermon Series:

The Unpopular Jesus

THE PILGRIM Page 2

Youth ministry is for middle and high school age youth.

Join us on Sundays at 12:15 p.m. for lunch and a project,

discussion or outing. Watch your e-mail for details.

Your Adult Team:

Steve Johnson, Mona Johnson, Brett Johnson, Dan Swick

and Nancy Kupka

Contact us at 1stuccdgyf@gmail.com.

Happy New Year 2013!

Here we are in 2013! I am looking forward to an

exciting year ahead! In December we had a

wonderful Christmas Pageant and an awesome Junior

Fellowship Christmas party. We made ornaments

and stockings with the names of all of the children

and adults in our PADS program. Our children

brought toys for the PADS children and some of

them even came to play with the children on

Christmas morning. What a wonderful way to “give

back” to children less fortunate than they. The true

meaning of Christmas was experienced by all.

In January our Junior Fellowship group will go on an

ice skating outing, and in February we will be seeing a

movie, with popcorn and candy. Fun, fun, fun!

Our 1st – 5th graders will finish their studies on Moses

in Sunday school this month. We will be watching the

rest of the Prince of Egypt with a discussion to follow.

Lots of planning will begin this month for our exciting

summer! Yes, I know—“so early”? But yes, we have

to get started. This year’s Vacation Bible School is

scheduled for June 10 through June 14, and will have

the theme “Everywhere Fun Fair – Where God’s World

Comes Together”. It will be a world’s fair/carnival

theme and we will be “visiting” our neighbors in

Japan, Zimbabwe, The United Kingdom, Australia and

Mexico. Each day of VBS will be devoted to one of

these countries. I am very excited about this and I

hope you will be, too. We had such a successful VBS

last year and I am hoping to have even more

participants this year. Please contact me if you would

like to teach or help with this year’s Vacation Bible

School.

Also, this summer will be our youth summer show.

All rehearsals and the show will be in July and not

stretched out all summer. Proceeds from last year’s

production supported most of this year’s Junior

Fellowship activities and $1,000 went to our Youth

Fellowship as well. So leave your calendars open for

the month of July! I will be announcing the name of

the show at a later date.

Much is happening in our Christian Education

program so keep your eyes glued to all of our

upcoming events!

Jan Barker

Jbarker@uccdg.org, 630-968-0358, ext. 223

Children’s Ministries

and Drama

The First Congregational Learning Center (FCLC) held

their Holiday Family Festival on December 4. A great

time was had by all the children, parents, staff and

ministry members. Santa was our special guest. A big

thank you goes to Ron Moravec, who was our

photographer for the evening.

Open House

Tuesday, January 8

6:30—8:00 p.m.

Fall 2013 registration begins!

First Congregational Learning Center will hold an Open

House on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, from 6:30-8:00

p.m. At that time, fall 2013 registration will be open.

Please let your friends and family know about our

program. The children will be treated to a program by

Ronald McDonald on January 8. It looks like it will be a

lot of fun!

We would like to thank all of you

for your support in 2012.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The FCLC Family

Please join us each month in 2013 as the

Ministry of Christian Education presents a very

special program, Living Open and Affirming.

To help us faithfully embrace the concept of

Open and Affirming, we are presenting a series

of monthly topics throughout 2013 to learn

about all our neighbors and the unique

challenges they may bring to our church and to

educate ourselves on how to provide that

“extravagant” welcome, and how we can

ensure that all of our guests are celebrated,

nurtured and blessed.

The series begins on Sunday, January 13, with

an introduction to the program and a full

explanation of our goals. The series continues

on the second Sunday of each month and will

address and discuss a wide range of stories

from our friends and neighbors, including addiction,

sexual orientation, homelessness, mental illness, physical

disabilities and so on.

Please join us Sunday, January 13 at 10:45 am to learn

more and be part of this important step in our journey

to truly be an Open and Affirming congregation.

Join us in Fellowship Hall, when the Rev. Melbalenia Evans,

Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Church

Vitality for the Illinois Conference, will talk about Our

Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM). OCWM is an

extension of First Congregational UCC and shared ministries

with other UCC churches at the national and international

level.

In the UCC, we covenant to be in partnership with one

another. There is no hierarchy that tells us who we hire,

how we participate in the sacraments of the church, etc. But,

we are connectional in these covenants. We share things at

the state level; church camps like Pilgrim Park and Tower

Hill, staff who help with search and call, new church starts

and helping to fund pastors for churches in small towns or

rural areas. This is only the tip of the iceberg on OCWM.

At a time when every penny matters in our stewardship,

here is an opportunity to learn how a large part of our

budget for missions is used. Please come with thoughts and

questions about OCWM.

ISSUE 1 Page 3

We are pleased to announce that the

Ministry of Christian Education is initiating a

book club in 2013. Our first meeting will be

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 and feature the

book Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.

We will meet in the chapel at 6:30 pm to

discuss the book, with emphasis on what

we learn from this book and where we see

God’s work at hand. We will also discuss

future meetings, books to consider and

book club structure. Please join us on

January 9 at our inaugural session. Any

questions, please contact Linda Schranz at

630-852-5876 or lsmedia52@aol.com

Living

Open and Affirming

January 13

10:45 am

Calling All

Readers!

New Book Club

Starts January 9

Learn About

Our Church’s Wider Mission

January 13 After Worship

In addition to Living ONA, this new year will be a year of our

connections to the United Church of Christ.

In addition to Rev. Melbalenia Evans sharing about OCWM on

January 13, Rev. Jonathan Knight, our Fox Valley Association

Minister, will come here to preach on February 16. On April

27, we will host the Spring Meeting of the Fox Valley

Association here at First Congregational UCC in Downers

Grove.

General Synod 2013 meets in Long Beach, California this June.

First Congregational UCC

Downers Grove

and

The Wider UCC in 2013

THE PILGRIM

Our Continental Breakfast fellowship depends

on volunteers from ministries, committees and

support groups to purchase the breakfast goods

and make the coffee and tea each Sunday

morning. However, there are not enough

groups to ensure we have each week covered

through a year without duplication. So this is

your chance to help! We are initiating a

“Volunteer Team” this year, made up of people

who do not belong to ministries, committees or

groups who are currently scheduled to host

Continental Breakfast. You can volunteer for

one or two weeks, and be a part of this

important function of our church. The dates

available are: March 24, June 16 & 23,

September 22 & 29 and December 15 & 22.

Going Green—In an effort to support the

Green Initiative, we are going to collect coffee

grounds from our coffee pots on Sundays to use

for composting. We have one person so far

who is interested in collecting the coffee

grounds, but if you have a desire to use the

grounds for your compost pile, please let us

know! Coffee grounds must be collected after

continental breakfast, as we do not have a place

to store them. Please contact Linda Schranz at

lsmedia52@aol.com or 630-852-5876 to sign up

for a team or to collect coffee grounds, or to

just get more information.

Yoga Continues in 2013

...and we would love for you to be a part of our practice! We

meet Saturdays, 8 to 9 AM in the Chapel, with coffee and

fellowship afterward. Join us on the mat with Rev. Adrienne

Ann Ilseman to synchronize your body, breath and mind to

God's sacred presence. All levels, ages (over 16), and drop-in

visitors welcome.

Learn more about Hea l ing F low Yoga at

www.healingflowyoga.com. Questions? Contact Virginia

Hopley, vhopley@comcast.net or 630-987-9298.

Page 4

Our next blood drive is Tues., January

22 in Fellowship Hall, 3:00 to 7:00 pm. If

you are not contacted by one of our callers,

please call Marilyn Jelinek (630-789-3999) for

an appointment. This out-reach program is

sponsored by Congregational Care Ministry. January 22

Friday Meditations:

Encounters with the Spirit

January 11, 6:00-6:45 pm, Chapel

Jan Remer-Osborn, Phd, neuropsychologist, harpist, and Member-in-Discernment is offering "Friday

Meditations: Encounters with the Spirit" in the chapel on the 2nd Friday of the month. Upcoming dates

are January 11 and February 8. The meditative themes will be drawn from recent sermons as well as

requested by participants. Come soothe your spirit and refresh from the busy week with music,

scripture, and quiet reflections.

Women’s Retreat

Sunday, March 3

Life Happens ...

When You're Making Other Plans

9:30 am-2:30 pm

Carriage Greens Country Club

The FCC Brothers Men’s Group will, once again, sponsor the

annual Pancake Breakfast, which coincides with the DG Ice

Festival on Saturday February 8, 2013. As in previous years,

we are soliciting financial sponsors for this event. All proceeds

from this event will go into the church’s operating budget. If

you would be interested in providing some financial support,

please see either Tom Williams (630-664-8915) or Mark

Lockett (630-964-2711). Thank you !

Winter Ball

Saturday, January 26 Dinner, DJ, Dancing and Cocktails

Celebrating Pastor Scott’s One-Year Anniversary

Tickets On Sale Sundays In Fellowship Hall—$48.00/Person

Signature Events & Conference Center

At Seven Bridges, Woodridge

Contact Beverly Binder At 630-971-8362,

gbbinder@comcast.net

FCC Brothers Men’s Group

Annual Pancake Breakfast

February 8, 2013

Continental Breakfast

Needs YOU in 2013

ISSUE 1 Page 5

Among Our

Church Family

Remember our friends who were

hospitalized:

Judy Dedina Betty Cheever

Barb Frasher Olivia Sanders

Evelyn Dickerson

We are saddened to

share with you:

The death of former church member Millie

Drew. Services were held on Nov. 30 at the

First United Methodist Church, DG.

The death of Les White on December 24.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 12

at 1:00 p.m.

We keep Millie’s and Les’ families in prayer and

wish them God’s comfort and peace.

Congratulations to Ben Tullis and

Heather McNeil, who were married in our

Sanctuary on December 22.

Thankyous:

Thank you to the carolers came to Oak Trace,

and who left me a wonderful assortment of

cookies—delicious! -Margery Hanson

—-

A heartfelt “thank you” to all who contributed

to PADS guests on Christmas morning. Over 45

guests received an individualized gift or gift/

greeting card. There were many smiles and a

few tears. Thanks for your generous response.

It was a special morning!

A special thank you also to Scarletti's Italian

Kitchen for providing a pasta dinner on

Christmas Eve for 80 guests and volunteers.

And a warm thank you to Jam and Jelly

restaurant for hot soup, and to Angelo's Foods

who provides milk, bread, cheese and lunch

meat for our guests EVERY week of PADS

season.

—-

The ESL class celebrated Christmas with a party

complete with potluck, lively conversation,

storytelling, bingo, gifts, and was topped off by a

blessing in Spanish by Pastor Scott. Thirty-three

people including the students, their children,

and tutors were in attendance and a great time

was had by all. Thank you to all who donated

gifts for these struggling families. If you would

like to learn more about the ESL program,

please contact Mary Dove at (630) 960-4021.

TOPS

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Healthy Hearts Chapter

Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., Room 502

Join this dedicated group whose mission it is to support its

members as they “take and keep off pounds sensibly.” Our

objective is to encourage healthy lifestyles through our weight-

management support group.

A private weigh-in is followed by a program on a variety of

topics pertaining to the weight-loss journey and healthy

lifestyle. Meetings provide members with positive

reinforcement and motivation in adhering to their food and

exercise plans.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Thursday, January 3

10:00–11:00 am, Room 503

Join a delightful group of women as they spend time each

month knitting, praying, & talking. All are welcome! So far, many

prayer shawls have been delivered. If you know of someone

who would benefit from one the shawls or you would like the

group to create a shawl for someone special please contact the

church office. This ministry continues to be a joy!

Circle IV, Ladies of the Morning

January 18, 9:30 am

Join Circle IV at 9:30 a.m. for Stitch and Chat in the church

parlor. Remember, you don't have to have anything to stitch.

Just come for the chat. If you have questions, please contact

Peggy Gutzke at peggy.gutzke@gmail.com or 630-971-1382.

Women’s Fellowship

January 2013

Circle IV, Ladies of the Morning

January 4, 11:30 a.m.

Join Circle IV for lunch at Egg Harbor Café, 5128 Mochel Dr. in

Downtown DG. If you have questions, please contact Peggy

Gutzke at peggy.gutzke@gmail.com or 630-971-1382.

Circle VI, Ladies of the Evening

January 9, 7:00 p.m.

Join Circle VI in the Parlor on this Wednesday evening when

Dorothy Allen will talk about her recent trip to Yellowstone,

one of America’s most famous parks. Bring a friend, husband,

neighbor then sit back and see Yellowstone through Dorothy’s

eyes. Contact Trudi Connick at 630-968-6916 with questions.

THE PILGRIM

Big things happened in 2012 with Christian Mission outreach, and a huge thank you goes out to all

who have volunteered time, energy, and resources to support our work. You too have made

mission work possible!

The Night Ministry—Pastor Scott connected FCC with this well-known and very visible

organization, serving those struggling with poverty and homelessness in Chicago. Our church

volunteers prepared more than 1,000 sandwiches and dinners, and served over 600 individuals on

six dates in 2012. Your food donations were also critical to this outreach! It's not too late to get

involved in 2013 - three dates are set to serve dinner in Humboldt Park, all Thursdays: February 7,

April 25 and June 20.

Mission Eggs—This was a big Easter-time success - you helped us raise $893 to support the grassroots efforts of La

Iglesia Evangelical y Reformada, CAIM (Council of American Indian Ministries), and National Farm Workers Ministry

(NFWM).

Sundaes on Sunday—We raised $282 from this annual summer fun – and fundraising – event of serving ice cream

sundaes during coffee hour in Fellowship Hall. Mission donated an additional $218, for a total of $500, to the Joplin

Missouri Tornado Relief Fund.

Tornado Relief Mission Trips—Two week-long summer mission trips were organized to Joplin and Cape

Girardeau, MO, with 12 volunteers repairing tornado-damaged homes. A new trip is being planned in 2013, March

31—April 6, to Henrysville, Indiana.

CROP Hunger Walk—Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and

organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others, raising funds to end hunger at home and around the

world. FCC raised $821 by participating in this year's CROP Walk.

DuPage Habitat for Humanity—17 FCC volunteers assisted Habitat For Humanity on two dates in October,

building sustainable town homes in Glen Ellyn for purchase by low-income families.

Financial Support for Palestinian child and Guatemalan family—Christian Mission continues to help Natal

Nofal, a young Palestinian girl, by providing $300 annually so she can attend school and purchase school

supplies. Additionally, our ministry provided financial assistance and ESL training to the Guatemalan family, who

immigrated here three years ago. This year, we gave them $1,800 in Manna cards for household expenses and helped

with their electricity bills as they work toward self-sufficiency.

Ilce, Feliciano and their young son Jimmy anticipate the arrival of their other five children from Guatemala soon,

possibly by the end of December! Mission will continue to offer support services in 2013, such as ESL and donations

of clothing and household items, during this exciting transitional time for the family. We hope FCC will help us

welcome the family to the U.S.

Global Friends Christmas Fair—Proceeds from hand crafted items and food delicacies sold at this FCC annual

event go directly to the villages, farmers, families, and artisan co-ops that created them. The first two Sundays in

December produced sales of more than $4,700, thanks to your purchases!

2013 promises to be another high-energy, high-impact year with many opportunities for you to be involved with

Christian Mission. Stop by the new Mission Possible! table in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour to learn more

about our latest initiatives - and how you can make a difference as part of FCC missions. See you there!

Page 6

Mission Possible:

Here’s What’s Happening!

ISSUE 1 Page 7

1047 Curtiss Street

Downers Grove, IL 60515

Phone: 630-968-0358

Fax: 630-968-7568

E-mail: office@uccdg.org

www.uccdg.org

Twitter@http://www.twitter.com/uccdg

Facebook @ http://facebook.com/uccdg

Nurtur ing the Sp ir i t•Engag ing the Mind

Walk ing the journey• Serv ing our ne ighbor

Sunday worship at

9:30 am

Everyone is welcome!

First Congregational

United Church of Christ

Downers Grove, Illinois

Our Church Staff

The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Minister

Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation

Jim Molina, Minister of Music and Media

Jan Barker, Acting Director of Children’s Ministries

Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music

Laura Lithio, Administrative Secretary

Linda Vytlacil, Bookkeeper

Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor

Sue Larsen, Director, First Congregational Learning Center

Radika Jungwirth, Administrative Assistant, First Congregational Learning Center

Bill Hammack, AV Specialist

Dave Humphreys, Director, Two Way Street Coffee House

Ted Rock, Treasurer

The Pilgrim January 2013