“I will bless you . . . so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays – I am filled with gratitude for my many blessings. Did you know that gratitude is actually good for you? “Gratitude is like a muscle. A number of studies confirm that the more we express our gratitude, the more grateful we become and the more we have a bright outlook on life. In one study of high school students, the students who showed the highest levels of gratitude had better GPA’s, less depression and less envy. A focus on materialism had just the opposite effect on students.” (Christian Century, January 22, 2014)

In Bible times, the corners of the fields were not to be harvested, and any sheaf of grain that was accidentally left behind was not to be added to the harvest. These were to be left for the poor to glean or gather. There were similar Biblical instructions for vineyards and olive groves. Not exactly the food pantry or Summer Supper of today, but a way to provide for those who were food insecure. When we are grateful, when we feel blessed, we are inspired to share our blessings with others.

In our Festival Sunday School this fall, children learned about gleaning by pretending to glean (using pompoms; it’s hard work). Our children regularly experience prayers of gratitude in church and Sunday School as well. Some of our families have participated in PADS or Feed My Starving Children. These are just some of the ways that our church helps us strengthen our gratitude muscle.

There is a saying, “Practice makes perfect; be careful what you practice.” This Thanksgiving, may we all practice gratitude – and in so doing bless ourselves and others. I feel blessed to be sharing my faith journey with all of you.

Pastor Lynn Mikels

November 2016

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Since it first aired in 1963, the British science-fiction television program “Doctor Who” has been one of the longest running and most influential shows. Over the last 50 years, fans have traveled with the main character, Doctor Who, across all of time and space as he fought for goodness against the forces of evil. From October 30 to November 20, we will explore four ways that this popular TV program prompts us to ask deep theological questions.

October 30: “The Oldest Question in the Universe” - Mark 8:27-30 When we talk about our identity, what exactly are we talking about?

November 6: “Our Time and God’s Time” - 2 Peter 3:8-10How does God interact with time, how can we connect with a God who is timeless, and how does that affect our understanding of salvation?

November 13: “Redemption of Evil” - John 3:16-17What is the nature of sin and God’s redemption?

November 20: “Bigger on the Inside” - Matthew 4:18-22How deep is God’s love for us, and how we can learn to live in that love?

Worship Schedule, 9:30am

New Sermon Series, “The Salvation of Dr. Who”

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Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is one of our adult and older youth faith formation programs that meets after worship each Sunday in the Wesley Room around 10:40am. The topics vary from week to week; come when the spirit moves you.

November 6 – William LentnersA chaplain at Rosecrance will help us “talk about addiction.” So many youth and adults experience the challenges of addiction – in their own lives or in the lives of those they care about. How does one open the conversation in ways that lead to healing? Rev. Lentners will offer guidance. Rosecrance is a United Methodist agency dedicated to providing the highest quality care and the best evidence-based practices to treat

substance use disorder and mental health issues. They are focused on one thing: providing the best opportunity for lasting recovery. Life’s waiting.

November 13 – Conversation on Faith and Political Life Today we are delighted to welcome Laura Dean Friedrich, who was originally scheduled to speak in September. Laura Dean has had a distinguished career in church and community service, working with ChildServ, Protestants for the Common Good, and most recently, for the Community Renewal Society. She has always been a profound advocate for those on the margins of society. Election 2016 will be over before this Kaleidoscope, but questions remain: How will we move forward as a nation? How do our identities as persons of faith influence our legislative

advocacy and public policy formation? We are experiencing such polarization on significant issues. Could it be that the church has a mission, even an obligation, to build a different conversation? Come to the Wesley Room after worship and learn more about this important issue.

November 27 – Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today. In the final session of this occasional series, we will explore what the Bible says about violence, suffering and other troublesome issues.

There will be no Kaleidoscope on November 20. Church Charge Conference will take place in the Wesley Room.

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November Mission : Mujila Falls Agriculture Center

Mujila Falls Agriculture Center is the November mission. The center is a project of the United Methodist Church. FUMCAH has been supporting the project for several years. Please take the opportunity to learn more about this project. Your donations are appreciated.

Mujila Falls is a village in Zambia. The Agriculture Center boasts a number of different animals and plants and it has been the solution to solving the many problems in the village. Before 2000, the Lunda people were still a hunter-gatherer tribe who subsisted on severely diminished reserves of wild game and plants in their tribal area. Agriculture was mostly non-existent or unproductive. The Lunda Tribe had the highest infant mortality rates of all tribes in Zambia and the average life expectancy of the Lunda people was about 32 years.

The continuing goal is to empower poor families through the introduction of plant and animal agriculture and methods for sustainable farming, thus improving family health and nutrition and increasing family income. This is a UMC Conference owned farm with a multi-year task before it. In the past ten years, there has been great improvement in nutrition, health and the living standards of families throughout the area through introduction of new crops, animals and methods of farming.

These successes can be measured by less malnutrition in children, better housing, larger maize and bean crops, more children attending school, and more people employed in commercial agriculture. This is a continuing, attainable, and measurable success.

Activities Planned Include

• Clear land for additional fields. Build a new 30x10 meter dairy and cattle barn.• Build a 30x10 meter chicken coop. Expand chicken production to 3000 chickens.• Build RAM pump and expand water system.• Continue to provide livestock, trained oxen, and equipment necessary for successful entry-level farming.• Work with government agencies, NGO’s, and local communities to train local farmers.• Continue to support daycares that help prepare needy children for success in the public school system.• Continue to develop a pig project; get pigs out into the surrounding communities.• Continue to develop a sustainable pine tree nursery and pine forest.• Continue to develop and use our tractor and tractor equipment to plan our growing crop lands.• Continue to expand cattle, sheep, and goat herds.• Continue to work with local United Methodist Congregations to expand membership and improve

economic health. • Support Chief ’s Rain Festival, sponsor Farmer’s Field Day, and contribute crops and animals to

agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

Visit the Mujila Falls on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MujlaFallsAgCentre/

Watch a video on youtube in which a UMC missionary provides a tour of the project:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMLr01SnKo

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FaithLinkWhere faith and the headlines converge

The New and Revised FaithLink meets in Room 31 after worship on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Grab that cup of tea or coffee, if you wish, and join the conversation which revolves around current events. Based on timely news, the FaithLink resource is emailed to leaders each week. While there is no guarantee about what will be discussed, the discussion is guaranteed to be open and thought provoking.

Childcare for preschoolers and Celebration Station for older children is available during this and other programs until 11:45am. Parents of a confirmand? Take some time to enrich your spiritual journey while your children are growing in faith.

4 x 8Eight People • Four Meals • Connect with New Friends at Church

As part of the family of God at First United Methodist Church, you join in the Sunday morning worship celebration, you may serve on a committee, maybe you sing in choir – but you wish you knew more people in the congregation, you wish you could match that name to that face. Sound familiar? 4 x 8 is a meal fellowship program that helps First Church people make connections and get to know one another better. Eight people agree to meet together four times during the course of four to five months. Groups are formed by the Adult Faith Formation Committee with the intent of connecting persons with others. Each group has a “convener” who plans the first meeting; group members set up subsequent meetings according to members’ schedules. Groups are “potluck” (hosted

at church or in one’s home). Registration forms are available at the church office and on the website. The only “agenda” for the groups is to help folks get better acquainted. Please register during October and November by calling the church office at 847-255-5112. Most groups will begin meeting in January, 2017.

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Student Ministry Volunteers Needed Shaping this generation - A way to change the world

A major way the Church Family can make a difference in the lives of teenagers, is by participating in the student ministry. At FUMCAH, we are approaching student ministry intentionally, ensuring that everything we do has a purpose and follows the vision of the church. We need your help to make this vision a reality! Some of the roles we would like to fill in the FUMCAH student ministry are:

High School Discussion Leader – You will have the opportunity to think about hard theological and philosophical questions the students have asked. There are opportunities for training in active listening,

engaging others in conversation, facilitation, and other necessary life skills. We need high school discussion leaders on Sundays from 3:00-4:30pm.

Middle School Activities Facilitator – 7th and 8th grade students can be a handful. However, they are much less so when they are given something to do! Help the junior high students realize their gifts and talents by guiding them through activities which will help them grow as a group and grow closer to God.

Confirmation Mentors – The 7th and 8th grade students have something major they are participating in: Confirmation. Confirmation Mentors meet once a month with their mentee and listen to their stories. It’s less about giving advice and more about creating lasting relationships.

As the student ministry continues, more roles will open up. We hope you can find your place in this ministry; there will be no shortage of excitement! Please contact Anthony Livoti, our Student Ministry Director (a.livoti@fumcah.com), with questions.

Night OWLS

Our respite care evening for families with special needs children continues this month on Saturday, November 19, 5:30-9:00pm. Volunteers are needed as we strive to grow this opportunity for families.

Please contact Pastor Lynn Mikels (l.mikels@fumcah.com or 847-255-5112) if you would like to be a “buddy” for one of our guests or help in some other way. Night OWLS includes dinner for all, games, crafts, often a drum circle, and a movie. This ministry to the church and community is one way we share God’s love.

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ChildServ Holiday Gift Project“Christmas is my favorite holiday. I used to wait in anticipation for Santa Claus to climb down that cardboard fireplace my dad would put up every year, you know, the one with the realistic fire glow effect -- so I could wake up to toys and candy canes. Yes, we went to Church too, but getting presents was much better than anything in the world when I was little. Sadly many children don’t have cardboard fireplaces where Santa can leave them gifts – but all of us at FUMCAH can remedy that. We can participate in the

magic of Christmas by sponsoring a child as part of our annual ChildServ Holiday Gift Program and ensure that 150 children receive a Christmas gift this year.” - Roylene Gallas

Pick up a child’s gift tag(s) starting Sunday, November 13, in the Loggia. In addition, you can purchase gift cards for the Youth Group’s ASP Gift Card Fundraiser! Purchasing gift cards for ChildServ helps your gift count twice. Return purchased gifts/gift cards to Church for delivery to ChildServ by Sunday, December 4. For more information, contact Roylene Gallas (847-222-1071 or Roylene.gallas@gmail.com).

Breakfast with Santa

Planning your family visit with Saint Nicholas? Join us on Saturday December 3, and enjoy a mall-free, relaxing morning with your children or grandchildren, experiencing wonderful holiday traditions.

A Breakfast Buffet will take place from 9:00-11:00am. Stories, Crafts, and Photo with Santa will take place from 9:15-11:30am.

Free tickets are available at the church office. Suggested “cost” is a food donation for the Northwest Compass pantry. Recommended items include canned goods (fruits, vegetables, chili, spaghetti, stew), cereal, rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, and cookies.

Recycled Christmas Sale

The UMW Holiday and Bake Sale will take place on Saturday, November 5, from 9:00am-3:00pm. Donations of gently used Christmas and other holiday related items will be collected from Monday, October 31 - Thursday, November 3, in Fellowship Hall. Baked goods can be dropped off in the ROC on Friday, November 4. Volunteers are needed for set-up and sale day work. If you can help, please sign up online for set-up and sale shifts. Proceeds go to the missions we pledged to support women, youth and children. All are welcome to work with us during this fellowship; we have standing and sitting jobs.

Contact Jacqueline Raitano (JacquelineRaitano@yahoo.com or 847-612-8444) with questions.

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Sunshine Boys

The Sunshine Boys are looking for new members! This group of church members assembles, as requested, to assist with large church mailings. Members enjoy lively conversation, hot coffee, and delectable morsels as they work. Please call Howard Richardson (847-259-2185) for more information.

Crossroads

Crossroads, the fellowship group for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders is going on the road. This month, it is pizza and a movie on Friday, November 4. More information will be sent via email when the movie schedule comes out. Save the date!

ChildServ - Annual Founder’s Day Gala

ChildServ is celebrating 122 years of building better lives for children and families. Their annual Gala will take place November 11 at The Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing—Terzo Piano.

The event will feature: • WGN’s Patti Vasquez, Emcee • Dinner • Docent-Assisted Tours of the Modern Wing • Dancing, Live and Silent Auctions

For more information or reservations, please contact Nancy Duel (847-259-3793 ornduel@aol.com) or visit www.childserv.org/events.

ACT 2 Theme Dinner

Get ready for Act 2’s next event - an Italian theme potluck dinner on Saturday, November 19 at 6:30pm. Our hosts are Bob and June Lee. Their address is 26056 W Brandt Rd, Barrington.

Everyone is asked to bring an Italian food item to share and beverage of your choice. If you would like to join us, please contact Laura Hynes (312-835-3291) to confirm your attendance and food selection or with any questions.

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Message from Mary Ann Laforet to the Pumpkin Cabaret Contributors and Volunteers

“I would like to thank all the people who helped with the set-up, the running, and the clean-up of the Pumpkin Cabaret. Barbara Jennings, Judy and Mark Standefer, Nancy Anderson, Terry Clements, Anthony Livoti, Linda Hall, Marlys Guildford, Doug Leipprandt, Peter Hynes, Kurt Neuswanger, Janet Fuller, Tracey Ruder, Sue and Wes Mika, and Ouk-Yean Kim Jueng - all helped by giving of their time and strength. I also would like to thank the many bakers, among whom were choir members Kevin and Jill, Jeannie Workman, Diane Piper, Ann Whitney, Marilyn Reed, Patty Crusius, Jim Abdnor, Lindsay Johnson, Terri Passolt, Anne Arza, and the Suttons. Others baked as well, but unfortunately I do not know their names. All helped contribute to a fun event.” -Mary Ann Laforet

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Thank You: Gardeners and Donors

Over 40 people helped to make our church grounds attractive and welcoming by planting and maintaining beautiful gardens, trees and shrubs in and around our church campus. It took over 600 volunteer hours between April and October to plant flowers, weed 15 gardens, lay mulch, fertilize, lay sod, grass seed, water, and trim trees and bushes. This team of intergenerational volunteers ranged in age from preteens to senior citizens.

Thanks, also, to all of you who donated money for our Adopt-A-Garden fund. Your generosity enabled us to maintain and improve our beautiful church and parsonage gardens. Your donations were used to buy mulch, fertilizer, weed control, plants, tree and shrub trimming, and the removal of a few trees. Please continue to support the garden fund with donations earmarked for the Adopt-A-Garden fund.

Compost

In order to recycle grass, coffee grounds, leaves, and other plants, we now have compost bins located on the northwest corner of our parking lot. This will eliminate the purchase of over 200 paper bags for yard waste and greatly reduce the cost of removing leaves and grass clippings. In addition, we will be able to use the new enriched soil generated by the composting of plant materials. This will reduce or eliminate the need for processed fertilizer. If you would like to be a part of the Adopt-A-Garden volunteer team, please contact Ron Reed (rreed@wideopenwest.com). A special thanks to Tracey Ruder, Dan Buntley, and Noah Buntley for their hard work constructing the bin.

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Congregation News

BirthIsaac James Supataraporn - October 22Son of Alec and Caroline Supataraporn, brother of Rosalie

BaptismsBriar Dawn Berry - October 16Daughter of Ryan and April Berry, sister of Bradley, and great-granddaughter of Steve and Beverly Berry

Lauren Hager - October 30Daughter of Jay and Amanda Hager, sister of Kate and Jacob

MarriagesAngie Arrowood and Jamie Pace - September 24

Kristin Mikels and Frank Danblaus - October 15 Kristin is the daughter of Lynn and Mike Mikels.

DeathAnn Wolkey - October 4

Financial Report through September 2016

September Revenue: $55,639 Year-to-date Revenue: $546,522

September Revenue: $67,134 Year-to-date Expense: $573,275

We have paid $42,960 (6 months) of our $85,920 apportionment for 2016.Consider Electronic Funds Transfer – no need to worry that you don’t have your checkbook or cash with you!

Contact Melinda in the church office with any financial questions or concerns.Thank you very much for your good stewardship in 2016!

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or current resident

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