Church Life
July 1 Kaden Peterson
July 2 Emilie Kottmeier
July 3 Mary Vickers
July 4 Michael Barbezat
July 12 Yvonne Holley
July 14 Robert Bayler
July 16 Mark Preradovic
July 19 Michelle Schumacher
July 19 A. J. Mitchell
July 20 Jami Sund
July 23 Samantha Sell
July 24 Shirley Hokanson
July 25 Patti Scroggins
July 28 Ellen McDonald
July 31 Karie Widder
July 31 Christie Bowers
July 31 Cameron Leberecht
Jean Hempstead's cousin, Mary, is hospitalized again in Texas.
Dennis Mackinney, brother of Doug Mackinney, died on June 1 in Arizona.
Madeline Koldos, daughter of new members David Koldos and Bridget Byrnes, was baptized on June 6 in the 10:15 service by Pastors Paris and Lois.
Garrick Taenzer, son of Elizabeth Taenzer and grandson of Al and Sandy Taenzer, is undergoing tests for a problem with his knee.
Lori Kemmler's mother continues to be hospitalized in Massachusetts. She is in a coma and her doctor does not expect her condition to improve.
Serafina Pollina, Penny Donehoo's aunt, fell at her home and broke her neck. Though the extent of her injuries is not known at this time she will likely be left with some paralysis.
A Big Thank You
June 7, 2004
To My Church Family,
I just want to let you know how much your support meant to me during my recent illness. I have a very hard time accepting help, but my friends here at First Congregational surrounded me with loving care and concern. I received visits, phone calls, and cards with prayers of support. I am proud to be a part of such a loving and caring faith community.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Your sister in Christ,
Pat Lindquist
We're OFF
The mission trip group will be in Michigan by the time you receive this issue of Church Life. We will be working with the Mason County Habitat for Humanity helping to finish one house and begin another. Please keep the group and their work in your prayers. Those participating this year are:
Janet Banwart, Lucas and Zach Brictson, Mateo Castillo, Jeff, Lindsay and Cat Iverson, Cathy Jurgens, Lori and Nick Kemmler, Deb and Cameron Leberecht, Tom and Erin Powell, Kimberly Sanderson, Katie Sharf, Jordan Sund, Brad and Stacie Widder, Pat Yauch, Brian Stark and Lois Bucher.
Mission Trip Stockholder's Dinner
The Mission Trip Group will be sharing the story of their trip to Ludington, Michigan Habitat for Humanity on Sunday, July 25th. Following church that day there will be a spaghetti dinner and a video presentation. All those who bought stock in the trip are invited to join us for dinner. It is not too late to purchase stock so that you can join us for dinner. Each stock certificate is $10.00.
Our Vacation Bible School B Son Games 2004 was an exciting week. We talked about being a member of God's team as we learned the Olympics and about Paul's adventures as a missionary. Each day the children participated in lessons that they could see, hear, touch and even taste. Our daily mottos were Join In, Team Up, Get Strong, Keep On, and Celebrate! We're so glad that more than 60 children participated in the program this year. We had more than 20 teachers and helpers that worked together each day to provide this VBS program. A Big Thank you to: Beth Mitchell and Debi Sell (co-cordinators), Jan Embree, Evelyn Johnson, Carol Olson, Laura McMinn, Helen McClure, Charlotte Flannagan, Heather Barrientos, Janet Aldred, Mary Stark, Katie Sharf, Deb Leberecht, Jim Lewis, Anna Mitchell, Stacie Widder, Jordan Sund, Beth Muenzer, Sam Sell, Lindsay Iverson, Cat Iverson, Martina Preradovic and friend Molly, Brad Widder, and Pastor Lois.
The VBS children collected money to purchase health kits for families in need throughout the world. These health kits, which will be distributed through Church World Service, are most needed for the children of Iraq. Every $12 purchased a kit. We were very excited to collect $369.85 which allowed us to purchase 30 health kits.
Welcome New Members!
On February 15 these new members were welcomed into our church family:
Brian Carlson
Sponsor: Steve Munson
Brian is a native of Huntley, Illinois and currently works as an Account Manager for a toy manufacturer called Games Workshop. He loves both playing and listening to music, painting, and sculpting. But his favorite hobby is "a comfortable hammock on a summer afternoon in the shade." Brian is looking forward to meeting his new church family. "Just look for the tall new guy," he says.
Sandy Dalton
Sponsor: Patti Scroggins
Sandy grew up in Evanston and southern Illinois. She owns and operates Danny's Pizza, located in Elgin and Streamwood. Sandy's three grown children?Jerry, John, and Debbie?live in Harvard, Elgin, and South Beloit respectively. She enjoys crafts and gardening and loves to travel.
David Koldos & Bridget Byrnes
Sponsors: David Duncan & Susan Lovingood
Bridget is a native of Connecticut and Illinois with a degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. She works for the City of Elgin as an Aquatic Fitness Instructor, and in her spare time enjoys knitting, gardening, and sewing. David was raised on a dairy farm in Daggett, MI, and is currently employed as a tool and die mold maker for Micro Mold in Elgin. His hobbies include bike riding and working on cars (especially sixties vintage Mopar Muscle cars). David and Bridget have one child, Madeline, who is 7½ years old.
Frank and Debi Kottmeier
Sponsors: Mike and Lori Kemmler
Frank is a native of Dundee and is employed by Tweeter in Geneva. Debi is from Elgin and works as a hairdresser at Great Clips in Geneva. Frank and Debi have been married for 17 years and have three children?Samantha (10), Abby (7), and Emilie (6 on July 2). The Kottmeiers do revolutionary war re-enactments as a family.
Phyllis Murphy
Sponsor: Jean Hempstead
Phyllis, who grew up in Southwest Iowa on a bean and corn, hogs and cattle farm, is a retired social worker and marriage and family therapist. She has four children-Martin, Myra, Kevin, and Paula?and six grandchildren. Phyllis enjoys traveling, especially wandering in a leisurely fashion and "sleeping in the back of my truck," cooking, sewing, home decorating, reading, gardening, and music.
Released From The Hospital
Pat Lindquist was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital for internal bleeding. After several days in the hospital the problem was corrected. She is home and doing well.
Mary Hartwig was briefly hospitalized for chest pains. It was determined that her heart was not involved and she was released a few hours later.
Jennifer Phillips had back surgery on June 16 at Northwest Community Hospital. She is home and recuperating well.
Thanks Be To God!
Curt Perrin celebrated 12 years of being cancer free. Thanks be to God!
Happy Anniversary
Congratulations to Bob and Lavon Bayler on the 45th anniversary of their ordination to Christian ministry.
Weddings
Congratulations to Chad Sanderson and Kimberly Free who were united in marriage on May 22. Pastors Paris and Lois performed the ceremony.
Thank You Very Much
A great big thank you goes out to Roman Castillo and the entire Castillo/Green family for their care of the flower garden around the church building. It looks great!
Many thanks to those fine folks who gave so willingly of their time to deliver Meals on Wheels in May.
St. Joseph Hospital
Ellie & John Hopkins
Geneva Moody and Craig Rud
MaryEllen & Carl Flaks
Charles & Dolores Zimmerman
Sherman Hospital
Beth, Anna & A.J. Mitchell
Susan Lovingood & Bridget Byrnes
Diane Menke & Bonnie Turk
Jody Stackowiak & Jean Hove
Our next dates are mid-August. If you'd like to get on the volunteer list, please call Dolores Zimmerman, 847/931-1606.
The Meanderings of the Moderator
I am very happy to report to the congregation that at the June 6th Congregational Meeting, the motion to accept the revisions to the Constitution and By-Laws passed. The final vote was 104 for, 1 against, and 1 abstaining. I would like to thank all those that helped in the rewriting process. There were many excellent, thought-provoking questions during the month before the vote that made us evaluate our purpose and vision.
On a very different subject, we have started to get information back from the bank in Dundee about our financial situation with regards to our proposed renovation project. The Ministry of Financial Stewardship will be going over this information before presenting it to the Renovation Committee. Things are moving - but never as quickly as you would like.
Have a great summer, and as Paris would say, "See you in Church!"
Tom Powell - Moderator
P.S. Be careful where you park.
The United Church of Christ.