First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

• Congratulations to Dennis Hewitt and Pat Yauch and the entire P.A.D.S organization. Messiah Lutheran Church approved the sale of church-owned property so that P.A.D.S can finally build a permanent shelter for the homeless in our area. Thank God!
• Charlotte Flanagan recently retired after 25 years working for the city of Elgin. Happy retirement!
• Congratulations to Sandy Dalton who has a new great-granddaughter, Harmony Joe'l Hart, born on March 1.
• Erin Powell has been accepted to Albion College in Albion, Michigan. She will be entering the college's Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service.

Adult Education

From April 3rd through May 22nd adults at First Congregational Church UCC will have these opportunities for spiritual and personal growth. Each class begins at 9:15 AM & ends at 10:00 AM. Child care will be provided.

Jesus and Paul: The Word and the Witness
Jesus and Paul - the Word and the Witness takes us back to a time and place when Christianity was a tiny movement struggling for survival and tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth and Paul the Apostle, two men of remarkable faith, iron will, and radical vision. Without them the religion we know today as Christianity would not exist. Both sacrificed everything for the belief that God had chosen them to change the world. Peter Jennings is the reporter in this three hour DVD presentation. He tells the story of Jesus, Paul, and Christianity in its first decades - a tiny movement that, against the odds, survived and then triumphed over all the gods and goddesses of the Roman Empire. The program includes the perspectives of a wide variety of biblical scholars - secular and religious, Christian and Jewish, liberal and conservative. The entire series will be viewed over the eight weeks of the class along with in-depth discussion.

Facilitator: Paris Donehoo

Fox Valley Hospice: "Hospice is about living"
April 3rd and 10th
One of FCC's own Hospice volunteers will facilitate two sessions with speakers from Fox Valley Hospice. The speakers will describe the concept of hospice, its services, & policies. Hospice isn't a place. It is a type of care that focuses on living. It is about living as fully as possible, up until the end of life. The Hospice concept and process of caring have made a great deal of difference in the lives of many families in the Fox Valley. End of life is not a period that many of us wish to contemplate. Learning about the hospice program in these two presentations is an important part of planning for that time of our lives. During both sessions there will be time for questions & discussion.

Facilitator: Chuck Zimmerman

That We May All Be One
April 17th, April 24th, May 1st, & May 8th
These four sessions will focus on the past 30 years of our United Church of Christ social justice policy regarding lesbian, gay, & bisexual issues. James Deaton, Soulforce member and, until leaving to attend seminary, a recent FCC member, will facilitate three of the sessions with Sandy Taenzer who brings a UCC parent's perspective. They will share biblical as well as a wide range of other information. On April 24th Patti Scroggins will facilitate a session with several members from Immanuel UCC in Streamwood who will discuss & share information about their church's study process to become an "open & affirming" UCC church. All of these sessions will affirm our UCC covenant "that we may all be one."

Facilitators: James Deaton, Patti Scroggins, & Sandy Taenzer

Reflections and Feedback
May 15th and 22nd
Carl Flaks will facilitate two sessions when participants will have the opportunity to discuss this year's Adult Education experience. Please take some time to share and reflect on this year's topics. This is an opportunity to reflect on ideas or concepts with others. Taking time to reflect about something that we have learned or an "aha" experience is a gift we give to ourselves & to the others with whom we share it. Also, contribute your ideas for next year's experience & topics. Let us know if you have speakers that you would like to hear. The Adult Education committee would appreciate you input.

Facilitator: Carl Flaks

4/01    Al Taenzer
4/01    Anna Halfpenny
4/07    Debra Leberecht
4/07    Cassidy Sell
4/08    Charles Zimmerman
4/09    Gretchen Hochberger
4/09    Beth Mitchell
4/10    Rowena Swan
4/10    Glen Murphy
4/11    Kameron Breunlin
4/11    Bradley Widder
4/11    Cy Kerber
4/12    Pamela Arbulu
4/15    Marilyn Kauffman
4/16    Ann Schneck
4/16    Liz Schaaf
4/16    Pat Yauch
4/16    Curtis Perrin
4/16    Susan Lovingood
4/18    Kimberly Sanderson
4/20    Tom Powell
4/20    Nicole Lewellyn
4/21    Doug McDonald
4/22    Pamela Widder
4/22    Diana Castillo
4/23    Maranda Lile
4/24    Shannon Lile
4/25    John Schneck
4/26    Patricia Jocius
4/27    Samantha Kottmeier
4/28    Benjamin Banwart
4/28    David Gerber
4/28    Dennis Turnquist
4/28    Wyatt Sanderson
4/28    Ethan Sanderson

• Angel Tippet, daughter of Tony Tippet and Andrea Szlapinski and granddaughter of Charlotte Flanagan, continues at Lutheran General Hospital.
• Jim Lewis reports that his daughter, Easter, is doing much better. She is in a group home and receiving therapy and counseling.
• Cecelia Snider, Glenna Preradovic's, mother, is home from Sherman Hospital.
• Former member Pam Arbulu, now residing in Texas, suffered a small stroke. She is recuperating well.
• Jennifer Phillips had back surgery on February 26. She is home from the hospital and recuperating well.
• Andrea Aguina, wife of our custodian David Aguina, was admitted to Sherman Hospital with congestive heart failure. She is home now and recuperating well.
• Carl Flaks was admitted to the hospital on March 17 for tests.
• Former member Lou Lupinik was recently hospitalized for cancer.

• Ray Kellerman passed away on March 8 at Heritage Manor. At the family's request there was no memorial service.
• Leonard Bye passed away on March 17. A Memorial service, lead by Pastors Paris and Lois, was held on March 21.
• Former member James Bohlander passed away on February 23. A memorial service lead by Pastor Paris was held at the church on March 2.
• John Kauffman's cousin, Carol, passed away during the week of March 7. Our sympathy goes out to John and his family.

Thirty people have made the commitment to join us on our mission trip to H.O.M.E., Inc. in Orland, Maine June 17 - 26th. We are receiving deposits to hold a place on the trip. If you have not made your deposit of $50 please do so as soon as possible. We are anticipating the total cost to be $150 - $200 per person.

Sister to Sister

Our Sister to Sister group will meet on April 14th at 7p.m. in the library. We hope that you will join us. Our very special program will feature a demonstration by Lorri Powell on making greeting cards. She'll also bring her collection of beautiful handmade greeting cards. Invite a friend to join us for this fun evening.

Damaris

Damaris, women's fellowship group will be dining out at Olive Garden in West Dundee on Thursday, April 28th at 6:30p.m. This is an informal group. We would love to have you join us for dinner and conversation. If you have any questions about this group please contact Lois.

Perfect Attendance for February

1st & 2nd Bailey Stark
1st & 2nd Brailey Keber
3rd & 4th Taylor Stark
3rd & 4th Eric Turnquist
5th & 6th Chris Taylor
Jr. High Alessandra Castillo
Jr. High Mary Taylor
Sr. High Erin Powell

Frog Friday

Frog Friday, is over for this school year. We have found that April begins the busy season of baseball and soccer and school programs. We will resume our meetings in the fall.

Sermon Series

A lot of interest in the book of Revelation has been generated in recent years by the popularity of the Left Behind books. Those books, however, present only one theological viewpoint on Revelation, and one of relatively recent vintage at that. Beginning on April 3rd and continuing through the Easter season, each Sunday Dr. Donehoo is preaching he will develop some of the great themes from the book of Revelation in a series of sermons titled No One Left Behind. Be on hand each week to explore a biblical book considered by many scholars to be one of the most misunderstood parts of scripture.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

On February 27 these new members were welcomed into our church family:

Kay Durham
Sponsor: Ann Schneck
Kay is a native of Warsaw, Indiana and a graduate of Ball State College in Muncie. She is now retired from a career at the Gail Borden Library here in Elgin. Kay has three sons and five grandchildren, and enjoys reading, walking, shopping, baking, and watching movies.

Mark and Linda Taylor
Sponsors: Roman Castillo & Jennifer Green
Mark was born in Northhampton, Massachusetts and raised in Skokie, Illinois. Through his high school years he was a member at St. Peter's UCC where his father was the pastor. After high school he attended Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois in Chicago. He is employed as the maintenance supervisor at the Larkin Center and is also a licensed home inspector. Hobbies include motorcycle riding, reading, and volunteering as a cub scout den leader. Mark says, "I am looking forward to becoming a part of this church community and energizing prior connections with the church." Linda is a native of Elgin (born at the "old" Sherman Hospital) and was educated in Elgin public schools and Elgin Community College. She is employed as the secretary to the Assistant Principal at Kenyon Woods Middle School. She volunteers her time with various organizations such as cub scouts, Larsen Middle School PTO (current president), and the Children's Theater of Elgin where she serves on the sewing committee. When she has a few minutes of spare time she enjoys sewing, reading, and running. Mark and Linda have two children, Mary Kathleen (13) and Christopher Mitchell (10).

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

If you are concerned, confused, or just interested in the debate swirling around Social Security privatization, mark your calendar for Sunday, April 10. In the library after the 10:15 worship Royce Blackwell will be on hand to discuss the issues and answer your questions. Mr. Blackwell is the former director of the local Social Security office and an expert on Social Security matters. Whether you are already retired, facing retirement, or just beginning to pay into the system, this is your opportunity to get sound information for making up your mind.

TEMPLO CALVARIO PROPERTY MEETING SCHEDULE

On March 15 the Church Council approved the following timetable for discussing and voting on whether FCC will purchase the Templo Calvario property:

• APRIL 17: Called congregational meeting to discuss the possible purchase of the Templo Calvario property. No vote will be taken at this meeting.
• APRIL 24: Council members will be available in the chapel to answer questions and receive feedback from any member of the church regarding the possible purchase of the property.
• MAY 1: Council members will be available in the library to answer questions and receive feedback from any member of the church regarding the possible purchase of the property.
• MAY 8: Council members will be available in the library to answer questions and receive feedback from any member of the church regarding the possible purchase of the property.
• MAY 15: Council members will be available in the library to answer questions and receive feedback from any member of the church regarding the possible purchase of the property.
• MAY 22: Called congregational meeting for final discussion and vote on the purchase of Templo Calvario property.

P.A.D.S. of Elgin

Spring Cleaning Charity Auction

DATE: Saturday April 2, 2005

Time: 10:00AM

VFW Hall, Elgin

Location: 1601 Weld Road

For more information please call

847-608-9744 prior to the auction

630-514-9069 the day of the auction

All proceeds benefit PADS of E/gin, Inc. Donations will be accepted from 7:00 AM until 9:45 AM the morning of the Auction

• Items being donated must be in good working condition
• Anyone donating a vehicle must bring a clear title
• All items must be removed the day of the auction

PADS of Elgin, Inc. Remmer Schuetz Auction Service and the VFW Elgin ore not responsible for accidents or injuries to persons attending this event. Once items are sold they become your responsibility. No buyers premium. Cash or Checks with proper ID. Auctioneer: Remmer Schuetz Auction Service, Dundee, IL. Illinois License # 0410000247.

P.A.D.S. of Elgin, Inc is a 501 ( c) 3 nonprofit organization

 

Thank You from a PADS resident

Hi,
I just wanted to write and say thanks for all the nights I was able to get out of cold and for the meals provided during a most difficult time in my life.

Thank you!
Mickey D. Busley

Remember? Set Your Clocks Ahead

April 3, 2005

Acolytes

April 03 Emerson Lewis & Nicole Lewellyn
April 10 Eric Turnquist & Marissa Lewellyn
April 17 Taylor Stark & Tianna Louiallier
April 24 A. J. Mitchell & Samantha Kottmeier

An Afternoon of Brass
Saturday April 9th,
FCC Sanctuary
3:00 PM
Tickets are $12adults/$10seniors/$8students.
Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Choir conducted by Jason Flaks with special guests
Fulcrum Point New Music Project
Stephen Burns Artistic Director
Music by Britten, Zappa, Ewazen etc.
A free Masterclass will be held at 12:00 and is open to the public.

Meals On Wheels

FCC, along with a great number of other churches and groups, delivered a total of 11,393 meals last year. The people who received the meals ranged in age from the 30s to the 90s; 63 were female, 26 were male; 59 were living alone, 30 with another person. Of these, 46 were ambulatory, 43 needed either a wheelchair, cane or walker. We delivered two routes from Sherman and three routes from St Joseph Hospitals, Monday thru Friday. We should feel proud to know that we have been part of this very necessary service. Serving in February from FCC were:

Provena-St. Joseph Hospital
Carl and Mary Ellen Flaks
Chuck and Dolores Zimmerman
Geneva Moody
Dorothy Cook
Bonnie Turk
Larry Rothlisberger
Val Evans

Sherman Hospital
Dolores and Chuck Zimmerman
Larry Rothlisberger
Lee Ellsworth

A very special thank you to all who participated. If you would like to take part in this worthy, easy service please call Dolores Zimmerman, 847/931-1606. We deliver next in May.

Prime Time Dinner

Prime Time Dinner! It is that great time of year when we all look forward to dinner and entertainment to assist with the Youth Mission Trip Funding. This year, the Youth Group and the Cross I'd Players are presenting the Prime Time Dinner as a dinner theater on Saturday evening, April 9. The play is "Murder, Mayhem and Marshmallow Salad." Just wait till you meet Rev. Peter Piper Porcupine and his wife, Sister Polly; Pastor Evan Keal and his wife Molly Devaro Keal; M. T. Socket; Tess T. Honcho; Lorraine the piano player and Phil the philosopher. Please mark your calendars for April 9 and have a great dinner with a play by the Cross I'd Players!! Join us for a fun filled evening and help the youth, too, at this Prime Time Dinner! Watch for more details next month.

Peace,
John Kauffman

Moral Obligation Scholarship Loan Program

Our church is pleased to be able to offer Moral Obligation Scholarship Loans to church members who are taking college classes. These are interest free loans for any age student. Students are allowed to take out a loan of up to $500 per semester. These loans are then repaid to the church after graduation (or as soon as you stop taking classes). This repayment allows funds to be available for future students. With the high cost of education, this loan may not pay for a class, but it may help to cover book costs. For more detailed information and requirements please contact Lois or Pat Calvin.

Undergraduate Scholarship are available for UCC members

These are available for the 2005 - 2006 Academic Year for anyone enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States. They are for students under the age of 25 who are entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of study. Students must maintain at lease a C average or equivalent. For applications and information please contact Minister for Grants, Scholarships and Resources, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 or call 216-736-3839

May Day Raffle - May 1st

On May Day, May 1st we invite you to join us in fellowship hall for ice cream sundaes and the drawing of our raffle winners. To benefit the Mission Trip the mission trip group is raffling a beautiful handmade (queen size) quilt. This quilt, which is mauve, burgundy, cream, and hunter green, was hand stitched and quilted by Cathy Jurgens' mother. We will display the quilt during coffee hour. Please stop by and pick up some raffle tickets to sell for us. Tickets are $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. First Prize for the raffle will be the quilt. Additional prizes of gift certificates and donated items will be drawn that day as well.

A BIG thank you to all those who gathered on Saturday, March 19th to clean and spruce up the church for Holy Week. Cobwebs were knocked down, pews were polished, windows were washed and carpets were scrubbed. It took many hands to make a difference. Many people would like to see this made a regular project. Please let Lois, Paris or Tom Powell know if you can help with clean-up and painting projects.

A LETTER FROM P.A.D.S.

Dear First Congregational Church,

We appreciate your donation of two gift baskets to PADS of Elgin, Inc for our auction. As a 501 (c)3 organization, we depend on the caring support of people like you. During these cold months, we are providing shelter for more men, women and children every day. Your contribution will enable us to continue serving these homeless individuals in the Elgin area.

On behalf of the board of directors, staff and guests of PADS, I thank you for helping us break the cycle of homelessness!

Sincerely,
Dennis Hewitt
Executive Director PADS of Elgin