Church Life
Youth Group News -- Senior Send Off
The youth group is holding a Good Luck/God Bless you party for all of our graduated seniors. We will be meeting at 12 noon on Saturday, August 13th to honor all those who recently graduated and to say good-bye to those who will be leaving for college. The celebration will be held at Lori and Mike Kemmlers. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass -- we'll provide the meat for the grill. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Lindsay Iverson so that we can finalize our plans.
Youth Group heading to the Wilderness of Wisconsin Dells
We've planned an exciting Youth Group Wilderness Getaway Weekend for Saturday, October 8 - Sunday, October 9th (no school on Monday the 10th). We've reserved two large cabins at the Wilderness Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. There will be all sorts of indoor water park fun as well as many other activities. A deposit will be required by September 18th to secure your spot (space is limited). The cost for FCC youth members will be $25.00 (great price since our youth budget is paying for half of this trip). You'll also be asked to pay for your own lunches and dinners ( 2 lunches, or 2 dinners). Watch for a detailed mailing about this activity in mid August.
- Jean Stettner celebrated her 90th birthday on June 26. A reception in her honor was held during coffee hour after worship.
- Alice Hove and C. J. Merrill were married at the church on July 16. Dr. Donehoo performed the ceremony.
- Raniero John Perrelli was born to parents Frank and Kirsten Perrelli and grandparents John and Marilyn Kauffman on June 20.
COMING TO AN ADULT ED CLASS NEAR YOU!
Adult Education classes will resume on September 11 with a series of sessions on "The Roots of Terrorism." You won't want to miss this series! Throughout the year there will be in-depth Bible studies, book discussions, spirituality groups, how-to classes, and lots more - plus a return of "Faith on Foot." Watch this space for more information.
8/02 Helen McClure
8/05 Kate Reuter
8/05 Tianna Louaillier
8/07 Chase Sund
8/07 Mary Ehret
8/10 Sandra Magana
8/11 Jesse Vickers
8/11 Kerry Sund
8/11 Andrew Duncan
8/14 Clifford Hokanson
8/14 Paris Donehoo
8/18 Dorothy Cook
8/18 Fred Steffen
8/18 Robert Mason
8/20 Eric Turnquist
8/21 Krista Leith
8/22 Janet Banwart
8/26 Nick Kemmler
8/27 Kenia Solis
8/29 Shirley May Byrnes
8/31 Betty Hargrave
8/31 Nancy Bye
- George Hove had surgery at Alexian Brothers Hospital to replace a pacemaker. He recuperated well enough to attend his daughter's wedding (see below).
- Carl Flaks had surgery at Loyola Medical Center to remove a tumor on his kidney. He is home and regaining strength.
- Leigh O'Connor had a feeding tube inserted due to difficulty swallowing. As of this printing he is still at St. Joseph's Hospital and is feeling better.
- Diane Menke was recently hospitalized at Sherman after having knee surgery.
- Elaine Munch had back surgery on July 18 at St. Joseph Hospital. She is recuperating well.
- Violet Lohse had a mini-stroke and was admitted to Sherman Hospital for a few days. She is home now and doing better.
- Ted Iverson passed away on July 8. A memorial service was held on July 13 at the church led by Pastors Paris and Lois.
- Harland Hartwig, Mark Hartwig's father, passed away on July 13 in Rochester, MN. Funeral services were held in Iowa.
- Frank Rodholm passed away on July 10th. Pastor Paris officiated at a graveside service on Thursday, July 14th.
Jonathan Russell Bayler, son of Jonathan and Kathleen Bayler received the Sacrament of Baptism during worship on July 17th. Grandparents, the Revs. Robert and Lavon Bayler, assisted Pastor Lois in officiating at the baptism of their grandson.
Damaris
The Damaris group will meet on Thursday, August 25th. Please join us for dinner at 6:30 at LaPuesta Del Sol, 165 E. Highland Ave., Elgin.
Once again confirmation classes will be held on Wednesday nights for eighth grade students. These classes will begin on September 28th at 7:30 p.m. with an orientation session for parents and students. As you begin to prepare for a new school year be sure to mark your calendars now and remember to save Wednesday nights. Please let Lois know if you are interested in knowing more about these classes.
VBS News!
Our trek to the Serengeti was wonderful. Over 50 children and 23 youth and adults participated in our week out at Wing Park. We gathered each morning to an African beat as we sang the exciting VBS songs led by Mary Stark. We opened and closed our days with worship led by Pastor Lois. A big thank you to all of the staff that made this week possible. Beth Mitchell and Deb Sell served as the coordinators of the adventure. Jan Embree helped organize our registrations and prepared all of our supplies. Thank you to Evelyn Johnson and her sister Carol Boelter for being the storytellers for the 4's and 5's as well as for the 1st and 2nd grade classes. Kirsten Zoerhoff taught the 3rd - 7th grade girls and Beth Mitchell taught the 3rd - 7th grade boys. A big thank you to Kristian Zoerhoff for helping with this group of boys. Lori Kemmler led games, Deb Sell and Jan Embree were our craft leaders. The children had fun snacks each day which were prepared by Laura McMinn, Charlotte Flanagan, Jean Hempstead, and Helen McClure. An invaluable part of our week were our junior high/high school helpers. Thank you to Nick Kemmler, Anna Mitchell, Alessandra Castillo, Stacie Widder, Mary Taylor, Lindsay Iverson, Martina Preradovic and Danielle Starling(a friend of Kirsten Zoerhoff).
Wedding
You are cordially invited to witness the exchange of wedding vows between Karen Rothlisberger and David Calvert on Saturday, August 13 at 5:00 pm in the sanctuary.
VBS Fills an Ark with Love
The VBS children brought their offerings each day to purchase animals for Heifer Project. We had hoped to buy a couple of animals, but were excited to be able to buy 1 pig, 1 sheep, a gaggle of geese, a flock of ducks, a flock of chicks and a hive of bees which totaled $330.00. On Sunday, July 17th the congregation added another $30.00 to our totals allowing us to purchase a second hive of bees. The quality of life for many families will be improved by these gifts. Heifer project is known as the gift that keeps on giving. Families receive a pair of animals and then the first born offspring is given to another family and so on... the gift continues.
YOUTH LUNCHEON RECIPES
Many people have requested copies of Beth Iverson's Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup from the Soup Luncheon and Lois' Fruity Chicken Salad from the salad lunch. Copies of both are available in Lois' office on the counter.
The "I can't wait to watch my weight"
ChristCare Group is meeting Sundays between services (9:20 - 10 am) in the library, a cool place to discuss weight considerations. Among our activities together we are discussing healthful snacks (even during fellowship) motivation to lose weight, ways in which we can lose, how we can settle into a diet to maintain weight, what exercises are helpful that are not so boring that we want to quit, and what a healthy nutritious diet may consist of. All interested person are welcome.
WRAP
"It's coming!"
"I know. I heard you."
"NO! NO!" WRAP - the group that will help me develop my own Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
"Never heard of it. What is it?"
"WRAP is a new popular, worldwide, monitoring and response system created to promote self-management of mental illnesses, addictions and physical health conditions. It helps people, monitor, reduce, modify, change or eliminate distressing symptoms." (Quote from, Nanette Larson, Illinois Department of Human Services)
"Will they be playing loud 'RAP' music?"
"No, people share what they do to help themselves feel better."
"I don't want to tell everyone my problems?"
"You don't have to. We want to know what things you are doing to help yourself feel better."
"When did you say this was starting?"
When: Monday nights, September 12, 2005 thru November 14, 2005
Where: First Congregational UCC
256 E. Chicago St.
Elgin, IL 60120
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Need more information or to sign up call Pat Lindquist at the Mustard Seed 847-841-1436.
Mission Grants Committee
The Mission Grants Committee will consider programs/projects for grants which are administered by either religious or secular organizations. The total of all grants will be approximately $90,000. We ask that the programs/projects relate to our focus issues for 2005-2006.
- Children's initiatives (programs that enhance the lives of children)
- Peace (programs that seek to resolve conflict among nations)
In addition the Mission Grants Committee has two vacancies for three year terms. They will expire in 2007-2008. Interested parties should submit their names to Church Moderator, Tom Powell. Details of the position can be obtained by contacting Carl Flaks. This needs to be done prior to the August meeting of the Church Council.
$$$$$
THE OFFICE STAFF WOULD APPRECIATE IF ON YOUR CHECKS IN THE MEMO LINE YOU WOULD INDICATE YOUR PLEDGE AMOUNT AND THE AMOUNT FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE DEFICIT.
THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP.
The United Church of Christ.