First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

NEW MEMBER CLASSES
If you are interested in joining First Congregational Church, Paris and Lois would like to meet with you after the 10:15 worship service on October 28 & November 4 in the library. At these sessions you will get to know the pastors, meet the staff, and learn about FCC ministries and programs. Each session will last no more than an hour. We will even feed you lunch. Child care will be provided if you let us know you need it. New members will be received on November 18.

FOX VALLEY ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING
Our church will be hosting the Annual Fall Meeting of the Fox Valley Association of the United Church of Christ, October 26-27.  The presenter will be none other than David Stark, one of the authors of the Life Keys material.  This is an excellent opportunity for those who missed the two retreats in September to take the course from one of its developers.  It is also an opportunity for those who attended one of the retreats to do a “refresher course.”  Either way, the Friday night and Saturday sessions will be challenging and uplifting — and right here on our own turf.
Of course, we need help with meals during the event so check out the article on page X.  Let’s put our best foot forward for our fellow pilgrims in the UCC.  

DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE HOMELESS
The Day of Prayer for the Homeless on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2008 is approaching.  A planning meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 at Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St. Elgin.  If you would be willing to be our church’s representative for planning this event, please call Dr. Donehoo.  Initial signup for prayer times on Jan. 6 will be available soon.  Questions?  Call Marlene Daubert at 847-888-2882. 

PADS DINNER DANCE & AUCTION
PADS Dinner Dance and Silent Auction will take place on Saturday, January 19 at The Stonegate.  This is a major annual. fund raiser for PADS and directly supports the care of and empowerment of the home1ess in Elgin.  You can help by donating new items, baskets, gift certificates, sports tickets, etc. to the auction.  Be creative!  Contact person is Beth Kruger, 847-697-7163.  Gifts can be dropped off at Beth’s house, 1001 Meadow Lane, Elgin, IL 60.123. Please call first.

Rowena Swan fell at her home and broke her hip. Surgery was performed at Sherman Hospital and she is now receiving rehabilitation care at Sherman West Court.

Fred Hummel was in an automobile accident and spent a week at Delnor Hospital. He is currently recuperating at his daughters’ home in Wasco.

Dorothy Cook had angioplasty at St. Joseph Hospital to treat a heart problem. She is home and recuperating well.

Associate Pastor Lois Bucher has developed a severe weakness in her right leg which makes her susceptible to falling.  Tests are seeking to determine the problem.  

Barbara Carbary died on September 7.  A graveside service, led by Pastor Paris, was held on September 12 at Bluff City Cemetery.  

Richard Lewis Phillips was born on September 8 to Curt and Jennifer Phillips.

Ronan Patrick was born August 21 to Brendon & Rachael Costello, daughter of Peter and Lori Crockett.  He is the great grandson of Stewart Crockett.

Natalie Iris Pfister, daughter of Rick and Meg Pfister, and granddaughter of Paris and Penny Donehoo was baptized on September 16.  

Congregational Associate, Rev. Pat Lindquist, was received into full standing in the Fox Valley Association on May 10.  To celebrate, Pat will be officiating at the Lord’s Table on World Communion Sunday, October 7.  

Karen’s Corner will have its first sale of the season on Sunday, October 21st  from 9 AM until 1 PM in the church library.  Items for sale include flower arrangements, household items, gifts, toys, books, jewelry, and a large selection of baby items.  All profits will go toward buying down our church’s debt.  Please come, browse, and hopefully find something you or someone you know can use!  We look forward to seeing you at this worthwhile event! 

10-01    Deborah Sell
10-03    Taylor Powers
10-09    Christopher Leberecht
10-10    Grant Powell
10-12    Barbara Burton Halfpenny
10-14    Lauren Powers
10-15    Laura McMinn
10-17    Janet Aldred
10-19    Vaughn Pedersen
10-21    Connie Reuter
10-22    David Widder
10-22    Mark Brictson
10-22    Robert Stackowiak
10-23    Alyssa Steffen
10-24    Aiden Garcia
10-27    Molly Brictson
10-27    Lucas Brictson
10-28    Matthew Halfpenny
10-29    Marion Danner
10-30    Grace Ann Aldred
10-31    Michael Stackowiak

ILLINOIS BRASS BAND RETURNS TO FCC

On Saturday, October 20th at 7:00 pm, the Elgin Area Historical Society is sponsoring a concert by the Illinois Brass Band.  The concert will feature music written and arranged by Professor Joseph Hecker, a director of Elgin Watch Factory Military Band (1887-1892).  Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for students, and under 5 free.  Tickets may be purchased from Carl Flaks, the Society’s Museum 260 Park St. Elgin (Wednesday through Saturday, 12-4 pm) or at the door.  If you have never heard a Brass Band perform in the Sanctuary you are in for a rich and rewarding experience.

Sunday, October 14th – Aging and Mental Illness
Guest Speaker Trish Gibbons

We’ll be meeting in the library from 9:15 – 10:00 am.

Trish will be addressing three topics associated with aging and mental illness:

1) Normal Aging versus Aging with Mental Illness;
2) How do I cope?; and
3) Tips to help family members cope.

Trish holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and is a therapist and Intake Coordinator for Older Adult Services at Family Counseling Services of Aurora. FCS provides free home counseling services to older adults in Kane County.

Millions of people around the world walk an average of 6 miles everyday to get water, to bring home food, to find safe shelter, to find food for livestock, to go to school, to farm distant fields, to take goods to market or to find medical care.  We walk because they walk.
For the past 25 years, the Elgin area crop walk has strived to reduce hunger and bring basic health care to countries around the world. Through Church World Services the CROP Walk aids these basic needs, and 25% of everything raised stays in the community to help alleviate hunger through local food pantries.
The Elgin CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk will begin at the 1st Methodist Church on Sunday October 21, 2007. Registration begins at 1:00 P.M. A 5 mile and 1 mile walk are available. Watch for details posted at church or contact Mary Hewitt at 847-741-3576 for more information.
Take a stand against hunger in Elgin and the world. Join the CROP Walk or sponsor a CROPWALKER.

Volunteers Needed October 26th & 27th
We have the honor of hosting the Fox Valley Association Fall Meeting here in our church on October 26th and 27th.  We will be providing an evening meal Friday, October 26th,  breakfast and lunch Saturday, October 27th.  We would like 8-10 people at each meal to help set up, serve, and clean up.

Please consider helping with this wonderful opportunity.

□Yes, I can help.  
Name_______________________
phone/e-mail_________________
    □ Friday, 10-26________
    □ Saturday 10-27th breakfast
    □ Saturday 10-27th lunch
□ I can donate breakfast casserole for Saturday  
   breakfast.

Please return slip to the Church office or e-mail Barb Burton at bhalfpenny.barb@gmail.com

A planning meeting will take place at a later date.

 
Once again we are happy to thank all those who helped deliver Meals in August.
 
Provena-St. Joseph Hospital –
weeks of August 6 and 13

John and Elly Hopkins,
Gail Yauch,
Tom Powell,
Ron Whetstone,
Jean Hempstead,
Chuck and Dolores Zimmerman

Sherman Hospital –
week of August 13

Larry Rothlisberger,
Bonnie Turk,
Carl Flaks,
Janet Banwart,
Chuck and Dolores Zimmerman
 
Next time we're on the schedule - the weeks of November 5 and 12.
 
The recipients are truly grateful for our work.
 
Dolores Zimmerman - 847/931-1606
 

BALLOON FOUND
Dear Chris Taylor

    I have currently found your balloon sent on September 9th.  I also received this balloon on September 9th in the backyard of my hous.  I live in Orland Park, IL.  I received this balloon at about 2:15 pm.  I want to thank you for sending the balloon!  This balloon has traveled pretty far to find me!  I also want to thank you for your prayers sent with that balloon.  I found this balloon with my sister because we were watching television and we saw something red in our backyard.  Then, my sister ran outside and got it.  We were really surprised how far it had blown.  My sister has been very busy adapting herself to become a freshman she did not have time to write.  But I am in 8th grade and I had time to write back to you.  I think that that is so cool that the First Congregational Church let balloons go to celebrate their faith!  Thank You!  A May God Bless You Too!

Sincerely,
Natalie Norman

Mission Grants Thank You Letter
The Mission Grants Committee would like to share this letter with the Congregation.

Centro de Informacion
28 North Grove Ave.  2nd Flr
Elgin, IL 60120

Dear Mr. Flaks:

Six months has passed since the Mission Grants Committee provided $7,000 in funding for Centro’s Families in Crisis program.  We know that you are interested in this vital program for Spanish speaking children who are exhibiting social, emotional, or behavior problems and for their families, and we wanted to give you an update.  So far this year, our bilingual counselor has worked with 27 families to address issues of isolation, communication, personal responsibility, problem solving, conflict resolution, self esteem, and setting boundaries.

She has referred several of the parents to Centro’s parenting skills training, and three have, so far, completed the ten week course.  Centro’s resource and outreach workers have provided emergency food, signed up children for all Kids, and referred families to medical and other needed resources both inside and outside the agency.

The program is going well, and we greatly appreciate First Congregational’s support.  If you or your committee have any question, please do not hesitate to call me or Cheryl Wilkins, Centro’s Development Director at 847-695-9050.

Sincerely,
Shari Matthew Huizar, LCSW
Executive Director

I purchased some yard goods thinking I would do some sewing but have not been able to do so.  If anyone would like these yard goods FREE please call me at 847-888-0858.

Betty Ells

On Friday evening, August 24, after a day of cleaning my flood ravaged basement, I sat down and turned on the television. It was 9:00 and there certainly wasn’t much on, as usual, so I turned on ABC’s 20/20. They were reporting on “Giving in America: Are We Cheap or Charitable?” This topic peaked my interest and I guess I really wanted to find out if ABC thought I was cheap or charitable.

They began the report by citing well-known people such as former president Jimmy Carter, Bono, and Angelina Jolie all who cited the small amount that the government dedicated to foreign aid (approx $28 billion in 2006) and I must admit that out of a $3 trillion budget that does seem small, but that was only less than half the story. The American people gave $33.5 billion privately in foreign aid. In total, in 2006, The American people gave $300 billion in charity, (that’s $1000 for every man, woman, and child in the America) out-giving every other country in the world. 3 ½ times more than the French, 7 times more than the Germans and 14 times more than the Italians. American Christians, as a group, give even more than any other group in the country, not only in money, but time as well.

Why are we, as a people, so generous? Probably because most of us are grateful to have been born here, and want to give back. Christians give out of gratitude to God who has given us everything, including His son, who died for our salvation.

The congregation of our church is not just a group of people, we are a family. Families support each other in many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Another way to show our support for one another is by making a financial commitment of support to the church.

Dr. Donehoo says we are different because we are Christians. Everything we do in this church demonstrates that. From worship, to ChristCare, to LifeKeys, to Adult Christian Formation to Sunday School, to Mission Grants, to housing the Interfaith Food Pantry, to Soup Kettle, and on and on, demonstrates our commitment to, and faith in Jesus Christ.

As we embark on our stewardship pledge drive, will you please consider giving a portion back of what God has given to you? Truly be a receiver who gives.

Blessings,

Patti Scroggins