Church Life
COMMITMENT SUNDAYPledges and contribu-tions toward our renovation project are already coming in, but May 18th is the big day! That Sunday in worship we will be celebrating our commitment to God’s leadership by turning in our cards indicating how much each of us will be contributing to the project over the next three years. The goal is substantial. We need to raise $725,000 to $1,450,000 in initial gifts and three-year commitments. Obviously, the more we raise, the more of the renovation we will be able to accomplish. Also, the more money we actually have on hand after May 18th means less money to borrow for a construction loan. Be in prayer and don’t miss worship on the 18th. It’s time to celebrate all God has done for us here at FCC!
ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Feed your body, mind, and spirit each Sunday morning at 9:15. Breakfast is served each week, and then there are these opportunities for growing in your faith. Childcare is available.
In-depth Bible Study 
(Each Sunday) – We have arrived with Jesus in Jerusalem and will soon see the
Via Dolorosa through the Gospel of Mark’s eyes. Even if you haven’t been in the class all year, you can still come and participate. It’s not too late!
Stepping Stones (May 11) — This month’s session will be part one of a DVD presentation by Dr. Patricia Deegan who is an international leader in the Mental Health Recovery Movement. Dr. Deegan will chronicle the onset of her own illness and her recovery. Part two of the DVD will be seen in June and will detail her world-wide research into methods of recovery.
Controversial Conversations with Carl (May 4) – The April session had to be postponed so this session will cover the topic of “economic stimulus pack-age.” Come and discuss the proposals from Washington for how to stem the current tide of financial woes.
Brian Stark’s mother, Eunice, is home from Rosewood Care Center.
Dorothy Larsen,
Kathy Turnquist’s mother, has moved to Victory Center in Bartlett.
Lois Bucher is a proud Great Aunt. Kaden Hunter was born on April 2.
It's not too early to begin thinking about Summer Church Camp. The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ has two camping facilities. Pilgrim Park is located in Princeton, Illinois in the beautiful Illinois River valley area -- not too far from Starved Rock. Tower Hill is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in Sawyer, Michigan. Each camp is about a two hour drive from Elgin. Camps are offered throughout the summer for all age groups. Both camps offer a unique opportunity for children and adults to learn more about their faith as they play and learn with other campers. Camps are offered for children and youth age 5 through high school. There are also camps for first-time campers that are only 2 night - 3 day camps called Tenderfoot. In addition to camps for children, there are also camps for Grandparents and Grandchildren and also for Senior Adults. First Congregational offers a camp scholarship program to any camper attending one of our United Church of Christ camps. We will pay up to 2 of the camp cost (not to exceed $100). Please stop by Lois's office and pick up a camp brochure. If you'd like to know more about our camps please feel free to talk to one of our youth who have attended camp B Anna Mitchell, Alessandra Castillo, Diana Castillo, and Kyle Stauffacher
Damaris, women's fellowship group will be dining out at Biaggi’s Restaurant on Thursday, May 22nd at 6:30p.m. We will meet at Biaggi’s at Algonquin Commons. 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.
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.
CALLING ALL YOUTHThe youth will be going to the National Youth Event of the United Church of Christ, July 24th - 28th in Knoxville, TN. We are very excited about this event and hope that you are planning to participate. Permission Slips/Registration forms are due to Cathy Jurgens as soon as possible to reserve your space for this trip. If you have any questions please contact Cathy Jurgens or Lois.
Our Sunday School classes will end on May 18th. We have had a wonderful year. If you’ve had a child in Sunday School this year please take a moment to say thank you to the teachers. Teachers will be recognized during worship on May 18.
A BIG thank you to our dedicated teaching staff!:Preschool teachers: Kirsten Zoerhoff, and Shannon Lile
Kindergarten/1st and 2nd: Evelyn Johnson
3rd & 4th/ 5th and 6th Storytelling: Lauran Rantz and Katie Powers,
7th & 8th : Beth Mitchell
Godly Play: Janet Aldred & Sue Ruf
Drama: Michael Blackwood and Adam McCoy
Exploration: Deb Leberecht
Crafts: Debi Sell and Pat Jocius
Director of Christian Education: Jan Embree
Preparations are underway for an exciting adventure with VBS this summer. We will be holding VBS at
Trout Park this year instead of Wing Park. We will be in the shelter that is near the ball diamonds (furthest from Rte. 25.)
Our date is June 23rd – June 27, 9:30 - 12:30. In case of rain we will meet at church.
Our theme for the week will be
Beach Party! We’ll spend the week surfing through the scriptures and exploring God’s love for us. This program has something to offer all ages. Everyone will enjoy hearing Bible stories, playing games, singing those catchy songs, and making crafts. The older children will enjoy their camp-like experience which will include time for nature study, hikes, games and storytelling. Please make this week a priority for your family. So spread the word. Tell your friends that you want them to join you for a week long beach party this summer.
We will be recognizing graduates on June 1st during our 10:15 worship service. Please call the church office and let us know if you have a high school, junior college, technical school, college, or advanced degree graduate in your family.
Maranda Lile, Savannah Lile, Grace Ann Aldred, Ben Brictson, Lauren Powers, Cassidy Sell, Abby Kottmeier, Kyle Stauffacher, Phillip Brictson, Alex Halfpenny. A. J. Mitchell, and Chris Taylor.
Topic:
Recovery: The Experience and the Evidence by Patricia Deegan, PhD. Patricia Deegan is an international leader in the (Mental Health) Recovery Movement. We will watch this DVD in two parts. Part I, Pat Deegan shares her own experience from the onset of her illness in her late teens to her life today, living in recovery with schizophrenia. Part II, will be seen in June. In session II, Pat will share some of the most current research showing that people world-wide can and do recover from schizophrenia. Join us for either session or both as your schedule permits. Pat’s message is a message of courage and hope.
As always, Stepping Stones meets in the library on the second Sunday of the month from 9:15 – 10:00 am. Friends and family from the community are always welcome to join us. If you have any questions you can contact Rev. Pat Lindquist or Mary Hartwig through the church office at 847-741-4045.
Saturday, May 10Downtown Elgin “Holy Hill” Walking Tour, led by Anthony Rubano of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and Jerry Turnquist, local historian and educator.
Experience a unique walking tour concentrating on the church history and religious architecture located in Downtown Elgin, spanning more then a century’s worth of styles, shapes and purposes. Several local churches including First Methodist Church, Church of the Redeemer, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and Iglesia Principe de Paz (Former Unitarian Universalist Church) will be open for all participants. The tour will end at the First Congregationalist Church for an interior tour by church parishioners and light refreshments. RSVP by May 2.
My Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your prayers, cards, and kind words during my headache “scare.”
I can’t imagine this journey without my church family with me.
Laura McMinn
Dear First Congregational,
Thank you for your very generous donation to the All People’s Inter-Faith Pantry. It is through donations such as yours that the Pantry is able to provide meals to those families in our community who are in need. During the month of March the Pantry served 211 families, a total of 709 people. In March 2007 we served 175 families, a total of 518 people. So our needs continue to grow.
Again, thank you for your support in this vital service to the Elgin community.
Sincerely,
The Pantry Board
May 01 Maggie Powers
May 02 Alessandra Castillo
May 04 Ryan Munson
May 04 Sydney Schmitendorf
May 05 Destannie Tippett
May 07 Patrick Lile
May 08 Jeannine Burger
May 13 Maurice Munch
May 14 Dennis Hewitt
May 15 John Kauffman
May 16 Lori Kemmler
May 16 George Bero
May 16 Cherie Murphy
May 16 Madisen Erickson
May 18 Amanda Reuter
May 19 Lorri Powell
May 19 Jodie Stackowiak
May 21 Glenna Preradovic
May 22 Margarete Schmoldt
May 23 Melanie Szlapinski
May 24 Kyle Stauffacher
May 25 Ronald Carlson
May 25 James Deaton
May 25 Thor Powers
May 27 Mary Hewitt
May 28 Brianne Murphy
May 31 Larry Rothlisberger
May 31 Alex Halfpenny
May 31 Emerson Lewis
Thank you for all your prays and kindness. I am feeling better so I’m in the Lord’s hands.
God Bless you All
Dorothy Schock
May 04 Jennifer Bero
May 11 Michael Blackwood &
Adam McCoy
May 18 George & Lorraine Boan
May 25 Shirley May Byrnes
First SundayJodie Stackowiak, Kirsten Pedersen, Laura McMinn, Cherie Murphy, Sandy Dalton
Second SundayChase Sund, Anna Mitchell, Mary Taylor, Grant Powell, Alessandra Castillo
Third SundayWalt & Carole Kilmanas, Jerry Powers, Ron & Karen Carlson
Fourth SundayJim Schock, Jim Breunlin, Chuck Zimmerman, Charlie Rantz, Mike Powers
May 04 Shirley May Byrnes
May 11 Tracy Grote
May 18 Penny Donehoo
Mary 25 Jeanne Rothlisberger
May 04 Lorri Powell
May 11 Penny Donehoo
May 18 Confirmation
May 25 Heather Arnold
May 04 Grace Anne Aldred
Abby Garcia
May 11 Kenzie Fahnestock
Abby Kottmeier
May 18 Bailey Stark
Matthew Halfpenny
May 25 Chris Leberecht
Brad Rantz
WHEN: Thursday, June 5th
TIME: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, June 6th
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
WHERE: Cherie Murphy’s
809 Douglas Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
We will need to set up on Wednesday, June 4th in the afternoon/evening.
- We will need tables for set-up, plastic bags and paper bags.
- Plastic containers to keep money in.
- Please price items that you bring before hand.
- Items should be in good condition and clean.
- Volunteers are needed to set-up and collect money.
Here is a list of some of the items we can sell:
Dishes Linens
Crystal Table cloths
Glassware Doilies
Pots & pans Comforters
Utensils Bedspreads
Sheets Throws
Scarves Antique linens Containers of all kinds Coats
Baby clothes Jackets
Books Jeans
Movies Jewelry
Tapes Tools
CDs Furniture
DVDs
1) All of the items will be set up on Wednesday, June 4th and covered with plastic sheets, tarps, etc. and left on the lawn. Items will also be covered after the sale on Thursday and left for Friday.
2) We will need help on Wednesday, June 4th to sort and set up items. Thursday and Friday we will need volunteers to help with the sale of these items.
3) If there is a lot left over on Friday we may continue sale on Saturday for a half day. However, if sale ends on Friday volunteers will be needed to clean up what was left.
4) We will be asking people to bring their items to sell to Cherie’s to eliminate having to move them again.
There will be more information coming in the next 2 or 3 weeks, but we will need the help and co-operation of the whole church to make this a successful sale.
Thank you
Evelyn Johnson
The United Church of Christ.