First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

THE TEN ESSENTIALS
Anyone who has ever gone hiking or back-packing knows there are certain items one must take into the woods or on the trail.  Items like a map, a compass, and water are absolutely essential for the journey.  The wilderness is simply too dangerous a place to venture into without them.  Seasoned travelers call them “The Ten Essentials.”  
Likewise, there are certain biblical stories which are crucial for our journey as Christian disciples.  The world is too dangerous for us to go out there without them.  Without these stories woven into our souls we can easily get lost as we make our way through life.
This summer Dr. Donehoo will preach a series of sermons on the ten essential stories of the Christian life (Narrowing the list down to ten was really hard!).  Come see if you agree with his list.  Also, if you are willing to share a two or three minute testimony in worship about a Bible passage that has meant a lot to you in your life, we would love to hear from you.  
Plan on being in worship as often as possible this summer.  Which stories would be on your list?  

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
We wind up the year with some loose ends tied up and a continuation. Breakfast is served each Sunday morning at 9:15, and then there are these opportunities for growing in your faith. Childcare is available.

In-depth Bible Study
(June 1 and 8) – We will finish the Gospel of Mark and reflect on the journey we have taken through the first Gospel written. Come find out what is unique about the conclusion of this book.
Stepping Stones
(June 8) — This session will present part 2 of a DVD by Dr. Patricia Deegan who is an international leader in the Mental Health Recovery Movement. Dr. Deegan will detail her world-wide research into methods of recovery.

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 June 1 and June 8 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 June 29.

SOMEONE NOTICED
Have you ever seen someone do a good job, or be helpful, or act in a particularly Christ-like way?  Have you ever thought “I should commend him/her for this,” but you just never got around to it?  Well, FCC is going to provide you with a quick and easy way to express your appreciation to the people who make a difference in the lives around them.  Pre-printed “Someone Noticed” postcards will be available around the church building.  All you have to do is write a sentence or two about the good deed you saw, address and stamp the other side, and drop it in the mail, or, if you like, hand deliver the card to the person.  Either way you will brighten someone’s day as well as lift your own spirit.  This is a tangible way for us to “encourage one another and build up each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  

Jesse Vickers spent several days at St. Joseph Hospital with inner ear problems. He is home now and doing fine.

Jim Jocius had tests and a procedure done at St. Joseph Hospital on May 15.  He is home and recuperating well. 

Jim Ellsworth had a pacemaker installed at St. Joseph Hospital.  He is home and recuperating well. 

Linda Dahl was admitted to Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb and then transferred to Asta Care Nursing Home in Rockford.  She is in the process of moving to Minneapolis to be near her son.  

Jason Knight, son of Jonathan and Diane Knight, was hospitalized with ongoing complications from a serious automobile accident some months ago.  A change was made to his therapeutic regimen and he is doing better now.  

RANTZ'S ARE MOVING
Charlie, Lauren, Drew, and Brad Rantz will be moving to Colorado.  Charlie left on May 18th to begin his new job.  Lauren and the children will follow at a later date.  

Judy Steffen has been admitted to hospice care.  She is at home.  

John and Elly Hopkins are currently in New York caring for John’s mother, Caroline Hopkins, who is in hospice care.  

Adin Chandler Swan was born on May 5 to parents Chris and Jenny Swan and grandparents Chandler and Pam Swan.  

Robert Aaron Bayler was born April 5th to parents Jay and Kathy Bayler and grandparents Bob and Lavon Bayler.

Lindsay Iverson and Chase Sund were recognized by the Elgin Rotary Club for maintaining a straight A average at Larkin High School.  

JUNE BIRTHDAYS
6-03    Alyssa Hargrave
6-04    Diane Menke
6-07    Keaton Fahnestock
6-07    Alyssa Ekstrom
6-08    Lois Bucher
6-10    Evelyn Johnson
6-10    Owen Grote
6-11    Beth Iverson
6-12    Myrtle Patterson
6-12    Sandra Peterson
6-13    Avery Elizabeth Swan
6-18    Kristen Carlson
6-18    Jerry Trojanowski
6-19    Amanda Boan
6-25    Stewart Crockett
6-25    Cathy Jurgens
6-26    Kolten Peterson
6-28    Karen Carlson
6-29    Aimee Louaillier
6-30    Nathan Leith
6-30    Rick Black

Our Sunday School classes ended on May 18th.  We had a wonderful year.  A BIG thank you to our dedicated teaching staff!  We recognized our Sunday School teachers on Sunday, May 18th during worship.  Thank you to these people who were a part of our educational ministry this year:  
Kirsten Zoerhoff, Shannon Lile, Evelyn Johnson, Connie Reuter, Lauran Rantz, Katy Powers, Beth Mitchell, Janet Aldred, Sue Ruf, Michael Blackwood, Adam McCoy, Deb Leberecht, Walt Kilmanas, Pat Jocius, Deb Sell, Lori Kemmler, and Brian Stark.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
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 Dundee Ave.)  Our program will be held the week of 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.    Please complete the registration form enclosed in this issue of Church Life.  Remember this program is FREE and open to anyone – so pass the word on to your neighbors and friends.  
Of course we always need more volunteers so let Lois know if you are available to help with any aspect of the program.  

Maranda Lile, Aiden Garcia, Savannah Lile, Abby Garcia, Cassidy Sell, Ben Brictson, and Emilie Kottmeier

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.

Congratulations to these people:
Zachary Brictson – Larkin High School
Katelyn Hargrave – Burlington High School
Lindsay Iverson – Larkin High School
Olivia Munson – Elgin High School
Amanda Reuter– Marengo High School

College Graduates
Brittany Treacy – Miami Univ. of Ohio
Jordan Sund – Chez Ludie Martin
Paris, France
Cregen McMinn – North Central College

We’ve rented out the Wing Park pool for Thursday night, June 26th, 8pm – 10pm.   We did this last year and had a great time!  We hope that even more people will take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the pool and waterpark area.    Invite your neighbors and friends to join the fun.  The cost is $5 per person.   Mark your calendar now so you can plan to join the fun.

We will be meeting at 6:30 pm at Panera Bread, 2484 N. Randall Road, Elgin.  Hope to see you there!

Confirmation was held on Sunday, May 11th.  At this special service Cameron Scott Leberecht, Andrew James Mitchell, Christopher Mitchell Talyor, Phillip Daniel Brictson, Dennis Alan Turnquist, Keaton Earl Fahnestock, Alex Baker Halfpenny, and Samantha Nicole Kottmeier each shared their statements of faith.  These statements, which were prepared after their year of study, included what each believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the church.  They also incorporated how they plan to be involved in the church as its newest members.   We want to say a special thank you to those who served as mentors for these young people.  Their mentors were:  Walt Kilmanas, Carole Kilmanas, Deb Leberecht, Brian Stark, Mich Barbezat, Steve Stauffacher, and Sandy Dalton.  

The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ offers many great camping opportunities for all ages.  We have two camps—Pilgrim Park is located in Princeton, IL and Tower Hill is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Sawyer, Michigan. Church Camp provides an opportunity for campers to learn more about God’s amazing creation while enjoying the beauty of  these camp settings.  Whether the camper is attending for the first time, or is returning for the tenth time they will discover that camp is a place where everyone is accepted in a spiritually enriching, caring and nurturing environment.  Two and three day camps are available for the first time camper who is as young as kindergarten age.  There are also great specialty camps – like sports camp, horseback riding camp, MADD (Music and Dance and Drama) Camp, Grandparents and Me camp, Habitat Volunteer Camp and…   For registration materials, or to find out more information, please see Lois for a brochure.  First Congregational Church does have a scholarship fund that provides Camperships up to ½ the cost with a maximum of $100 per person.  

We are a Five for Five Church within the United Church of Christ since we give generously to each of the five special offerings. Our next opportunity for giving is June 1 - for the Strengthen the Church offering.
Strengthen the Church grows the UCC's future by:
• Funding new church starts and invigorating existing congregations
• Nurturing lay and pastoral leadership
• Building youth and young adult ministries
• Supporting the God is Stillspeaking Ministry and its extravagant welcome for all.
All gifts are directed to activities and programs of our Illinois Conference as well as the UCC's national ministries.

Remember, we will receive this offering on June 1. Your generous gift today ensures a vibrant church tomorrow. Let us spread the love and strengthen the church. God is still speaking.

Dear FCC Staff,

Thank you for your additional support in helping Pat Segel and the Downtown Neighborhood Association with Saturday, May 10th, “Downtown Elgin “Holy Hill” Walking Tour.”  We had a great turn out and it was great to end with FCC as an indoor tour.  Thanks and we look forward to your renovation and promoting any events or Building Campaign information you would like through our DNA communications!!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Benson

We are transforming our church brick by brick!  Our special building fund appeal is in its final stage.  Every member of our church has been asked to pray and consider a financial commitment to our building renovation and ministry through our Transforming The Church ~ Brick By Brick Fund Appeal.  On Commitment Sunday, many of our members brought their commitments to worship to be received and dedicated.  To all of you who have made your building fund commitment, we say a most heartfelt “THANK YOU!’

If you have not yet completed your building fund commitment card, please do so today and return it to the church office using the return envelope.  If you were not contacted and wish to make a financial commitment to our Transforming The Church ~ Brick By Brick Fund Appeal, please contact Carole Kilmanas by phone at 847-428-1143 or by email at kilmanas@sbcglobal.net.
Our Transforming The Church ~ Brick By Brick Fund Appeal is a step toward realizing that our mission is caring for today and preparing for the future of our church family.
 
 

Thank you to all who supported the flower sale.  The final figures are not in, but we realized a profit of around $600.  Each year we learn more about running this event and hope that the problems we encountered this year will not be repeated should we do this again.

Time is running out to purchase tickets for the dinner/theater event on July 12.  Fire Side Theater will be our destination that day.  We will feast on a gourmet meal and then be inspired by the play, The Rock and The Rabbi.  Tickets are $98 per person and include the meal, play, and your transportation there and back.  Enjoy the day with some of your church friends.

Calendars are still available for the Calendar Raffle which will begin the first Sunday in 2009.  We will be awarding winners a total of $1350 over the course of the year.  Buy yours now so you can be eligible for some of that prize money!  They make excellent gifts.

Please continue to support Danny’s Pizza Day, the third Tuesday of each month.

Please support the garage sale.  Set up will be Wednesday June 4 with the sale set for Thursday and Friday, June 5 and 6.  See the article on this elsewhere in Church Life.

As always, your help and your suggestions are welcome.  The meetings are the fourth Monday at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.  We will not meet on May 26, but will meet on June 23.  Contact Jeanne Rothlisberger for more information.

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 beforehand.
➢    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            Baby clothes
Antique linens         Furniture
Coats                Jackets       
Books                 Jeans       
Movies             Jewelry   
Tapes                 Tools       
CDs                DVDs
Containers of all kinds

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 the sale on Saturday for a half day.  However, if the 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

I thank you all for the support you offer to me with your comments, suggestions, problems, hugs, and greetings.  I consider it a privilege and an honor to represent you as your moderator.  I am pleased that you are suggesting things we should pray about for our congregation.  I will use them all.  There is one suggestion that we should work on right away, and that is the repair of the roof in the Sanctuary.  You may have noticed paint peeling as a result of water seepage.  Once we locate and solve the leaks we can restore the paint in those areas and make certain no other unseen harm has been done.  Please join me in praying for this.

There has been a change of date for the June Church Council meeting.  It will be held the second Tuesday of the month, June 10.  All are welcome to attend these monthly Council meetings.  Thanks again for your support and prayers.

Jeanne Rothlisberger

01st     Ruth Braun
08th    Laura McMinn
15th    Barb Burton
22nd    Dennis & Mary Hewitt
29th    John & Marilyn Kauffman

01st    Pat Henrys
08th    Tom Powell
15th
22nd    Ron & Liz Schaaf
29th    Janet Banwart &
    Sandy Dalton

01st    Taylor Stark
    Emerson Lewis
08th    Lauren Powers
    Drew Rantz
15th    Cassidy Sell
Emilie Kottmeier
22nd    Grace Anne Aldred
    Abby Garcia
29th    Kenzie Fahnestock
    Abby Kottmeier

01st    Jim Schock
08th    Ron Schaaf
15th    John Cooper
22nd    Paul Grote
29th    Steve Stauffacher

01st    Jim & Marcia Breunlin
08th    Mark & JoAnn Brictson
15th    Dick & Sandy Browning
22nd    Floyd & Betty Brown
29th    Jeannine Burger

01st - Jodie Stackowiak, Kirsten Pedersen, Laura McMinn, Cherie Murphy, Sandy Dalton

08th - Chase Sund, Anna Mitchell, Mary Taylor, Grant Powell, Alessandra Castillo

15th - Walt & Carole Kilmanas, Jerry Powers, Ron & Karen Carlson

22nd  - Jim Schock, Jim Breunlin, Chuck Zimmerman, Charlie Rantz, Mike Powers

29th -      Jim Schock, Jeanne Rothlisberger,
Steve and Colleen Stauffacher