September 14 , 2017
Greetings!

T o the Sinners and Saints in La Grange and beyond, grace to you and peace from Carly, called to be a servant of Christ among you.  

What follows is an article I wrote for the Tidings in November, 2014. As we begin a new program year, I offer this for your reflection about who we are as the Body of Christ in La Grange.

Friend or Follower?
One of differences between Facebook and Twitter is how one’s “associates” are labeled. On Facebook, one has “friends.” According to how one sets their privacy settings, friends can see most of what I post on my Facebook page, can write things on my “wall,” read my responses to other friends, and interact with me through private messaging. On Twitter, one has “followers.” These people can read what I post on Twitter, but the level of interaction is limited to hashtags (#), “retweets” (RT), mentions (@), and direct messages (DM). 

I recognize that to anyone outside of the world of social media, the paragraph I’ve just written makes absolutely no sense. Such is the digital gap in technology use. I would liken this difference to the difference between a church member ….. (Click for more.)
 
[1] Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Conference E-Pistle (Indianapolis: Indiana Kentucky Conference UCC) October 27, 2014.
This Week:
Friday 9/15: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 9/16: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/17: Sunday Morning Talks: Christians and the Environment at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, All Teams Meeting at 11:15 am, Teacher and Shepherd Training at 11:45 am, ABT Candidate Forum - Meet JB Pritzker at 5:30 pm, Zackley Meeting at 6:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 9/18: Hooks & Needles at 7:00 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 9/20: World Cafe Meeting at 6:30 pm
Thursday 9/21: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 9/22: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 9/23: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/24: Sunday Morning Talks: Christians and the Environment at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Safe Church Training at 1:00 pm, ABT Candidate Forum - Meet Scott Drury at 6:30 pm, Yzal/Zackley BBQ at 6:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Hurricane Harvey
To aid victims of Hurricane Harvey, enter this link to our UCC Disaster Ministries:
If you prefer to donate by mail, make checks payable to United Church of Christ, with "Hurricane Harvey" in the memo. Mail to: United Church of Christ c/o Financial Services, 700 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.
100% of funds to the United Church of Christ designated for U.S. disaster relief are used for disaster relief and rehabilitation programming within the United States."
Convergence Leadership Project
These are dangerous times. But they are also times of great opportunity. The Convergence Leadership Project is a powerful new initiative to develop and deploy spiritual activists, align and energize the church, and organize folks who embody a just and generous Christian faith. We are a part of this important movement of faith revitalization and leadership development. We will host a national gathering on October 27-28. You are encouraged to participate in this event. Find out more here . Our Convergence Leadership Team will meet on September 24 at 11:30 in the Drawing Room. All are welcome.
New Members Class
Let's explore what it means to belong, to sense that you're at home in the community of faith. Three gatherings are planned for those who have been worshiping and participating in the ministries of the congregation and who would like to explore a deeper relationship.
  • Sunday, October 8 at 11:15 am, we'll gather with the ministry teams in the Dining Room following our Sunday morning worship. We'll learn about the ministries of the congregation and then take a tour of the church building.
  • Sunday, October 22 at 4:30 pm, Exploring Vision and Covenant over desserts in the Drawing Room.
  • Saturday, November 4 at 4:30 pm, we'll explore faith journeys over wine and cheese at the church manse (105 S. La Grange Rd.)
  • During Sunday morning worship on November 5th, participants will have an opportunity to formalize their relationship with FCCLG.
This is an exploration only with no obligation or strings attached. There is no cost to participate, but registration is appreciated . Sign up in the Fellowship Hour following worship, or contact Carly .
Music Opportunities
All programs are open to the community, so invite a friend or neighbor to check us out. Interested musicians please contact Ryan Cox before your first rehearsal for door codes and more info.
 
Chancel Choir continues September 21 at 7:30pm and continues again on September 6 at 7:45pm in the Choir Room . Membership is open to all singers, high-school on up. All voice parts are needed. Not sure where you fit in? Ryan will help. All new choir members are offered two free voice coachings with Ryan.
 
Carillon Handbell Choir continues on September 27 at 7:30pm. Anyone high-school and up is welcome. Previous ringing experience is not required: basic music reading is helpful. We need both regular ringers and those who would like to sub in from time to time. 
 
Ring 'n Sing : It's back and it does what the name suggests. We sing. And, we ring. Children in 1st-8th grades are welcome. Rehearsals begin on September 17 from 11:15-11:45am. This is a great introduction to our youth program.
 
Treble Choir : An extension of Ring n' Sing, this ensemble is designed for children in 3rd grade and up. The focus is on voice development, music reading, and singing more challenging music. Normally we meet right after Ring n' Sing from 11:45am-12:15pm. However, our first rehearsal is combined with Ring n' Sing on September 17 from 11:15-11:45am.
FCCLG Christmas Eve Service Survey
Let us know what you think! Please go to this link and take a quick one question survey!
Hooks and Needles
We are the ladies who make the prayer shawls, baby blankets and pocket prayer squares for members of the congregation. We also donate our handmade items to organizations like Project Linus. Meetings are on Mondays, except for the first Monday of the month, at 7 pm in the Family Room off the Chapel. Coming every Monday is not required. Some of us only come occasionally and do a lot of our stitching at home. Please email Linda Lauterbach at lslauterbach@gmail.com to get on our email list and get the door code. Hope you will join us at our next gathering on September 18th.
Ministry of Education Volunteer Opportunities
School recently started and so did our Ministry of Education programming. If you can help our amazing children and youth, please fill out a Ministry of Education volunteer form found in the church office.
Positions available in Messy Church, Sunday School, Yzals, and Zackleys.

September 17 : Zackleys Meeting 6:30pm
September 24 : Yzal and Zackley BBQ
October 1 : Messy Church
Safe Church Training 
Everyone who works with children and youth is required to complete Safe Church and Boundary Training. The training is offered twice a year in September and January. The next training will be on September 24 at 1 p.m. in the Drawing Room. You MUST register for this free class. Sign up in the Founders’ Room or call the office at 708-352-0800 . Necessary materials will be distributed by e-mail the week before the training.
Messy Church
Messy Church will be this Sunday, October 1st at 4:30 pm. Our theme this month is Who is the Holy Spirit? Come and have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. Click here for flyer.
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner
Tavern Table Talk
Here’s an opportunity to talk about faith in the real world. We’re taking conversations to the local tables in our community. We’ll ask questions and discuss our responses as Christians to issues of the day. Join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Palmer Place (56 S La Grange Rd), and on the Fourth Tuesday of each month at Wild Monk (88 S La Grange Rd). Both locations are accessible to all. All are welcome to join in on the conversation!
Food Pantry Donations For September
For busy back-to-school mornings of September, we are collecting breakfast foods-- hot or cold cereals, pancake mix, syrup--for Second Baptist Food Pantry. Any nonperishable foods are appreciated.
Neighbors In Need Offering
On Sunday, October 1, 2017 , there will be a special offering to support our Neighbors in Need. This annual offering by the UCC goes to support the ministries of justice and compassion throughout the USA. 

Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Some of the issues that are advocated by the Justice and Witness Ministries and will be helped by your donation are immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, environmental justice and the federal budget. One-third of the offering goes to assist the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministry. There are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, MN. 

We understand the present demand for donations to help the hurricane victims but please try and give to our Neighbors in Need offering on October 1, 2017. You will help many neighbors in need! Contributions to Neighbors in Need can be made online at anytime to ucc.org/nin . Thank you for your generosity!
Can’t go on Back Bay Mission Trip, but you’d like to help?
When you make a gift to Back Bay Mission, you give people a place of extravagant welcome. You meet the immediate needs of low-income and homeless people, needs like showers and clean clothes. You also help people make better lives for themselves by connecting them to employment and housing services. You do so much to change the lives of the people your gift touches.
Click here to see the Micah Day Center wish list of needed items. Please bring donations to church office by Oct. 8 th for personal delivery to the Mission.
October 15th means CROP Hunger Walk
Our church will again be the hosting the LaGrange/Western Springs/Brookfield CROP Hunger Walk on October 15 at 12:30 pm . The route is approximately 3 miles long and will loop back to our church. There are many ways to help: walking and collecting donations, donating, or helping to host the event. Stop by the table at coffee hour for details. The website for the event is  crophungerwalk.org/lagrangeil
Craft Fair 2017
October 21st is the Church Craft Fair from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Check out the FCCLG website to become a volunteer or sign up for a table. Call Dave Bryant at 708-352-3034 for more details. Click here for the flyer!
Missions Book Group

Missions will facilitate a book discussion focusing on issues of social concern. We meet at 7:30 on the 1st Monday in November, February, and May .
November 6 : Dreamland: The True Tale of Americas' Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
February 5 : Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the America City by Matthew Desmond
May 7 : TBD
Evening Book Club

Evening Book Club will join the Missions Committee in reading, " Dreamland " by Sam Quinones. The combined discussion will take place on Monday, November 6th at 7:30 pm. To understand how heroin took hold in rural America, you need to go back two decades and look at the surge of prescription drug use in Portsmouth, Ohio, according to journalist Sam Quinones. All are invited!
Community Events

Prayers to End Domestic Violence
The Domestic Violence ministries of St. Cletus, St. Francis Xavier and St. John of the Cross parishes invite you to join us in an ecumenical prayer service for victims and families who have been impacted by domestic abuse. Prayer and song will be highlighted by a survivor story. The service will be held Tuesday, Oct 3 at 7:00pm in St. Francis Xavier Church. All are welcome.

Interfaith Community Partners is hosting its 15th Annual Fall Benefit on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 7pm-10pm at Capri Banquets in Countryside. Entertainment includes The Nick Pontarelli Band playing favorites from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Frankie Valli, and more! Join us for an evening of music, friendship, and philanthropy. If you would like to purchase tickets and to learn more about ICP, please call 708-354-9328 or visit our website at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org . Ticket price is $60 per person and includes hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, silent auction, and paddle raise. Cash bar for other cocktails. For more information or if you would like to donate, sponsor, or volunteer please call our office at 708-354-9328. Click on event flyer .
Thank You Letter to FCCLG!

Thank you for hosting a week of summer shelter this year. I am delighted to report that after two summer shelter programs, BEDS Plus is confident we will continue this important program. We very much appreciate your involvement.
Click here to see the whole letter!
Fundraising For FCCLG
Give back to FCCLG when you shop on Amazon! Click here
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Ojo Adedji, seeking asylum in the U.S., whose hearing date has been postponed to October.

Emil and Maria Balz.

Prayers for the Biegert Family as they mourn the death of Evelyn’s sister Phyllis Langhofer.

The family and friends of Renee Bryant’s friend Melissa, who passed away.

Prayers for Dave King, who is suffering from West Nile encephalitis.

Genesis Matthiesen’s friend Vincent Franco, who has lost his way.

Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.

Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer.

Erik Sander and family, whose mother died unexpectedly August 24 th .

Nancy Coleman’s friend Sharon Veltre, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.

The victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.