This Week:
01/10 - 8 am Sunday Morning Worship
01/14- Noon Thursday EBlast
Quick Links:
Scroll to bottom for Social Media Links
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It's been a challenging year financially for many organizations, churches included. Since physical worship hasn't been an option, the collection plate has not yielded its usual fruits. Donations on Christmas Eve are normally so generous that a single day has a considerable impact on our budget planning. Please consider donating to the FCCGE Christmas Offering by clicking here, below, or sending a check to FCCGE (535 Forest Ave. Glen Ellyn, Il. 60137) with "FCCGE Christmas Offering" in the memo line. Blessings to you, Merry Christmas, and thank you for supporting the Church.
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What Can I Learn? Or Eat? |
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Congregational Book Club
Thurs. Jan. 13th
7:30 pm
Take some time to snuggle up with a good book this Christmas and join us January 13th at 7:30pm via Zoom as we discuss The Thirty Names of Night. This book is one about grief- starting over and identity as we follow the life of a trans Syrian man processing his mother's death and coming to terms with his identity. Written by a trans author Zeyn Joukhadar this book is “magical and heart-wrenching” (The Christian Science Monitor) storytelling, "The Thirty Names of Night is a timely exploration of how we all search for and ultimately embrace who we are(Goodreads)." Please contact Pastor Kendra if interested and we will reserve a book for you at The Bookstore!
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Adult Christian Ed
January 10th at 9:30 am
Join us as we begin the new year with licensed social worker,
Jessica Vasa, who will lead us in a workshop on mindfulness and intention-setting for 2021. What a healthy and fun way to begin what will be a fantastic year! The Adult Ed ZOOM link will be in your Thursday noon enewsletter and at fcc.org under "Events/Ministries". Ques? Contact Pastor Kendra.
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All Church Eats!
The pandemic has been particularly challenging for restaurants everywhere and we want to help our local businesses. We have created a schedule of days when we want to encourage everyone to patronize the following local eateries with take-out orders to help them out. Jan. 12th is Apolis Greek Street Food (430 Roosevelt, GE), Jan. 19th is Thipi Thai (530 Crescent, GE) and Jan. 26th is 302 Wheaton (302 Front Street, Wheaton). These restaurants have been alerted and are ready to take your order! |
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Where's the Rest of Your Eblast? |
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Remember that some email providers (like gmail) cut your enewsletter short so you need to look for the tiny blue text that says "[Message clipped] View entire message" at the very bottom left of your enewsletter and click it!
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Social Justice Meeting
January 18 7pm
The Social Justice Community Group will meet over Zoom on January 18 from 7 to 8:15. We will watch and discuss a Ted Talk by Dr. Philip Atiba Goff on “How we can make racism a solvable problem and improve policing.” This meeting is open to everyone. If you want to attend, send an email to Ida Hagman so you will receive the Zoom link. |
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Want to learn More about
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn?
ZOOM on Over for More Information!
The Newcomers Ministry Team is back in full swing for 2021. Below are the dates for the newcomers information sessions which will be held via ZOOM. In addition to our new Saturday am sessions, we are introducing a week day evening option to our information session calendar.
Wednesday evenings from 7pm-7:40pm
Saturday mornings from 9am-9:40am
New member ceremonies will be held at the church following COVID protocol on the following Saturdays at 11:00 am:
- Saturday, January 30th
- Saturday, April 24th
- Saturday September 11th
Contact Clara Hughes via email or via phone or text at 630-699-6970 if you are interested in learning more about the church through a newcomers information session.
If you already have attended a session and want to become a member as the next step of your faith journey, contact Clara to begin the membership process.
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Glen Ellyn Youth and Family Counseling Services
Supporting Families Through Uncertain Times
GEYFCS is welcoming parents and caregivers with children who attend Glen Ellyn schools to attend a support group. This support group is provided free of charge.
Monday Evenings
Held virtually via Zoom
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Struggling and Need Someone to Talk To?
This past year has been particularly difficult for everyone. If you feel as if you can't seem to get past sadness, loneliness, anger, resentment or anything else that is keeping you from living a fulfilling life, know there is help out there. Click below to start your journey for better emotional health. There is help for you.
*Updated* with new info for teens
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Dry January
Start your new year with healthy habits-beginning with "Dry January", where you take a break from alcohol and discover all sorts of mental and physical benefits! Read more here.
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Treasurer's Report
Did you know that HOW you give can cost the church more than other methods? Here are the various
methods arranged from lowest cost to highest cost:
1. Check sent to the church (make it easy on yourself and set up an automated payment from your
bank via bill pay)
2. Monthly bank draft (ACH) from your bank account – call the church office and Laura can help
you get this setup
As always, you have the option to check the box “cover the fees” when making your donation. If we all
chip in the few extra dollars for the fees, its less cost to the church.
And don’t forget you can easily donate by clicking on “Give” in our new FCCGE app.
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Help FCCGE
Use Funds Wisely
Cover the Fees
Yearly, FCCGE spends somewhere around $10,000 in credit card and stock transfer fees. We're sure you can agree that these thousands of dollars could help people in need rather than going back to the banks. We prayerfully ask that you consider checking the little box that says "Cover fees" when giving online. You know the saying "Many checked boxes make light fees" (or something like that :-). We thank those that have gotten on board - you're making a difference!
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Flowers 2021
We are starting to schedule altar flower donations for 2021. Please give your calendars a gander and see which Sunday(s) you would like to donate. We will need flowers for 1/31; 2/7, 21, 28; 4/25; 5/2, 9. It's super easy-just call or text Jennifer Darnall at 708.712.3712.
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FCC Heifer Int'l Donation Doubled
With great joy, our congregation raised $2136.78 to be donated to Heifer International in 2020. Thanks to an opportunity by a generous donor, our $2136.78 was matched and doubled so the donation from our congregation was equal to over $4200.00! How does that ring up in terms of animals? It's equivalent to 3 heifers, 3 water buffalo, 2 alpacas, 3 goats, 3 pigs, 3 sheep, 3 flocks of ducks, 3 flocks of chicks, 3 trios of rabbits, 3 honey bee hives, and 3 gifts of trees. Thank you for supporting Heifer's mission to feed people, build communities, and care for the earth!
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Church School 3 Ways!!!
Sundays from 11:00 - 11:30
Kids who are in preschool through 5th grade have three options to join us and their friends for church school!
- "Zoom Church School" for preschool through 5th grades Sunday mornings from 11:00 am to 11:30 am. Please join us using this link to log-in each Sunday.
- In addition, we continue our "Virtual Church School". Each Sunday virtual church school is sent to your email inbox with lessons led by Catherine Curtis, Director of Christian Education, and Cathy Basso, Youth Education Coordinator, as well as stories and activities led by volunteers.
- Finally, each child in grades preschool-5th should receive their own Church School Activity Bag before the start of each unit. These activity bag supplies are accompanied by a printed companion that includes a brief Devotion, Scripture Reading, and instructions for the activities in each bag.
If your family has not received a bag, please contact Catherine Curtis and go to www.fccge.org , or click the button below, to register your family for the 2020-21 Program Year. We look forward to seeing and hearing you!!
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