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Trinity Trumpet October
, 2018
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In this issue: A Message Scott Peterson, Thoughts on Stewardship, a health update from Kent Organ, World Communion Sunday and the Neighbors In Need offering, important information about upcoming events and programs, Memorial gifts, and Sunday Themes for October.
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A Message From Scott Peterson
Fall is here: school is back in session (it seems to resume earlier every year...); the days and nights are getting cooler. Soon, the leaves will be blowing.
Life at Trinity continues to thrive. This month, we dedicated the official representation of our Vision Statement that hangs in the narthex. Thanks to Camilla Dadey for her passion, energy, and talent in preparing that beautiful depiction of our direction!
Though it is early in the Fall, it is not too soon to begin planning for the year to come. 2018 has been a year of changes, so the first step is to take stock of our current status. Our new organizational structure - defined in our updated constitution and bylaws - for over 6 months. Last week, the leads of the 4 Core Committees: Jen Holtz (Growth & Membership), Judy Desenis (Worship & Program), Roger Dart (Mission), and Todd Kerschke (Operations) began discussions about our current situation: the effectiveness of the new structure in supporting our Vision and meeting the needs of our members, how we're working together, and areas where we need more support from church members. This review will help us in two ways: revising our Stewardship requests for Time and Talents for members to address the specific needs of our congregation and guiding our goal-setting process for the coming year.
Scott Peterson
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A Parting Thought for Stewardship Season
In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Schroeder bends over his little piano, playing away. Lucy, leaning on the piano and gazing at Schroeder, asks him, "Do you know what love is?" Schroeder gives his response in dictionary style. "Love," he says, "means fondness; a strong affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons." He resumes playing. Lucy leans closer, but can't get his attention. Finally, rejected and dejected, she says, "On paper he's great." Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady is even more direct, when she cries out to Professor 'Iggins: "Don't talk of love. Show me."
2019 is an important year for Trinity United Church of Christ. You have momentum. The Pastor Search Committee's church profile reflects this. The profile is attracting significant interest from minister candidates. Your search committee is excited. But here's the rub: Are you the church that the profile describes? One way to show that you are that energetic, focused and committed church is through your personal 2019 pledge and giving to the work of Trinity. What will you bring?
Astute pastor candidates will examine the congregation's budget. They will look to see how devoted its members and friends are to the ministry of the church. They will also want to see assurances that the congregation can afford the compensation it is offering. That's where everybody's financial pledge and giving comes in. Stewardship Pledge Sunday is November 11.
You, the little band of faithful folks that is Trinity UCC, love this church. Clearly. Wonderfully. You love who you are as a community and you love what it is that you do. I have treasured my time with you. One minor fact. as I prepare to depart and you to carry on. is that my tithe (10% of income) will not continue here. So, as to stewardship, here is a question: What will you bring in 2019?
Grace, peace, and blessings, as the journey continues.
Kent Organ
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Interim Pastor Medical News
As you know, Kent Organ's lymphoma has returned. He is to be treated with an immunotherapy called Yescarta. T-cells were collected from him on Sept. 21 and shipped to the Kite Pharma lab in Southern California. There they are being re-engineered to become lymphoma-seeking missiles to destroy cancer cells. These "CAR T-cells" are to be infused back into Kent either on Monday, Oct. 15 - that is Plan A - or, if they aren't ready by then, to be infused on Tuesday, Oct. 23 (Plan B). Following infusion, Kent will be in the hospital for two weeks and then is to be in recovery at home for another six weeks. Kent's final two Sundays with us will come after Advent and Christmas. The current plan is for him to return on Sundays, January 6 and 13 and to be in the church office during the intervening week.
Trinity's "post-interim gap" pastoral ministry plan is for the Reverends Susan Martersteck, Harriet Dart and Roger Dart to preach and lead worship, and offer pastoral ministry, during Kent's convalescence and also following Kent's departure - prior to the arrival of a new pastor.
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World Communion Sunday is October 7
"They will come from east and west, and from north and south,
and sit at table in the Reign of God."
World Communion began in the fall of 1936, when a group of ministers met to study the spiritual needs and possibilities of the church during an anxious historical time. A second world war was just a few years away from erupting. These ministers saw in the Lord's Supper an opportunity to unite Christian people throughout the world in dedication to the way of Jesus Christ.
The first Sunday of October is, as it has been for more than eighty years, a special moment for Christians and churches "from east and west and north and south" to set aside whatever may divide us in order to respond together to Christ's invitation, "Do this in remembrance of me."
October 7, 2018 will dawn in the Fiji Islands more than eighteen hours prior to our time at the Lord's Table. Hour by hour, as the earth turns, the one family of Christ will partake of bread and cup this Sunday - in Australia and Asia, Europe and Africa, South America, and then... it is our turn. "The gifts of God for the people of God." Come for all is made ready!
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The Neighbors in Need offering, which we will receive this Sunday, October 7th, supports the UCC's ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts and direct service projects. Through ucc.org/justice, our Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of issues, and working with the Justice and Peace Action Network, continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice. Neighbors is need also supports our
American
Indian Neighbors in the UCC. One third of the offering supports the UCC's Council for American Indian
Ministries. CAIM supports 20 UCC congregations on reservations, and is an invaluable resource for more than 1000 individuals from dozens of tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S.
Neighbors in Need helps make a Just World for All possible. For this to occur, it needs your support. There will be a special offering envelope in the bulletin this Sunday, or you can donate online anytime at: ucc.org/nin
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"Discovering Islam"
Trinity's
Adult
Education Program will continue with an exploration of Islam. The UCC and several other denominations are partnering with Discover Islam, and interfaith media project founded in 1991 at a Canadian University to share these 6 award winning documentaries. The six week program will begin on Thursday, October 11 at 10:30 AM.
Islam: Faith & History
Islam: An American Faith
African Americans and Islam
Women & Islam
Islam: A Faith Hijacked
Christians and Islam
Please join us to view the film and participate in conversation.
Lucy Dorenfeld, Jen Holtz, Harriet Dart, Facilitators
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Breaking the Cycle of Chicago's Gun Violence
Wednesday, October 10, 7:00 PM
Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St., Winnetka
Arne Duncan, Speaker and Moderator
Learn first-hand from young men living every day amid gun violence about the real life toll it is taking on Chicago's South and West Side communities. And hear about one innovative solution aimed at getting shooters off the streets.
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Joint 2018 Fall Meeting of Chicago Metropolitan and Fox Valley Associations
Join us on Saturday, October 20 at Union Church of Hinsdale, (173 S. Garfield Ave, Hinsdale.) The theme of the meeting is "Fruits of the Spirit, from the Valley of the City." Worship will be led by Lighthouse Church of Chicago and Gilead Church. Four congregations will present a panel discussion of ministries that have brought new life to their congregations and helped their churches to grow in body and spirit.
Registration deadline is Friday, October 12. Please see Harriet Dart for more information.
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Oktoberfest Oct. 28 after worship
Come join us for our annual Oktoberfest celebration on October 29 after worship. We'll be grilling brats and hot dogs. Please bring a side dish to share
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Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
October 13 - The Green Book (See the poster in the Gathering Hall)
October 28 - The last "Noisy Buckets" Sunday
November 4 - All Saints Choir
November 11 - Stewardship Sunday
December 8 - Feed My Starving Children
December 30 - PADS
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Trinity United Church of Christ has received the following Memorial Gifts:
In memory of: Given by:
Shirley Mailfald Judy Spangle
Bob Thomas
Karen & George Walbrecht
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October Worship Themes
Oct. 7 - "Here on this Small Island" (Psalm 133; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
Oct. 14 - "Beyond Arithmetic" (Psalm 127; Mark 12:38-44)
Oct. 21 -"Making an Investment Though the World is in Chaos" (I Timothy 6:6-19; Jeremiah 32:1-3,6-15)
Oct. 28 - "Take Heart" (Mark 10:46-52)
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