Tip
: There are clickable links throughout the eNews. Look for colored underlined words - click for an easy access of an email, address, web shortcut or further reading.
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THE POWER OF CELEBRATION
REV. FLORENCE CAPLOW
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10:15 a.m. in Sanctuary
In this service, let's celebrate the sacred side of joy and play, even (or maybe especially) when times are hard. Celebration is a radical act.Or, as Emma Goldman said, "A revolution without dancing is not a revolution worth having." This is also the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana.
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UUCUC INTERGENERATIONAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
After the service everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall where you can enjoy some birthday cake by sitting at your birth month table.
The cake is provided by our generous volunteers and non-cake options will be available!
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HAPPENING TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND
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UU HAPPY HOUR - RIGGS BEER COMPANY
TODAY, September 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at Riggs Beer Company
Join us at Riggs Beer Company, Sept. 26th, for the UU Happy Hour. Riggs is located at 1901 S High Cross Rd., Urbana, and is owned by one of our fellow members! Come anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 to get together, chat and relax. A food truck will be available.
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BOOK READING/SIGNING: "REDEMPTION SONGS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY PRISON CHOIR"
Thursday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Iowa City-based writer Andy Douglas will talk about his latest book, based on his experiences singing in a choir made up of incarcerated men and community volunteers in a medium-security prison in Iowa. The book describes the joys and struggles of creating music in such an environment, discusses how the arts can transform lives, and explores a restorative justice approach for the American criminal justice system. This event will also feature singing!
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RESOLVING CONFLICT, FINDING RESOLUTION PART I
Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
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C-U PRIDE FEST AND PARADE
Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in downtown Champaign
UUs will be gathering north of downtown Champaign at Washington St, between Walnut and Hickory streets. The parade starts at 3:00 p.m., and we recommend to try to be there at least by 2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. so we can teach any songs or chants.
Feel free to join in on some pre-parade activities:
- Rainbow face painting is available for UUCUC persons marching in the parade. We will have a shade canopy set up in the large city parking lot at Washington and Walnut, come see us starting at 2:00 p.m. to get colorful!
- AJ Herzog, and Renée Trilling have set up a pre-parade luncheon at Pizzeria Antica at 1:00 p.m. for those that are interested. It's not necessary to attend the luncheon in order to walk with us in the parade.
For further information about pre-parade activities and the parade itself, please
CLICK HERE!
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UU VOICES BOOK GROUP RESUMES THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Noon in Classroom #1
The UU Voices book group, led by Rev. Florence Caplow, will be meeting this Sunday at noon in Classroom #1 to begin our fall discussion of "Buddhist Voices in Unitarian Universalism", available as a Kindle book from Amazon or from the UUA Bookstore. For this first meeting, it is not necessary to have read the book. To sign up (all are welcome) please register here:
https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/eb70c3
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PATHWAY TO MEMBERSHIP CLASS
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Children's Chapel
Learn about UUCUC governance, activities, opportunities and social action mission. Learn about benefits and responsibilities of membership. Meet others interested in UUCUC membership. At the end of the class, you’ll have an opportunity to “sign the book” and become a member if you choose. Light snacks provided. Childcare available.
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BELONGING
REV. FLORENCE CAPLOW
Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 10:15 a.m. in Sanctuary
This is the first of our "Soul Matters" themed services, and "What does it mean to be a people of belonging" is the Soul Matters theme for October. We all want to belong. But belonging can imply that some don't belong. Where and how do we draw the circle wider? Where is our circle of belonging potentially limiting us, individually or collectively? What are the gifts and the shadows of belonging? We will explore these questions, and more. The UUCUC choir will be singing.
ALL MY FAVORITE PEOPLE ARE BROKEN
REV. FLORENCE CAPLOW, JULIE LAUT AND OTHERS
Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 10:15 a.m. in Sanctuary
Mental illness is still one of our great taboo subjects. Our language is filled with pejoratives about mental illness: "crazy, insane, loony." But there is little serious discussion. As one person said, "The only time mental illness is in the news is after a shooting." Yet almost all of us are touched by mental illness in some way, through our own life or the lives of loved ones. In this sensitive service, we will explore the difficult subject of mental illness with compassion and humor. If you have a story of how your life has been touched by mental illness, please send in writing to Rev. Caplow at
minister@uucuc.org, and let us know if you would be willing to have it shared in the service. Readings can be anonymous.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
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CROP WALK NEEDS YOU!
Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
CROP Walk is helping to alleviate hunger and poverty in our community. CROP also funds global humanitarian projects including hurricane Dorian relief in the Bahamas, and assistance for refugee families at our southern border.
Join the UU Walkers in this effort, and walk with us on Sunday October 13 at 2:00 p.m.
This Sunday, September 29 there will be an insert in the OOS asking people to sponsor a walker or the team with a pledge to this worthwhile cause. We hope you will!
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TRANSITION OF ROLE OF TREASURER
As of August 13, Gail Schiesser has stepped down from her role as UUCUC Treasurer. The Board is grateful to Gail for her service to the congregation as Treasurer since 2017. During that time Gail brought vision and was a driving force to move our budget and budgeting process into significantly closer alignment with a ‘mission based’ budget. Gail also worked on rescoping the Financial Secretary position and responsibilities, as well as drafting Constitution and Bylaws updates with the Executive Committee. Our sincere thanks to you, Gail!
Board Member, Jerry Frye, has stepped in to address interim Treasurer-related activities. Jerry was already leading the UUCUC Finance Task Force, that will be focusing on rebuilding the Finance Committee, evaluating the needs of upcoming stewardship and budgeting processes, finding a new Treasurer, and rescoping of the Treasurer position to reduce the demands of that position similar to what occurred with the Financial Secretary position.
Questions or comments? Please contact, Randy Locke, UUCUC Board Chair, at
chair@uucuc.org.
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UUCUC PARTICIPATES IN CLIMATE MARCH!
We closed the church on Friday the 20th, but a group of us met outside and walked over together with our church banner, to join the 1,000 or more students and community members striking on campus, despite the 95 degree heat. We were met by at least two dozen other people from UUCUC, and our minister was one of the invited speakers at the rally at the Alma Mater. It was a powerful, serious, and joyous occasion, to see so many committed youth and young adults, and to be able to support them as a UU church community. For more photos,
CLICK HERE.
Photo above of Rev. Florence Caplow taken by
Jeff Puttney.
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LOOKING FOR AN ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY?
Soul Matters Covenant Groups offer the gift of spiritual connection through small group engagement. Our groups organizing now will continue through May 2020 and will meet once per month — with some groups opting to meet occasionally more often.
Themes for 2019-20 include:
What Does It Mean to be a People of…
- September: Expectation
- October: Belonging
- November: Attention
- December: Awe
- January: Integrity
- February: Resilience
- March: Wisdom
- April: Liberation
- May: Thresholds
- June: Play
Spiritual exercises are a vital part of the program designed to satisfy our deep collective hunger for experiential engagement. Reflection questions are equally vital as they invite us into individual exploration and spiritual discernment.
Soul Matters Covenant Groups are not a stand-alone program. They’re designed as a
companion program to our congregation’s worship and other ministries.
CLICK HERE to read about group options and to sign-up to join a group. Or look for Soul
Matters Covenant Group sign-up sheets on the bulletin board behind the Hub Table if you’d prefer to sign-up at the church.
If you want to participate in the October session, please sign-up by October 1.
If you have additional questions or want to chat further, contact Membership Manager,
Sherry Bohlen.
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UUCUC WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT
There are many features on our
new website that we're excited to share with all of you! One of the sections on the main page, "Inspiration From Our Leadership," is a placeholder for writings from leaders within our UU community, including our minister, staff members, and committee and group leaders.
Check out this week's inspiration from Rev. Florence Caplow, entitled
Chop Wood, Carry Water, where she describes how those daily activities that seem impossibly tedious can be a source of pleasure and connection.
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WHAT'S IN A QUESTION?
A New Question From The Dream Team
On behalf of the Dream Team task force, we thank all who have responded to the questions we have posted over the last several weeks. Your voice is crucial as we create a collective vision to guide our church’s future.
This week, we are posing one new questions:
- What are the elements of lifelong Religious Education (or whatever name is determined) that deepen your connection to UUCUC and enrich your life?
You can answer these question electronically
HERE.
For those of you who may have missed responding to a question during any of these past weeks, you can still respond online
HERE
.
The Dream Team’s intent with these questions is to zero in on what members see as the mission and higher purpose of our church. Your answers and our later small group conversations will ensure we know who we are now and guide us to what we want to become.
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A UUCUC LIBRARY FOR ALL AGES
From Michele Grove
A great asset to lifespan learning includes books! UUCUC has a great library for all ages. All the books are now located in the 1st floor library (next to the children's Chapel). The library includes children, youth, adult and multi-generational books and provides space to read and meet in small groups.
A team of library volunteers is working to make this project happen. Thank you to the following for their work:
- Jody Hanger
- Kristi Mercer
- Anne Reeser
Jody Hanger is implementing a new book catalog system which allows UUCUC members and friends to see what books we have and to add books to the UUCUC wish list. Check out the books which have been entered so far:
https://uucuc.org/learning/uucuc-library/
Kristi Mercer has served as the coordinator of UUCUC’s adult library for a few years and will continue with this team as they expand their efforts. Thank you, Kristi for your past, present and future work.
Anne Reese is busy cataloging books into our new system.
It is a great team! Thank you all. We will keep UUCUC updated on our progress.
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HAVE #6 PLASTIC (FOAM) AROUND YOUR HOUSE?
Bring it to 2nd-3rd grade classroom to be recycled! Please check and make sure that is has the
recycling logo with a 6 inside of it. Not all foam is recyclable. No packing peanuts, please.
Also, you can put your batteries,CFL lightbulbs, toner and/or ink cartridges in the box in back of Fellowship Hall for recycling. Clear tape the ends of the rechargeable batteries.
Questions?? Call Carol Veit (217-552-1486)
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SAFETY GUURU TEAM
We are looking for volunteers to help on a rotating basis to be leaders in the event of emergent circumstances during church services and into the social hour. This might include weather, fire, injury, intruder, and other situations — learning and knowing what can be done, with training to be provided.
We will have an initial meeting to clarify and handle Q&A after church at 11:45 a.m., gathering at the bottom of the stairs on the far east end of fellowship hall on October 13. We need 15 or MORE people, so please step forward if you can — especially if you have first aid or other emergency knowledge — but your willingness to assist is the only prerequisite.
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DISHWASHING TESTIMONIAL
We have a new volunteer opportunity, helping with dishes on Sunday (signups on the door, or stop by and offer to help!).
Here is a testimonial from Adam Davis, from last Sunday: '
I volunteered to wash dishes because I wanted to help out, but also because sometimes, as an introvert, coffee hour is a bit much for me. While drying and stacking, I was delighted to make a new connection with Joe Minarik (dishwasher extraordinaire) around how to energize stakeholder networks for transformational change in agriculture and the environment.'
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WORLD WAR II THROUGH A CHILD'S EYE
Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Hear and see, through historic photographs, the emotional story of a young Dutch girl who lived through the occupation.
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COFFEEHOUSE ON NOVEMBER 9: YouUU GOT TALENT!
We know you're out there -- ready for the spotlight! Come give a performance and enjoy the other performances on Saturday evening, November 9, 2019 in Fellowship Hall. Singing, dancing, instrumentals, puppet shows, drama, comedy, poetry and story telling are all welcome. New performers and new kinds of performance are particularly welcome.
There might be refreshments.
Signups in Fellowship Hall after services, and the Google doc option will be ready soon.
-The Friendly and Agreeable Muusic Committee
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DO YOU NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH? Are you willing to drive your fellow UUs to church occasionally? If you need a ride or are able to help out with this valuable service, please contact our dedicated ride coordinator, Anne Reeser at: 217-369-1764.
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IS ABUZZ WITH ACTIVITY FOR ALL AGES AND INTERESTS!
Our new website provides a wealth of information about UUCUC's RE programs and news:
If you have any feedback or questions about the RE programs, please feel free to reach out Interim Religious Education Director, Michele Grove at
re-director@uucuc.org.
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UUCUC Shared Offering.
Each month a selected organization is chosen to receive half of our weekly Sunday plate collections, designated checks written to UUCUC with organization's name written in the memo line, cash envelopes designated for "Shared Offering" within the specified month and on-line donations through our
GIVE WEBPAGE
.
The mission of the Channing-Murray Foundation is to provide educational opportunities to explore Unitarian-Universalism spirituality, reflect our concern for social justice, and affirm diversity through outreach to the campus community of Urbana-Champaign.
The tradition of Channing-Murray is not only to provide artistic, social, educational, and religious programming, but also to be a haven for those who dream of a better world, who try to make a better world, who need a place to express and discuss their ideas and to understand the spirituality of Unitarian-Universalism.
Channing-Murray Foundation seeks to contribute to a vibrant community life in Champaign-Urbana that values social justice, diversity, and community-building across a diversity of identities and experiences. We are LGBTQ-affirming, interfaith-oriented, and committed to social justice.
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GET INVOLVED IN SOCIAL ACTION!
The social action committee has a great way to help YOU to support YOUR favorite organization!
Co-Budget!
CoBudget makes it easy to ask for support of your organization for a specific project or need. And you don’t even have to be on the Social Action Committee; the only requirement to participate is that you are a voting member of the church! Here is a quick summary of how it works:
- Once you have an account , Social Action Committee puts $50 in your account (the amounts may vary but everyone starts out with the same amount).
- You propose a project in Co-Budget describing the project and the amount of your request (VERY Easy and we will train you upon request!)
- People can ask questions or offer their own words of support. Once we agree it is something we want to support, then you can request funding.
- At that point, everyone can choose whether to donate some of the dollars in their bucket to your cause; and of course you can donate as much of your own virtual bucket as you like.
- Once your project is funded, then Social Action Committee requests a check and it is sent to your organization. Way to help the World!!
If you are interested in participating or learning more, please reach out to the Social Action Leadership team and we will be glad to help! Please send an email to
social-action-leadership@uucuc.org or catch Ben Galewsky or Pat McClard in the Fellowship Hall after service.
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GUARDIANSHIP OF IMMIGRANT MINORS
From Penné Beckett
Attorney Ellyn Bullock explained to the congregation recently 2 types of guardianship that could be helpful with immigrant children in our community.
- An Illinois short-term guardianship is done out of court and allows a parent to appoint a guardian for a child in case of an emergency such as deportation or other emergency.
- An unaccompanied minor is in need of a guardianship and such a guardianship can be entered in Champaign County Court. For this type of permanent guardianship, the guardian provides for the health education and welfare of the minor. With in this guardianship a special finding of SIJS factors can be made. The SI JS (=special immigrant juvenile status) factors are as follows:
- the child is a minor
- the child is unmarried
- the child is an abandoned child
- reunification is not possible under the Illinois probate act
For more info, feel free to contact:
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WELCOMING WEEK: FROM ATHLETE TO ACTIVIST - ONE PERSON'S STORY OF FINDING THEIR VOICE
Friday, September 27, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at the University YMCA in Champaign
Mia Ives-Rublee, MSW, is a civil rights activist who found her voice through adapted athletics. She will speak about her experiences growing up, getting in to wheelchair track, attending college, and working in advocacy. In a world with so much chaos and noise, it’s hard to find a way to talk about the issues. Ives-Rublee will connect storytelling to activism, showing that no matter who you are you can make a difference in your community.
Co-sponsored by UUCUC's Social Action Committee, the University YMCA's Fall 2019 Friday Forum Lecture Series, “Womxn Rise Up” will take place on Fridays from September 13 through November 15. Lectures will feature individuals, programs, and initiatives who will address topics ranging from affordable housing to sexual violence. For more information about the series,
CLICK HERE.
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UPCOMING MEMORIAL SERVICES
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A memorial service for our beloved
Lin Foote will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of UUCUC, with a reception following in Fellowship Hall.
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A memorial service for our beloved
Chet Strohecker will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of UUCUC, with a reception following in Fellowship Hall.
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A memorial service for our beloved
Yolanda Deal will be held on Saturday, October 19, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of UUCUC, with a reception following in Fellowship Hall.
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JOYS, CONCERNS AND SORROWS
A memory shared by Anonymous
In loving memory of my father who died in 1981.
A sorrow shared by Jessica Augustson
My mother is in the hospital.
A joy shared by Becky Densore
Joy for the many who share their voices and insights through the Dream Buffets and weekly questions in the eNews! On behalf of the Dream Team, we are deeply appreciative of you!
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit our
UUCUC Calendar page
.
Note: Parenthesised meetings/events are outside rentals. Asterisk meetings/events are closed.
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Thursday, September 26
UU Women's Lunch Group / 11:30 a.m. / Children's Chapel
Buddhist Meditation Class / 4:30 p.m. / Channing Murray
UU Happy Hour / 5:00 p.m. / Riggs Beer Company
(Many Paths: An Agnostic AA Group) / 6:00 p.m. / Classroom #1
Redemption Songs: A Year in the Life of a Community Prison Choir / 7:00 p.m. / Fellowship Hall
Reflective Writing Circle / 7:00 p.m. / Library
Friday, September 27
Immigration Justice Task Force / 7:00 p.m. / Children's Chapel
Saturday, September 28
Resolving Conflict Part I / 9:00 a.m. / Fellowship Hall
C-U Pride Parade / 3:00 p.m. / Downtown Urbana
(Many Paths: An Agnostic AA Group) / 4:30 p.m. / Classroom #1
Sunday, September 29
Adult Discussion Group / 9:00 a.m. / Library
Mindfulness Meditation Group / 9:00 a.m. / YRUU Classroom
Racial Justice Project Business Meeting / 9:00 a.m. / Fireplace Room
Children's Choir / 9:15 a.m. / Classroom #1
Nursery / 10:00 a.m. / Classroom #4
Religious Education / 10:15 a.m. / Children's Chapel, Classrooms #1, #2, #3, OWL Classroom, YRUU Classroom
Sunday Service / 10:15 a.m. / Sanctuary
Young Adult Group / 11:30 a.m. / Fellowship Hall
Everybody's Birthday Celebration! / 11:30 a.m. / Fellowship Hall
UU Voices Book Group / 12:00 p.m. / Classroom #1
Pathway to Membership Class / 1:00 p.m. / Children's Chapel
OWL / 4:30 p.m. / Children's Chapel, Library, OWL Classroom
Monday, September 30
Personnel Committee Meeting / 11:00 a.m. / Library
Bridge Group / 1:00 p.m. / Children's Chapel
UU Horn Band Rehearsal / 6:45 p.m. / Sanctuary
Tuesday, October 1
(DSC Playgroup) / 8:30 a.m. / Classroom #4
Worship Meeting / 7:00 p.m. / Library
Wednesday, October 2
Last day for content for eNews & Order of Service by noon, the latest.
UU Playgroup / 9:00 a.m. / Classroom #4
CrUUners Rehearsal / 6:00 p.m. / Sanctuary
(Smart Recovery) / 6:00 p.m. / Classroom #1
Choir Rehearsal / 7:00 p.m. / Sanctuary
Dream Team / 7:00 p.m. / Children's Chapel
Thursday, October 3
Buddhist Meditation Class / 4:30 p.m. / Channing Murray
(Many Paths: An Agnostic AA Group) / 6:00 p.m. / Classroom #1
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UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
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Next eNews: October 3, 2019
Last day for content: Wednesday October 2 by noon the latest.
Please do
not
send to admin@uucuc.org.
Don't forget to publicize your meeting/event!
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UUCUC CONTACT INFORMATION
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Regular Church Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Church Office
(217) 384-8862
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Rev. Florence Caplow
Minister
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Kate Barton
Facilities Manager
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Sherry Bohlen
Membership Manager
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Brian Franklin
Congregational Administration Manager
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Matthew Gladden
Assistant Music Director
h
Michele Townsend Grove
Interim Director of Religious Education
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Kelsey Libert
Childcare Coordinator
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Emily McKown
Youth Coordinator
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Blake Preston
Religious Education Assistant
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Matt Sheppard
Music Director
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Shornor Vineyard
Custodian and Building Caretaker
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