By the Way
SEPTEMBER 2021
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Larry's Notes
Transitional Lay Minister
“At the end of the day, I can end up just totally wacky, because I’ve made mountains out of molehills. With meditation, I can keep them as molehills.” – Ringo Starr
“Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.” – Saint Francis de Sales
In July of 2021, The United Church of Christ, passed a resolution inviting churches in the denomination to begin to be churches who offer contemplative worship services during its General Synod. Being an attendee to the General Synod, it caught my attention.
What is contemplative worship? Contemplative Worship is a time of guided meditation, quiet music, and silence.
“As we know, Jesus rooted his ministry of teaching, healing, and solidarity with others in a life of prayer, solitude, and intimate relationship with God. The Gospels attest that Jesus’s ministry begins with a time of solitude in the desert. He can be found stealing away from the busyness of the crowds to pray.”
“Jesus’s prayerful ‘union with’ the Creator enabled his public witness of creating inclusive community, exemplifying self-giving love, forming disciples, peace building, and engaging in nonviolent resistance. His life of integrated contemplation and action is a touchstone for our Christian life today,” said Denson Staples, a Southern New England Conference delegate and one of the resolution’s proposers.
Starting this month, I want to offer members of the congregation AND community the chance to come into our sanctuary and practice contemplative prayer and meditation. Every service will have a theme or idea to focus on and the service will be 30 minutes in length. The first services will be September 23, with a service at 8 am and a service at 7 pm. We will send out an email reminder prior to the service and I encourage you to blast it out to others.
On another note, I want to thank all of the church leaders who participated in our Church Leadership retreat. The retreat was a time to vision, dream, and get to know our church members better.
Important dates coming up:
September 8 - CHOIR PRACTICE begins! (masks and all)
September 12 - Reverend Ron Purser will assist in the service for communion.
September 19 - will be our outdoor Pratts Wayne Woods kick off Sunday and BBQ potluck.
October 16 and 17 - our 150th Anniversary Celebration
October 31 – Fifth Sunday mixed in with Trunk or Treat
In Love and Service,
Larry Dieffenbach
Transitional Lay Minister/Director of Music, Organist
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WE ACCEPT, EMBRACE AND AFFIRM THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EVERY PERSON, AS WE ARE ALL CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE. |
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What's Happening at Church...
Get involved and join a group, an event, or a LHC initiative.
Explore / Belong / Learn
Worship Service - Sundays, 9:30 am - In Person
(Service uploaded to our YouTube Channel on the following Monday)
Bible Study - Wednesdays, 10 am - via Zoom
Choir Rehearsal Begins - Wednesday, Sept. 8, 7 pm
Men of LHC Monthly Breakfast - Saturday, Sept. 11, 8:30 am, Eggceptional Cafe (Flappy's) on Army Trail Rd in Bartlett
Northern Illinois Food Bank Volunteer Opportunity - Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 - 10:30 am
Service of Communion - Sunday, Sept. 12, 9:30 am NOTE DATE CHANGE THIS MONTH
A Book & A Prayer - Book Club - Thursday, Sept. 16, 7 pm via Zoom
Outdoor Worship & Potluck Lunch - Sunday, Sept. 19, 9:30 am @ Pratts Wayne Woods
Sisters in Spirit (SiS) - Sunday, Sept. 19, 11 am, General Meeting
Church Council Meeting - Monday, Sept. 20, 7 pm In Person and via Zoom
Contemplative Services - Thursday, Sept. 23, 8 am and 7 pm
BTW Deadline - Tuesday, Sept. 21
Pitch-In Day - Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 am - Noon
Sunday School Begins - Sunday, Sept. 26
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS - Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, 630.584.4013
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Moderator's Message
Crossing The Threshold…
Your new Church Council had a very successful Leadership Retreat in August during which we planned the schedule for the coming program year and discussed how we can achieve success in our Mission of 'Worship, Fellowship and Service in the Congregational Tradition.' We look forward to familiar activities like the Christmas Pageant and Chili Cook-Off; and new initiatives such as Fifth Sunday special services and Contemplative Worship.
As we 'Cross the Threshold' of a new program year we can take a literal and figurative perspective. With an 'open door mindset' to guide us, we want to reach out to our members and the community to cross the threshold of our beautiful Sanctuary and share in the special experience of Little Home Church. We also want to step out into the community to be visible and serve others…to build positive awareness of the good work we do. In the Hero’s Journey...one 'crosses the threshold' of a comfortable situation into an unknown world of possibility. This is the opportunity we have now, armed with a new Sanctuary, a new Pastor; a new Council; and 150 Years of experience…we are ready to cross the threshold, and take Little Home Church into a new era.
Peace be with you,
Bob Kaska, Moderator
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Worship & Spiritual Growth
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Woohoo...NEW equipment is on its way! We have ordered new sound equipment and new cameras. We are anxious to get it installed and up and running! This should alleviate the recording issues we've had for the service that we continue to put up on our YouTube page each week.
We continue to NEED Ushers and Pulpit Associates. Please consider signing up. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church, or just contact the Church Office.
There is also a need for flowers to decorate our altar table. It’s a nice way to celebrate a special occasion or remember a loved one. Again, look for the sign up sheet in the back of the church.
Thank you for those who are still worshipping remotely. We continue to film the Sunday services and put them up on our YouTube channel. It’s a different process than what we were doing during the lockdown and we’re working through the glitches. We're hopeful our eventual new equipment will lessen those issues. We appreciate your kindness and patience.
Samantha Prang, WSG Ministry Chair
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The Outdoor Worship
Service is BACK!
Sunday, September 19
Please join us on Sunday, September 19 for worship outdoors (rain or shine) at the Pavilion at Pratts Wayne Woods off Powis Road. Worship will begin at 9:30 am followed by a potluck lunch.
Presently, we will provide the burgers and hotdogs, and we ask everyone to bring a side dish to share. We'll ask that you also bring what you care to drink.
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Sisters in Spirit
Sock Collection for Homeless
The ladies of Sisters in Spirit (SiS) are sponsoring a 'sock collection' for our community homeless neighbors. Socks are one of the most needed and requested article of clothing for our homeless brothers and sisters. SiS is accepting donations of new socks with a goal to collect 150 pairs to commemorate our 150th anniversary in October. You can deposit your contribution in the box located in the Narthex, drop them off in the Office during office hours, or contact Susi Winquist at 630-484-5908 or sfwchargern@yahoo.com for pick up.
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Illinois Youth Center Magazines Collection |
SiS also continues to collect magazines—sports (especially baseball and football), cars, men’s fashions, National Geographic, nature, wildlife, Ripley’s Believe it or not, Guinness World Records, games like Word Search and Sudoko—to donate to residents of the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles. While the State of Illinois provides support for their education and occupational training, LHC has the opportunity to provide recreational reading to assist in reshaping the lives of young men in the juvenile justice system selected to serve their sentences in the best facility in Illinois.
Please note that all materials that we donate must strictly avoid pictures of women, men or children provocatively (or even partially undressed).
A collection box is located in the narthex. Details are available from Judy Hopkins.
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LHC 150th Anniversary Celebration
October 16 and 17, 2021
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It will be here before we know it! SAVE THE DATE, Sunday, October 17. A series of special events are in the planning which the Committee would like to share:
Saturday, Oct. 16 - A welcome Wine & Cheese reception, 5 to 7 pm, hosted by the Men of LHC in Parish Hall
Sunday, Oct. 17 - Day of Celebration
The day will begin with a coffee hour before the 11 am Celebration Worship Service. Afterward we're planning to have a food truck or two, entertainment and kid's activities. More information to come as it develops.
In the meantime, we need your help! We are looking for wedding and baptism photos of all those who have been married or baptized in the church. We are also collecting names, addresses and email addresses of former members to send the invitation. If you have any information, please send to the Church Office.
Kathryn and Dave Kowalski
150th Anniversary Chairpersons
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Facilities Ministry
Getting ready for a celebration!
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“Live your mission, be your mission” that’s my motto for this next phase of my Council Ministry. We have many goals, great ideas, but it all starts with YOU! After having attended the Council Retreat this week, I can’t tell you how excited I am to plow forward and accomplish some great things at LHC. Maybe my ministry is calling you, which would be very welcomed indeed.
This past month our Parish Hall and Office structure was shown some love with the replacement of rotten wood, door, fascia followed by preparation and paint. It’s shining white these days and looking like the rightful extension to our beautifully restored Sanctuary.
Things on the To-Do List include kitchen door with shattered glazing being replaced, existing pew reworked for aesthetically coordinating AV station, and weather-stripping to be installed on Parish Hall & Office doors.
The grounds have been tended to; however, weeds seem to be thriving this year! We will have our next Pitch-In Day on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 9 am to Noon. If there is interest, I’d love to have our hard work rewarded with a lunch in the courtyard. Please let me know if you will be able to attend so that I can coordinate accordingly…there’s always something to tackle, in the hopes to better our church home and keep her shining in the light she has always deserved. This is SUCH an important Pitch In Day, as it will be our final push en-mass to spruce up our church in preparation for the 150th anniversary celebration.
Come join us, many hands make light work!
In God’s Love,
Kit DeWitt
Facilities Ministry Chair
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Attention Genealogy Lovers!
We're Starting a New Group
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Are you an avid researcher? Have you reached a roadblock in your research? Just starting to look for your ancestors? Have an interest in creating your family tree? An idea has surfaced to organize a LHC Genealogy Club to share ideas, helpful researching hints, and have some fun. If you have an interest, please let us know. All are welcome!
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Outreach Opportunity
Northern Illinois Food Bank - Geneva
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Little Home Church has reserved 10 volunteer spots at the Northern Illinois Food Bank West Suburban Center in Geneva on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 8 to 10:30 am. Northern Illinois Food Bank—a proud member of Feeding America—is the source of nutritious food, innovative feeding programs, and hope for more than half a million people each year. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a goal of solving hunger in our 13-county service area, we rely on our generous donors, volunteers, and community partners—the local food pantries and feeding programs, food manufacturers and retailers, companies, foundations, and individuals who join with us in our vision for no one to be hungry in Northern Illinois.
Volunteers will be packing food in some shape or manner. Some of our past tasks have been labeling and packing canned vegetables, frozen meat, and onions. What will we help with on September 11? Sign up and find out!
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We did it...!
Our LHC Rummage Sale-Boutique Style proceeds cracked $8,000...
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Thank you to everyone who helped make this fundraising event so fun AND successful...!
We were so lucky to have such a generous donor of new and like-new household decor items to sell, and many other donations of great 'boutique style' treasures. We had a hearty team to transport the carloads of product, in multiple trips, and set up the 'shop' in the Parish Hall...in record time. The system worked: a single cashier's station; multiple people wrapping and boxing; always rearranging items when space opened up on the display tables; and pastries, lunches, and snacks served to volunteers in our "workers' lounge." A growing email list of attendees, an extra sale day, and unsold items taken to consignment shops really helped clear things out. A new LHC rummage sale model just may have been forged—pop-up boutique sales as estates become available!
Special appreciation to our fellow teammates: Susi; Anne; Lori and Larry; Jan; Carol; Diane; Susannah; Krista; Mary Jean; Jennifer; Mary Emily; Jean; Barb; Chuck and Karen; Nancy; Kristen; Samantha and Allison; Kit and Jan; and Bob. You ALL, made all the difference.
Mary Roach and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Rummage Sale Co-chairpersons
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Bible Study
Wednesdays, 10 am & Virtual
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Our weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study continues with a good group of participants. They would love to have you join them. Rev. Ron Purser leads the study via Zoom. The group is currently studying Letter to the Hebrews. Absolutely no preparation is necessary. The Bible Study meeting begins at 10 am.
Meeting ID: 814 1245 7155
password: biblestudy
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A Book & A Prayer
LHC Book Club - Via Zoom
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Meets 3rd Thursday, 7 pm
NEXT Meeting - September 16
Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement is our selection for September. Both an illuminating and affecting portrait of women in rural Mexico struggling to survive the devastation wrought by drug trafficking and abandonment, and a stunning exploration of the hidden consequences of an unjust war, this is an unforgettable story of friendship, family, and determination.
Meeting ID: 891 0088 0154
password: bookclub
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As Christians, one of the most powerful privileges of our spiritual life is the invitation to feel God’s grace and presence through ongoing prayer. Believing in the power of individual prayer, a prayer offered up by many becomes even more powerful. With that thought in mind, Congregational Life Ministry is happy to be introducing the inauguration of an email Prayer Chain to support the spiritual life of the members and friends of Little Home Church.
Mary Emily Anhalt
Congregational Life Ministry
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To Make a Prayer Request:
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Join the Prayer Chain Email List
It is our hope that in offering this it will provide another way for us as a congregation to remain connected in our spiritual journey. We hope that you will sign up.
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The History of LHC Continues
1995 - 2000
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In 1995, a Congregational meeting took place to change the LHC bylaws and establish the Church Council, a change in the governance of the church which was adopted on January 29.
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18
The church seemed ready for a new vision at this time. The congregation welcomed a liberal interpretation of church ministry, one that is also sensitive to the diverse faith backgrounds. The congregation emphasized the importance to be open and accepting, recognizing that we are all seekers of the truth. The mission was to grow in faith and commitment.
A second worship service was added and began at 8:30 am, and the second service was pushed back to 10:30 am during Lent and Easter until June 4th.
The big event for the '90s was the 125th celebration on November 17, 1996. Rev. Don Heinrich returned to speak during worship, a dinner and historical narrative were presented in Parish Hall with over 100 people attending. The bell tolled 125 times. The Anniversary was more to the congregation than simply '125 years.' It invoked reflections of the history of the church and the determination to continue to grow and serve the people through goodness. With the celebration of the 125th, the Stewardship Ministry proposed to the congregation a fund drive, 'Planting the Future,' to raise $450,000. However, the congregation not only met this goal, but exceeded it to a total of $512,000. Obviously, the fund drive was a tremendous success, surpassing all expectations. A Vision to Action Committee was established to make recommendations as to where best to use the funds. The Committee reviewed the dreams, visions, and needs expressed by the congregation during cottage meetings.
A recommendation was considered to hire an Associate Pastor for the purpose of Christian Education and to administer the Youth Group. In 1997, the Reverend Patty Jenkins became the first Associate Pastor of LHC and was installed on February 15 as the first Associate Pastor in our 126 year history. The following year Pastor Bliss resigns and a new search for a Senior Pastor began.
And in 1997 on March 19, the church grieved with the passing of Dr. Barton. A memorial service was held on the Monday of Holy Week. LHC was truly blessed with his 18 years of pastoral spirituality and leadership.
Another milestone occurred in 1999, the church made the transition from the Pilgrim Hymnal to the New Century Hymnal even though many had mixed emotions to the switch. And the Christmas pageant marked its 100th Anniversary!!!
Wrapping up the decade of the '90s, the 125th Fund 'Planting the Future' became 'Growing the Future.' Stay tuned for a new century for LHC!
Blessings,
Carol Berger
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Flowers, Fellowship,
Ushers & Pulpit Associate
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If you'd like to provide flowers to dress up our altar table for a Sunday Service please reach out to the Church Office. Flowers would need to be here by Sunday morning, 9 am. It's a nice way to remember a special occasion or someone special.
We have a lot of open Sundays on the calendar so please consider signing up!
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September Birthdays
Sept. 2 - Kit DeWitt
Sept. 3 - Greta & Nora Burkoth
Sept. 5 - Elizabeth Berger, Charles Bouchard
Sept. 6 - Sandi Harper, Madden Neukirch
Sept. 11 - Diane Hochstetter
Sept. 14 - Scott Hochstetter
Sept. 15 - Jane Shelton
Sept. 17 - Brandi Moore
Sept. 21 - Bremmer Miller
Sept. 27 - Olivia Bouchard, Dave Poole
Sept. 30 - Katherine Brito
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Our sympathies to:
Claudine Myers on the death of her mother-in-law, Karen Myers.
Family and friends of Morgan McDonnell who passed away August 23. Obituary
Our prayers for:
Children and educators as they return to the classroom.
Our service men and women especially those in harm's way.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH STAFF, COUNCIL, AND ALL VOLUNTEERS |
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Transitional Lay Minister and
Director of Music - Larry Dieffenbach
Pastor Emeritus - Rev. Ronald Purser
Office Manager - Lori Prang
BTW Editors
Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Graphic Design
Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
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CHURCH COUNCIL
Moderator - Bob Kaska
Moderator-elect - Susannah Lesswing
Christian Education - Ron Purser
Congregational Life - Mary Emily Anhalt
Evangelism - Jennifer Harmon
Facilities - Kit DeWitt
Outreach - Andrea Redmond & Mary Fleischmann
Stewardship - Peter Connolly
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Samantha Prang
Members at Large - Chuck McDonough and Julie Graham
Financial Treasurer - Susi Winquist
Financial Secretary - Ann McLaughlin
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
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Thank you...
for continuing to remember Little Home Church by the Wayside.
Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.
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