Worship this Sunday, May 15, 10:00 a.m.
In Person and Online
There is just no way around it: change can be difficult. It was difficult 2000 years ago, and it is difficult today. In the early life of the church, there was a huge fight over a potential change: would followers of Jesus who were not Jewish be required to follow the law of Moses in the same way as did followers of Jesus who were Jewish? If not, that was a huge change.
Behind this actual question (which admittedly seems a little arcane to us) is a question we can probably relate to more easily: How are we to decide whether a possible change is good or bad - or more to the point, right or wrong? To the extent reason actually guides such decisions, how can we make reasonable decisions about what change should be accepted and what change should be resisted? Mike will dig into these questions this week, and try his best to emerge with some helpful, practical guidance.
Join together this Sunday, May 15, at 10:00 a.m. We will be in person and we will livestream from the Sanctuary on our YouTube Channel, here, starting just before 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you this Sunday! Remember, masks are recommended, due to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in our immediate area.
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Art Sunday in Sunday School
This week in Sunday School we will be having an Art Day. Please dress for a mess! We will be painting an art and prayer box that will be outside this summer! Also, Sunday School will start in the art room in the Upper Level and finish there as well - you can drop your children (age 5 and above) off there before worship begins and pick-up after. The lower level nursery will be open as well for younger children.
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9:07 a.m. Worship at Union
An Outdoor Weekly Service: All Things Bright and Beautiful
The 9:07 service has begun its spring and summer series "All Things Bright and Beautiful" as we enjoy the wonder of spring blooming all around us. This week our activity will be to decorate our Close/Courtyard space with the many colors we'll talk about this summer.
We embrace movement and busy, curious little minds at this service that lasts 25-30 minutes. While it is designed as an introduction to Christian worship for young children, we welcome anyone of any age or family stage.
You can access The Close area thru the archway on Garfield (parking in HMS garage) or park in our lot and come thru the building or around it from the outside.
Pray then Play
The playground near the parking lot is open after church and often families play in it after the 9:07 service or take their coffee there.
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Save the Date: Blessing of Bicycles
Sunday, May 29 at the 9:07 Service
Let's roll! Kick off summer by riding your bike (or stroller, scooters, skateboard...anything that rolls) to church to have it blessed for a season of safety. May the road rise to meet you!
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Adult Christian Education |
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Christian Education: Starting Adult Ed Series this Fall
Join our meeting, May 17 at 7:00 p.m., in Helen Hall
We are the thinking church after all. Based on the positive feedback from our spring Adult Ed series, we can sense this smart, engaged and thinking congregation has an appetite for more Adult Ed. We plan to discuss our fall programming and ideas at our May Christian Education meeting. Anyone who would like to be part of this conversation or help organize is welcome to join our meeting.
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Before We Get to Mars…
We Are Going to Glen Ellyn and Beyond!
A few years ago, with Before We Get to Mars, Mike inspired us to launch a large-scale project that would reach across all ministries and make an impact that would last for generations to come. We chose to focus on quality early childhood education. An integral part of the mission of the Union Church Early Childhood Initiative (UCECI) is creating progressive and high-quality educational opportunities for all communities.
We are pleased to announce that Union Church Early Childhood Programs are expanding to Glen Ellyn and very soon to Summit. It is an exciting time of growth for UCECP as our beloved preschool becomes part of a larger community of learners. We are proud to be exposing so many more children to the successful play-based approach to early childhood education. Our church and preschool community will benefit as we learn from other communities and grow in our connection to others.
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Thank You Volunteers!
In one year alone, our Night Ministry volunteers have helped feed 1,680 people. Every month, two to three volunteers work together to make this happen by shopping, packing food and delivering it downtown. It is truly a team effort, and it reaches many people in need.
Many thanks to our volunteers: Kathy Anderson, Anke Culver, Brad Poetter, Penny Davey, Claudine Altenbern, Craig Culbertson, and the Shivelys, Fitzgeralds, Capcars, Grimms, Morans, Parwanis, Roeschleins and VBS kids.
Volunteer in May, June and July:
Please join this list of generous volunteers by signing up to help in the upcoming months. You can prepare food at home or volunteer to drive. It is a quick way to make a difference. Find volunteer dates and sign up here! Email Christine at patel.christine@gmail.com with any questions.
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Dupage United Spring Assembly |
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Make DuPage County a Better Place to Live for Everyone
Sunday, May 22, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn
DuPage United will hold a public, in-person assembly at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. Please attend and help us demonstrate to our elected officials that DuPage United is a powerful organization. We will celebrate the progress that we've made in the areas of mental health and supportive, affordable housing, and ask our elected officials and candidates for office to publicly commit to working with DU on an ongoing basis on these issues.
Please click here to view the flyer and share with friends and family!
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Summer Preview and Dates to Save!
Summer is going to be sizzling! Our summer series will kick off with Pentecost on June 5, and we are so excited about them! Our 10:00 a.m. Summer Sermon Series is "Sunday School B Sides" and our 9:07 a.m. Summer Sermon Series is "All the Colors of the Rainbow".
Sunday, May 29: Blessing of Bicycles (or anything that rolls) at 9:07 a.m. service
Sunday, June 5: Pentecost, wear red and we'll celebrate the church's birthday with cake during coffee hour as our Summer Sermon Series kicks off at both 10:00 a.m. and 9:07 a.m.
Week of June 20-24: Vacation Bible School
Thursday, June 23: Church Night at Uniquely Thursday (see below)
July 22-30: High School and College Youth Work Tour
Sunday, August 21: Blessing of Backpacks (or work bags) at both 10:00 a.m. and 9:07 a.m. service
Sunday, August 28: Back-to-school bonfire (grades 2-12)
Sunday, September 11: outdoor service and Pet Blessing (or stuffed animals) both 10:00 a.m. and 9:07 a.m.
Sunday, September 18: Fall Kick-off Sunday
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Church Outing to Uniquely Thursday
June 23, 5:45 p.m., Union Church North Parking Lot
A staple of Hinsdale summer is celebrating its 20th year. Uniquely Thursday is a weekly festival with food trucks, live music and camaraderie in Burlington Park near the Memorial Building and train station in downtown Hinsdale. Our church is the perfect location to meet up with each other and enjoy this time together. Park and meet up at church at 5:45 p.m. (north side parking lot) and we'll walk down to Uniquely Thursday together. This is a great way for new members and their mentors to meet, as well as for friends in our congregation of all ages to spend time together. Uniquely Thursday begins at 6:00 p.m. at Burlington Park in Hinsdale. Bring your own picnic blanket or folding chair. If we miss you at the church parking lot, we'll see you down there at the park!
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Women of a Certain Age
Sunday, May 15, at 11:15 a.m., in Rowell Hall
Jackie McGrury, an independent esthetician, will discuss proper skin care and that May is National Melanoma Month. Jackie has her own salon in Orland Park.
The purpose of WOACA is for fellowship, friendship, and fun. We will sit socially distanced and no food/beverages will be served. For more information please email Melissa Barnes Mann. ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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Authentic Women Discussion Group on Zoom!
Every Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m., starting on May 18
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall has been selected!
We read a chapter a week - about 30 pages - and discuss it. Many of us will be traveling, concerned about Covid, and/or just plain lazy to drive over to the church! We have found Zoom to be excellent, as we have Jacki Sluder as our moderator.
Contact Sue Nibeck for more information. Join us and learn something NEW!
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
In this New York Times bestseller, an award-winning journalist uses ten maps of crucial regions to explain the geo-political strategies of the world powers—“fans of geography, history, and politics (and maps) will be enthralled." Tim Marshall examines Russia, China, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Japan, Korea, Greenland and the Arctic—their weather, seas, mountains, rivers, deserts, and borders—to provide a context often missing from our political reportage: how the physical characteristics of these countries affect their strengths and vulnerabilities and the decisions made by their leaders.
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Office Hours Update
During the pandemic the church has been operating with a minimal staff onsite. We have begun to transition to a more dependable schedule of staff in the office. During the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, we will have someone available to answer any questions or help out in any way.
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In the Music Pipeline
The Music Pipeline:
Concert Series - Featuring our New Steinway
- 6/5 - Allegrezza - 3:00 p.m.
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6/12 - The Official Steinway Dedication Concert featuring our very own Stephen Uhl. This concert has been specially curated to show the depth, versatility, and resplendent beauty of our new Steinway. Composers include Bach, Liszt, and Joosten. - 3:00 p.m. Please see attached flyer, and share with family and friends
- 7/17 - Stephen C Edwards and Dana Brown will present a concert of the "most joyful song cycle ever written" by Gabriel Fauré, "La Bonne Chanson". Additionally, Stephen will sing 6 of the 36 selections by Franz Joseph Haydn that he and Dana will be recording for Lexicon Classics in November. This joyous concert will finish up with songs about pianos! "I love a Piano" by Irving Berlin will top that list!
The August concert is in the works but has not been confirmed just yet...
September will bring us ´Elider DiPaula - concert pianist and Founder and Artistic Director of Project 88. More information to come on this thrilling performance.
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Children's Chimes
Rehearse: Wednesday, May 18, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., Perform: Sunday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. service
Beginners welcome! Our Children's Bell Choir will be performing on Music Sunday. We will rehearse on Wednesday, May 18, and then perform on Sunday, May 22. If interested, contact Penny Johnson.
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Vacation Bible School Registration is Open: It's A Food Truck Party!
Food Truck Party is our theme for VBS this year. It will be catchy, fun and full of energy. Each day of VBS will have the familiar activities of music, Bible story, recreation, art and mission. The daily themes combine together to form the familiar dinnertime grace: "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed, give us Lord Our Daily Bread."
VBS is open to children of Union Church and UCECP ages 4 through 5th grades. (We also need middle school and high school youth helpers.) Follow this link or register with the QR code above. Contact Penny Johnson with questions.
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Gentle Yoga with Kim
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. in Rowell Hall
Kim invites everyone! No registration needed!
- $50 for one day weekly for 6 weeks
- $100 for both days weekly for 6 weeks
- "Drop-ins" welcome for $15 per class
Yoga is a fantastic way to start your day! If you have any questions, please email Kim Kiyosaki.
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Need a Meeting Space?
Union Church is bustling and we LOVE IT! With that being said, rooms are not as readily available as they once were. If a committee, ministry, or group needs to use one of our rooms please contact Adriana Kieffer to book a space for a specific date and time.
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Need Something Announced in the Midweek Email or Online?
Send any requests to disseminate information to the Union Church congregation to communications@uchinsdale.org. This allows the email to be distributed to everyone involved in getting the word out. Please put "Email Blast" in the subject line. Thanks!
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The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
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