Celebrating the Journey
Joys & Concerns
May 2023
click on the image for the church calendar
In-Person Services & Livestreaming
Sundays, 10:00 am.
To view services, click on the church

Live-streamed services can be seen
on YouTube and Facebook
Be sure to like us on Facebook and
share our posts with your family and friends!
WWW.Algonquinucc.org
Sunday, June 4, 2023
after worship
Annual Congregational Meeting
Join us on Sunday, June 4th as we review the list of nominees for our Church Council and Ministry positions.

Please take a moment to review the List of Nominees.
CWS - Feminine Hygiene Kits
The goal for our efforts was to create 50 packs. Your generous donations were 158% of this goal, bringing in nearly $1200. That's enough to send in 50 CWS Feminine Hygiene Kits (aka Period Packs) AND send them a nice donation toward the effort.
Thank You Everyone
for all you do!
Join us on Sunday, June 4th after the Annual Congregational Meeting
for our CWS PACKING EVENT
This shouldn't take very long to do
Ministry of Christian Education
Summer Sunday School!
We are planning a summer Sunday school series called Indescribable - Discovering the Wonders of God's Creation through Science!

Each week we will read together about different part of God's Creation (Space, Earth, Animals, People) and discover some amazing scientific facts, learn scripture, and grow deeper in knowledge that will fill our hearts and minds.

Sunday Mornings
  • June 4, 11 & 25
  • July 9, 16, 30
  • August 6, 13 & 20

Connie will be leading the Sunday school lessons
We will need a few adults and/or teens to help.
See the sign-up sheet in the Narthex!

Bibles and Brew is Back!
The Ministry of Christian Ed is ready to begin a new twist on our Bibles & Brew Study. Using theological questions provided by Pub Theology, we will dive deeply into topics involving faith, meaning, identity, culture, politics and more!
  • Bring a lawn chair, your favorite beverage, and a snack (if you would like) and be ready for some meaningful conversation.
  • We will meet at Algonquin's Towne Park from 6-7 pm, right before the Concert in the Park events.
  • Dates: June 22 & 29; July 6 & 27; and August 3 & 10
  • Patrons can stay and listen to the music afterwards, or head home if that's not their jam!

Watch for sign-up sheets in the Narthex & Fellowship Hall!
Women's Fellowship!
Did you enjoy our breakfast event? Let's keep it going! Don't worry if you didn't make the first one....we want to keep it going!

Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 10 starting at 11:00 am
Potluck Lunch - (bring different types of salads) - sign up!

We'll be discussing our next charitable event, book study, and maybe a few unplanned things!

Sign-Up Sheet in the Narthex
Come for the Fellowship -
Experience the Fun!
Explore with us how we can
serve the church we love,
& love each other while we do it!

Ministry of Deacons
Sunday, May 28th
We will confirm three of our youth on Sunday, May 28th.

This service will include Communion

Please note there will be no communion service in the month of June.
Some of our members simply need assistance getting to church as they can no longer drive.

If you can help, as the Church Office how that might be done.
Who are the Sick?
Who are those Shut in?
Our Sick members are those who have recently fall ill, or whose infirmities have kept them down for some time.

The Shut-Ins are those who are physically unable to come to church or get out, and may be confined at home or in assisted living.

The Church Office can help you with a list to send them cards, or give them a card.
An updated Church Directory, as well as Sick and Shut-In Rosters can be obtained in the Church Office at any time! The latest Directory is January 2023.
Remember Our Military!
Kalvin Brown
Nikolai Church
Cody Colbert
Jake Korbecki
Ben Sprouse
Do you know persons currently serving in the military? Please let the Church Office know, so we can keep them on our prayer list!
We continue to pray for the families of all our service personnel, and
those whose loved ones have given their lives for our freedom!
Ministry of Finance
April 30, 2023
Total Operating Fund Income
  • MTD $29,229.41
  • YTD $100,702.59
Total Operating Expenses
  • MTD $24,500.00
  • YTD $100,872.81
Net
  • MTD $ 4,729.31
  • YTD ($170.22)

Mortgage Balance $170,463.82
(consolidated loan balance)

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Guenther, Treasurer
Capital Fund
  • $10,000 transferred from Endowment Fund
  • current balance $40,000
  • Balance on Windows: $25,001.87

OCWM (member contributions for March plus $250 per month)
  • MTD $852.00
  • YTD $3,093.00
Ministry of Missions
Contributions received by this congregation during April for special offerings was as follow:

  • Feminine Hygiene Kits: $1191.00 (159% over our goal!)
  • $279.00 was collected for the Food Pantry
  • Child Sponsorship ($35 monthly) 12 months of funding remain
  • Elder Sponsorship $35.00 monthly) Donations of $210.00 were received - has 9 months of funding remain
  • OCWM funds received for the month were $852 (which includes $250 from Endowment Income Fund Interest)
  • Ukraine Relief - received $20
  • Salvation Army (5th Sunday Offering, received $309.00
Donations can be made to any of the UCC Appeals through this church's online giving portal. Whether you use this online portal, or include with your regular donation, be sure to include the amount you wish to specify for any Appeals or Special Offerings.
Strengthen the Church
UCC Offering


Receiving the Offering
May 28th

special envelopes
are available in the Narthex
Heavenly Attic Update
As part of the mission ministry of this church, the Heavenly Attic made donations in the month of April donations were sent to NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association)
The Heavenly Attic Board
FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
It is not for profit or gain, but as an act of faith and love of God that we accept the guardianship of all that is living and dead, all the creatures of land and sea and air, to God's honor and glory.
We've put together a hand-out of some ways you might help the environment. Maybe try something new this coming year! You'll find this handout in the Narthex.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2023 summer camp season at Pilgrim Park and Tower Hill is now underway! We hope that you will share information with your congregants about the many camp offerings for various age groups, including Spirit Camp, which is geared towards campers in grades 3-10. Our UCC camp provides an opportunity for campers of all ages to encounter God in a truly special way. Please consider sharing one of the attached graphics with your families in the hopes that we are able to encourage more campers to experience all that the UCC camps have to offer!

Thank you, Colleen, Diane and Sara Spirit Camp Directors (linked)
IL Conference
The IL Conference has a new newsletter called "Faithful Fridays Conference News". For options to receive these emails directly click here to their sign-up page.
Office Details
Regular Business Hours are
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wednesdays 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Fridays 9:00 am to noon

Remember we lock our doors during those days when the preschool is in session
(9am - noon through May 26th). You can always ring the BELL at the glass doors and the Admin will come to let you in!
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The Congregational Church of Algonquin
109 Washington Street
Algonquin, IL 60102
847-658-5308
algonquinucc@gmail.com