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This Week:
03/21- 7 pm Choir Rehearsal
03/23 - 10 am Easter Egg Hunt and Food Drive
03/24 - 10 am Palm Sunday Worship
03/24 - 10 am Church School
03/24 - 2 pm Green Team Hike
03/24 - 6:30 pm Combined Jr and Sr Fellowship
03/25 - 7 pm Property and Grounds
03/26 - 5:30 pm Yoga
03/27 - 9 am Sisters on a Sojourn
03/27 - 5 pm Angel Choir Rehearsal #1- All Purpose Room
03/28 - NO Choir Rehearsal
03/28 - 7 pm Maundy Thursday Worship
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*Childcare will be available for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services only. We encourage family attendance on Easter, however, the nursery will be open for parents who wish care for their children by themselves. | |
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Easter Egg Hunt and
Food Drive
March 23, 10 am Here at FCC
We all know there is nothing cuter than a little one excitedly running around, with an Easter basket, collecting eggs. I mean, c'mon. Come on over on Sat. March 23rd to say "AWWWW!!!" and show your little ones some Easter fun. No sign up-just show up!
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Trivia Night Fundraiser
Sat., April 13, 7-10:30 pm
Pilgrim Hall
Get ready to put your thinking caps on and join us for a night of fun and fundraising! We are excited to announce our upcoming Trivia Night, where you can gather with friends, enjoy delicious snacks and drinks, and compete for the title of top trivia team. Not only will you have a blast, but you'll also be supporting FCC missions and our mission to make a positive impact in our world. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night of trivia and fun! Let's make a difference together with FCC Missions!
Sign up by April 5th!
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Donate Items or Services for Our
Trivia Night Silent Auction
Would you like to donate an item or experience to our
Trivia Night Silent Auction (April 13th)?
Do you have a skill or talent you could share?
We are looking for donations of time, talent, goods and services to help us raise money for FCCGE missions and ministries. Click below for ideas.
Reach out to Nicole Baedke (203-246-3885) for more information on how to donate.
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Ukraine Effort-Viking Update | |
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Viking Update
Aid Continues
The Viking Group in Ukraine continues helping fellow citizens using vehicles and supplies FCCGE has sponsored (see video above). The building restoration is coming to an end and more info is on its way. Funds are always needed, so please help if you can.
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Look for "Ukraine Relief" in the drop down menu | |
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Improving Wheelchair Accessibility in Our Sanctuary
As an Open & Affirming congregation, accessibility for all people is important to us. As it stands, however, we only have room for one wheelchair in the back row of the Sanctuary. As such, our FCCGE Property & Grounds Committee has unanimously voted to remove a 1/2 pew from each side of the Sanctuary, towards the middle of the room, to create space for folks with limited mobility. This change will be made during Holy Week and will not compromise the beauty of the Sanctuary, nor substantially reduce our capacity; though it will hopefully improve our hospitality, and remind others that all are welcome here. See rendering, above right.
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Newcomers Information Session
Sunday, April 7, 11 am, Parlor
For those interested in learning more about joining FCCGE and the United Church of Christ, there will be an informal gathering for newcomers Sunday, April 7, 11:00 am in the Parlor (childcare for all ages available in the Nursery). Available joining date following this session is April 21. For further information, contact Rev. Seth Ethan Carey ( or 630-469-3096 ext. 12).
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Can We Get an "Amen"?
Thanks to your generosity, our campaign to raise funds for Royalties for Spirituals brought in nearly $3000. This unique and worthy effort will benefit NAACP's ACT-SO Achievement Program. Thank you all who supported this mission!
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Spirituals vs. Gospel
Watch Doc's Seminar Now!!
Last Sunday many of us had the pleasure of spending time with Dr. Keith Hampton after a wonderful music-filled worship service. "Doc" educated us, in his energetic, enthusiastic and inspiring manner, about the differences between spirituals and gospel music. Did you miss it? Click on the video above so you can experience this unique and interesting talk.
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Director of Youth Ministry, Danny Harman to Step Down;
Tanner Spears to Take the Reins
Mid June
Danny Harman, our Director of Youth Ministry here at FCC for the past 4+ years will be pursuing a new career beginning this summer and we warmly welcome Tanner Spears, our current Confirmation Coordinator, into Danny's role. We are so thankful for Danny's love, devotion, and mad game skills, nurturing our youth and guiding them to be kind and giving adults. We wish Danny and Tanner much luck and support in this time of transition.
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Green Team Hike
March 24, 2 pm
We had spectacular weather and a great turnout for our late February hike at Danada Equestrian Center. The next hike will be on Sunday March 24 at Green Valley Forest Preserve in northern Naperville. Meet us at 2:00 in the South Lot which is on Greene Rd. about a 1/4 mile south of 79th St. Greene Rd. connects with 75th St. and is just west of Rt. 53. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Rausch.
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Heart-to-Heart After-Service Reflection
Are you interested in forming deeper relationships with others from church and enhancing your sense of community and belonging? Would you like to participate in a small group and have connecting conversations? If so, watch for updates on a new, after-service group for adults, beginning soon. You will be invited to share aspects of the service that were moving and inspiring to you. If this speaks to you, please join us!
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All Church Retreat
"Weekend Away"
at Tower Hill Camp
July 19th - 21st
Join us for rest, relaxation, fellowship and fun on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoying beach time, exploring antique stores, visiting fruit stands, climbing dunes, hiking in nature and more at our own church camp. It's a true opportunity for community for all ages! Details and sign-up here.
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April Showers Mean No Flowers ???? | |
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Social Justice and Adult Ed | |
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Social Justice Group
Weds. April 3rd, 7 pm
Let’s kick off this election season with a letter writing campaign to encourage voting. Vote Forward has joined with Big Tent USA to reach their goal of sending out 10 million letters between October, 1st and October, 29th . Writing personalized, handwritten letters to voters is a proven and effective way to help increase voter turnout. We will write the letters now so they will be ready to send out close to Election Day. Letter writing suggestions and examples will be provided. We will meet in Pilgrim Hall at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April
3rd . Please RSVP to Mary so ample supplies will be available.
Bring a friend and enjoy conversation, letter writing and goodies.
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Transgender Day of Visibility
April 7th, after Worship
Each year on March 31, we honor International Transgender Day of Visibility! This year, that coincides with Easter, so we are sliding our celebration back a week to April 7.
There are over 1.6 million trans, non-binary and gender-expansive youth (age 13+) and adults across the United States. Trans parents and family members. Trans coworkers, neighbors, and friends. The transgender community is diverse, representing all racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as all faith traditions. While we have made significant progress in recent years with more visibility than ever before, we are still fighting for acceptance and many basic human rights for the community. Today and every day, we must celebrate all trans and non-binary people everywhere and combat disinformation, discrimination and hate impacting our community.
Please join us Sunday, April 7, for a celebration of Transgender Visibility during and after our 10:00 am service.
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DuPagePads Rock & Bowl 22nd Annual Bowl to End Homelessness!
Sat. April 13, 12 pm
Saturday, April 13th 12 pm-3 pm at Fox Bowl Assemble your team of five bowlers, register your team name, design your fundraising page, and work together to raise money for DuPagePads. Registration is now available here.
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Palestine 101
April 14, 11:15-1 pm
Lunch Included
Join an interfaith panel of journalists, researchers and preachers for a film and discussion. Please register below so we can plan for supplies and food.
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Rebuilding Together
April 27th
April 27th is fast approaching for FCCGE 27th Rebuilding Together Day. Mrs. Kinnie is our recipient this year who lives in the southern Cook County suburb Park Forest. We will meet at the church and carpool to her house for a one-day building blitz to help keep her home warm, safe and dry so she may continue to live in independence. Some of our projects involve installing handrails, painting, retiling, clutter removal & landscaping. We need just 7 more people for this event. If this sounds right up your alley please contact Randy Briasco. Please include RTMC in your email subject line. Thank you.
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Registration for Community Vacation Bible School (VBS) Open to the Community
We joyfully explore ways to restore and mend God's world during VBS this year. VBS is for participants from age 4 to rising 5th graders with opportunities for rising 6th - 8th graders to serve as Leaders-in-Training and high school, college, and older adult roles for volunteering. VBS is an AMAZING opportunity for intergenerational relationship-building and faith exploration. VBS is here at FCCGE from 8:30 am to noon on June 24 - June 28. Details and registration for BOTH participants and volunteers is online here. We are currently limited to 50 participants.
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Welcome to our Newest Nursery Staff Member:
Ellison Priebe
Ellison is a church member and freshman at College of DuPage. She's volunteered as a Preschool Village Chief for Vacation Bible School and as a Sunday morning Preschool Church School volunteer. She adores working with young children. We are so pleased to have Ellison join our Nursery Staff. Welcome Ellison!
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One Community Art Exhibit at FCCGE
We are delighted to partner this year with One Community, an initiative to actively celebrate and embrace our community’s diversity and raise awareness, acceptance, and involvement of neighbors of all backgrounds. One Community sponsors an annual Diversity Arts Project, consisting of art created by Glen Ellyn youth, capturing their varied perspectives, and allowing the community to experience and appreciate them. This year’s project launches on March 13, and will be on display for 2 more weeks at FCCGE. It’s a wonderful exhibit, and we’re honored to be involved in this very special way. Hope to see you there!
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