Children of God?

Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 10:00 a.m.



This Sunday, Grant will be preaching on the epistle reading from this week’s lectionary - 1 John 3:1-7. Both as a pastor and in light of becoming a father, Grant is looking to explore what it means for us to be called children of God. What does this mean for the character of God and our relationship to the Divine? How can this help us define who we are and give our lives meaning? What difference does it make in our self-understanding whether we are children of God or not? And in an increasingly secular society, how does this belief change the way we look at the church? Or the world for that matter?

Grant hopes to address (at least some of) these questions this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

We’d love to see you in person, but if you can’t make it for whatever reason, here's the livestream link. The joy of the Easter season be with you!

And see below for an announcement of a brief Special Congregational Meeting this Sunday!

Worship in the Woods

April 14, 9:00 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods

Fresh air and movement is good for us all. Celebrate the changing colors and seasons as we "Worship in the Woods" and take our church service in the form of a 30-minute hike at Fullersburg Woods (flat terrain, roughly 1/2 mile). Meet near the Nature Center off the main parking lot or at any of the four stops along the way for prayer, reflection, gratitude, wonder and a celebration of the beauty all around us. We step off right at 9:00. All are welcome! 

Special Congregational Meeting

Sunday, April 14, at end of 10:00 service

This Sunday, as the 10:00 service ends, we will have a Special Congregational Meeting for the sole purpose of voting on a small change to the Welcoming Statement the congregation approved at our regular Annual Congregational Meeting in January.

In order to be officially recognized as an Open and Affirming congregation, as intended, we need to add a few words of welcome to our statement. Specifically, we will vote on adding three words to our previously approved statement, as highlighted here:

We are all called by God as disciples of Christ. We affirm and welcome all persons as precious to God, just as they are. As a community of faith, in the service of God, we are enriched by our differences including diversity of gender identity and expression, age, marital and economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, and physical and mental abilities and qualities. We affirm that the Holy Spirit gathers us as a congregation in which all persons are invited to participate equally in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings, concerns, and joys of our community of faith. We pledge to love, encourage, and support one another as the Body of Christ.

The change is consistent with the current recommendations of the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition. The meeting should just take a very few minutes, so we'll do it before we even head to coffee hour. That's this Sunday, April 14, at the end of the 10:00 service.

In the Pipeline

Apri 28: Music Sunday - a worship celebration led by Chancel Choir, Cantate, Union Bells, Children's Chimes, WE, Organ, and the glorious Steinway

May 17: Heidelberg University Concert Choir

New Member Class this Spring!

Sunday, May 5, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (via Zoom)

New Member Welcome Service: May 18, 10:00 a.m. worship service

We will be welcoming our next New Member Class this spring. If you’d like to be a part of it, please contact Tom Shively or Carissa Kapcar.

Vacation Bible School Registration is Open! 

June 17 to 21, 12:45 to 3:00 pm, at Union Church

$75 per child (or max $200 per family)

Participants: Ages 4 through 5th grade

Youth Helpers: Middle School and High School

Summer is coming soon and so is Vacation Bible School! This is the best week of the year when the church is full of excited children ready to celebrate their faith, sing songs, play games, do mission projects, make new friendships and have fun! The Children’s Committee is excited to host this year’s Camp Firelight VBS and welcome the kids in the church, UCECP families and the greater community to come join us for a summer camp adventure with God!

Register here

We also need adult volunteers. If you haven’t helped before, know that being a part of this uplifting week forms friendships, community and connections by working with and learning from these contagiously fun children! We’d love to have you!

Contact Penny for more information.

Hinsdale Recycle and Shred Event

This Saturday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church

Do something good for the world: Recycle.

Do something good for you: Shred.

Do them both on Saturday, April 13, as we join with Redeemer Lutheran Church (enter on Blaine St.) for this Earth-friendly and security friendly event! Please view this flyer for a full list of items that can be recycled and documents that can be shred.

Volunteers are also needed for this event. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Holly Harms LaSpina.

Women of a Certain Age

Sunday, April 21, after 10:00 a.m. worship, in Rowell Hall

June Scott, Union Church Member, will present her latest trip, "Semester at Sea". June has traveled to all 50 states, the seven continents, and 109 countries. No food or beverages will be served.  

The purpose of WOACA is for fellowship, friendship, and fun! ALL are welcome!!!

Mark Your Calendars!

April 14: Worship in the Woods, 9:00 a.m. Meet at Fullersburg Woods

April 28: Music Sunday, and following worship, dedication of new stained glass window in honor Lee Smithwick

May 26: Blessing of the Bicycles (or anything that rolls), 9:00 a.m.

June 2: All Church Picnic, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Pass this flyer to a friend or neighbor!

March Madness Results!

UConn and South Carolina have been crowned the champs after an incredible playoff on both the men’s and women’s sides.

But the questions remains…who was this year’s UCH pool champ?

Well, it is with disappointment and lamentation that we announce Grant Glowiak as this year’s victor.

And yet…there is Good News too!

This year has been deemed a Year of Jubilee (if you aren’t familiar with this Biblical concept, Mike talks about it in this sermon from March 17^th : The Eighth Day of Creation). And one of the ‘Year of Jubilee’ consequences is that we’re playing by ‘Christian Rules.’ As Jesus teaches us, this means that the first (in this case Grant) shall be last, and the last shall be first.

So, it is with great joy and thanksgiving that we announce Kevin Le as this year’s true victor! Congratulations Kevin!

Kevin has decided to donate the $460 pot to the Summit Preschool Initiative, where it will be matched by Irv Clarke’s generous commitment.

Thank you to all who participated. You contributed to a nearly $1000 donation just by watching basketball. Well done. See you next year!

The Community House: Senior Services Day

Tuesday, April 16, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Community House

This panel of experts who will empower you to make educated decisions if you are a caretaker, family member or family friend that is assisting a loved one as they age. This is an interactive discussion focused on how to help navigate your aging loved one's care. Educating yourself about various topics will help you make decisions that can lead to more positive planning for future needs. This event is open to Seniors and those helping the ones they care for! Attendees MUST register to attend this event. Register here or in person at the front desk!

DuPage PADS Pickleball Tournament

Saturday, May 18

DuPage PADS, a Union Church Mission Partner, is having a pickleball event. Here's the info! The 2024 Team Taruc Pickleball Classic is back! Now hosted at Naperville’s premier indoor commercial venue, Sure Shot Pickleball, join us for friendly competition on the court all to benefit DuPage PADS.

The Pickleball Classic is seeking to raise funds for the much-needed kitchen renovation at the Interim Housing Center. A portion of the player entry fee is guaranteed as your personal donation to DuPage PADS!

-> Round robin scramble, guaranteed 7 games per player

-> Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for each tier

-> Beginner clinic available, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to all playoff games!

-> We have paddles to both rent (via Sure Shot) and lend!

Please follow this link or contact Bobby Taruc, 773-372-7564, with any questions.

Not Sure What to Do with Your Old Eclipse Glasses? Donate Them!

Eclipse Glasses USA works with other organizations to donate used but undamaged eclipse glasses to other countries with upcoming eclipse events. For more information on what kinds of glasses they accept, where to ship them, and other information, visit their website: https://eclipse23.com/pages/donate-eclipse-glasses