Worship in the Sanctuary, this Sunday, August 1, 10:00
The Clickbait Gospel
(A sermon series on real life in the light of great Bible stories)
This Sunday, Ali Kralovec-Kirchherr, our Associate Minister candidate, will preach for us, and she has gamely provided a clickbait title for her sermon. She will preach on John 6:24-35, part of an important pivot point in John's gospel. Using vivid imagery from everyday life, Jesus offers the crowds - that's us! - holistic sustenance for life.
I (Mike) would like to encourage you to make a special effort to be in worship this week, if at all possible. We know many are away as we are in "peak summer," but if you are around, please do come for the joy of worship and to be together for this important Sunday.
For a good introduction to our candidate, Ali Kralovec-Kirchherr, see the email sent early on Wednesday to the whole congregation.
Our 9:07 service will remain outdoors in the Close - and it's really lovely. Ali will be at that service too! See below.
The 10:00 service will be livestreamed online on our YouTube Channel, here, starting just before 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you either in person or over the livestream this Sunday!
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9:07 Service, this Sunday, August 1
All Creatures Great and Small
In the Close, 9:07 a.m.
This summer we are focusing our message at the 9:07 service on animals….in all shapes and sizes, and in many colors and forms, there is something to be learned from each of God’s creatures. This is a fun topic full of meaning for the young animal lovers among us!
This Sunday is the wolf, and our Associate Minister candidate, Ali Kralovec-Kirchherr, will be offering the message. Ali wanted to bring her husky, Finn, who looks a lot like a wolf, but Finn needed to stay home in Connecticut. :(
The 9:07 service is a kid-friendly, brief gathering intended as a first step towards worship for children. With that being said, any and all are welcome! We meet in the Close off the circle drive. Feel free to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair. All are welcome!
Mask Update: We will no longer require masks for outdoor worship for those who are vaccinated (honor system), but we do ask everyone to keep some distance from each other, especially as children are not yet able to get the vaccine.
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COVID-19 Protocol Update
Masks not yet called for in our area
We are carefully monitoring current health guidance on COVID-19 protocols, especially regarding the Delta variant. The new CDC guidelines do NOT call for indoor mask wearing in our area, as we have a high vaccination rate and still a low infection rate. Those who are vaccinated still do not need to wear a mask on Sundays - at least for now. It remains true that even when vaccinated people do get the virus, they are less likely to pass it on to others — and much less likely to get very sick. We will continue to be guided by love of our neighbors and by solid science. We hope and pray for the safety and well-being of all, as well as the openness of all to being vaccinated.
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Pet Blessing
August 22 at both 10:00 and 9:07 services (both services outdoors that day)
As we wrap up our summer series "All Creatures Great and Small" bring your own lovable favorite creature for a blessing on our front lawn (10:00 service) or in the Close (9:07 service). You can also bring a photo of your special pet.
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Save-the-date: Gospel Brunch and Fall Kick Off Sunday
Sunday, September 12
Let's raise the roof with joyful sounds of the Gospel and enjoy a morning of fellowship, friendship, food (of course) and fun, reconnecting as we fall back together! We will worship outdoors this morning and kick off our fall sermon series, Sunday School, and youth activities (Sunday evening for High School, Wednesday after school for grades 2-8). Then we will enjoy Gospel music by our amazing musicians and brunch with one another from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. *Donations for brunch and tips for musicians are welcome.
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Upcoming Newcomers/New Members Sessions
Save the Dates - September 11/12, 18/19, & 25/26
Interested in learning more about Union Church? Or "making it official" and becoming a member? We warmly invite you to participate in our next round of sessions for those new to the life of Union Church.
The sessions will introduce you to our perspective and priorities, a touch of our (progressive!) history, how we get things done, and how you can get involved in fellowship, growth, and service. Learn more here or contact Anna Glowiak to RSVP.
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Union Church Car Show + Cruise for a Cause!!!
A Family Friendly Event
Saturday, Sept 18, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Union Church parking lot
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Cruise from KLM to Union Church
10:00 - 2:00 p.m. Car Show and 2:00 p.m. awards
Free! All are welcome!! Live music! Food available for purchase.
We want to give church members priority – so please contact Jennifer Keldahl right away if you would like to showcase your car! The entry fee of $35 for cars will help fund the Union Church Early Childhood Initiative. Please click here to see the flyer.
Also, let Jennifer know if you would like to help!
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Fall Registration Now Open for Youth Programming
Beginning the week of September 12
We know how important it is to show extra care to our children as we protectively welcome them back after such a challenging time. We are designing fall programming with this in mind. From our Sunday morning Sunday School to Wednesday afternoon Gather + Grow groups, we are being intentional in how we care for the youngest members of our church to help them grow their faith and navigate these times. From age infant to high school. Follow the link to register!
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RESALE! In a Time of COVID
For a while, it was all going so well! However, in light of the rise in the Delta variant spreading throughout some communities, Resale! will again have to be postponed for another year. I (Claudia Moffat) apologize to those of you who have been packing up and saving your best stuff for the sale, but I feel our biggest responsibility is to keep everyone safe. In addition to our church members, we have 100’s of small children in the church throughout the week, who don’t yet have the option of receiving a vaccination. Hopefully we’ll find other ways to be in kinship with one another, while also reaching out to those who can use a helping hand.
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An Easy Way to Serve
Be the Church - help prepare and serve coffee!
In some ways (well, okay, in lots of ways!), being the church together comes down to the little stuff: showing up for worship, praying for others and being present with them, helping with the quotidian stuff of church life - like preparing and serving coffee!
Our weekly "Coffee Hour" after worship helps people stay connected to each other, helps us meet new people, and because we use "I Have A Bean" coffee, it even helps us work for justice! So, in some ways, coffee is life. And now, we need some more folks to help prepare and serve the coffee. ANYONE can do it. EVERYONE should do it, at least a couple of times. Lessons and easy directions are available. It's not rocket science.
Please sign-up on the blackboard in the Gathering Place to help us continue Coffee Hour after worship services on Sundays!! Or you can also send an email to Bonnie Berg. Thanks!
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Save-the-date: Blessing of the Backpacks (or Work Bags)
August 29, 9:07 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Bring your backpack or a work bag to be blessed for a year of safety and joyful productivity ahead.
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9:07 this Fall
While the youngest amongst us can’t yet be vaccinated, we will continue the Nordic spirit of “friluftsliv” that we started this past winter and keep this service as one where we embrace the outdoors with our children. Through the coldest days of winter, wet days of spring and now the sunny days of summer, it’s been special to experience God’s Word and the change of seasons together in the Close.
In September, look for a partnership with UCECP and Pop Up Preschool as a part of worship. In October we’ll return to Worship in the Woods and offer our service in the form a hike.
Join us! All are welcome (no exceptions).
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Before We Get to Mars /
Union Church Early Childhood Initiative
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Someone You Should Know
UCECI Team Member, James Lang
How do you start to get to know neighbors in the nearby community of Summit? If you are UCECI team member James Lang, you start by introducing yourself to the Chief of Police.
You find the chief very supportive of Union Church’s proposed efforts. Your next stop is the Fleetwood Roller Rink. As you and the owner chat, you offer to have your blues band,
The Crusaders, play some free gigs. Before you know it, you and the band are entertaining
at a surprise birthday party.
You also connect with the management of the Frito Lay plant. Stopping by the office of a nearby trucking company is natural for you, as you have your own trucking business. With experience being the dispatcher at O’Hare Airport, it was a good pandemic career move. What’s next? You and your band will be part of the music and fun at the Union Church Car Show, Saturday, September 18th.
A lifelong member of Union Church, one of James’ fondest memories is Hank Maxwell teaching him how to tie a tie. “There are so many wonderful memories and people (from church) that are still a part of my life today and will be tomorrow.”
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Sharing School Supplies with Summit Students
Union Church Early Childhood Initiative
What a gift we can provide for our Summit neighbors by sharing school supplies! Notebooks, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, folders, pencil cases, erasers, etc. are being collected now through August 20. Look for bins in the Gathering Place at the church building.
Backpacks will be distributed at Summit School’s Back to School Bash at Summit Park on August 27th. We are honored to showcase our final summer Pop Up Preschool as part of this community event! You are welcome to join in the fun! Contact Mary Sue Honigschmidt.
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Music Pipeline
- This Sunday, 8/1, with our Associate Minister candidate here, Gina Graffagna, Nik Eden, and Tierra Whetstone will lead in worship. You will not want to miss it!
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Vaccsingers will rehearse again tonight, July 28, and on August 4, then sing in worship on August 8. We would love to have you join us. Contact Stephen C Edwards for more info.
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Volunteer Opportunity
HCS Family Services, one of the Ministry for Change’s agencies, is looking for volunteers to support their food rescue program on a regular basis (e.g. once a week).This volunteer role entails driving your own vehicle (preferably an SUV) to pick up food rescue donations from local stores and delivering/unloading the food at HCS Family Services. You can do it solo or with a spouse or friend.
Basic requirements:
- Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license.
- Must have a clean driving record.
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
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Stained Glass: A Joyful Addition
The design and production of new stained glass for the windows above the doors between the Sanctuary and Gathering Place was slowed significantly by COVID-19. However, this elaborate work is now entering the final stages of drawing in the Connick style that will match the beauty of the other windows in our central place of worship. The theme is “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord.” Once the drawings are finalized this fall, the glass pieces will be selected, painted and assembled over the winter. When complete, the San Francisco-based lead artist, Armelle Le Roux, plans to drive the glass to a Chicago woodworking firm where it will be mounted in custom oak frames and then installed at UCH. Armelle has committed to having this beautiful new artwork finished, framed and installed in the first half of next year. A gift from former member Lee Smithwick is covering the cost and we look forward to celebrating the light streaming thru this new stained glass in 2022!
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Yoga is Coming Back to Union!
Beginning September 14, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. in Rowell Hall
Kim Kiyosaki wants to bring balance back into your life! She will be offering six week sessions to start.
- $50 for one day weekly for 6 weeks
- $100 for both days weekly for 6 weeks
- "Drop-ins" welcome for $15 per class
Just a couple reasons to make yoga part of your routine:
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Soothes Stress - Practicing yoga can have immediate psychological effects! Among these are cultivating a sense of calm, and decreasing anxiety and stress. Over time, these positive mental benefits occur even when you're off the mat!
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Reduces Depression - Studies show that yoga can lessen symptoms of depression. One reason may be yoga's boost to GABA, a neurotransmitter that's often low in people who suffer from depression.
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The Helen Mehler Memorial Bridge Group
The Helen Mehler Memorial Bridge Group will now be open to ALL bridge players (not only Union Church members). We will be playing on Friday's at 3:00pm in The Gathering Place. All levels of bridge players are invited. We will charge $5.00 per person, per time to be donated to our beautiful Church. Non - Vaccinated people have to wear a mask. For more information please contact Sharon Olsen, Melissa Barnes Mann, or Laurie McMahon. May the cards be with you!
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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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