Ascension Sunday, May 28, 10:00 a.m.
Worship In Person and Online
This Sunday we will be observing Ascension Sunday. This day is focused on the story at the beginning of the Book of Acts when, 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus is taken up into the sky. I (Mike) remember thinking as a kid that this is one of the stranger stories about Jesus. I mean, where did he go? Planes and hawks and tall buildings go up into the sky, but they don't just disappear. Jesus just sort of disappears. Some people say he went to "heaven" (although the Bible doesn't really say that), but even as a kid I never thought heaven was an actual, physical place. So, again, where did he go?
It's a pretty good question, actually, and I'll answer it (sort of) this week - and add some more nuance to the story...because, it's complicated. I hope you take the opportunity of this relaxing "holiday" weekend to be in worship this Sunday!
Please join us this Sunday, in person or online on our YouTube channel, at 10:00 a.m.
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Let's Roll at 9:07 this Week
Kick off summer by riding your bike (or stroller, scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, wagons...anything on wheels) to church to have it blessed for a season of safety. Look for us on the circle drive.
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.
May the road rise up to meet you this summer!
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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Regarding the "Emergency Auction"...
We originally agreed to a “A Cultural Art and Oriental Rug Display” to be held in our Dining Room on Sunday, May 28. We were surprised to learn that flyers were circulating about an “Emergency Auction” due to the “result of a bank collapse.” We would like to inform both the congregation and the community that we have revoked the rental use of our building to a consulting group that specializes in art exchange.
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Save the Dates - Steinway Summer Series
- June 25 - Stephen Uhl and Brian Ostrega in concert
- July 16 - Matthew Lorenz recital - “Chopin & Rachmaninov”
- August 20 - Tong Bai - child prodigy piano recital
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Generosity 2023: Transforming Lives
Happy Spring! Thank you, Union Church members and friends, as you continue to support our ministries and missions, year after year.
The Generosity Team is a sub-committee of Trustees. It is our job to run the annual pledge campaign and encourage generosity throughout the year. Generosity is a core value of our Christian faith. Generosity is to love God and others as ourselves. When people give generously, we can transform lives. Union Church, supported by your gifts, provides us with ways to be a part of this important work.
Did you know that we had a significant increase in "pledges" (anticipated giving) this year? That anticipated giving has allowed us to carry on with our important programming and mission, and work to fill our open Associate Minister position (hopefully by the fall of this year!). As members to members, we appreciate everyone's gifts of both time and money.
Did you know that members provide 95% of our income? About 75% comes from current giving by members, and 20% from current and past members through the Endowment Fund. The remaining 5% comes from use of our building and other miscellaneous sources.
Our single greatest expense area is personnel, which really means our commitment to worship and preaching, music, children and youth programs, pastoral care, mission/community engagement, benevolences, Christian education and more. This is 72% of our spending - typical for a church of our size. One of the other bigger expenses is maintaining our beautiful building and grounds. Furthermore, last year, all totaled, Union Church donated $181,000 to local and global outreach, with those funds coming from the operating budget, special offerings, and designated endowment funds. Members also donated thousands of hours of volunteer time. This is all generosity at work!
This year we have hit the ground running, and our increased pledges are coming through! In addition to all the great ministry and mission, we collected $9100 for the Night Ministry Easter special offering, and over $8700 for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria. More personally, lots of people donated Easter lilies to beautify the church, honor loved ones, and bring some joy to our less-mobile members. These activities strengthen our relationships with God and others, transforming lives. Generosity can be a joyous adventure!
Thank you for supporting Union Church! Your Generosity Team
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DuPage United 20 Year Celebration!
Reweaving Our Democracy
Tuesday, June 6, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. @ MECCA Center in Willowbrook
Join together with our 28 other DuPage United member organizations to celebrate 20 years of reweaving our democracy. The event is Tuesday, June 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the MECCA center in Willowbrook. See this flyer for details.
DuPage United is a coalition of churches, synagogues, mosques, and other community- based organizations that works for change on issues that matter to us, our families, and our communities. Union Church has been a member of DU for nine years, and has helped DU with some big wins in DuPage County. Come to the assembly on June 6 to learn more about what DU is doing, and how you can join with others to use your power to change things that impact your life, and the lives of others.
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A Celebration of Home & Healing: A Fundraising Luncheon for The Boulevard
Thursday, June 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the University Club of Chicago
The Boulevard exists to serve ill and injured homeless adults with medical respite care, holistic support, and housing services to restore their health and rebuild their lives. Proceeds from our Luncheon fundraiser will directly support the many valuable programs and services we provide to those in need. The Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Dr. Jim O'Connell, one of the leading founders of medical respite care for the homeless. Dr. O'Connell was recently featured in The New York Times Magazine's cover article.
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Eat. Pray. Love.
All Church Potluck Picnic, Sunday, June 4, at 11:00 A.M.
Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share with all on Sunday, June 4th. Parish Life will be supplying hot dogs, brats, veggie burgers, drinks and a bounce house!
SAVE THE DATE and join us!
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Summer Sermon Series
Kicks off on June 11
This summer we will explore the Lord's Prayer and what it is that we are actually praying about when we use these words of Jesus. While most of us have the Lord's Prayer memorized and say it every week, this series will help us all break it down stanza by stanza, week by week, to dig deep on its meaning. We hope you join us for this thought-provoking conversation that will last over the 13 weeks of summer and through Labor Day. We are excited about this series and believe that both the well-studied theologians and the rookies of theology amongst us will have something new to learn and think about this summer as a result.
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Women of a Certain Age
Sunday, June 11th, after 10:00 a.m. worship. UCH member, Claudia Moffat, will teach us how to tie dye in the Art Room (upper level). No food or beverages will be served.
The purpose of Women of a certain age is for fellowship, friendship, and fun! ALL ARE WELCOME !!! For more information please contact Melissa Barnes Mann.
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Adult Fellowship Luncheon
Wednesday, June 14, 12:00 p.m., in the Dining Room
Sandy Wunderlich, a retired attorney and member of the DuPage PADS Board of Trustees, will give us an overview of the present day PADS! She has extensive history with PADS, having volunteered and cooked at churches for years. During the pandemic she managed the food distribution to clients in the multiple hotels. She has been charged with the transition after the acquisition of the Interim Housing Center. A lifelong volunteer – she will enlarge our concept of today’s DuPage PADS!
Everyone is welcome! Please invite spouses, friends and acquaintances. As always, a delicious $10.00 lunch will be served prior to the program. Reservations are required! The best way to make reservations is by email to Jim Nibeck. You can also make reservations by calling Jim Nibeck at 630-650-2051 or the church office (630-323-4303 ext. 6689) no later than Monday morning, June 12, 2023.
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Helen Mehler Memorial Bridge Group
Every Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Gathering Place
Players are asked to donate $5.00 per time to our beautiful church. This is a very friendly group and all levels of Bridge players are welcome!
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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
United Church of Christ
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