May 2024 Newsflash - Celebrating the Journey

Celebrating the Journey

May 2024 Newsflash

*Be sure to click "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" at the bottom of the email to see the whole Newsletter!*

Events & Classes

Missions, Ministries & More

Report From the Fox Valley Association Meeting

April 13, 2024

The Fox Valley Association Spring Meeting was hosted by Christ Tamil Church of Downers Grove, a newer congregation that began worshipping in their own church home this January after meeting in different locations over the past 9 years. Worship was led by Rev. Selena Blackwell, the Moderator of our association, and included hymns in both Tamil and English. In addition to a delicious lunch of Indian cuisine, we learned about the Tamil culture and their journey immigrating to the United States.

I attended a breakout session about Exodus World Service, an organization that educates churches and individuals about the plight of refugees and connects refugees with volunteers committed to collecting and delivering essential supplies to people who have finished the years-long process to come to the US. I learned that aside from providing supplies, there are many other opportunities to be a good neighbor to refugees, such as visiting with them or helping them prepare for citizenship. Exodus World Service also has a sponsorship program, which I hope to present to the Ministry of Missions so they can evaluate our congregation’s interest in participating.

I always find the knowledge and friendships I gain at these meetings to be very rewarding. I encourage anyone who is curious to attend the Annual Fall Meeting, which will encompass the entire Illinois Conference, in Western Springs November 1-2.

-Nancy Kneip

Fair Trade

Sunday, May 12 Following Worship

May marks our 11th anniversary with Equal Exchange! We have made a worldwide impact on growers who can get fair prices as well as help with changes in climate and resulting disease, insects, and other challenges. Let's celebrate our anniversary with at-cost pricing on everything on May 12!

Many of you have favorite products that you buy dependably, which means I have been able to keep inventory down to only those items we want. However, there are other items in the catalog I can order, so let me know if you would like to try something different. There has definitely been an increase in coffee being drunk on Sunday mornings. Please consider dropping a few coins or a bill into the canister on the counter to help keep up with demand.

-Nancy Kneip

Shepherd U

We are still looking for assistants to help our teachers on Sunday mornings. Leading our young people through their Bible lessons is a wonderful way to foster a love of church and faith-based living in future generations. So many of us benefitted from the kindness and tutelage of Sunday School teachers when we were children, so please consider fulfilling that role for the youth of our congregation. Just an hour of your time can make a huge impact on the life of a child. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Save the Date

Algonquin - Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry Food Drive Month of June

During June, CCA will be holding a month-long food drive benefitting the ALITH Interfaith Food Pantry. Summer is often a slow time for food donations, and we want to help keep up momentum. In addition to the staple items that are always needed, we are seeking "Picnic Items." Items may be left at the church in the shopping cart next to the elevator through June 30, after which we will deliver them to the ALITH Interfaith Food Pantry. Suggested donations are:

Juice boxes

Granola bars

Cereal

Fruit cups

Fruit roll-ups

Applesauce cups

Baked beans

Chili

Chips/ pretzels

Trail mix/ nuts

Fruit bars

Dried meat/beef jerky

Peanut butter

Jam or jellies

Electrolyte drinks

Drink mixes/lemonade

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Tissues

Memorial Service for Rita Whitney

Saturday, June 8

11 am Visitation and 12 pm Service

We will be honoring the life of our dear friend and longtime CCA member Rita Whitney. Rita and her husband Carlton joined the Congregational Church of Algonquin in 1956 after they were invited to a meeting of the "Congregators," a monthly couples club organized by CCA members, and felt called to become part of the congregation. Rita was a CCA Heritage Society member and shared her gifts with the church for many years, serving as both a Deacon and the Church Secretary. There will be a luncheon following the service. You may view Rita's obituary by clicking here.

Stay Connected

Thank you from the Maicke Family

Dear Church Family,

Our family would like to thank everyone for their stories and words of comfort with the passing of our mom Betty Maicke. We heard stories of our mom that we never had heard before and they were of comfort during this time. We’d like to thank everyone who brought desserts. We heard several comments about how good they were and that there were so many to choose from. A special thank you to Janet Aggen and all of the people who volunteered to set-up, serve, and clean-up after our luncheon. We could not have done it without you. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful church family.

- Jean Hertel & Bill Maicke

April Venzon

Cory Kirkpatrick

Diane Scheske

Nancy Blackman

JoAnn Schindler

Barb Erion

Sandra Lindgren

Katelyn O'Laughlin

Jennifer Jazwinski

Bruce Thorne

Eric Hertel

Abigail Kapusinski

Scott Kapusinski

Wendy O'Laughlin

Benjamin Sprouse

Tucker Tarosas

Stephanie Twarling

Ryan Tarosas

Andrew Sprouse

Michael Szekely

Carol Haug

Bev Tipps

Joan Ryckman

Thank you to the following people for their memorial contributions:

Honoring Betty Maicke

Barb & Jim Erion, Karen & Steve Guenther

Honoring Dede Gray

June Casterton, Brian Cope, The Ebner Family, Barb & Jim Erion, Karen & Steve Guenther, Kris Hall, Brian & Carla Knapp, Lori Martens, Michelle & Tony Tarosas, Martha Wallace, Deborah & Walter Wolf

Honoring Rita Whitney

June Casterton, Brian Cope