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TRANSCRIPT
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
November 2016
Pilgrim edition:
page 1/2
• From The Desk of Pastor Scott
page 3 • Caring For Creation
page 4
• Fabulous Fall Continues/Jan Barker
page 5 • The Mafia Murder/Jan Barker
page 6
• Youth News!/Dena Provenzano page 7
• Ten Ways to Promote Our Church
•Tom & Eddies/PADS
• Blood Drive
• Prayer Concerns
page 8
• Uprooted, A New Musical/K. Cotts
• 150th Anniversary Recap
page 9
• PADS Thank You/Char Wild
page 10
• Poinsettia Order Form
page 11
• Two Way Street Coffee House
From the desk of Pastor Scott
UPCOMING
Reminder: as soon as you read this Pilgrim, if you have a loved one who has died and you would like their name spoken aloud in remembrance during the All Saints Day Service on November 6th, please phone the church office immediately. Deadline to accept names will be Wednesday, November 2nd.
Many of you have been concerned about our changing climate and engaged in individual and collaborative efforts to recycle, reuse, and live in ways that are more energy conscious. There are many ways to be a better steward of the creation.
Recently the Lakota and Sioux Indians have been forming a protest against the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline. The pipeline has been rerouted to run through land formerly given to the Standing Rock Tribe in a treaty with the US Government and then rescinded, with the land, being taken back from the tribe. The proposed pipeline runs through areas that threaten both traditional sacred ground for the tribes and just as importantly, their lone water source. The “Dakota Access” Pipeline (DAPL) is a $3.8 billion, 1,100 mile fracked-oil pipeline currently under construction and running from the Bakken shale fields of North Dakota to Peoria, Illinois.
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From the desk of Pastor Scott continues
Much has been in the news about this standoff, which has been ongoing for some time. The protest has engaged over 200 Native American tribes across the country to fight for Standing Rock’s water rights and ancient burial sites. The reservation leadership has asked the Department of Justice to step in and arbitrate between the security forces of local government and Energy Transfer Partners.
As we think about the future of energy sources and climate change in our country, and how they affect our neighbors, (in this case the Sioux and Lakota Indigenous to this land) many of our leaders in the Fox Valley Association have thought this to be a place where we should lend aid and stand with the people of Standing Rock.
The people protesting the pipeline and their clean water rights will be camping many miles from their homes in the harsh winter conditions of ND. Below is a link to ways individuals might support protesting with the northern Lakota people .
http://sacredstonecamp.org/faq/
A second way to show support is to donate warm winter hats, gloves, coveralls, and heavy blankets to these people. Also needed are Coleman stoves, wood burning stoves, chainsaws and winter socks. Anyone who would like to donate items may bring them to the church from November 1st- 12th. We will not collect beyond the 12th. Anyone who would like to caravan to Standing Rock and help distribute these items, learn more about the protest, and join or pray with the people are welcome to sign up with Pastor Scott at [email protected]
Checks for the purchase of firewood and blankets for trucks hauling supplies to the protest camps can be made to the Fox Valley Association (Memo Standing Rock Mission) attention Bill Serritella.
A special thanks to Gail Jarowski who headed the 150th dinner, and to Linda Schranz who chaired the 150th committee.
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CARING FOR CREATION UPDATE
Help Our Disappearing Monarch Butterflies
I saw a Monarch feeding in my butterfly-friendly garden this morning!!! Why all the excitement? First of all, this is pretty late in the season for the
butterflies to still be around. (Note to butterfly: Please head to Mexico NOW!) Second, Monarchs have been in decline in North America and Canada for the past 20 years. How much longer will we have our beautiful State Insect around? And, is there anything we can do to reduce and/or reverse their decline? There are two generally accepted reasons for the decline, and, yes, there are things we can do to reverse it. One reason for the decline involves pesticide use. Specifically (1) the over use of pesticides and (2) the wide spread use of genetically modified corn and soybeans, which allow crops to be sprayed with glyphosate (RoundUP) which kills all other vegetation it touches, including plants that serve as food for Monarchs. The second reason for the decline is the loss of habitat needed for the Monarch to survive. Monarch larva (caterpillars) feed exclusively on leaves of milkweed plants. No milkweed, no food. MonarchWatch has determined that in North America, we are losing 6,000 acres of butterfly habitat a day. That’s 2.2 million acres a year of necessary habitat being destroyed. What can we as concerned individuals do? Plant milkweed and other butterfly loving plants in your yard, schools, churches, parks, and other open spaces. Milkweed seeds need to be planted in the fall in order to germinate in the spring. DO NOT bury the seeds – just sprinkle on roughed up soil and gently step on them. See our Caring for Creation website for the list “butterfly magnets” to plant. Milkweed seeds are available in Fellowship Hall Sundays in November. Limit pesticide use PLEASE NOTE: The previously announced State of Illinois license plate program has been cancelled along with all Specialty License plates.
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FABULOUS FALL CONTINUES……
We just completed our second annual Fall Fest! It was a sensation, topping the charts at over 100 people! Woo
Hoo!!! Now on to our next event. Our Junior Fellowship group will once again be making Santa Boxes for the
children who visit Hope’s Front Door. We will be assembling these boxes on Sunday, November 20th and are in
need of lots and lots of SHOE BOXES! So PLEASE bring me your shoe boxes, any size. You can find me every Sun-
day in the west entrance and Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m in my office. Thank
you in advance!!
Have you signed up for our MAFIA MURDER MYSTERY DINNER FUND-RAISER yet? Well what are you waiting for?
What a fun way to” kick off” the holidays - an evening of people getting “knocked off”. Remember you can
register as an individual for $25.00 or as a table of 8 for $175.00 Good food, good drinks, good entertainment,
good company and good murder….”Who Could Ask For Anything More”? Hey, I think that is one of the songs
being sung that night. Please sign up soon so we know how many to expect and to help our Youth Fellowship and
Junior Fellowship groups. You can find the registration form in this Pilgrim, in the Sunday bulletin or at the desk in
the West entrance. Hurry – Run.
Following our Mafia Murder night, we will be rehearsing for this year’s Christmas Pageant. The Pageant will be
held on Sunday, December 18th during the worship service. I will be rehearsing with the children from 9:45 a.m.
– 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 4th and Sunday, December 11th. Children with speaking roles will be cast in
November and will have two rehearsals in November. Children 3 years and up who will not have speaking roles
will rehearse at those two December rehearsals. There will not be any Sunday School in December.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH . NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH OR
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST.
JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS PARTY IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH FROM 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. IN THE CHAPEL.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! Jan Barker – Director of Children’s Ministries
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FCLC would like to thank every-
one for coming out to the Fall
Fest. It was a lovely day of food,
fun and fellowship. During this
fall season FCLC would like to
say, THANK YOU to all of the
generous support, love and care
everyone has sent our way.
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Page 6
YOUTH NEWS Saturday, November 5th, “Sleep Out Saturday” in Fishel Park begins following the “Sleep Out Satur-
day” kick off event in Glen Ellyn at 5:00 pm.
Sunday, November 6th, Sleep Out Saturday” breakfast in Fellowship Hall at 8:00 am then together for
church at 9:30 am.
Sunday, November 6th, Mandatory Mission Trip meeting in Fellowship Hall at 8:00 am during our
“Sleep Out Saturday” breakfast together.
Sunday, November 13th, Mafia Murder Mystery fundraiser PLANNING EVENT for all parents and
youth interested in helping. Meet in the chapel at 11:30 am.
***THIS AWESOME FUNDRAISER IS FOR YOUTH GROUP & MISSION PROGRAMS AND WILL BE PER-
FORMED ON THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD IN FELLOWSHIP HALL from 6:30-10:30 pm.
Saturday, November 26th, “Hopes Front Door” toy drive. Please sign up to help wrap gifts for these
grateful families. We will gift wrap in the morning and afternoon at St. Scholastica in Woodridge.
Sunday, November 27th, Advent luncheon and Christmas decorating in the Youth Room from 12:00-
2:00 pm.
Saturday, December 3rd, Mafia Murder Mystery performance in Fellowship Hall, 6:30-10:30 pm.
Sunday, December 18th, FIRST EVER “Live Nativity” sponsored by… OUR YOUTH!!!!!!!!! We will share
the story of the Birth of Jesus with family, friends and ANIMALS in Fishel Park beginning at 4:30 pm.
***Please sign up to help with costumes, props, storytelling, lighting, sound, snacks and much, much
more!
Tuesday, December 27th, NIGHT MINISTRY YOUTH PROJECT AND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAK LOCK-
IN!
We will meet in the church kitchen at 6:30 pm to prepare a meal to serve to our friends in Humboldt
Park. We will head to the city at 7:30 pm, serve dinner at 8:30 pm then head back to church for our
Lock-In!
***Please sign up to help drive our youth to and from Humboldt Park.
Love and blessings, Dena Rae Provenzano
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Get Connected!
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Prayer Concerns
Rick and Genevieve Franz, Osborn family, Craig and Jay DuSold, Stacey Poulter, Mi-chael Ode, Ken Klintworth, John Hibbeln
Ten ways to help promote our church online
Are you on Facebook? Be sure to like the church page at www.facebook.com/uccdg.
After liking the page, go back and click the drop down menu on the “like” tab and select “see first” to make sure you never miss news from the church.
Interact with the Facebook page regularly by liking posts and sharing posts (especially about upcoming events and services you will be at). Easy way to let friends of yours who might be looking for a church to know about us.
Tag yourself in photos. We never tag anybody, but you are welcome to tag yourself and thereby let your friends see what you were doing.
Check in at the church when you come for Sunday worship, either on Facebook, FourSquare or other apps. Let people know you’re at worship (you never know when somebody might be looking for a church).
Make the church web page, www.uccdg.org, the home page on your web browser. Most of us probably have Google or some other search engine as the page that pops up when we open our browser. Go under preferences for your browser and change it to the church website.
If going to the church website (and it’s not your home page), instead of entering the address do a Google search using different terms, such as “justice Church,” “caring church” etc. and selecting our page wherever it comes up. Be sure to add Downers Grove or a nearby town to your search to narrow it.
Follow us on Twitter at @uccdg and retweet items of interest. Did you know we live tweet the sermon most weeks?
Check out and link to the church page on other apps, such as at www.instagram.com/UCCDG or the broadcast ministry (weekly services and radio programs) at www.uccfn.org.
Add your church membership in your profile description on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media accounts. Your church is a part of your life — share the Good News!
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Blood Drive
You Can Make a Difference. Marilyn Jelinek and Ron Moravec would like to thank Sue Larsen and Mark Her-rick for their help with the Blood Drive held on October 18. Everyone enjoyed Pat Lockett's delicious home baked cookies. The following participants have made a difference for those in need: Ralph Anderson, Laurel Bowen, Bob Carter, Len Clark, Dorothy Clifton, Martha Lehman Corats, Lydia Feber, Karla Gutzke, Scott Given, Mark Herrick, Dennis Lewis, Linda McDonald, John Ourada, Ruth Popelar, and Laurie Tsukuno. Mark your calendar! Plan ahead! Our next Blood Drive is January 17. Blood can be donated every 8 weeks. Blood Drive!
Come hear a concert performance of Uprooted, a new musical by Kristin Cotts, performed by eleven spectacular of singer/actors and three wonderful
instrumentalists (cello, flute, and piano). In keeping with the church's commitment to equality, social and environmental justice, and the power of love, this musical speaks
to some of the most important issues of our time.
Uprooted, A New Musical
Concert Performance of Songs
Saturday, November 12th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
First Congregational UCC
1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove
Free Will Donation
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First Congregational UCC 150th Anniversary
As we conclude our year of celebration, Linda Schranz will present a recap of the Church's 150 year history - from its roots in the East DuPage Church to the present. Join her Sunday, November 13 in Fellowship Hall at 11:15 am following Continental Breakfast. Linda will also attempt to answer questions and dispel some myths about FCC. T
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Get Connected!
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Page 10
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Get Connected!
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Our Church Staff
The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor………………………..…[email protected]
Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation…………[email protected]
Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music………….………[email protected]
Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries………….…[email protected]
Jan Barker, Director of Children’s Ministries………………………[email protected]
Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary………………………[email protected]
Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper…………………………………[email protected]
Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor………………………[email protected]
Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Cent.er ……[email protected]
Radika Jungwirth, Admin. Asst, First Cong. Learning Center ………[email protected]
Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House……………[email protected]
Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist…………………………………..……[email protected]
Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries……………………..…………[email protected]
Justin Kono, Band Director …………..………………………[email protected]
Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries………………….……[email protected]
The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus
First Congregational UCC * 1047 Curtiss Street * Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: (630) 968.0358
Email: [email protected] Website: www.uccdg.org * Broadcast: www.uccbroadcastministry.org
Other Communications: www.twitter.com/uccdg * www.facebook.com/uccdg
FCC Learning Center: www.facebook.com/fdcdg
T h e P i l g r i m N ov e m b e r 2 016 E d i t i o n