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Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn 493 Forest Avenue at Pennsylvania

Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 www.graceglenellyn.org

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West Conference - Metropolitan Chicago Synod - ELCA

Vol. 2016-17 No. 17-7 Grace To You is the monthly newsletter of Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn.

From the Pastor:

So, a few updates:

Autism Worship Outreach: I continue to have conversations with a lot of people to get my head around what might be possible. I’ve met with executive directors of schools and foun-dations and with parents of children

with autism. I’ve had some initial conversations with people at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and with our synod. I’m actually going in to meet with Bishop Miller a couple of weeks after I’m writing this, but before you actually read it. The interest in what we’ve been kicking around is really high. There are also a lot of challenges. But honestly, I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I’ve casually mentioned this to someone I don’t know well and had them say, “You’re kidding me. I have a 25-year-old child with autism. This is an awesome idea—please keep me posted!”

Next steps? I think we need to find out what possibilities there might be of getting a grant to hire a part-time per-son trained in working with people with autism, to help me design worship and to be on-site to assist families during the service. I’d also like a grant to help us develop Worship Schedule Books, building off a tool parents and schools use to help people with autism track what is hap-pening with less anxiety. (There’s a foundation that does this; they did it for the Morton Arboretum too.) We might explore ways we might partner with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago to see if we could be a learning lab for other congregations to plant something like this in their community. (If there’s a large response, we have to

address that need without trying to serve 200 people with autism in our small space downstairs. And the sanctuary, we’ve heard from some resources, is a very difficult space for someone who has challenges processing much senso-ry stimulation.)

There’s a lot to be done, and I need to begin meeting with a team of lay people who have a heart for this. We have some names, but if you have an interest in this, please let Sue Pagnoni know. While other congregations serve people with various disabilities, no one that I can find is addressing this particular need—so the mission field here is wide open.

Giving to Date: Elsewhere in this newsletter you’ll read about our finan-cial status. It’s a good news/bad news kind of thing: there’s a chance we’ll end up with a deficit at the end of the year, but we’re actually a good bit ahead of where we were this time last year, deficit-wise. So let me say THANK YOU for your work to help us meet our budget, and please keep up your prayer and efforts. And remember, this isn’t really about just meeting the budget. It’s about our ability to answer the call Jesus has for us in this com-munity. Meeting our expenses and balancing the budget isn’t the goal—but it can definitely free us up to be bolder and more confident in answering that call—whether it’s in serving families living with autism or other folks who assume they won’t fit in. It could be that Jesus has us in mind for something special.

GGRACERACE TOTO YOUYOU Proclaim, Build, and Serve

Month of July 2017 1085417-7

Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn Grace to You Page 2 Month of July 2017

Worship Opportunities this Summer

Our summer worship schedule has one service on Sunday at 9am.

You may also join us in June and July for Worship on Wednesday! We’ll start with a simple meal at 6:00 then Worship at 6:30, using the texts from the previous Sunday. Following worship, join us for Pub Theology at Shannon’s Irish Pub, 428 N Main in Glen Ellyn. Good libations, great conversation; bring your best questions!

Social Committee Corner

Coffee hour will continue during the summer with refreshments and coffee available in the fellowship room after 9:00 worship. The social committee always welcomes volunteers to help make this happen. If you think this might be something you could help out with, please talk to any coffee hour volunteer, or call the church office.

Mark your calendars for Grace's Annual Picnic Sunday, August 27. Watch for more information.

Council Corner

Our next planned congregational meeting is January 28th. One of the agenda items requiring vote will be about Grace becoming or not becoming a RIC (Reconciling in Christ) welcoming church. If approved, Grace will be an ELCA welcoming church to the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) Community. We have held faith formation educational programs in between services and will continue these in the fall. The purpose is to understand what the Bible says, what LGBTQIA and ministering to that community means as well as other questions. There have been open and extensive dialogues in these meetings. It is important that all voices are heard and that questions are answered. Council has been reaching out via phone and email to members to be sure we have current contact information for each confirmed member. We will soon be sending a survey for anonymous reply to learn about questions that remain unanswered and gain understanding about the congregations’ current position about RIC. We are asking that this short survey be completed each confirmed member, not household. If you have not connected with a council member, please contact one of us.

You are Grace-full. ~ Sue Pagnoni, Council President

New Members

On June 4th we received these new members: Sue Davison

Jon Smetters & Kendra Rorens Tom & Teresa Petru and Lauren

Rob & Sabrina Granner Please introduce yourself and welcome them into our community at Grace.

Affirmation of Faith, May 21

Robert Dieter, Allison Ciero, Quinn Hufnagle

Children & Youth Ministry

Flyer Hand Out Event July 2nd Following 9:00am Service Come help pass out flyers to homes on the 4th of July Parade Route and surrounding neighborhoods to remind them to bring food donations to the parade on July 4th. We will have maps and flyers ready for teams to distribute after 9:00am service on Sunday, July 2nd. Please let Becky Ficarella or Dominic LoGalbo know if you can help. This should only take 15-20 minutes if we get enough people to help!

Playgroup will be meeting at Village Green Park located at 130 S Lambert Road in Glen Ellyn each Thursday in July, 8:30am -10:30am. There is a free splash park located here, so feel free to bring bathing suits too! *Note we will not meet on Thursday, July 13th as we are offering a Swim Day at Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park in Woodridge, IL from 11:30am - whenever the fun ends!

Intergenerational Event: Open to ages 5-105! Come gather as a church family and help to alleviate immedi-ate hunger needs. Come to our Feed My Starving Children Packing Event on Saturday, July 22nd from 9:00am -11:00am located at 1072 National Parkway Schaumburg, IL 60173

All Ages Day at Cypress Cove Water Park in Woodridge, IL Thursday, July 13th: Come one come all to Cy-press Cove Water Park at 11:30am! This park has so many things to offer: Lazy River, Enclosed Children's Area, Water Slides and more. Cost is $15.50 per person and you pay directly to Cypress Cove when you arrive. Food cannot be brought inside, but you may leave and return to the park if you want to picnic outside of the grounds. Bring extra $ for food on site if you wish. Rides can be arranged for students that would like to join the group.

Please contact Becky with any questions! With thanks! Becky Ficarella 630-469-1555 x17 bficarella@graceglenellyn.org

Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn Grace to You Page 3 Month of July 2017

DuPage PADS Spring Cleaning Project Results

Dear Grace Lutheran Church Members,

On behalf of myself, my partner Jessie, and DuPage PADS, we would like to thank you for your abundant and generous do-nations to create our Welcome Home Kits. With your help we have collected enough items and funds to assemble 12 fully supplied welcome home kits! In the next two weeks the kits will start to help formerly homeless individuals set up their new homes. The newcomers will be extremely thankful for your contributions. Thank you for helping give someone a fresh start!

With thanks, Hannah LoGalbo and Jessie Nork

Sunday 8:00 & 10:30am Grace Lutheran Worship Sunday 5:00-6:00pm Support Group (WOW) Mon-Fri 9:00-1:00pm Senior Service Center 3rd Monday 9:00-11:00pm Food Pantry Brd of Directors 2nd Monday 10:00-11:00am FP Volunteer Training Monday 11:30-12:30pm Support Group (WOW) Monday 1:00-3:00pm Food Pantry for Clients 2nd Monday 6:00pm Finance Ministry Monday 7:00-8:30pm Adult Ed Bible Study 3rd Monday 7:00pm Grace Church Council Monday 7:15pm Yoga Class (Narthex) Tuesday 1-3pm & 5-7pm Food Pantry for Clients 1st Tuesday 9:30am Social Ministry 1st Tuesday 11:00-1:00pm Sr. Center Exercise Class 2nd Tuesday 11:00-1:00pm Sr. Center Exercise Class 3rd Tuesday 11:00-1:00pm Sr. Center Book Club 4thTuesday 11:00-1:00pm Sr. Center Exercise Class Tuesday 3:00-7:00pm Parish Counselor 4th Tuesday 4:00-5:00pm FP Volunteer Training Tuesday 6:00-7:30pm Pill Bottle Project 1st Tuesday 7:00pm Property Ministry Wednesday 7:30-8:30am Bible Study 2nd Wed. 10:00-Noon Sr. Center Movie 4th Wed. 10:00-Noon Sr. Center Movie Wednesday 1:00-3:00pm Food Pantry for Clients Wednesday 1:00-7:00pm Parish Counselor Wednesday 8:00-10:00pm Support Group (WOW) Thursday 1:00-3:00pm Food Pantry for Clients Thursday 1:00-7:00pm Parish Counselor Friday 6:30-7:45pm Support Group (WOW) First Saturday of each month (unless noted): Saturday 8:00-9:30am Women of Grace (Off-Site)

Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn Grace to You Page 4 Month of July 2017

Weekly Building Usage Weekly Building Usage Precision Shopping Cart Brigade

The Precision Shopping Cart Brigade will once again perform during the Fourth of July Parade as they collect food donations for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. The Brigade performs (mostly) coordinated maneuvers to entertain onlookers, accept donations, and raise awareness about hunger in our own community. The Brigade is being orga-nized by Grace Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn and will be joined by several other faith communities joined together in mission, service, and ministry.

There are opportunities to participate for people of all ages and abilities. Activities include:

· Volunteer coordinator for your organization · Distributing fliers to homes along the parade route with a friendly request for donations · Decorate shopping carts prior to the parade · March with the Brigade during the parade · Shuttle donations from the Brigade carts to the support truck during the parade · Drive a support truck · Unload donations into the Food Pantry after the parade · Bring non-perishable food items to the parade · Ask your friends and neighbors to bring a donation · Pray for good weather

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is a non-profit organization supporting families and individuals in Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Wheaton, Lombard and Lisle. The Pantry serves approximately 5,000 families each year by providing them with necessary grocery and personal items to help make ends meet. The 38 year-old organization is composed of 16 Glen Ellyn churches and is supported solely by the private donations of individuals and community organizations as well as the work of over 300 dedicated volunteers.

For more information contact Dominic LoGalbo at ShoppingCartBrigade@gmail.com

Grace To You Article Submission Schedule

Submit articles and photos to the church office at info@graceglenellyn.org

August Issue Due July 5 September Issue Due August 2

Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn West Conference - Metropolitan Chicago Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 493 Forest Avenue at Pennsylvania Avenue

Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 Office: 630.469.1555

Fax: 630.469.1561 Email: info@graceglenellyn.org

www.graceglenellyn.org

Every Member: Minister & Missionary!

Melody Eastman, Pastor Bradford Thompson, Minister of Music

Barbara Sudds, Office Manager Becky Ficarella, Children & Youth Coordinator Carole LoGalbo, M.S., LCPC Parish Counselor

Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:30am - 3:00pm

Prayer Requests

Lois Pertle, Dorothy Stein, Jan Hutzler, Fred Warnke, Laurie Huizenga, Barbara Ryder, Daniel Swiston, Kay Mahnke, and David Ruehl for healing and strength.

The family of Maddison Mertz for comfort in grief.

Prayers for our Homebound Members: Ardena Klenk – at home in Glen Ellyn Florence Kracke –at Laurels Peak in Mankato, MN Julie Trout—at Westbridge Asst’d Living in Wheaton

Prayers for our member in the Armed Forces: Rodger Plant, Air Force

Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn Grace to You Page 5 Month of July 2017

Reconfiguration of space at Grace

The Nursery has been converted into Becky’s office plus small meeting space. One half of the Overflow Room has become an extension of the PrayGround for use by families with small children who need space to crawl on the floor. Becky’s office in the lower level now has a table and chairs that can also be used for small meeting space when Grace Counselor Carole LoGalbo is not meeting with clients.

Women of Grace

Our July meeting will be held at Fire & Wine in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, July 20th starting at 7:30pm. This is just a casual

moment in the month to sit and connect with women of all ages from Grace Lutheran Church.

Caregivers Support Group at ESSE Adult Day Center located in St. Paul Lutheran Church 515 S. Wheaton Ave. Wheaton, is offering a Caregiver Support Group on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 3:00 pm. The group is open to anyone in the community. At the meetings you will be able to meet other caregivers that are caring for a spouse or a parent in a situation similar to your own. Caregivers often take great care of others but need to learn ways to care for themselves. Meetings will allow you to share the challenges you face with personal, practical and family relat-ed issues in your daily routine as a caregiver. Re-freshments are served. For Reservations please call Nancie or Cathy at (630) 260-3773.

Noses and Numbers Date Attendance Offering 8am 10:30am 5/7 34 100 $14,417 5/14 26 98 $ 6,273 5/21 28 108 $ 8,301 5/28 9am 66 $ 2,193

Grace’s total income through May 2017 was $176,586 while expenses incurred during that same time period were $207,397.

Financial Update

Thank you so much for helping us keep our Ministries active at Grace thru your generous stewardship. Based on the contributions received by Grace so far, the current deficit is slightly over $30,000 year to date. While not perfect, this is a much better position than our deficit at this time last year of $50,200. Now we are in the summer vacation months and, typically, this is when giving (like attendance) starts to tail off. However, ministries which we provide infrastructure support for, like the Food Pantry or Senior Center, do not take the summer off. So please remember stewardship during the summer months and, between all of us, help ensure that the resources are there to serve our Ministries. There are a number of ways that you can give electronically which may assist. Please feel free to contact Joe Jacobo or Barbara Sudds in the church office to determine which donation method feels comfortable.