an encouraging word from council member ellen...

An Encouraging Word from Council Member Ellen Brady

Many of you know I went to New York with Mark Geiger this past weekend where he sang in a concert with the Fox Valley Festival Chorus. I was able to enjoy three live performances in three days and realized again how the arts feed the soul.

The first play was a new musical "The Visit" starring Chita Rivera. It was unexpected, the plot was more operatic. Questions are posed about money, love and revenge. Wonderful to know that an 82-year-old star can still can still pull the audience in.

Our next performance was very different and yet still definitely left one with food for thought and not just froth. “Kinky Boots” has been in Chicago so I'm sure some of you have seen it. It has fabulous energy, eye-popping costumes and the dancing will knock your socks off. What I loved most was the underlying message of being open-minded and accepting. I thought this would be a great show for teens—I think it would spark discussion.

The final performance was the reason for the trip. Mark and other singers from the Fox Valley Festival Chorus combined with other choruses from around the country to perform Requiem by Mark Hayes, who was the conductor. 269 voices and a large instrumental ensemble as accompaniment in the wonderful acoustics of Avery Fisher Hall created a sound that was glorious. No recording matches the experience of hearing a live performance, even if it's outside at a music or theater fest.

I could ramble on about all of these, however I really just wanted to remind everyone of the joy, fun, and thought-provoking nature of plays and music performed live. None of us makes it to New York very often, but there are so many opportunities here in sweet home Chicago and in our own suburban backyard. Get out and be in the audience when you can and also be onstage, as a number of you are. We learn about being human, relationships with others and also our relationship with God.

Consider going to hear the chorus perform on June 13 or 14. Support Mark and Robb and enjoy some live music.

05/27/15

NEWS AND NOTES

Jesus Has Left the Building…

This Sunday is HOPE UCC’s Jesus has Left the Building & We’re Following Him event at We Grow Dreams. We will be doing grounds clean-up, “dead head” flowers in the greenhouses, clean-up in the greenhouses, and sort & inventory pots and trays. If you have already signed up, you will receive an email later in the week with details of the event.

If you would like to join us, but have not signed-up, please contact Jill at [email protected] or call/text 630-479-8287 or just join us at 9am Sunday, May 31 at:

We Grow Dreams 1055 W. Washington St. West Chicago IL 60185

Below is a list of items needed by We Grow Dreams if you would like to bring along a donation.

JHLB & WFH is an event which takes place on the 5th Sunday of a month (usually about four times a year) when instead of a worship service we go out into the community to serve others.

Questions, comments or suggestions? Email Jill at [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


A bit of change in Worship coming up...

As some of you know, Worship Ministry Team has been discussing possible ways to experiment with Sunday worship services. So as a "heads up" to our faith family at HOPE UCC, we'll be trying out something new on June 7: Introducing a change in the structure of the service, to see how that goes for a while--moving the scripture and sermon up to earlier in the service. The "message" that morning will also offer some reflection of worship traditions to put it all into perspective.

Hope to see you then!

We’d Like to Update HOPE UCC’s Website…Current Photos Needed!

If anyone has any current photos of HOPE activities (children's time, fundraisers, JHLB or anything to do with HOPE) from the last couple of years, could you please pass them on to me? I'm trying to update the website with current photos and information but I'm having a hard time finding current photos.

Please email them to me at [email protected]. Thanks!

Let Us Know if You’d Be Interested…

We are looking to see if there is any interest in making up a Hesed Home Starter Kit for Hesed House. These kits are given to the formerly homeless to set up housekeeping in their new apartment. These kits include needed household items for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc. A list of needed items is below. If there is enough interest, the kit will be assembled at the end of June and delivered to Hesed House.

Hesed House is also in need of Jeans and XXL T-Shirts that may be purchased at Savers or Goodwill, in addition to any you may have at home.

Please contact Sally Bice if you are interested in contributing. Thanks!

Contact Bob & Martha Selby at 630-355-3709 or [email protected]

Sharing Joys & Concerns

Please keep these people & events in your prayers:

Bill Fraccaro, a dear friend of mine, fighting MRSA and other resistant infections that have gone septic. (Tracy)

Continued prayers asked for my son, Damon, who continues to struggle with all the restrictions he has to adjust to, to get and stay healthy. (Sally Bice)

Mark, in his travels, as he sings in the Fox Valley Chorus and for safe travels home for him and Ellen. (Sally)

Healing and strength for Wendy Zach’s father. He had surgery last week in Florida. (Shannon)

My sister, Sharon, on the loss of her husband, Wayne. (Bob & Martha Selby)

Rejoicing over Marriage Equality in Ireland…the first country to do so!

In celebration of my brother Gene’s birthday and improving health! (Nick & Jane Dempsey)

HOPE United Church of Christ

1701 Quincy Avenue, Suite 27 Naperville, IL 60540-6684

Rev. Greg Skiba, Interim Pastor

Interim Pastor Email – [email protected]

Office Phone – 630-922-0470 Office Email – [email protected]

Website – www.sharehope.org

Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Celebrating Birthdays

06/18 Joshua Garland 06/20 Melody Ellsworth 06/20 Kathy Carter 06/24 Marie Higgins

If we’ve missed your birthday, please email HOPE’s Office Manager at [email protected].

HOPE’S Leadership

Moderator: Jeanne Smith

Past Moderator: Marie Higgins

Treasurer: Laurie Hogrewe

Secretary: Becky McCabe

Registrar: Ellen Brady

Social: Mark Geiger

Education: Tracy Urben

Pastor-Parish: Jay Hruska/Tim Higgins

Outreach: Zach Jarabeck

Resource: Linda James

Worship: Anna Ahonen

TMT: Kathy Carter

Nick Dempsey

Mark Geiger

Marie Higgins

Shannon Lane

Mike Manderino

Jeanne Smith

Photo Archive: Anna Ahonen

Webmaster: Jenn Revoldt ([email protected])

Deadline for additions or corrections to the next issue of HOPE Happenings is

June 2, 2 p.m. Thanks!

Announcements for Sunday due by Wednesday of each week.

QUEST MINISTRIES ~ 9:00 a.m.

ADULT QUEST (9 – 10 a.m.)

HOPE LIBRARY

You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling HOPE’s Office Manager at (630-922-0470) during office hours; by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by calling Martha Selby, HOPE Librarian, at (630) 355-3709.


http://www.sharehope.org/

UPCOMING EVENTS @ HOPE UCC

May 31, Sunday

Jesus Has Left the Building & We’re Following Him No Worship Service today. (Please see article for more details.)

June 3, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Quincy's, 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

June 9, Tuesday

All Ministries Meeting (7 p.m.)

June 10, Wednesday


June 11 – 18

Rev. Greg – VACATION

June 12, Friday

Reel Theology (7:30 p.m.) FREE MOVIE SCREENING! Featured Film – “Pride”

June 14, Sunday

Ministry Council Meeting (11:30 a.m.)

June 17, Wednesday


June 18, Thursday

Women Out to Lunch (Noon) Join the women of HOPE on the third Thursday of each month. Lively conversation, great food & warm fellowship are waiting for you at Giordano’s Restaurant at 119 S. Main Street, in downtown Naperville. Parking is available in the lot across from the restaurant or the Van Buren Parking Building.

June 24, Wednesday


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!

an encouraging word from council member ellen...

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