January 9, 2011 A Publication of The Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C. Volume 43, Issue 1
Inside This Issue:
Holiday Offering News Stewardship Update
Newsletter Submissions Coat Drive
WA Selling Used Books Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Allegro Fundraiser Letter to the Congregation
And more!
Message From The Minister
“I AM GLAD TO BE HERE!”
Dear Members and Friends of Union Church: Greetings! I have been invited to be your Transitional Senior Minister for the time ahead. I am glad to be here! I have much experience for this ministry. This will be my fourth intentional interim position. The congregations I have served as a transitional senior minister have ranged in size from 400 to 1700. I have special training to be a transitional minister in addition to holding Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Eden Theological Seminary, Mediation Training from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and Appreciative Inquiry training from the Clergy Leadership Institute. I have been an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for 34 years and served 4 United Church of Christ congregations in the Midwest before becoming an intentional interim. I have asked the Moderators to appoint a Transitional Steering Committee to work with me to develop a plan of action for moving into your future. I have several ideas of how to do this but need input and collaboration from the Steering Committee to chart a direction. There will also be much opportunity for input from you as well. I will have more to share soon. In the meantime, I want to get to know you, learn your story, and learn your thoughts about Union Church. Please feel free to stop by the office to talk to me or invite me over for refreshments or lunch. I plan to be in the office Monday through Thursday. I drive here from Mokena, Illinois. So I will be here around 9:30 a.m. except for days I have night meetings. On those days, I will come in a little later because I will stay at the church through the evening hours. I want to be one of your pastors and spiritual leaders during this time of transition. You can email me at [email protected] or call me at the church. You can also text me at 708-‐638-‐5123. People have asked what to call me since we have two pastors with similar names. I prefer to go by my name "Tom." However, you can also call me "Tom Z" or "Rev. Tom." In any case, I want to have meaningful communication with you during this time of transition. I pray that the Spirit of Christ be with us as we discern what God is calling us to do and be. I am happy to be here!
-‐ Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer Transitional Minister
Union Church of Hinsdale, U.C.C.
2
Invitation to Faith: Transformative Worship
Our Staff
Transitional Minister: Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer Minister for Mission
and Outreach: Rev. Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer
Minister for Christian Formation and Family Life:
Rev. Tanya Sadagopan Director of Children’s Christian Education:
Penny Johnson Director of Youth
Formation: Jeremy Hylen
Director of Music Ministries: Michael Surratt
Director of the Chancel Choir:
Todd Diehl Director of
Contemporary Music: Brad Nye
Director of Children and Youth Choirs: Roberta Wentling
Assistant Handbell Director: Elizabeth Jung
Director of Early Childhood Programs:
Jennifer Keldahl Executive Manager:
Merrilee Hall Financial Manager:
Gaby Perez Project Manager:
Joel Gratcyk Communications Assistant:
Melanie Burton Buildings and Grounds:
Jim Vojtek, Bob Brija
WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship
9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Prayer and Healing Service 3rd Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
.
Holiday Offering Shares Faith & Joy with Our Mission Partners
Thank you to everyone who shared in our holiday offerings this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Your generosity helps make the continued ministry of our Mission Partners possible. This year’s Thanksgiving offering raised $2,842 for A Just Harvest. This ministry provides a warm and nutritious meal 365 days a year to the homeless and needy in the Rogers Park neighborhood. They have been our mission partner for many years and many Union members have served the meal on the 4th Sundays of the month – which is our designated Sunday. If you are interested in helping sometime, contact Fran Evans or Pastor Thom. Our Christmas offering raised $8,370 for the Night Ministry. The Night Ministry provides shelter, warm food, clothing and supplies and medical care to many of the homeless in Chicago. We have been their partner for many years, as well, with our Youth Mission Possible program serving on the street bus every month. Thanks again to all who helped make these holiday gifts possible.
Pledge Envelopes
If you would like to have weekly pledge envelopes for 2011, please contact Gaby Perez, our financial manager at (630) 323.4303 or [email protected].
Newsletter Articles and Submissions
ALL contributions to the newsletter should be emailed to: [email protected] If you need to send graphics or pictures please be sure that they are less than 1 MB in size, total. If you have ANY questions or concerns about the newsletter please contact Pastor Thom with all inquiries. Thank you!
3
Invitation to Faith: Community & Church Life
Dear Fellow Union Church Members, As many of you know by now, the church has experienced a significant decline in its pledging units and pledge income for the year ahead. Despite a concerted effort by the Stewardship Committee, Trustees and many other church leaders to reach out and contact members, we still have more than 100 members who pledged last year but who have chosen not to pledge this year. Others, because of financial circumstances or other reasons, have chosen to reduce their pledges. This comes on top of a significant decline a year ago. As result of this 20% reduction in our expected pledge income for 2011, the Budget Committee and the Executive Council have needed to take a series of difficult steps in order to be good stewards of our financial resources and bring to the congregation a balanced budget for 2011, while still trying to protect that core elements of the church which we hold most dear. The Preliminary Budget, which indicated the magnitude of these changes, was made available to the congregation two weeks ago and there will be budget conversations with the congregation this coming Sunday, January 10, at 10:15 and 11:30 in the Chapel. The Budget Committee worked long and hard to deal with a number of painful choices. Apart from a significant reduction in the mission budget and cuts to all program expenses, including elimination of our four paid section leaders in the choir, it was determined that our payroll and benefits needed to be reduced in line with the 20% reduction in income. Last night, Executive Council made two extremely difficult decisions which will result in the elimination of the Executive Manager position, currently staffed by Merrilee Hall, and consolidation of our two Associate Pastor positions into one, which means saying farewell to Rev. Tanya Sadagopan. To lose two dedicated and faithful staff members like Merrilee and Tanya is the last thing that we wished to do, but the reality of our financial situation left us with few options. We thank them both for their service to Union Church and wish them well as they transition away from us in February. While we look forward with great hope to the transitional period ahead, through which we believe Tom Zoelzer will capably lead us, and while we celebrate the increased attendance at our two new services, we are deeply saddened to be sharing this news with you and can only hope that we have found a platform now from which, together, we can grow and strengthen Union Church.
Respectfully,
Terry Kilens, Moderator Coleman Tuggle, Vice Moderator
Seniors Invited to Defer Property Taxes Qualified senior citizens aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program offered through the DuPage County Treasurer's office by the State of Illinois. This program allows qualified senior citizens to defer property tax payments until which time the property is sold. In other words, once you qualify each year for the program, you don't pay your real estate taxes until you sell the property or no longer own it. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the senior citizen's household income cannot exceed $50,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for primary residential purposes. The application period closes March 1, 2011. For more information, go online at treasurer.dupageco.org or call the DuPage County Treasurer's Office at (630)407-‐5900.
Gwen Henry, Treasurer
4
Invitation to Faith: Music & Community Life
Benefiting The Allegro Handbell Ensemble
The Allegro’s new fundraiser will continue through May. It’s fundraising while you shop. RING RING CHA-‐CHING fundraising gift cards, also called scrip, are the same gift cards you would normally purchase from a retailer in your local retail stores, and they work the same way. Our weekly Sunday “Cash & Carry” table is stocked with a limited assortment of cards. However, our order form is filled with cards you can use at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, movie theaters, home improvement stores, and almost any business that accepts gift cards. Using RING RING CHA-‐CHING is easy! Purchase gift cards for places where you plan to shop, and use those cards instead of cash or credit. We sell the cards to you for full face value and you redeem the cards for full face value. Allegro purchases those gift cards at a discount & keeps the difference as a rebate, earning a percentage of every dollar spent using the gift cards. Order forms are available at uchinsdale.org and on the Music Ministry bulletin board as well as the Gathering Place on Sunday morning. If you would like to place an order and the retailer you need is not listed, please call Elizabeth Krainc or Wendee Greene; they might be able to add them to our list. Share this news with friends! Questions and to place orders by phone, please call Elizabeth Krainc (630-‐969-‐0545) or Wendee Greene (630-‐969-‐7668).
Thank you, The Allegro Handbell Ensemble
Spaghetti Dinner: Save the Date
The Annual Spaghetti Dinner is a fundraiser for our Bell Choir
and Youth Work Tours. This year it will be held on Sunday, February 27 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun family style dinner with music and friends.
Tickets will be going on sale soon.
Questions? Call the church offices at (630) 323.4303.
5
Invitation to Faith: Expanding Mission and Social Justice for All People
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Empowerment
Assembly
Monday, January 17, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
First United Church of Oak Park 848 Lake Street, Oak Park
This year, Community Renewal Society and its member congregations are starting a new tradition to live out the legacy of Dr. King by taking action for racial and economic justice on the day that our country celebrates him. The first annual Martin Luther King Day Community Empowerment Assembly is designed to build the skills congregations need to do the work of justice in their churches and communities. The event will consist of three sessions: participants will come together for opening prayer and a historical witness to the legacy of Dr. King; breakout skills workshops will provide participants the opportunities to hone their abilities to effectively act for justice; and finally participants will come together for action items on current campaigns for change. The event is free, but registration is needed. Pastor Thom is going, so you can register through him at (630) 323.4303 or TParrott-‐[email protected].
Coat Drive Has Begun!
Our Annual Coat Drive for Interfaith House has begun.
Bring donations of adult winter coats to
Pastor Thom’s office. Thank you!
Used Books Available through the Women’s Association
Snuggle up with a good book this winter. Throughout the month of January there will be an assortment of used books available on the lower level in the coat area between the staff offices and the dining room. You are invited to come and browse – then purchase these used books. Come often to look at the books as new ones will be put out throughout the month. Women’s Association will add all money donated to their
scholarship fund for college students.
Caregivers Are you in need of a caregiver? Are you called to be a caregiver?
Whether you are looking for an in-‐home caregiver or looking to become an in-‐home caregiver, you might want to look into Comfort Keepers. If you are interested you can look at their website: http://comfortkeepers.com or contact Pastor Thom. Positions are available now and training is provided.
Have you made your pledge for 2011? Would you consider increasing your current pledge? Please contact Gaby Perez, the church’s Financial Manager, to notify us
of your pledge amount over the phone or to have a pledge card sent to you. Questions? Call us at (630) 323-‐4303 or email Gaby at [email protected].