OCTOBER 2017

October Worship - Back to BasicsSermon Shapers Join Pastor Melissa to talk about the sermons in her preaching series, “Back to Basics.” We will meet on Tuesdays, October 3 – October 17 at 7:00 PM.

We’re going Back to Basics. Occasionally it’s good to remember what we’re about as a church. What makes our church different from service organizations like Rotary or neighborhood associations? What does it mean to be a member of FUMCAH? Join us to reflect again on our membership vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Whether you are an official member of FUMCAH or not, you’ll have the chance to reflect on the power that covenanting with a community can have in spiritual lives. The good news is: we don’t have to go it alone!

Did you know that generosity is good for you? Physiological and psychological studies have shown that giving to others can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, lengthen one’s life, and improve one’s mood. When generosity is embraced as a spiritual discipline, it can also grow our relationship with God, help us gain freedom from materialism, and experience deep joy. We feel good when we give, and God delights in us.Of course, the recipients of our gifts benefit, too, and there are countless individuals and causes who survive, and hopefully thrive, because we share. This is so essential that Jesus says when we give to the “least of these,” we are giving to him. It’s a win-win situation; no wonder scripture encourages us to give.At FUMCAH, we partner with parents in teaching Christian values, including generosity. We do this when we model generosity (“do what I say and not what I do” is poor pedagogue), when we involve children in many kinds of giving, and when we help children participate in the regular Sunday offering. This year, we are introducing the “Passport to Generosity” as another way to support FUMCAH families.Passports will be distributed through the Sunday School for all children in Pre-K and older; additional passports are available at the Welcome Center. Children have a year to complete the activities. Developing a generous spirit is, of course, its reward, but as a way to encourage kids, they may choose a prize from the Generosity Treasure Box when the passport is completed. Parents can check off the boxes when each activity is competed.The activities correspond to our FUMCAH membership vows which are being featured in our October Worship Series, “Back to Basics.” These include: church attendance, regular giving, completing a pledge card, reading the Bible or other good books, saying grace/praying, participating in a service project, witnessing to one’s faith. Raising generous children is a church-wide responsibility and nurtures the spirits of us all.

Worship Schedule10/1 We promise to pray for each other 10/8 We promise to show up for each other and help each other 10/15 We promise to financially contribute to the work of the church 10/22 We promise to share with others the love of God

Pastor Lynn Mikels

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return."Luke 6:38

"God loves a cheerful giver."II Corinthians 9:7

Rainbow CircleRainbow Circle will continue to meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 pm for conversation meant for LGBTQ+ people of faith.

Upcoming Meeting Dates: October 11, 25Check our meetup page for worship dates and conversation topics (https://www.meetup.com/rainbowcircle/). Contact Liz Evans (elizabeth.evans@garrett.edu) for more information.

October Mission: Tree of Life MinistryOur October mission is the Tree of Life Ministry to the Lakota Nation residing in Mission, South Dakota. They feed, cloth, shelter and love this tribe. There is a soup kitchen which provides breakfast and lunch for free and boxes of food to help supplement the evening meal. They also have a thrift store that provides household goods and gently used clothing for babies, children, teens, men, and women. Due to the area they serve, they also have created a mobile thrift store for community members that are not able to get to their home base in Mission. If you want to learn more about the mission, their contact information is http://treeofliferelief.org. Support the Tree of Life Ministry by marking your donation to the church, "Tree of Life".

October is Back to Basics

For Stewardship during October, this year we’ll be going back to examine the commitments we made to God and this church. Each Sunday,

we’ll highlight the promises we have all made of Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. Each Sunday we’ll submit reflection cards dealing with the topic of the day. The cards will be artfully displayed in the Sanctuary. Our own Kate Leipprandt will be talking about "All Things Money" during Kaleidoscope on October 8. And finally on Commitment Sunday, October 22, we will host an in-house back-to-basics meal, with real "stick to your ribs" brunch food. So plan on attending each week and take a trip back to why we’re here, and why we’re United Methodists.

October Mitten TreeOn cold days, children on the reservation are not allowed to board the school bus without hats and mittens. They not only miss class that day (or days) but also miss two meals that are served at school which may be the only meals they receive. We are providing hats and mittens to be distributed to the children; they can be either made or purchased. I hope you’ll help support this mission.Across from the Welcome Center is a barrel for your donations. We will be accepting donations through October 29. Thank you for your support.

Coming in November: Moses, Man of the Mountain Moses is one of the most recognized names in the Bible, but perhaps not that well known. He was a complex person, with strengths and weaknesses, moments of great joy and deep sorrow. Beginning October 29, we’ll spend five weeks exploring the life and leadership of Moses. He was a faithful and flawed person whom God used to do great things. Maybe God can use us, too.

Save the Date for our Sisters RetreatReserve Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, on your calendar for our Sisters Retreat near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. More details soon! Sisters are gathering for spirited weekly discussion on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 in the parlor. Our current discussion-launcher is the book ,"Waking Up White."

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United Methodist Women Invite You to a Gathering Join us for the discussion "Haiti and Sustainable Action International (SAI): Building the Future", on Tuesday, October 17, 7-9 pm in the Wesley Room. SAI is a faith-based, volunteer organization that provides education, wells for clean water, jobs, agricultural training, and Christian outreach in La Victoire, Haiti. At SAI, they attend to both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. They teach people to provide for themselves, to work the land for increased production, and create job opportunities within the community. Come learn how Sustainable Action International is providing the initial resources, education, and training to equip the people of La Victoire to build a future for

themselves. All are welcome! Refreshments will be served! Childcare reservations can be made at shunter26@hotmail.com.

Kaleidoscope - An Adult Faith Formation Opportunity After Worship

There is “something different and colorful” almost every Sunday at Kaleidoscope. Come often or occasionally to this Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation opportunity as the Spirit prompts you. Our October Kaleidoscopes reflect our worship and stewardship themes.

October 1 – PrayerBarbara Miller, a UMC certified leader in spiritual formation, returns to help us grow in our prayer life.

October 8 – All things "money" A workshop built to answer your questions and areas of interest such as investing, proper levels of insurance or how much you should save (college, retirement, etc.)Come and take advantage of our own Certified Financial Planner TM Professional and experienced faculty member of the ABA (Bankers) with decades of experience. Kate Leipprandt will answer your financial questions and help you get started on your awesome financial path. Interests of attendees will form the discussion! All are welcome.

October 15 – Community Renewal Society Drea Hall, new Director of Organizing for the Community Renewal Society, will share about CRS and lead us in considering our gifts of advocacy and service.

Kaleidoscope meets in the Wesley Room. Pick up your coffee in Fellowship Hall and head over! *Kaleidoscope will not meet October 22 or October 29.

DBSA Veterans GroupDBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) Arlington Heights, FUMCAH's mental health outreach ministry, is launching a new support group for Veterans living with a mood disorder or

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Of the 1.7 million Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, 300,000 (20 percent) suffer from PTSD or major depression. According to VA statistics, roughly 22 Veterans were dying by suicide per day in 2013, or one every 65 minutes. We are sponsoring a Veteran to be trained as Peer Support Specialist. The Peer Support Specialist will lead the support group and will act as role model to show that recovery from mental health issues is possible. We are targeting November 13 as the start date. Please help us spread the word to Veterans of all ages. Contact Leah Nakamura (847-495-2574) with questions.

Care for our ChurchIt is a busy time of year in the life of the church and quite a few groups use our church facilities. Please be sure to close any windows and doors you may open. We also ask that the furniture, especially in the Parlor, be treated

kindly and respectfully. As always, we appreciate your help in keeping the church well-kept and inviting. Let Melinda in the church office know of any questions or concerns.

Meals on Wheels VolunteersLast call for Meals on Wheels Volunteers! Meals are picked up at Lutheran Home in Arlington heights and are delivered between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm Monday - Friday. For more information contact Russ and Marlis Guilfords (847-392-5512).

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St. Francis FestCelebrate God's creation with the FUMCAH green team, the St. James Earth Shepherds and other local congregations! Join us at Deer Grove Forest Preserve's Camp Reinberg on Saturday, October 7, for dinner, ecumenical worship, guided nature hikes, a campfire, and optional overnight camping. Visit go.fumcah.com/stfrancisfest to sign up and learn more.

All-Ages Fall Festival & Hurricane Relief Event Join your FUMCAH family for an all-ages Fall Festival! On Saturday, October 14, at 6:30 pm. We will be collecting donations for hurricane relief while we dance, bop, disco, rock, and boogie to music from all decades!

Enjoy a caramel apple bar, cider donuts, and other fall treats. Make an art project led by our new FUMCAH Arts Ministry and bring your best smile for our photo booth. Visit go.fumcah.com/fallfest to receive a free ticket and send in your song request.

Job Opportunities at FUMCAH!Share your God given talents with your FUMCAH family. We are seeking a Part Time Bell Choir Director and Part Time Children's Ministry Coordinator. Please visit fumcah.com/jobs for more information and share these opportunities with your network.

Church Vegetable GardenSome in our church family have expressed interest in creating a space on our church campus to grow produce for a community garden. The area under consideration is just east of the parsonage based on hours of sunlight. This project would include tasks such as, requesting permission from the Board of Trustees, developing a budget and identifying sources for financing, preparing the ground, setting up fencing, and recruiting volunteers for planning, implement, and overseeing maintenance of the garden. This will require a minimum of ten people willing to take on this project from April/May through October. Wheeling Township has a food pantry and is willing to accept any produce from the garden. If there is enough interest, the Missions Committee will consider going forth with this project. Please contact Terri Passolt (tpassolt@gmail.com) if you would like to participate.

Feed My Starving Children Packing EventSaturday, November 4, 2:00-4:00pm1072 National Parkway, SchaumburgAges 5 and olderJoin your FUMCAH friends making packs of rice, soy, veggies, and vitamins for families around the world! There are jobs for everyone including sitting, standing, and heavy lifting. Sign up online (www.fmsc.org ) or stop by our table before or after worship in October. Please contact Wendy Dunnington with questions (wadunnington@gmail.com or 773-972-4188).

Trunk-or-Treat Trunk-or-Treat, the incredibly fun special event, returns to FUMCAH on Sunday, October 29! How does this work? After worship, children will go from car trunk to car trunk and “trick-or-treat” at cars parked in a reserved area of our parking lot. How will

the children know which car owners are participating? The car trunks will be open and decorated! Ready to include your vehicle? Sign up at the church office or at the table in the loggia, start planning your trunk theme, and buy your treats. Decorations don’t have to elaborate – just have fun and capture the spirit of the day!

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JAMJAM (Jesus and Me), a weekly event for preschoolers through eighth graders and their families, begins on October 4. Three choirs, puppet ministry, chimes, a delicious dinner, and “Church Mice” provide a variety of

learning and serving opportunities for children. Junior JAM childcare is available for the littlest ones so that parents can be involved, too. We do depend on parent/grandparent involvement at JAM through dinner set-up and clean-up as well as rotating parent help with Cherub Choir and Church Mice. Please check our registration brochure for more details and info on our new JAM Junior Leader opportunity.In addition to that new program, we have a new cook at JAM, Becca Livoti. She welcomes your menu suggestions for family-friendly meals. Here’s what’s on the menu for October:10/4: pizza, salad bar, brownies with vanilla ice cream10/11: mini stuffed meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed veggies, salad bar, cookies10/18: BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, salad bar, Jello10/25: October Birthdays' Celebration: Italian mac and cheese w/ meatballs, salad bar, cake.*Each week there will be plain pasta with parmesan cheese, carrot sticks, and applesauce available for picky eaters. We will no longer offer peanut butter and jelly.**Unless otherwise noted, drink options will always be nonfat milk and water.Wednesday Activities

5:00 - 5:45pmCherub Choir (3 - 5yrs. - not in grade K - by Sept. 1)Grace Note Singers (K - 2nd grade choir)Worship Arts - puppetry, handbells, etc. (grades 3 - 6)

Dinner - 5:45 - 6:15pmDinner Fellowship: Free for children enrolled in J.A.M., $3.00 for all other family members and guests.

6:15 - 7:00pmSaints and Singers Choir (grades 3-6)Church Mice Club (K-8)

Letter from Student Ministry Confirmation is such an amazing experience for our students. It is a time in which they can explore the importance of their faith. But this journey is not complete without fellow sojourners. Confirmation class is incomplete without multiple voices influencing the confirmands. As much training as I’ve had, nobody needs to hear only my interpretation of the Christian faith! Student ministry is seeking Confirmation teachers who get excited about seeing teenagers grow in relationship with one another, with God, and with the world around them. Confirmation teachers will be equipped with a leader’s guide which helps them to understand lesson plans, and a director’s guide, which will strengthen their teaching skills. Teachers are not committed to volunteer every Sunday; as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what we are trying to avoid by asking for more volunteers!If you are not interested in teaching but are still willing to spend time getting to know the students and be an additional resource with your life experiences, we would love to have you! You don’t have to “know everything about Jesus,” and we hope through the process, teachers and volunteers learn more about themselves and grow in their relationship with God.I would also like to say a huge, HUGE thank you to all of those who have already volunteered for positions in the student ministry! The response has been overwhelming and surprising. I appreciate every one of you!Thank you! Anthony Livoti If you'd like to teach, please contact Anthony (a.livoti@fumcah.com)

Church Mice Service ProjectChurch Mice, for Kindergarteners through eighth graders, begin the year with a service project – folding the laundry for our PADS program. We welcome some adult help with all those sheets and towels! Thom Frerk, our artist-in-residence, will return this year with his wonderful art projects. The first Art Day for our Church Mice will be October 11. Church Mice is J.A.M.'s after-dinner program which meets on Wednesday nights (6:15-7:00 pm).

Crossroads Crossroads is our fellowship group for all 4th, 5th and 6th graders and their friends that meets several times during the school year. This month, the Crossroaders are encouraged to come to our All Church Fall fest and Hurricane Relief Party on October 14 (see the article on page 4). There will be a table reserved just for you so come alone or come with your family (of course, you can choose to sit with your family.) Watch for announcements of future events. Parents – if you would like to host a gathering in your home sometime, please talk to pastor Lynn. We all enjoy a variety of activities.

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Art ClassesExplore your creative side this fall. Sign up for a Youth or Adult art class! All classes are $6, $20 for a 4-class punch card. Material costs are covered for the majority of all classes, except for some canvases and special craft projects that require non-standard materials.

Mixed Media Youth Art ClassIn this class, a variety of art projects are created with input and suggestions from students. Projects can vary from clay, painting, pen ink, jewelry, and much more. Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm, ages 8 and up (younger with special permission).Drawing and Painting Open StudioWhether you are a beginner or have experience, our open studio allows you to work at your own pace on projects of your choice, such as painting, printing, drawing, mosaic tile, glass fusing, and more. Drop in either day for however long you wish in our relaxing supportive setting. Thursdays, 6:15-9:00 pmSaturday Morning Art (Teens and Adults)Work on projects of your choosing and explore a variety of mainly 2 dimensional mediums. Saturdays, 9:30-11:45 am.Mommy, Me and the MastersA fun 45-minute class for moms (or dads) and preschool kids. We will explore art and make a quick project based on well-known artists and their masterpieces. Thursdays, at 1:00 pm.

For more information, you may contact the instructor, Thom Frerk (773-965-5340 or thomfrerk@gmail.com).

Get into the Act and Get Ready to LaughACT 2 Group will be heading to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre on November 18, at 7:30 pm for a night of comedy and "Defending the Caveman." For more information on the show, visit www.metropolisarts.com.If interested in attending and to purchase your ticket, contact Patty

Neuswanger at pattyneu@sbcglobal.net or call 630-550-0125.ACT 2 is a fellowship for people jugging older kids, adult children, careers, and grandkids.

Yoga ClassesTuesday, 4:00-5:00 pm & Fridays, 9:30-10:30 amDrop in, $15 per class, 5 class pass $50 Start or expand your practice of yoga. Becci Robinson, a certified yoga instructor, welcomes adults on Friday mornings from 9:30-10:30 am. Participants may purchase a five-class pass for $50 or pay a drop-in fee of $15 per class. Pass purchases are valid for three months. Like all Studio 1903 offerings, yoga is open to the church and community. Namaste! For more information, call the church office at 847-255-5112.

Zumba® Are you looking for new ways to work out? Do you love to dance or just love music? Have you heard of Zumba® before but never had a chance to try it? Come join the dance fitness party! Burn lots of calories while dancing to a blend of Latin and World music, guaranteed to keep you moving! Routines can be modified for your level of fitness. Classes are led at FUMCAH by one of our own church members, Veronica Biazo, ACE certified group fitness instructor and licensed Zumba® instructor.Regular Zumba® classes, Wednesday mornings (9:30 -10:30 am), Thursday evenings (6:30pm-7:30 pm). Classes are open to all church members and the public (age 16 and over), $8/drop-in class, save with a class pass (5 classes/$35, 10 classes/$60, 20 classes/$110).Seniors (62+) and Students w/IDs (16+), $6/drop-in or 10 classes/$50.

Recycled ChristmasThe annual United Methodist Women Recycled Christmas Sale takes place on Saturday, November 18, and donations will be accepted the week before the sale. United Methodist Women is looking for local crafters who are interested in a table at the

sale. This year the fee has been reduced to only $20 per table. Crafters do not have to be church members. We are also opening up table space to church members who do direct marketing sales! Do you sell Tupperware? Thirty-One Gifts? Pampered Chef? There are many possibilities, but we can only take the first church member to sign up from each company so that we do not have duplicates. Contact Jacqueline at JacquelineRaitano@yahoo.com or 847-749-3233 to sign up.

(dessert & unlimited cider)

Donations of gently used Christmas and other holiday related items will be collected from Saturday, October 29 - Thursday, November 3, in Fellowship Hall. Baked goods can be dropped off on November 4.

Visit - www.fumcah.com/recycled-christmas-sale/ for more details and a list of drop of times. Contact Jacqueline Raitano (JacquelineRaitano@yahoo.com or 847-612-8444) with questions.

UMW Recycled Christmas & Bake SaleSaturday, November 5, 9:00am-3:00pm

STUDIO 1903

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Financial Report through August 2017August Revenue: $52,965 Year-to- date Revenue: $489,941August Expense: $56,858 Year-to- date Expense: $485,472We have paid eight months ($60,480) of our $90,720 apportionment for 2017.Consider Electronic Funds Transfer – no need to worry that you don’t have your checkbook or cash with you! And, please let me know if you’d like any help looking at your pledges and contributions on our church database, Access ACS.With Access ACS, you can also set up contributions, through your bank account or credit card. Please consider rounding up your donation to cover the fees for this service, especially on credit card charges (2.25%). We really encourage EFTs and it’s great for church budgeting! Contact Melinda (m.kirby@fumcah.com) in the church office with any financial questions or concerns. Thank you very much for your good stewardship in 2017!

Thank you to Terri PassoltWhile the Staff Parish Relations Committee continues to search for a regular bell choir director, Terri Passolt has offered to step in on an interim basis. Thank you, Terri, for “daring greatly” in this new role.

Successful Golf OutingThe golf outing was marked by wonderful weather and good spirits (if not good golf scores). Over $15,000 was raised for the ministries of our church. Thank you to Lee and Sue Saip, the

golf outing committee, and all those who donated prizes, sponsored holes, volunteered their time, and participated. Visit go.fumcah.com/golf to see a list of this years sponsors and check out photos from the event.

BaptismsSeptember 10 - Connor Joseph McDonnel son of Virginia and Mike McDonnell, brother of Liam and GavinSeptember 24 - Charles Thomas Van Hoozer, son of Mary and Thomas Van HoozerMarriageSeptember 17 - Kathleen Kudia and Lyttleton Callender DeathsAugust 30 - David Howe September 4 - James Buchen

Congregation News Thank You From Faith Community HomesDear Members of First United Methodist Church. Through your gift of backpacks and school supplies, you truly have made the beginning of this new school year of 2017-2018 a joy for the children of Faith Community Homes families. The children are so happy with what you gave to them, and the parents are deeply grateful for the help this was to them! They were amazed that the supply lists from their school were completely covered! Several moms’ eyes filled with tears in disbelief, while children squealed with excitement at their new “treasures.”In addition to these expressions of gratitude, I am enclosing notes I was asked to send you.“Please tell these kind people ‘Thank You’ for us. We are so grateful for their generosity ~ it really helps us and our children while we are going through a tough time. God bless them!” I can’t believe they did this for us. It warms my heart to know there are such good people who care about us. Please tell them I and my kids say THANK YOU.”“Please tell the Church people that we appreciate them thinking of us – we thank them for all they gave our kids.” Truly, you have helped relieve some stress for struggling parents and have made an impact on their lives by your concern, outreach, and the witness of your faith lived out! Our gratitude for your generous, caring hearts is beyond what words can adequately express . . . .God bless you abundantly for blessing the families we serve!Gratefully,Sister Carrie Miller, SLW and the families and Board of Faith Community Homes

Message from PADSWhile we are very grateful for all of the donations to the program, we have to ask that donations of sample sized soap, shampoo, etc., be given directly to Journeys, instead of to our PADS site. We just don't have the room to store these donations. You may contact Journeys at info@journeystheroadhome.org.

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or current resident

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