July/ August 2015 - Illinois Conference

Transcription

July/ August 2015 - Illinois Conference
10/15/2015
Illinois Conference UCC E­Newsletter
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July\August 2015 Vol 32, Issue 32 Illinois Conference
UCC E­Newsletter
From the Conference Minister
General Synod 2015: Finding Christ in an Unexpected Place Our United Church of Christ General Synod held June 26­30,
2015, had as its theme "Finding Christ in Unexpected Places."
The Rev. Sharon Watkins, president of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) and closing worship preacher, said we need
to be prepared to do the work for Jesus in unexpected places.
General Synod 2015 was filled with uplifting powerful
preaching and worship. Nationally known speakers, preachers
and workshops addressed issues to grow our knowledge, broaden
our world perspective, affirm and grow our faith. There was
much celebration about the ministry of Rev. Geoffrey Black,
outgoing General Minister and President, as well as the ministry
of Rev. Linda Jaramillo, executive for Justice and witness
ministries. It was while Synod was in session that news came
about major Supreme Court decisions: Upholding of the
Affordable Health Care Act/Obama Care and the Freedom to
Marry in all the 50 States in the US, issues in which our
denomination and our Justice and Witness Ministries were very
much involve.
Major speakers included: Rev. Molly Baskette, Lead Pastor
of the quirky, lovable, and truth­telling community of First
Church Somerville UCC in metro Boston, and a senior
consultant for the Center for Progressive Renewal; Rev. Dr.
Mitri Raheb, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas
Church in Bethlehem, and the founder of a consortium that
operates a university on the West Bank; Connie Schultz, a
nationally syndicated columnist and a regular essayist for Parade
magazine. Other speakers were: Winona LaDuke, Founder and
Co­Director of Honor the Earth, a national advocacy group
encouraging public support and funding for native environmental
QUICK LINKS www.ilucc.org QUICK LINKS TO
WEBSITES Chicago Metropolitan
Association
Eastern Association
Fox Valley Association
Western Association
Prairie Association
CALENDERS OF EVENTS
Summer Music at Bethel Concert Series
Bethel UCC, 315 East St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst
Saturday, July 18, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Featuring flutist Tessa Vermeulen
Freewill offering
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groups; Bishop Dwayne Royster, Founding Pastor of Living
Water United Church of Christ located in the North
Philadelphia, and Executive Director of POWER: Philadelphians
Organized to Witness Empower and Rebuild, and Rev. Dr.
Sharon E. Watkins, who serves as General Minister and
President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the
United States and Canada
The General Synod voted to retain the current leadership
structure, defeating constitution and bylaw changes and putting
on hold the shifting of leadership of the national setting from the
current four­person collegium structure to one general minister
and president. The vote was a call for more time, clear
communication and greater transparency before making
significant changes to the United Church of Christ as a
covenantal faith community. There were many questions around
the process of bringing the proposed changes forward­ the need
for more dialogue and conversation among settings of the church
­ the model of leadership under one person and the future of
Justice and Witness Ministries after the retirement of the Rev.
M. Linda Jaramillo in September.
The Rev. John C. Dorhauer received overwhelming support
and was elected as the new General Minister and President of
the Church. He was quoted as stating that Justice and Witness
Ministries is very important and that : "I am going to ask the
board in October to hold that position open and find someone to
succeed Linda."
The General Synod celebrated the land return to Dakota
Association to highlight faithfulness, trust and an emerging
partnership with the Association. This land transfer of more than
20 parcels of tribal land from the South Dakota Conference of
the United Church of Christ to the Dakota Association brought
much joy. The land transfers were for church sites in Nebraska
and North Dakota that are part of the Dakota Association. Synod Called Foul on Chief Wahoo, of the Redskins, the
Cleveland team, to change its name and drop Chief Wahoo as its
mascot. About 80 people marched toward Progressive Field,
during Synod carrying a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures.
The General Synod took action on a number of resolutions
including:
A unanimous vote affirming Full Communion with the
United Church of Canada. The General Synod voted
unanimously to recognize a full communion between the United
Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada. The union
fulfills the promise the churches made to one another in 2013.
This brings the two denominations closer together, much like
what had been done with the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) Church.
Music at the Manor
The Congregational Church of Park Manor UCC
7000 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive,
Chicago
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Jazz Music Worship Service, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, guest speaker
Joan Collaso and trio Inspirational Ensemble Concert, 3:00 p.m.
Freewill offering
Rev. Dr. Terrill N. Murff, Senior Pastor
Widening the Welcome 2015
Inclusion for all
Hartford/Windsor Airport Marriott
Hotel, Hartford, CT.
Sponsor: UCC Disabilities and Mental Health Network
Info & registration:
WideningtheWelcome.com SAVE THE DATE
UCC Youth/Confirmation Day
Elmhurst College
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
McCormick Theological Seminary
McCormick Days, Oct. 22 & 23, 2015
"The Prophetic: That Which Keeps Us Alive"
Speakers, workshops, awards
Info: Rev. Nannette Banks at [email protected] ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING
Joint Fall Meeting: Fox Valley & CMA
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015
First Congregational UCC of Elgin
256 Chicago St., Elgin
Rev. Dr. Paris Donehoo, Senior Pastor
"Creative Sacred Space" for worship
Event will stream live at 11 a.m. (EDT)
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Dismantling Racism: In the wake of the resurgence of violence
against people of color across the country, delegates of General
Synod 2015 overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions on
dismantling racism. While African­American males, who make
up only 6 percent of our U. S. population, represent 40 percent of
those in prison or jail. "African­American males have a 32
percent chance of serving time at some point in their lives, while
white males have only a 6 percent chance."
Nearly unanimous Synod support and approval of an
emergency resolution to stand in support of the nine men and
women slain in the Mother Emmanuel African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the Charleston, S.C., community that is
anguishing over the violent, hateful act. A call for divestment and boycott of companies that profit
from the occupation of Palestinian territories. Synod
delegates gave the resolution strong support, calling us to sustain
and strengthen our voice against the occupation. This bolsters
and supports the work we are doing there, and affirms the
authentic voice of our partners, particularly Palestinian
Christians in the Kairos Palestine document. Rev. Jim Moos
stated that: "The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is
one of the most enduring and consequential conflicts of our age. " The resolution calls on the church to engage in specific, non­
violent actions to help end the ongoing conflict and establish
justice and peace.
The General Synod overwhelmingly supports divesting from
companies "complicit in the Israeli occupation of the West Bank
and Gaza."
Synod delegates urge transition to renewable energy and
converting the economy from reliance on fossil fuels to
renewable energy sources, energy conservation, and energy
efficiency. Synod delegates followed the lead of visionaries such
as delegate William Lochstet of the Penn Central Conference,
who urged, "We've got to do this and we've got to do it quickly." Our Illinois Conference delegation and staff at General Synod
total 55 (including our Honored Guests from Angola Africa.)
Participating in Synod is a privilege, wonderful, learning, faith­
filled experience. Those who attended Synod 2015 are available
to share their experience with your congregation. Extend an
invitation today.
Church House, Cleveland
www.ucc.org/creating_sacred_space
Midwest Regional Endowment Conference
Chicago Theological Seminary
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, 8:30 a.m.­4:00 p.m.
Info: www.ucfunds.org/future­
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Illinois Conference General Synod Delegates with the Rev. Geoffrey Black and the Rev. J. Bennett Guess. Report from the Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Church Vitality "When they had come near Jerusalem and had reach Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two
disciples, saying to them "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey
tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this,
'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." Matthew 21:2 ­3 NRSV
Yes, this portion of Scripture provides us with the prelude to Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. Yes, it and the words that follow allow us to visualize the arrival of the "King humble and mounted on
a donkey." Yes, it speaks of the fulfillment of an earlier prophecy. And yes, it suggests that once
believers understand the need, they will willingly surrender their resources in the service of the Lord.
In spite of the time between the writing of this Scripture and today, still, God has need of us. We, who
are believers, are asked to be faithful in our service to the Lord, surrendering our resources. Yes,
beloved, God has need of us, our voices, our witness, and our ministry. Correction to our listing of:
FIVE FOR FIVE CHURCHES WHO CONTRIBUTED TO
OUR CHURCHES WIDER MISSION (OCWM), ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING,
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH, NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND THE CHRISTMAS FUND
The following are "Five for Five Churches" and should have been listed as such:
Elgin, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pastor Jill Terpstra;
Oak Park, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pastor Sally Iberg; and
Sycamore, Mayfield Congregational Church, Pastor Martha Brunell.
We wish to acknowledge with gratitude the receipt of the 2015 Covenanted Fair Share Goal Sheet
from:
Kankakee, St Paul United Church of Christ, Pastor Barbara Lohrbach;
Matteson, St. John's Faith UCC, Pastor Terry Krouskoupf; and
Oak Lawn, Pilgrim Faith UCC, Pastor Peggy McClanahan.
CHALICE AWARDS: During our Illinois Conference Annual Celebration and meeting, we presented
the coveted Chalice Award to seven families in recognition of their service to their local church,
association, and our conference. These awards are often lovingly referred to as "Extra Mile" service
awards. Our Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) presented Chalice Awards to the following servants: https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121641069442&format=html&printFrame=true
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Dorothy Auw; Richard (Dick) and Rev. Nan Conser; Lawrence (Larry) and Patricia (Pat) McCure;
Rev. Bill and Rev. Dr. Jane Ann Moore; Rev. Dr. Leroy Sanders; Rev. Dr. Arthur (Art) and Alice
Stratemeyer; and Rev. Wallace (Wally) and Tonita Reifsteck.
OFF THE PEWS, INTO THE STREETS: During General Synod 30 in Cleveland, Ohio, a new
initiative for youth in Illinois was celebrated. "Off the Pews, Into the Streets" was highlighted by Local
Church Ministries in the United Church of Christ for its creativity and potential in serving youth. This
intergenerational initiative has been awarded start­up funding from our National Office. The program
was developed in Cluster Six of the Chicago Metropolitan Association, by Dr. Sammie Dortch, and it is
a collaborative effort of 12 churches to address the needs of youth utilizing the resources of members in
the pews. The two sponsoring congregations are the Congregational Church of Park Manor, Pastor
Terrell Murff, and University Church, Pastor Julian DeShazier. For more information about this youth
initiative, we invite you to contact Dr. Dortch at (773) 643­5101 or visit www.offthepews.org. NEW BEGINNINGS: We are preparing for another orientation session, a "Come and See", of the
Local Church Assessment Initiative known as New Beginnings. New Beginnings is designed to assist
congregations assess their mission, community, physical plant, and financial resources as they seek to
discover what God is calling them to do in the future.
If your church can answer yes to two or more of the following questions, you are a candidate for
participating in New Beginnings:
1.) Do you have fewer than 70 persons in worship each Sunday?
2.) Are you faced with building maintenance issues?
3.) Is your membership aging?
4.) Are you in a changing neighborhood?
5.) Do you have troubles paying your church bills?
Seven churches in the Illinois Conference are currently participating in the New Beginnings Program.
"Come and See" Orientation Sessions will be held on Aug. 22, our host church is St. Peter's in
Champaign and on Aug. 23, our host church is the Community Church in Morton. Join us for a "Come
and See" to learn more about the New Beginnings Assessment Initiative! For more information, call
the Conference office at (708) 344­4470 or contact us at [email protected].
REQUEST FOR FUNDING PROPOSALS: OUR LOCAL EVANGELISM, ENVISIONING, AND
PLANTING MINISTRY (LEEAP) is seeking proposals for the planting of new church starts and the
revitalization of existing ministries. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2015, to the Conference
office. Visit www.ilucc.org for more information or to download an application click here or call us at
(708) 344­4470.
FAITH IN THE FARMLAND: We invite you to join us for a special seminar designed to address the
concerns of building small, strong congregations. The seminar "Faith in the Farmland" will be offered
on Sept. 12, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Our host church is the United Church of Christ in
Granville, Ill. Our guest presenter is the Rev. Dr. Kennon L. Callahan, Ph.D. Dr. Callahan has
authored 21 books, served local churches of varying sizes in urban and rural settings, and has traveled
throughout the USA, Canada, the Arctic, Norway, Holland, England, Denmark, Sweden, Finland,
Estonia, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan,
Israel, Mexico, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Chile, Brazil, and the Antarctica, engaging in
research. Register now by downloading the registration form by clicking here to reserve your seat. For
more information, please call the Conference office at (708) 344­4470 or contact us at
[email protected].
WORLD WIDE COMMUNION WEEKEND: Please note your calendars and save the date of Oct. 3,
2015, for Conference Wide Worship. We will gather as a conference, with all five associations, joining
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in prayer, praise, and singing. Worship will be streamed live to a host church in each association. Plan
now to share in worship with us on Oct. 3, 2015!
STEWARDSHIP JAMBOREE: We have re­scheduled our Jamboree!! Please note your calendar and
save the date of Oct. 17, 2015. We will offer energizers and resources to assist with your Annual
Stewardship Campaign, discovering Stewardship as a Spiritual Discipline, Capital Campaigns 101,
Missional/Narrative Budgeting, Endowment Planning, and more. Save the date, Oct. 14, 2015!
EMBRACING OUR COMMUNITIES: Enrollment is open for local churches that are ready to use
technology to reach out and embrace their neighbors. MissionInsite is a Church Demographic Program
that provides information about local communities. It identifies social economic status, behavioral
patterns, religious beliefs, household composition and more. Have you wondered have many youth live
within walking distance to your church? Are you aware of the type of communication your community
is most receptive to receiving? Perhaps, you are curious about the number of single parents nearby. If
so, now is the time to enroll in MissionInsite for data from the last census, current year estimates, and
projections into the future. Contact our Conference office, Carmen Torres, at (708) 344­4470 or
[email protected] for more information.
EVANGELISM: Immanuel United Church of Christ in Evergreen Park recently sponsored a Love Fest,
in their Fellowship Hall. The table was prepared and the featured dessert was a cross, comprised of
twenty decorated cupcakes. Members were asked to invite others to the celebration. Lois invited
Barbara. Barbara accepted the invitation. She invited Lisa and Lisa accepted the invitation and brought
a child with her. Shirley went to a nearby housing development and knocked on doors; she invited the
residents to come and share in worship and the Love Fest. Twelve people accepted her invitation. The
Rev. Michelle McNamara is the pastor at Immanuel.
With gratitude for the blessings of sharing in ministry with you, I remain
Your Sister­In­Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Melbalenia D. Evans
All roads led to East Peoria, Illinois, June 5 & 6, 2015 What? 2015 Illinois Conference Annual
Celebration: "Continuing Testament: Embracing
the Vision." Where? Embassy Suites, East
Peoria, Ill. Who? More than 200 participants
from throughout the Illinois Conference. Were
you there? If not, mark your calendar: same
place, almost the same time next year. Expect
another inspiring Celebration.
Highlights of the Celebration included the
keynote address and the preaching on Saturday
by the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes. He is the
Chalice Awards recipients with Rev. Dr. Melbalenia Senior Minister Emeritus of Riverside Church in
D. Evans at right. New York City and a renowned speaker. The
opening worship service on Friday was a panel
discussion: "Sacred Conversation on Race," moderated by
the Rev. John Thomas, Chicago Theological
Seminary. The panelists were: Rev. Vertie
Powere, Rev. Bob Meissner and Rev. Jose
Jerez. The discussion was informative from
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diverse points of view relating to racism.
On Friday at the Gatherings, the Rev. Dr. Jorge
Morales, Illinois Conference Minister, gave the
welcome and introduced the Ministry Leadership
Team and the Conference staff. The budget was
presented for vote on Saturday. Deceased clergy
were remembered in Necrology. Chalice
Awards were presented to individuals and
families who have made outstanding contributions to the
Conference. They are: Dorothy Auw, Nan and
Dick Consert, Larry and Pat McCure, Rev. Bill Friday opening worship: "Sacred Conversation on and Jane Ann Moore, Rev. Dr. Leroy Sanders, Race."
Rev. Art and Alice Stratemeyer and Rev. Wally
and Tonita Reifsteck (not present).
Informative Energizers (workshops) were held on Friday and
Saturday. Among them were: Oppose the New "Jim Crow" through
reforms, and Renewing God's Mission, Angola Team presenter.
Business was conducted; the budget was passed. The amended
Constitution of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of
Christ was passed unanimously. Officers and committee
chairpersons were elected and installed. They include: Rev.
Vanessa Monroe (CMA), President; Michael Linder (FVA) 1st
Vice President; Rev. Kim Wood, 2nd Vice President; Rev. Sandra
Florentino, Secretary, and Len Adell, Treasurer.
The Celebration was enhanced by excellent praise and worship
music. Special guests included representatives from the Angola
Partnership, who hosted a reception on Friday night. The Angola
guests were able to visit churches through the Rev. Tom Norwalk.
Rev. Dr. James Forbes Just before the final Gathering on Saturday, there was
a delicious surprise: an ice cream social at the
end of the Exhibit Hall. (Yum, yum.) At the final
Gathering, resolutions were reviewed and
passed. Churches and clergy anniversaries were
recognized, along with retiring clergy. At the
closing worship, the vibrant and forward­looking
sermon by the Rev. Dr. James Forbes closed out
the Celebration on a very positive note.
Then it was homeward bound with lots of
information and inspiration to take to Conference
churches and their members, in the context of the
Celebration's theme: "Continuing Testament: Illinois Conference newly­elected Conference president, the Rev. Vanessa Monroe (left); Mary Newcomb, Embracing the Vision."
outgoing president at the mike.
­­Jacqueline Moore The Angola Delegation visits the Conference
The Illinois Conference was blessed
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during the month of June by the presence
of a delegation team from our Partner
Church, the Evangelical Congregational
Church in Angola. Our Illinois
Conference Angola Partnership Team
hosted our visitors after much planning
and preparation for the visit of Rev.
Andre Cangovi Eurico, General
Secretary, Rev. Adelaide Esperanca
Catanha, Principal of Emanuel
Seminary, Rev. Azevedo Bango Gueve,
Director of the Department of Social
Assistance, and Luis Samacumbi,
Director of Development.
Angola delegation and Conference Angola Partnership team. The visit began with their arrival for our
Annual Conference Celebration in East Peoria, where many of our Conference church representatives
were able to meet and greet these very special persons. The delegation members shared some brief
comments during our plenary sessions and led an Energizer, sharing the work of our partner church in a
country still rebuilding following 27 years of civil war. During our plenary presentation, the
Conference Partnership Team announced that we had reached our Conference Goal of raising $60,000
for our project of building two houses for married seminary students, which will help to increase the
number of pastors who will serve the church. The Evangelical Congregational Church in Angolan has
over 1.5 million members in 2,750 congregations, but only has 220 Pastors to serve those congregations.
Training pastors will continue to be a high priority for the work we do together in our partnership.
While in Illinois, the delegation members had the opportunities to visit in churches and homes in Ursa
and Fowler, Quincy, Jacksonville, Springfield, Wayne, Lockport, Monee, Hinsdale and Chicago. We
spent time in rich conversation with Conference staff, members of the Illinois Partnership Team, staff
of The Chicago Theological Seminary, The Association Council of the Chicago Metropolitan
Association and staff of the Advocate Health Care System. Some cultural visits included time at the
DuSable Museum as well as other sites in the Chicago area. We were blessed by the special hospitality
of Plymouth Place in LaGrange who provided guest space for our visitors for much of their visit in the
Chicago area.
Our visitors then traveled with our Conference delegation in order to be present for General Synod 30
in Cleveland. It was an important time for sharing and learning for our guests as they had the
opportunity to observe how our denominational structure functions to provide opportunities for many
voices to speak to issues of witness. There were also moments of recognition of international guests to
the Synod and opportunities of connecting with many others from around the world.
We are pleased to share that our visitors arrived back home safely in Angola on the morning of July
4th, after a time of warm and productive sharing with so many of us in the Illinois Conference. Our
partnership team will be working to identify a delegation team from Illinois to travel to Angola in Nov.
2015! We are excited that our Partnership is moving forward with great energy as we now celebrate
our 11th year of "Working together to build the one body of Christ in two different places!"
Good news from Tower Hill
Tower Hill Camp has been working with two local
groups in Michigan, Chikaming Open Spaces and
Deer Creek Open Spaces, to partner with the SW
Michigan Land Conservancy to create a 30­acre
easement at Tower Hill that will be held in it's
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pristine wooded state forever. The goal was to
raise $533,000, which will then be used to help
maintain Tower Hill. The fund­raising began in
late July 2013 and was estimated to continue
through until July 2016.The exciting news is that
the current total amount collected is $528,000. We
are so close and hope to complete the project one
year early. Once this is completed, the hiking
trails, God's Mail Box and the woodland area will
be protected and available to generations of Tower
Hill users to come. Thank you to all of you who
have contributed to this cause, volunteered and
used these trails.
Woodland area at Tower Hill. News and Events in Fox Valley Association
The First Congregational Church of Crystal
Lake walked away with second place in the
local Fourth of July parade for a Rubik's Cube
themed float that promoted the "Mind­blowing,
Earth­Shattering, Impossible­to­Ignore
Handiwork of God."
At the other end of the conference, St. Paul's
United Church of Christ collected donations
for the local food pantry in the Downers Grove
parade, but not in a traditional way. The
Precision Shopping Cart Drill Team
entertained ala Shriner cyclists while picking
up the food.
Rubik's Cube float of First Congregational, Crystal Lake. Parade participation also occurred in Chicago's
Pride Parade a week earlier, with at least three Fox Valley churches (St. Michaels UCC in
West Chicago, First Congregational in Glen
Ellyn and First Congregation UCC in Downers
Grove) represented.
Fox Valley had 10 delegates who attended the
United Church of Christ General Synod in
Cleveland. You'll be hearing more in future
newsletters and email blasts, but if you want
hear directly from one of the delegates let us
know. They are willing to address groups at
local churches about this biennial meeting of
our denomination.
Shriner Cyclists, St. Paul's UCC, Downers Grove. Madeline Cihak (Lyonsville) madeline­[email protected] Scott Cunningham (Crystal Lake) [email protected]
Rev. Lindsey Halpern­Givens (Harmony) [email protected]
Rev. Kris Hewitt (Mundelein) [email protected]
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Kathy Hummel (West Chicago) [email protected]
Brett Johnson (Downers Grove) [email protected]
Rev. David Ingles (Crystal Lake) dave@fcc­cl.org
Rev. Lance Lacklore (Huntley) [email protected]
Mike Linder (St. Charles) [email protected]
Rev. Michelle McNamara (Crystal Lake) [email protected]
A highlight of General Synod occurred when all delegates and visitors in the Convention Center belted
out "O Canada" in honor of our approval to be in full communion with the United Church of Canada.
The singing was instigated and led by Rev. Dave Ingles from First Congregational in Crystal Lake.
UPCOMING:
A farewell service will be held July 19 for the Rev. Bob von Trebra at Lyonsville United Church of
Christ in Indian Head Park. He has accepted a call in Utah.
Sally Miller will be ordained at 3 p.m. Aug. 2 at First Congregational UCC, Glen Ellyn. She is a
chaplain at both Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Samil UCC ends its ministry
Samil (Chicago Korean) United Church of
Christ: Servant of Christ, Trustworthy
Steward (ICor. 4:1,2)
Samil United Church of Christ ends its
ministry, leaving a legacy of faithful witness
after forty (40) years. Members of Samil
UCC celebrated their final worship service
on July 12, 2015.
Samil UCC church was established in 1975
by eight Korean Families, as the Chicago
Korean United Church. The church was
nested in the St. Stephens United Church of
Christ on North Karlov on the Near
Northwest Side of Chicago. The congregation Members and guests celebrate final worship service. officially joined the Chicago Metropolitan
Association (CMA) in 1976. It purchased its church home in 1989 at 4201 N. Troy and later moved,
purchasing a building at 1575 S. Wolf Rd. in Des Plaines.
The Rev. Sang Kyun Chung (at center of the picture), the church's first pastor, retired after 24 years of
ministry with Samil in 1999. The Rev. Chung officiated at the final worship service on July 12, 2015.
Also in the picture above is the Rev. Keith Scott (4th from left), Moderator of the CMA. The Rev. Dr.
Jorge Morales who officiated with the Rev. Chung, at the closing service is not pictured.
The Samil United Church of Christ leaves a legacy of continued ministry in the lives and witness of all
the people it served, baptized, confirmed, married and saw off to be with our Maker. Samil UCC also
leaves a legacy by giving assets totaling $110,000 to our Illinois Conference for continued ministry and
mission. Thanks be to God for Samil UCC, for all the lives transformed and for their legacy for
continued ministry.
Pastor Jamie Frazier preaches at Pride Worship Service
Pastor Jamie Frazier of The Lighthouse
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Church of Chicago preached at the Pride
Worship Service sponsored by the
Chicago Coalition of Welcoming
Churches, held on Saturday June 27 at
Lake View Presbyterian Church in
Chicago.
The Lighthouse Church of Chicago is a
Church in Discernment with the Chicago
Metropolitan Association. The Chicago
Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a
gathering of 70 churches in the
Chicagoland area, including many UCC
congregations. All member
congregations are welcome to and
affirming of the gifts and ministries of
lgbtq persons.
Pastor Frazier preached on the theme of
the service "Welcoming You Home" in Lighthouse Church members with Rev. Wayne MacPherson his sermon, "Somewhere Over the (rear right) at the Pride Worship Service. Rainbow." Connecting the theme of the
journey in the "Wizard of Oz" to the biblical journeys of the ancient Israelites to our own journeys for
love and justice, Pastor Jamie challenged us to make the connections of all our justice concerns for all
communities, so that when one part of the Body of Christ suffers, all suffer.
Members of the Lighthouse Church gathered to support their pastor and they are pictured along with
Rev. Wayne MacPherson, who represented CMA at the service.
A Call to Prayer from the UCC Collegium of Officers
We extend our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters of
Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina in the
loss of their Pastor Clementa Pinckney and eight of their church
family. As the body of Christ, we weep in pain and prayer with you
in the aftermath of this horrible act of violence. Our thoughts are
with the families of those who lost their lives and those who were
injured. Each loss is close to us; we just learned that the beloved
cousin of one of our UCC national staff persons was one of the
victims. Mass killings such as these are heart­rending under any
circumstances. They are made even more tragic when they happen
within the walls and safety of sacred space. The heart of our nation
must break wide open to feel the pain of our divisions. The body of
our nation must turn itself inside out to expose the sickness of our
collective culture. The soul of our nation must cry out in agony and
lamentation at this time. We appeal to the United Church of Christ
family and the entire nation to pray without ceasing for justice and
peace to prevail. We rely on God's abiding love, the presence of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit as we
know that God wraps the entire AME family in a blessed embrace. When one part of the body is
injured, the whole body suffers. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121641069442&format=html&printFrame=true
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Illinois Conference UCC E­Newsletter
Dear God of many Names, we come to you in our time of grief. Help us dear God to understand how
such tragedy occurs in the midst of your beloved family. Because you have made us One Body, help us
dear God to reach across the lines which divide us. At this time, we ask for special prayers for our
beloved family in Charleston, South Carolina and all who connect to them in life and spirit. Keep them
close to your heart dear One and protect them with power of your Holy Spirit. We pray all this in the
blessed name of Jesus the Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer. Pray without Ceasing,
Geoffrey, Ben, Jim, and Linda
Special offerings for burned black churches in the South
The issue of support for burned black churches has been raise in our UCC Cleveland offices and among
Conference Ministers, about responding and being supportive of those whose churches have and are
being burned in the South. Some local churches are asking if they can take an offering to help these
churches that experienced recent fires and burnings. There is a way to direct offering, through our National offices in Cleveland and through our Illinois
Conference.
I invite our churches to consider receiving such an offering. I would like to ask our clergy to aid our
congregations in deciding to receive and designate such an offering. There will be a way to direct it
through Conference and the National UCC. This is one way in which we can support victims of
violence, be in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters and witness against racism and
injustice.
­­ Rev. Dr. Jorge L. Morales
Conference e­mail and website information
Listed below are the e­mail addresses and the website information:
Illinois Conference general e­mail: [email protected]
Conference Minister Jorge Morales:[email protected]
Associate Conference Minster (Stewardship and Church Vitality) Melbalenia Evans:[email protected]
Associate Conference Minister (Prairie\Western) Kathy Lawes: [email protected]
Associate Conference Minister (Eastern\Western) Tom Norwalk: [email protected]
Associate Conference Minister (Fox Valley\CMA) Jonathan Knight: [email protected]
Associate Conference Minister (CMA) Vertie Powers: [email protected]
Conference Controller Bill Serritella: [email protected]
Tower Hill Camp: [email protected]
Pilgrim Park Camp: il­odm.org
Illinois Conference support staff:
Naomi Else: [email protected]
Carmen Torres: [email protected]
Wayne MacPherson (CMA): [email protected]
Tracy Diehl (Prairie): [email protected]
Connie Owens (Western): [email protected]
Accounting (Conf.): [email protected]
Please visit the Illinois Conference website at www.ilucc.org. The Illinois Conference now is on Facebook; look for us.
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Illinois Conference UCC E­Newsletter
Also, online giving now is available on the website.
THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE UCC E­NEWSLETTER is published by the Illinois Conference of the United
Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd., Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Jorge Morales, Conference
Minister; Jacqueline L. Moore, Editor; Carmen Torres, Editorial Assistant. Copy may be sent to: [email protected].
This communication is made possible by your contributions to
Our Church's Wider Mission.
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