News - Notes - Reminders
Thursday, June 19 – Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Updates
Thursday, June 19 – With their realtor Bram Chill looking on, Corinne & Pastor Dave Denoon attended the closing of the sale of their new home. The Denoons extend their sincere thanks to First Church for making this moment possible: an $80,000 second mortgage was created by the church from individual donations of more than $70,000 and endowment funds of less than $10,000. The Denoons were able to add this amount to the equity from their home sale in Burlington, Wisconsin, for the down payment (Further individual donations to the Pastoral Housing Fund are encouraged and will offset the church's endowment expense.). Once floors have been refinished and walls painted, around July 15, the pastor and his family will take residence.
Saturday, June 21 – The annual Golf Outing at Frank Govern Golf Course saw five teams of golfers playing the 18 holes. This was a "scramble" event, scores kept according to team rather than according to player, each player hitting from the best "lie" of the previous stroke. The winning threesome – Bob Krause, Bram Chill, and a friend of Jane Munro – scored a 55. Others did not. A sumptuous spread followed, with many fans and devotees joining the players on the patio of the Legion Hall overlooking the 18th green.
Sunday, June 22 – "Progressive Christianity" was the sermon title. Pastor Dave addressed the importance of allowing one's faith to progress, even concerning one's perspective about basic tenets of Christianity. He used as an example the apostle Paul's shift, over the years, from viewing the resurrection of Christians strictly as a future event, to a more broad experience of renewal that can happen, here and now. Gary Hardesty's clarinet solo was a highlight, as our offertory music. This service was recorded and is being made available on audiotape and CD. Please contact the Office, if you would like a copy.
- Confirmation Partners (students and their mentors) gathered with Pastor Dave over lunch, discussing the topics of "God" and "Spiritual Life" and the gospel according to Luke, through Chapter 10. At 1 p.m., some of the Eighth Graders met with Pastor Dave and Youth Director Jens Notstad about Confirmation and summer programming.
- A Robinson Recital featured a concert of music for piano and strings, from the works of Massenet, Fauré, and Mendelssohn. More than 70 people gathered in the Church House Guild Room, to compose the audience who heard solo and group performances by the delightful trio of church members – Kingsley Day (piano), Megan Bauer (violin), and Jane Soung (cello). A standing ovation was the response, along with many admiring comments at the reception which followed.
Tuesday, June 24 – The Human Resources Committee met, to provide the Ministry Council with some recommended revisions to the Bylaws, especially regarding the official description of the Committee and to the Personnel Handbook. Along the way, they realized that the assembly of a Volunteer Handbook probably ought to be on a future agenda. At their next meeting, July 7 at 7 p.m., the HRC will examine staff review documents, in preparation for reviews, to occur in late summer or early fall.
The closing gavel sounded for the 54th Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, June 21-24, 2008, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We apologize for having provided so little information about the meeting, prior to this. The 55th NACCC Annual Meeting will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 27-30, 2009.
Upcoming Opportunities
Saturday, June 28 – Join other members and friends in the fun and fellowship of hosting our First Congregational Summer Season Yard Sale. Please sign up for one or more of the following shifts:
7:45 to 9:00 – Set up tables, display merchandise
9:00 to noon – Work the Sale, first shift
Noon to 3:00 – Work the Sale, second shift
3:00 to 4:30 – Clean up
Please call Joan & Tom Lindsey at 847 328-3551 or 847 308-0122 to volunteer, or email them, indicating for which shift(s) are available.
Sunday, June 29 – Sermon: I Don't Feel No Ways Tired – This opening line of a well-known African-American Gospel hymn sums up very nicely the feelings of the author of Psalm 13. At nearly 140 years in existence, this attitude might also be an appropriate expression of our own faith community! Pastor Dave offers a vision for the near future. Disciple Dialogue will focus on the importance of politeness and hospitality (see Matthew 10:40-41). Special Music will feature the violin of Megan Bauer.
- After worship, a Quarterly Congregational Meeting will take place (childcare provided). On the agenda are discussions about summer educational programming as well as the state of church finances so far this year. Also on the agenda will be recruitment of a committee to organize events celebrating our 140th Year. Finally, we will begin a discernment process, led by Pastor Dave, for the sake of developing a set of "visions and values" that might help us in creating a long-range (multi-year) plan for the Congregation. See page 2 of the July-August edition of First Chronicles, due in most mailboxes today, for notes from Pastor Dave Denoon, to help prepare for the discernment session.
Tuesday, July 1 – The Development & Finance Team meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Church House. Important on the agenda will be repair of the Church House's heating system and ways to pay for it.
Sunday, July 6 – Worship presentation: God Bless the Whole World – A provocative and enlightening exploration, in music and commentary, of the American Civil Religion in light of Christianity. Musical selections include "God Bless America," "This Land Is Your Land," and "America the Beautiful," among others. We are seeking a volunteer guitarist to accompany "This Land Is Your Land." Interested and available? Contact Pastor Dave Denoon as soon as possible.
- A meeting to form a Banner Ministry will take place after worship on July 6. See the July-August edition of First Chronicles for an invitation to the session, including a brief scriptural study regarding the use of liturgical and other banners.
Sunday, July 13 – Things change: summer classes for young people ("Surfin' with the Scriptures" or "A Hop, Skip, and a Jump through the Bible") and adults ("Beyond Your Backyard") will be offered, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Things begin at 8:45 a.m., for those who want to enjoy breakfast together, beforehand. Worship, as always, will begin at 10:00. See the July-August edition of First Chronicles, for more information and a syllabus for the adult class!
Other Notables
See the July-August edition of First Chronicles for a special, unannounced, inserted article detailing the discussion at the Open & Affirming Dinner on June 4!
Last Updated: Thursday, June 26, 2008