Each month you can read highlights from the ministries, committees, and Executive Council.  These highlights represent the top 3 items discussed or decided at each meeting and/or items coming up that the ministry or committee wants to communicate to you.

Of course,  full minutes of all meeting can be found in the information rack outside of Helen Hall.

February Ministry Highlights will be posted as soon as they are collected from the ministries. 

Each month you can read highlights from the ministries, committees, and Executive Council.  These highlights represent the top 3 items discussed or decided at each meeting and/or items coming up that the ministry or committee wants to communicate to you.

Of course,  full minutes of all meeting can be found in the information rack outside of Helen Hall.

Christian Formation Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Adult Formation Committee is sponsoring “Family Movie Night” on January 27 and February 24.
2. Confirmation Retreat will be February 3-5.  The new Confirmation Program is going well.
3. We continue to discuss the decline in attendance at CF offerings and the correlation with the decline in overall church attendance.

Mission Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. The Christmas offering, for Hope for Homeless Families, was $8,970; which was matched by an anonymous donor.
2. The Family Shelter Services project is underway and should be completed by mid-February.  We are building a playroom for the children.
3. The Spirit Gift total was $4,760, which will support our various agencies.

Music Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Jim Winfield is our interim organist.  Roberta will get his bio to put in the Good News.
2. Working on tech and music for the 10:30 service.
3. Refining our wish list – sound system.

Parish Life Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Planned for welcoming and orientation of new PLM members (both before and at the Feb. meeting)
2. The shared dining room storage closet will be cleaned and reorganized in February.
3. Christmas decorations were reviewed and inventoried during the “un-decorating.”  Discussions on repairs and replacements have begun.

Christian Social Justice Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Movie Night will be the 3^rd Friday of each month.  View and discuss movies and documentaries about social justice and faith issues.
2. Our agency support:  American Indian Center of Chicago, Community Renewal Society, Bread for the World, Restavek Freedom Foundation and Domestic Violence Taskforce.
3. Adult Education Classes :  Current Events and Faith – a weekly review of international, national and local events; and how they impact our lives as Christians.  Comparative Religions – last Sunday of each month we explore different faith traditions.  The planned traditions are Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Catholic, Unitarian, Hindu, etc.

Worship Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Many thanks to those who purchased poinsettias.  90 were purchased and 35 delivered to the home-bound members.  The sanctuary was beautiful for Christmas.
2. Ash Wednesday Worship (February 22) will be held in the chapel.  The Wednesdays in Lent will include a simple supper in the upstairs kitchen followed by a study of the lives of some Great Christians.

Trustee Ministry – January 10, 2012

1. Focus on Membership.
2. Ask the Executive Council to work on Union Church purpose and identity.
3. Stewardship campaign meets goal, wants more.

Membership Committee – January 11, 2012

1. Discussed report by the Transitional Steering Committee to the Executive Council with particular emphasis on membership involvement and development.
2. Follow-up to personal calls to inactive members promotion upcoming activities and holiday worship.
3. Made final plans for upcoming New Member classes, Feb. 12 and March 4; with new members joining on March 11.

Endowment Committee – January 10, 2012

1. Planning for Endowment Donor Recognition Reception, February 10, 2012 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
2. Planning a Financial Planning Seminar for March 10, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

Join us on Ash Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. for Ashes & Prayer and at 6:30 p.m. for Evening Worship.

All are welcome.

Family Movie Night: Friday, February 24

ALL are welcome, so please feel free to invite friends and neighbors to this free event! We will be serving popcorn and root beer floats starting at 6:30 PM and at 7 PM, will promptly begin the film in the Youth Room, 2nd Floor. Any questions, please contact roseross1@sbcglobal.net.

Sponsored by Union Church Adult Formation and The Women’s Association.

to benefit the Youth Work Tours and Allegro Bell Choir 

Sunday, February 26, 2012
from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  Children 4-12 are $5, and children under 3 are free.
(Gluten free pasta will be available.)

There is a Silent Auction and entertainment throughout the evening.

Tickets will be on sale in the Gathering Place after each service, or you may contact Kearny Kilens.

This fun event benefits our youth work tours and the Allegro Bell Choir concert tour. 

The Lives of Great Christians

Come together for a mid-week time of fellowship and study
(replacing the Wednesday evening Lenten worship)

Each Wednesday we will gather at 6:30 p.m. for a simple meal and fellowship. We will begin the study of the lives of some great Christian believers at 7:00 p.m.  Through video, handouts, and discussion we will explore what it means to live a Christian life. The class will be led by Pastor Thom Parrott-Sheffer.

The Schedule:

February 29:       What makes a great Christian?  The life of Paul.

March 7:              The life of St. Benedict

March 14:              The lives of Bernard of Clairvaux and Francis of Assisi

March 21:              The life of Catherine of Siena

March 28:              Defining the Christian Life

Trust

9:00 a.m. Traditional Service

Trust
Jeremy Hylen

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Service

Trust
Rev. Dr. Tom Zoelzer

Please invite your family, friends & neighbors. All Are Welcome.

Looking Ahead:
Schedule is subject to change.

Lent – Seeking the Keys to Unlock the Doors

March 4, 2012 – Confession                                                Luke 19: 1-10

            9:00 a.m. – Tom Zoelzer                                                10:30 a.m. – Thom Parrott-Sheffer

March 11, 2012 – Forgiveness                                    Matthew 18: 15-35 (Drama)

            9:00 a.m. – Thom Parrott-Sheffer                         10:30 a.m. – Tom Zoelzer

March 18, 2012 – Reconciliation                                    Luke 15: 11-32

            9:00 a.m. – Tom Zoelzer                                                 10:30 a.m. – Jeremy Hylen

March 25, 2012 – Healing / Wholeness                        Mark 5: 24-34

            9:00 a.m. – Thom Parrott-Sheffer                         10:30 a.m. – Tom Zoelzer

April 1, 2012 – Palm Sunday                                                Mark 11: 1-11

            9:00 a.m. – Tom Zoelzer                                                 10:30 a.m. – Thom Parrott-Sheffer

April 8, 2012 – Easter Sunday                                                Mark 16; 1-8

            6:30 a.m.                        Thom Parrott-Sheffer

            9:00 a.m.                        Tom Zoelzer                                    11:00 a.m.             Tom Zoelzer

Birthday In A Bag

Now through Easter Sunday

March 4:
Collect cake mixes

March 11:
Collect frosting, sprinkles and candles

March 18:
Collect paper plates/napkins/cups

March 25:
Collect balloons, hats and decorations

April 1:
Collect small toy ($5)

Help us make
100 Birthday Bags
for families with young children served by HCS Family Services and other groups.

This stewardship project is brought to you by The Union Church of Hinsdale
and Union Church Early Childhood Education Programs.

If you have any questions about this project please contact Penny Johnson: Director of Children’s Christian Education at Union Church.

Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

The Dining Room and Spirit Hall will be filled with the aroma of fresh, hot pancakes and maple syrup.  Come to eat – stay for the games!

Adults: $5
Children: $2
Families: $12

Get your tickets after Sunday services or at the door.

All February, Women’s Association is collecting Paper Goods, Cleaning & Personal Care Items. Proceeds benefit HCS Family Services.

Attention Ministry Members – February’s Ministry Night is February 21. 
Why not come for some pancakes before the meeting?

We are scheduled for two build opportunities…
10 people each week are needed for a total of 20!

We are building at the Pioneer Prairie site in West Chicago on

March 17 and March 31
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

You can sign up for one or both days, or half-day sign-ups are available on a limited basis.

If you are interested and available, contact Pastor Thom.