Ministry Highlights: January 2012

Ministry Highlights: January 2012

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.