Celebrating the Journey November, 2018

The Congregational Church of Algonquin - 109 Washington Street, Algonquin, Illinois 60102

847-658-5308 email: algonquinucc@gmail.com website: algonquinucc.org

“Living Our Faith in Jesus Christ Through Acceptance, Service and Love.”

See What’s Inside

Clergy Corners

Rev Cope pg. 2

Rev Arn pg. 3

Member Care pg. 4

Group Studies pg. 5

Ways to Connect pgs. 6-7

Donations &

Recycling pg.8

Literacy & Tutoring pg. 9

Ministry of Missions pg. 10

Member News pg. 11

Child Sponsorship pg. 12

Faith in Action pgs. 13-14

Just for Fun! pg. 15

Items of Interest pg. 16(Birthdays, Scholarships, Treasurer’s Report, Notes, etc.)

Worship Assistants pg. 17

November Calendar pg. 18

Getting Ready for Christmas

pg. 19

About CCA & UCC pg. 20

Heritage Sunday

Honoring those with

25+ years of active membership

in this church

November 4, 2018

2 CLERGY CORNERS

Dear Friends, The history of the Christian Church has been an evolution. The Church that the disciples and Paul left was a series of house congregations. Over time, those congregations developed an institutional structure, with bishops overseeing regions of congregations. After Constantine adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, the Church found its identity more in politics than in community; the Church had become a social institution. A social institution wields power, and over time, the Church-as-institution began to split into several institutions: The Roman Church, the orthodox Church, the Reformation Churches – all political insti-tutions. Institutions, as the Church, do not serve all Christians well. While the Church-as-institution could offer some Christians structure, discipline and social/political power and prestige, other Christians found it oppressive. Christians excluded from the power structure of the Church/Institution have included African-Americans,

Christians south of the equator in Africa and Central and South America, evangelical and Pentecostal Christians, and members of the LGBTQ community. Rather than abandon the gospel, these excluded Christians formed communities to express their faith. The Church/Community and the Church/Institution are not two sides of one coin. They are two different encounters with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church/Institution sees the primary purpose of the gospel to change the world at large. Once the world is changed, individuals and their lives will change. The Church/Community sees the primary purpose of the gospel to change the individual. A changed individual will make an impact on the world around them that will lead eventually to social change. Because of its goals, the Church/Institution relies upon its relevancy to the wider society to be effective. If the wider society ignores it, it will lose its effectiveness and, thus, it’s purpose. The Church/Community does not require the acceptance of the wider society; in fact, it can survive successfully in opposition to the community in which it exists. Paradoxically, however, its success can threaten it. Eventually, it becomes too large to be a community, finding itself as an institution. The “mega’ Church movement of the late Twentieth Century is example of this evolution. What does this discussion of Institution and Community have to do with us? Understanding this difference can help us to understand the future for our congregation. The United Church of Christ has roots in the Church/Community side of the history of Christianity, at least through its Congregational heritage. The Congregational Churches began as communities brought together through the oppressive political power of the Church/Institution in England and Europe. Moving to the New World to avoid prosecution, it could pro-vide structures for the colonies. As an Institution it reflected the democratic values of the American society around it. This influence lasted until the 1970’s when, like so many other Christian denominations in America, it became socially irrelevant. For a time, it continued its mission as an Institution by being a counter-cultural voice, but society has stopped reacting to that voice. Now, we are facing a future in which it may not be able to continue as an Institutional Church at all. If we are moving into a post-Institutional phase of our history, what is our place in the future? Do we fade

away? Or do we re-interpret the mission that we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Can we exist as a com-

munity, if we cannot exist as an Institution? I will address this next month.

Rev. Cope

Rev. Brian Cope

CLERGY CORNERS 3

On Gratitude

Someone has said that “Our lives are like tapestries of rich and royal hues—glimpses of ever-changing patterns and colors…” Every event of our lives contributes to the rich fabric of our own personal tapestry. Each life tapestry, as it is woven, is unique unto itself, but complimentary to others. And, interestingly, we need others’ rich designs in the creation of our own. We often do not have the foresight to understand the worth or value of a circumstance or happening at its beginning. But hindsight offers us clarity. And, sometimes, it is of value to focus on experiences that have failed to thrill us. In reflection, however, we might discover how we have come to benefit from them. And how, perhaps, they have contributed to some possible changes in life direction. As our trust in God grows, the goodness of all our experience grows as well. And it’s OK to risk believing that “none of our experiences are meant for harm!” Practicing gratitude can help us more fully appreciate what has been offered to us. Gratitude influences our attitude. It can soften our harsh exteriors and take the threat out of new experiences. We are then freer to respond with new hope, believing that for every hope dashed a new one can be realized. Life is indeed a tapestry—the ongoing weaving of new threads and colors into the fabric of our lives.

Blessings for the Journey... Rev. Arn

Rev. Arn Schaper

Remember in Prayer as well as with a card, call, or visit, the following

individuals who are not always able to be with us:

Do you know of persons who are currently serving in the military? Please let the church

office know of their service, and their names will be included .

Betty Blair

Clare Oaks Rehab Center

825 Carillon Dr.

Bartlett, IL 60103

May S. Lehnert The Fountains

965 N. Brighton Cir West Apt. #124 Crystal Lake, IL 60114

Ed Brandwein Eastgate Manor 101 Eastgate Ct. #242 Algonquin, IL 60102

Ollie Lindgren

1735 Heather Dr.

Algonquin, IL 60102

Louise Dahm

1005 South Rd.

Fox River Grove, IL 60021

Edna McCormick

Citadel Health Care Center

180 S. State Street #242

Elgin, IL 60123-6429

Dede & Gary Gray

2001 W. Algonquin Rd #3416

Algonquin, IL 60102

Thea O’Connor c/o Liberty Estates 2080 W. Navajo Dr. #341 Freeport, IL 61032

Joyce Horn

Alden Terrace of McHenry

803 Royal Dr., Room 203

McHenry, IL 60050-4209

Helen Stauffer

Valley Hi Nursing Home—Rm 105

2406 Hartland Rd.

Woodstock, IL 60098

Erna Houdek

Valley Hi

2406 Hartland Rd.

Woodstock, IL 60098

Claudette Treadwell

731 Longwood Dr.

Algonquin, IL 60102

Betty Imhoff

731 Oceola Drive

Algonquin, IL 60102

Mary Westerbeck

Gardens of Ocotillo Sr. Living 1601 W Queen Creek Rd. Unit 146 Chandler, AZ 85248

Claire Kent

865 Eineke Blvd.

Algonquin, IL 60102

Ethel Yamashita

Sunrise Senior Living

790 N. Plum Grove Rd.

Schaumburg, IL 60173

Donna Krueger

Sunrise Senior Living

790 N. Plum Grove Rd.

Schaumburg, IL 60173

Valoyce Williams

2001 W. Algonquin Road, Apt 2013 Algonquin, IL 60102

Members who were hospitalized and/or entered into rehab during October: Verna Loacker, Mike Armato, Debbie Carris, Carol Briggs

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

4 MEMBER CARE

Cody Colbert Richard Dowdle Eric Hertel

Dominik Kneip John (Jay)

Hogrewe

Jake Korbecki

Joey Mann Owen Ritsema Ben Sprouse

Would you like a visit from Rev. Cope?

Call the church office at

847-658-5308 or email him at

revcope.cca@gmail.com

Going into the hospital for surgery? He will

pray with you before the surgery and during recovery.

Want in-home communion?

Have something troubling you?

Lonely and want someone to talk with?

Don’t think he is too busy or that you are

interrupting him—this is an important part of

his job as your minister. Call!

We also have members of the church who will come and visit

or help you with transportation, food or errands.

HELP US HONOR OUR CHURCH MEMBERS

To help people who cannot come to church feel a part of our

family, we are asking you for three things:

Remember them in your prayers.

Send them a note or card letting them know that

you are thinking of them.

If possible, call them to say “Hello.”

This month we are lifting up two of our members:

Joyce Horn and Erna Houdek

You will find their addresses on this page. Let them know that

they are a part of our family and that they are missed and

thought about.

GROUP STUDIES 5

Our Group Studies Come in a Variety of Sizes! At CCA, we are committed to studying the Bible and learning how we can live our faith meaningfully in our

lives. The following are our current group studies. Feel free to join any of the groups at any time.

CHRISTIAN L.I.F.E. HOUR

Sundays at 9:00 am

Based upon the documentary— An American Conscience,

The Reinhold Niebuhr Story

A study of the thought and impact of Reinhold Niebuhr, one of the greatest theologians of the 20th Century, and

a member of the United Church of Christ. Niebuhr was pivotal not only

in theology, but in politics as well.

Our study will focus upon the importance of his thought on the

world today.

GROUP STUDIES AND FELLOWSHIP AT CCA

Weekly

Christian L.I.F.E. Hour—Sundays, 9:00—9:45 am Tuesdays with the Pastor—Tuesdays, 4:30—6:00 pm

Bi-Monthly

Monday Bible Study—1st and 3rd Mondays, 10:00 am November 5 & 19

Women’s Fellowship—2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 10:00 am November 14 & 28

Teen Faith in Action— Sundays at 10:00am Teen Room Nov. 4, 11,18, 25 & Dec 2

Monthly

Confirmation Classes—1st Wednesday, 5:00—6:30 pm November 7 Bible and Brew—2nd Thursday, 6:30 pm November 8 Women’s Bunco—2nd Friday, 6:30 pm November 9 Men’s Breakfast Fellowship —2nd Saturday, 8:00 am November 10 Movies with Meaning—2nd Saturday, 1:00 pm November 10

Peace Service—3rd Thursday monthly, 2:30 pm (new time) November 15

Monday Morning Bible Study—That the World May Know, Volume 4—The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah. by Ray Vander Laan. In this part of the series, “being a follower of Jesus does not mean staying away from evil. It means confronting it—face to face—just like Jesus did, every single day, and through his resurrection.” Learn how confronting

evil can be loudly proclaiming the name of Jesus or quietly caring for someone in need.

Tuesdays with the Pastor—Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes— What was clear to the original readers of

Scripture is not always clear to us. Because of the cultural distance between the biblical world and our contemporary setting, we often bring modern Western biases to the text. For example: When Western readers hear Paul exhorting women to "dress modestly," we automatically think in terms of sexual modesty. But most women in that culture would never wear racy clothing. The context suggests that Paul is likely more concerned about economic modesty--that Christian women not flaunt their wealth through expensive clothes, braided hair and gold jewelry.

Biblical scholars Brandon O'Brien and Randy Richards shed light on the ways that Western readers often misunderstand the cultural dynamics of the Bible. They identify nine key areas where modern Westerners have significantly different assumptions about what might be going on in a text. Getting beyond our own cultural assumptions is increasingly important for being Christians in our interconnected and glob-alized world. Learn to read Scripture as a member of the global body of Christ. Women’s Fellowship Bible Study—Experiencing Contagious Joy, by Christa Kinde. Joy has a way of working its way from the inside out. When our lives are filled with joy, the symptoms are unmistakable. A twinkle in the eye, a ready smile, a skip in our step, a song in the heart. Joy lends a glow to the face and a lift to the voice. It is also the birthright of every be-liever. But rainy days have a way of distracting us from that fact. In this study, readers will take a careful look at this uniquely Christian characteristic and discover they have every reason to be joyful.

Bible and Brew— Do you have questions about your faith, the Bible, the church or Christianity? Write them down and bring them to the study. For November, we will have a free-wheeling discussion about some of the questions we have always had—questions that don’t always seem to get answered.

November Themes and Dates

6 WAYS TO CONNECT

Please share our events on Facebook. It is a completely free way to promote the happenings at our great church. If you need help with Social Media, contact the church office. We will set you up with a tutor for a customized, easy-to-understand lesson.

Everyone is welcome.

Bring $5 and a snack to share

The winners get to chose which charitable

organization we donate to for the evening.

Friday, November 9, 6:30 pm

There’s even a prize for the biggest loser!

Movies with Meaning, Saturday, November 10, 1pm

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Show-

man is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show

business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create

a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. “The Great-

est Showman aims to be a old-school musical in every best

sense of the word. Hugh Jackman shines and catchy lyrics

make for a great extravaganza.”

Come join the fun!

There may be a sing-along!!

Saturday November 10, 8:00 am Hosts: Bob Benjamin

& Dan Reebel

Sign up in Fellowship Hall

Saturday

November 3

Starting at 9:00 am

The Ministry of Trustees is ready for our Fall Cleanup!

We have jobs for all abilities and skills, inside and out!

Please be sure to bring:

Work Gloves, Good Shoes, Jacket for Working Outside. We could use a few rakes and outdoor tools as well!

Please join us. Many hands make the work light.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT 7

PADS HOMELESS SHELTER

ublic

ction

to

eliver

The homeless issue is prevalent all year. Our church’s service to PADS

begins in October.

We are always looking for: new socks, lightly used men’s sweat-shirts, coats, hats, gloves and

boots.

The collection bin is located in the Coatroom.

We will also be packing lunches

on November 1. Items we will need are:

Snack Packs, Crackers, Snack Bars, Chips, Lunch Meat or

Cheese, Bread.

Maybe you would like to help with the lunch packing!

Sign up in Fellowship Hall,

The Music and Worship Committee has an opening. This Committee

meets quarterly, making decisions on special music and worship ser-

vices. The next meeting is Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00 pm. If you

are interested, contact Sharon Stengel at stengelsharon02@gmail.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AND TO GIVE, VISIT

UCC.ORG/DISASTER_PUERTO_RICO

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IN PUERTO RICO

$20 Provides a reusable lifetime WATER FILTER for a family (no electricity is needed.

$15 Provides a SOLAR LAMP when electricity is not available.

$250 $250 helps purchase TOOLS for doing repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Maria.

$300 $300 offsets the cost of utilities and upkeep for HOUSING VOLUNTEERS

$500 Purchases a CHAINSAW that ensures a commu-nity has the ability to clear roadways so aid and medical support can reach those in need.

$1,260 Provides a seminary student (disaster survivor) with TUITION ASSISTANCE for one semester.

$1,500 Repairs a leaking CEMENT ROOF.

$2,000 Repairs a wooden and METAL ROOF.

Go the Extra Mile and Give More! We have been challenging ourselves to do just that. Towards this goal, we post monthly the needs of a few of the

groups which we are currently working with to serve the needs of our community.

8 DONATIONS AND RECYCLING

Canned Meats Nuts Peanut Butter

Beef Jerky Canned Fish/Chicken Crackers w/Cheese

or Peanut Butter

Sardines Toilet Paper Paper Towels

Hats Gas Cards Protein Bars

Gloves Hygiene Items (shampoo, razors, soap)

There is a bin for these items in the

Coatroom. Thank you for your help!

VARIOUS DONATION BOXES AND BINS ARE

LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE CHURCH!

In the Multi-Bin Area in the Coatroom

• Pop Tabs

• Inkjet Toner Cartridges

• Eye Glasses

Please note we can no longer take batteries as we have

nowhere to take them. Most alkaline batteries can be thrown

into the regular trash.

Also in the Coatroom

• Styrofoam—picked up weekly by our volunteers

• Plastic Grocery Bags—T-shirt style bags

(no newspaper or other plastic bags)

These are used by the Heavenly Attic and ALITH Food Pantry

• Donations for PADS-on the shelves you face as you enter the

coatroom

• Donations for TLS Veterans (see below)

Beside the Elevator 2 carts

• Donations for Food Pantry (note ongoing & monthly requests)

• Donations for the Heavenly Attic Resale Shop

Algonquin /

Lake in the Hills

Food Pantry

Suggested for November—

Peanut Butter, Honey, Jams and Jellies

The Food Pantry always welcomes

donations of personal care items:

Shampoo / Conditioner

Soap

Toilet Paper

Disposable Razors / Shaving Cream

Deodorant (men’s and women’s)

Laundry Detergent

Diapers

Feminine Hygiene Products

Items for the Food Pantry may be left

in the cart on the main floor,

near the elevator.

Literacy and ESL Tutoring (English as a Second Language)

Do You Wish To Tutor?

You only need to be certified. You can do that by taking tutor training classes. See schedule below. Brochures are available at the Literacy Tutoring Display in Fellowship Hall that explain more about the classes and tutor/learner assignments. Questions? Please talk to Pastor Cope or JoAnn Schindler, or visit the websites for either of these agencies: elginliteracy.org & mchenry.edu/volunteer

LITERACY AND TUTORING 9

Tutoring Update I recently heard a comedian comment that Thanksgiving was a holiday set aside to foster gratefulness, followed by the biggest shopping day of the year! Now shopping is an essential life skill that we all seem to master pretty quickly, but shopping where you don’t speak the language is another thing altogether. For this reason, shopping was one of the first themes I used to create lessons for my English language learner. As it turned out, my student easily grasped the meaning of the words that were nouns or action verbs as we pretended to shop using all of the props I had gathered from home: pretend money, coupons, and old credit cards. We also worked with charge and coupon vocabulary, which gave my student confidence to shop outside of his community, where he had never needed to speak English to shop. But getting back to that joke about Thanksgiving, how was I to teach the vocabulary of gratefulness? There are no props or pictures that clearly convey the meaning of THIS EMOTION. After giving it much thought, I decided to at least start on a plan by looking up the Spanish word for gratitude. It is spelled g-r-a-t-i-t-u-d, which is just one letter short of the English translation. Yeah! And let me say that during this time when we focus on being grateful, this translation is much appreciated by this tutor. Happy Thanksgiving and may the sales be ever in your favor!

JoAnn Schindler

The Literacy Connection Tutor Training

Course Schedule and Registration Volunteer Tutor Training is offered several times per year at a variety of locations. You must start with Part A, and it must be completed in person. Additional information about on-line training options are provided at that session. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. To register: (1) by phone at 847-742-6565, (2) online at http://elginliteracy.org/how-to-help/become-a-tutor, or (3) email info@elginliteracy.org with your full name, address, phone number, and the course date you plan to attend. You will receive a confirmation email within a couple of days. Course Materials and Cost There is a $35 fee to cover materials and a background check, and can be paid by cash or a check made payable to The Literacy Connection. Payment is collected at the first course meeting. For more information about the training schedule, contact: Literacy Connection at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue, Elgin—847-742-6565.

The Literacy Connection Tutor Training Schedule

through November is posted at the Literacy Table in Fellowship Hall

info@elginliteracy.org www.elginliteracy.org

10 MINISTRY OF MISSIONS

The Ministry of Missions is looking for

items of interest for the Missions Bulletin Board

Do you have an article, a letter, a notice,

or a photo related to missions?

Please put your item into the mail slot marked

Missions Bulletin Board

Please include your name

Ministry of Missions

Do You Want to Know

more about a

charitable organization?

Look in the Charity Research Notebook

in the church office. If the charity is not there, fill out one of the forms in the display holder near the Missions’ Bulletin Board

and place it in the Missions mail slot. Please be sure to sign your name.

Ministry of Missions

Heavenly Attic Resale Shop

The Heavenly Attic Resale Shop stocks gently-used items and is open to the public. Proceeds from the Attic

support the missions and ministries of the CCA. You may place donated items for Heavenly Attic in the marked cart by the elevator on the main floor.

Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10am to 4pm

Saturday 10am to 2 pm

307 South Main Street Algonquin, IL 60102 Phone: 847-854-4552

Yarn Works—We knit, crochet, and

do all other types of handwork. New people are always welcome!

We have supplies to get you started and absolutely lovely people to teach you, if you want to learn. Our work helps support our Prayer Shawl Ministry, Snug Hugs for Kids, and your own personal projects. What would YOU like to get started on?

Thursdays at 10:00 am Fellowship Hall

A Tale of Love in Action

Promoting our Tutoring Program is just one of

JoAnn Schindler’s mission efforts

In addition to promoting our tutoring program, JoAnn Schindler is a tutor herself. She finds it very rewarding, and says it is a learning experience for both the learner and the tutor. But tutoring isn’t her only “mission work” in the community. She is in her fourth year of volunteering at the McHenry County Conservation District. Every two weeks, from April through Sep-tember, she goes into the woods to check on the blooming pro-gress of many native plants. That sounds like fun! In yet a different context, JoAnn has loved being a camp counsellor since 1991 at Hug Camp, a one-week camping expe-rience for children in grades 4 through 11. Hug Camp is a part of the program at Tower Hill in Sawyer, MI, a ministry of the Illinois Conference of the UCC. JoAnn also sponsors a yearly garage sale to support the camp.

Sandy Ferguson for the Ministry of Missions

****************************

Our church encourages members of the congregation to become involved in tutoring adults who wish to improve their ability to speak, understand, read and write English. We refer anyone who would like to tutor to either the Literacy Connec-tion of Elgin or McHenry County College for training, certifica-tion and assignment to a learner. Information is available at the Literacy Tutoring Information Center in Fellowship Hall.

The church also provides a support group for tutors. For more information, see Rev. Cope or JoAnn Schindler

MEMBER NEWS! 11

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS!

Marcie Nordlund grew up Congregationalist, so she is a natural fit.

She has been a member of several UCC churches wherever she has

lived, from Austin Congregational in Chicago, to Glen Ellyn Congre-

gational and Manitou Springs Colorado Congregational. Marcie

has moved back here to be closer to her children. She has been in

education for 30 years as a teacher and elementary school

principal. She loves living at Del Webb and is active in the Wood-

chucks Club. She makes fancy birdhouses, loves

gardening and arranging silk flower arrangements and wreaths.

Tina Ash lived here as a young girl, and attended CCA for about 3

years. She fell in love with our church then and always wanted to

come back to join, but her family moved away. She now has two

grown children and two grandchildren. She loves to read, cook and

bake. Last, and certainly not least, she is a Chicago Blackhawks fan

for life.

May Lehnert is 99 years young. She says she has always felt like this is

where she belongs, even though she lived in California for 30 years.

Recently, she moved into the Fountains and `is happy to be “back

home”. May enjoys music and loves to read—she actually won our

summer reading competition for the adults. She also participates in

the Yarn Works group and Christian LIFE Hour.

Congratulations to our

Summer Reading Champs:

Adult: May Lehnert 62 books Teen: Madison Thornsberry 30 books Child: Jessica Thornsberry 23 books

Help us to continue sponsoring two children in India! Our church sponsors two children at King’s Matriculation School at the Family Village Farm near Vellore, India. Their families cannot afford to send them to school, and our gifts cover tuition and lunch for them each school day. • C. Sheeba Jasmine is a hard-working girl whose favorite subjects are

math and English. She is a now a10th grader with dreams of becoming a cardiologist.

• Praveen Kumar R. (our new assignee) is energetic, attentive and cheer-ful. This 8th grade boy has dreams of becoming an engineer.

While the members of the Faith in Action group contribute to the sponsorship fees ($20 per child per month), we are asking the whole congregation to participate with us. There is a can on the desk in the Narthex, and anyone who would like to help us is encouraged to drop a few dollars or even your loose change into the can. You may also write a check payable to CCA and designate it for “Child Sponsorship.” If you would prefer to help in another way, we need people willing to write to the children. If you are interested, please see Rev Cope. We sponsor the children through the United Church of Christ Global Ministries Child Sponsorship Program. All of the money that we raise goes directly to the support of the children; there are no administrative fees. Faith in Action

12 CHILD SPONSORSHIP

Global Ministries Child Sponsorship Program

A Change in our Sponsorship

We have received a letter from The Global Ministries Child Sponsorship organization informing us that one of the children we have been supporting, Velmurugan, no longer attends the King’s Matriculation School (KMS). He has returned to his village to be with his

mother following his father’s death. The organization has assigned Praveen Kumar R. to CCA. He is an 8th grade boy, who does well in his studies and has dreams of becoming an engineer. He is a day-school attendee at KMS at the campus of the Family Village Farm in Pannai. Praveen comes from one of the surrounding commu-nities, where there are families who cannot afford to pay their children’s tuition. The parents/guardians understand the importance of a good education. The children are served a daily hot meal when school is in session, and transportation is also provided. The school gives the children a broader education than is available in the public schools in India.

Praveen’s Profile is Posted on the Bulletin Board

A letter from C. Sheeba Jasmine 9/ 19/18

My dear loving aunty and uncle

I am fine here. Hope you are taking proper care of you and maintaining good health. I am now in the tenth grade. My father is painter. I have a sister called Getsiyal Jasmine, who is studying third grade in the same school. In the May vacation I attended voca-tional Bible studies. I also attended special classes. My favourite subject is maths. I am good in maths. I like blue colour. I like to dance. I belong to betty house. Recently our house (w)on the overall championship. We hoisted our national flag on Independence Day. I enjoyed the Teacher’s Day Celebration. Being in tenth grade, I have to take up many tests and exam(s). We are not allowed to take part in the extra curricular activities. We are made to put all our focus in studies. My ambition is cardiologist. My board exam are nearing. It will take place in the month of February. Please uphold me in your prayers. I thank you sooooo much for supporting my study expenses. You are a real blessing to me. I can and I will never forget your help.

With a thankful heart

C. Sheeba Jasmine

Sheeba’s letter is also posted on the Bulletin Board

Justice and Peace Bulletin Board

Be sure to check out our bulletin board in Fellowship Hall for news about climate change and issues of concern for people of faith.

In addition, you will find the names and contact information of congress persons so that you may bend their ear on a regular basis about those issues that concern you!

Fair Trade Remember to stop

by our table on the 2nd

Sunday of each month

November 11, 2016

Remember Coffee Leaf Rust? The 2012-2013 coffee harvest was a very rough time for Central American coffee farmers. The roya (fungus called “leaf rust”) crisis was beginning, and farmers saw drops in productivity of 25-60% during that harvest. Equal Exchange joined others with financial assistance to combat roya. Our church coffee purchases provided 15c/pound for this. In Guatemala, growers began hybrids of various coffee varieties. This summer, Manos Compesinas organized a research experiment to evaluate coffee varieties. Coffee trees require a few harvest cycles to reach full productivity. 2018 is the first year that the plants have produced enough coffee cherries to cup (taste) the coffees and evaluate their cup pro-files. Many of these hybrids have been cultivated and bred with some Robusta coffee (Coffee canephora), considered by many to be of lower quality than Arabica (Coffea Arabica), but the plants are much more resistant to disease and more productive. The goal is to find the coffee that retains all of the high quality attributes of Arabica while preserving the resilience and productivity of Robusta. The early results are encouraging. They plan to improve and expand the variety research in the smallholder context. Equal Exchange plans to continue to support Manos Campesinas through their research efforts. Our church’s continuing purchases will contribute to this research.

From Equal Exchange blog

Thank you for your

continued support.

FAITH IN ACTION 13

HOLIDAY

CHILDCARE

Fridays,

November 30

& December 7

6:30pm to 8pm

$10.00/hour

Ages: 2 – 10 years old

The teens from CCA want to earn money for the Feed My

Starving Children charity and are offering this childcare so

Mom and Dad can have a dinner out or do some secret

shopping. The teens will be supervised by adult volunteers

in the church who have completed our Safe Church training

and background checks. Childcare will be provided in the

Algonquin Preschool rooms. Games, snacks and crafts will be

planned. Please reserve your spot as space is limited.

Call the Church office 847-658-

5308 to reserve your spot(s)

Teen Faith in Action

We will be taking up a final collection for the year for Holy Joe’s Café

on Sunday, November 11 at the 10:00 am service

Then we will set the can aside until next year!

Ministry of Missions

SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES

We are continuing Round Table

Discussions on issues related to social

justice. If you haven’t joined us yet, please

give it a try. We don’t have the dates firmed

up yet for November—but keep your eyes out

for announcements and information.

* November Round Table Discussion.

* The next regular meeting of the

Social Justice Advocates

All Views Are Valid & Welcome!

14 FAITH IN ACTION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Yes, it’s time to vote in our

General Election

*VOTE NOW!* REGISTRATION: Be sure you are registered to vote, at https://ova.elections.il.gov/registrationLookup.

If you are at a new address, you can register online at that website until October 21

October 9, is closing day for “regular” registration at any voter registration location (the library, schools, village office).

The Grace Period then runs through November 5, the day before the election.

Register in Person at your polling place on election day (from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm) & vote that day!

EARLY VOTING By Mail details differ depending on the county. - Kane County begins September 27 when mail ballots will be sent out. Request a mail ballot at www.kanecountyclerk.org/Elections. - McHenry County requests for a mail-in ballot now until November 1 at

https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/home/showdocument?id=87575.

In person, starting October 22 at the McHenry Administration Building, Country Inn in Crystal Lake, Cary Library, Huntley Park District, Township Offices, or the Lake in the Hills Village Hall. GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 6. Some polling places in our town have been moved. Find out where you should be voting by visiting https://ova.elections.il.gov/Registration/Lookup You can also find your polling place by calling: McHenry County Clerk Mary McClellan’s office: 815-334-4242 Kane County Clerk John Cunningham’s office: 630-232-5950 HELP OTHERS by finding rides for your neighbors who may need assistance getting to their polling place.

Please Join us for the Monthly

PEACE SERVICE

held on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

This might be just what you were looking for!

Thursday,

November 15,

2:30 pm

JUST FOR FUN 15

Just For Fun

Telephone Scrambles: Each set of telephone push-buttons contains a hidden Bible word. You’ll need to determine which letter of each three-letter combination is part of the word. Puzzle from The 365-Day Bible Word Game Challenge! This one is designed by Nancy Bernhard.

1. Lappidoth & _________ Judges 4:4

2. Elemilech & __________ Ruth 1:2

3. Adam & _____________ Gen 3:20

4. Zechariah & __________ Exod 6:23

5. David & _____________ 2 Sam 11:27

6. Abram & ____________ Gen 11:29

7. Isaac & ______________ Gen 24:67

8. Hosea & _____________ Hosea 1:2-3

9. Aquilla & _____________Acts 18:2

10. Jacob & _____________ Gen 29:28

11. Felix & ______________ Acts 24:24

12. Nabal & _____________ 1 Sam 25:14

13. Esau & ______________ Gen 36:12

14. Elkanah & ___________ 1 Sam 1:10

15. Boaz & ______________Ruth 4

Use the Bible Verses to find the answers

Please submit all items for the December

Newsletter to the church office no

later than noon, Monday, November 15th. Items submitted after the 15th may not be included in the December edition.

Birthdays in November

01 Shirley Basler 02 Erna Houdek 02 Billy Hellyer 02 Skylar Mainiero 03 Ian Wilson 04 Patrick Sprouse 04 Larry Venzon 08 Karen Guenther 10 Rick Stauffer 11 Nancy Kneip 12 Joy McLaughlin 13 Oliver Lindgren 14 Kim Jamison 18 Pat Voegeli 22 Dena Pelletreau 23 Jordan Guenther 25 Kenneth Hemmingsen 30 Chris Wodziak

Total Operating Fund Income

Month of September $22,827.34

YTD $192,606.13

Total Operating Expenses

Month of September $18,959.75

YTD $188,434.29

Mortgage Balance * $143,818.64

*The mortgage with Home State Bank was paid off on December 28, 2017. The “NEW” mortgage balance represents the amount taken from the Endowment Investment account (approved by the Congregation) to pay off the mortgage. The balance reflected above is to repay that loan to ourselves. For more information, contact the Church Treasurer.

Treasurer’s Report

September 30, 2018

If you would like a copy of the

entire monthly Treasurer’s

Report, please contact the

church office

16 ITEMS OF INTEREST

November Anniversaries

04 Michelle & Nate Bockrath

16 Bob & Alice Woertendyke

19 Kurt & Kay Boyer

21 Richard & Lore Sprouse

21 Chris & Constance Wodziak

24 Kevin & Tina McMahon

A special THANK YOU to the

members of the Congregational Church of Algonquin.

It is great to be part of this church.

Thank you for all your prayers, cards, phone calls, and visits on my behalf, while I was at Good

Shephard Hospital and the Springs in Crystal Lake.

May the Lord richly bless each

and every one of you.

Love, in Christ, Verna Loacker

Brian & Sally Cope

Betty Paldauf

Bev & Greg Tipps

Contributions made during

October to CCA in memory of

Barbara Whitaker

The Newsletter Committee has noted

that two donations were made during

August in Memory of Marge Hanley

that went unacknowledged.

These donors were:

Martha Wallace & Betty Maicke.

Our sincere apology for this oversight.

Thank you so much to the Women’s

Fellowship and all those wonderful people who

helped to set up and serve such a lovely lunch-

eon for us. It is very much appreciated by John

and myself

Mary Ann Mickelau

(sister of Barb Whitaker)

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 17

11/4 Guenther and Carney Families

11/11 Albandia, Barham and Thornsberry Families

11/18 Hertell and Maicke Families

11/25 Carpenter Family

The 2018-19 Schedule is posted in Fellowship Hall. If you cannot make your scheduled date or would like to volunteer for a Sunday, please contact the Church Office.

Worship Assistants

Date Ushers Greeters Announcer Acolyte Liturgist

11/4 Ron Martens

Lori Martens

Kris Panzloff Sharon Stengel Madison Thornsberry Barb Weitz

11/11 Ron Martens

Bob Benjamin

Karen Guenther Dave Aggen AJ Albandia Bill Hellyer

11/18 Ron Martens

Dave Carris

Dan Reebel Jen Jazwinski Scott & Abby Kapusinski Ann Armato

11/25 Ron Martens

Ed Turk

Judy Stauffer Michelle Tarosas Macy & Ella Barham Wynn Ann

Roggeveen

Styrofoam Recycling Week

Beginning

Volunteer

11/4 Dick Elke

11/11 George Roby

11/18 Lori Martens

11/25 Art Nesser

Date Nursery Staff Volunteer

11/4 Cory Kirkpatrick Wynn Ann

11/11 Pam Elliott Kim Carney

11/18 Pam Elliott Janet Kelley

11/25 Cory Kirkpatrick Barb Schmidt

We follow “Safe Church” Standards

Childcare is available each Sunday

during worship service from 9:45-11:15

Lawn Care Team

Dave Aggen, Bob Benjamin, Dave Carris,

Brian Cope, Steve Guenther,

William Hertel, Art Nesser, George Roby,

Loren Twarling and Ann Venzon

Many thanks to our fantastic volunteers for a

Job Well Done!

Ministry of Trustees

We will begin in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am,

November Teacher: JoAnn Schindler

Shepherd U. Weekly Assistants

11/4 Karen Thornsberry

11/11 Barb Schmidt

11/18 (Needed) call the Office to volunteer

11/25 Ann Armato

Meets Every Sunday

at 10 am

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ALGONQUIN

NOVEMBER 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:30 AM Tutoring

10:00 AM Yarn

Works

7:30 PM AA

2 Woodstock Play Group - Little Women

The Musical

3 9:00 AM ALL CHURCH FALL CLEANUP (inside/

outside)

4 1st Sunday Food Pantry Offering Heritage Sunday 8:00 AM Worship Srvc 9:00 AM Adult Study 10:00 AM Shepherd U./Teen FIA 10:00 AM Worship Service-Sr. Choir

11:15 Heritage Recep

5 10:00 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Tutoring 7:00 PM Trails

Swim Team

6

GENERAL

ELECTION

10:00 AM Tutoring 12:00 PM Tutoring

3:00 PM Tutoring

7 1:30 PM Visit.Comittee 5:00 PM Confirm. Class 5:00 PM Tutoring 6:00 PM Worship Team 7:00 PM NA 7:30 PM Sr. Choir

Rehearsal

8 9:30 AM Tutoring 10:00 AM Yarn Works 6:30 PM Bible&Brew

7:30 PM AA

9

Set up for Men's

Fellowship

6:30 PM

Women's Bunco

10 8:00 AM Men's Fellowship

Breakfast

1:00 PM MOVIES

WITH MEANING!

11 Fair Trade Sunday 8:00 AM Worship Srvc 8:45 AM Min Trustees 9:00 AM Adult Study 10:00 AM ShepU./Teen FIA 10:00 AM Worship Service-Sr. Choir-Baptism of Liliana

Elizabeth Allen

11:15 AM Min Fin

12

4:00 PM Tutoring

13 10:00 AM Tutoring 12:00 PM Tutoring 1:30 PM HA Bd 3:00 PM Tutoring 4:30 PM Tuesdays w/ Pastor 5:00 PM Westwind

Martial Arts

14 10:00 AM Women's Fellowship 1:00 PM Pastoral Rela-tions Committee 5:00 PM Tutoring 6:00 PM Worship Team 7:00 PM NA 7:00 PM EPRT Meeting 7:00 PM Preschool Board Meeting 7:00 PM Worship and Music Committee 7:30 PM Sr Choir

Rehearsal

15 Newsletter Deadline 9:30 AM Tutoring 10:00 AM Yarn Works-Snug Hugs Pack up Day 1:30 PM Prayer Team 2:30 PM Peace Service

7:30 PM AA

16 5:00 PM Wedding

Rehearsal

17 Ruetsche / Santa-

gato Wedding

18 Memorial Sunday 8:00 AM Worship Srvc 9:00 AM Adult Study 10:00 AM Shep U./Teen FIA 10:00 AM Worship Service-Sr. Choir – Dedication of Snug Hug Gifts 11:15 AM Min CE 11:15 AM

CPR Training

19 10:00 AM Bible Study 2:00 PM Newsletter Committee

4:00 PM Tutoring

20 10:00 AM Tutoring 12:00 PM Tutoring 3:00 PM Tutoring 4:30 PM Tuesdays w/ Pastor 5:00 PM Westwind

Martial Arts

21 4:00 PM Tutoring 5:00 PM Church Growth 6:00 PM Worship Team 7:00 PM BS Committee Meetings 7:00 PM NA 7:30 PM Sr Choir

Rehearsal

22 THANKSGIVING DAY OFFICE CLOSED

7:30 PM AA

23 Woodstock Play

Group -

A

Christmas Carol

24

25 8:00 AM Worship Srvc 9:00 AM Adult Study 10:00 AM ShepU./Teen FIA 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Hanging of the Greens

26 4:00 PM Tutoring 7:00 PM Ministry of

Deacons

27 10:00 AM Tutoring 12:00 PM Tutoring 3:00 PM Tutoring 4:30 PM Tuesdays w/ Pastor 5:00 PM Westwind

Martial Arts

28 Folding Team 10:00 AM Women's Fellowship 5:00 PM Tutoring 6:00 PM Worship Team 7:00 PM NA 7:30 PM Sr Choir

Rehearsal

29 9:30 AM Tutoring 10:00 AM Yarn Works

7:30 PM AA

30 6:30 PM Holiday

Babysitting

December 1

Snug Hugs Event Christmas Caroling

Event

Fall Back one hour, Sunday, November 4, 2:00 am

18 NOVEMBER CALENDAR

GIVING ANGEL PROGRAM

(just for fun!)

The Teen Faith in Action group is sponsoring a “Giving Angel” program for the holiday season. Participation is strictly voluntary, and here are the rules: 1. Fill out a “Giving Angel Form” found in the Narthex, the Church Office, and on the Church Website. Forms are due to the office by November 30. 2. You will be notified by the Church Office who the recipient of your gift will be. Assignments are random. Notifications will be made by December 2.

3. You may make something or you may purchase something. Purchased gifts cannot exceed $10 and MUST be from an organization that is improving the world (i.e., Feed My Starving Children, Heavenly Attic, Home of the Sparrow, etc.).

4. Gifts should be given between December 15 and 24. You can reveal your identity at that time by signing the gift or just handing the gift to the recipient.

5. Enjoy the season!

Your Name: ____________________________ # Red Plants: _________ #White Plants: _________

In Memory of: In Honor of:

Name(s): ________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to pick up my plant: I would like to donate my plant to the church:

Amount Enclosed: _____________ Check Cash

Orders for Christmas Poinsettias will be taken through

Monday, December 3, 2018. Cost is $13.00 for each 7.5” Poinsettia.

You may indicate if the poinsettia is given in honor or in memory of loved one. Poinsettias will arrive in time for

the Cantata (December 16) and will be left in the Sanctuary through Jan. 3rd. Those wishing to take their plants

with them may do so after the Christmas Eve worship services. A list of poinsettia donors and honorees will be

included with the Christmas Eve worship bulletin. Please return this slip with payment to the church office.

Orders for Christmas Poinsettias will be taken through Monday, December 3, 2018. Cost is $13.00 per plant.

2018

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS! 19

Teen Faith in Action

The Congregational Church of Algonquin

A United Church of Christ

109 Washington Street

Algonquin, Illinois 60102

Phone: 847.658.5308

Website: www.algonquinucc.org

Email: algonquinucc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor Rev. Brian Cope Revcope.cca@gmail.com Pastoral Counseling Rev. Dr. Arn Schaper Music Ministry Bev Tipps Senior Choir Director Greg Tipps Administrative Assistant Teri Franklin

20 ABOUT CCA AND THE UCC

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ALGONQUIN

A United Church of Christ

109 WASHINGTON STREET

ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS 60102

The Congregational Church of Algonquin is a congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It is one of the oldest churches in McHenry County. Members have been worshiping in its current sanctuary since 1868.

The church is located a block east of Main Street and a block south of Algonquin Road (Route 62) in downtown Algonquin.

The United Church of Christ is a denomination with over 1.4 million members in nearly 6,000 congregations.

The UCC was founded in 1957 by uniting several different Christian traditions. From the beginning we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion.

Our motto -"that they may all be one" - is Jesus’s prayer for the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian denom-inations in the U.S.

Affirming that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the UCC claims as its own the faith of the historic church

expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of Protestant reformers.

Yet the UCC also affirms the responsibility of each generation and community to make faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to pros-per its creative and re-demptive work in the world.

For more information about the United Church of Christ, go towww.ucc.org.

About CCA and the UCC