A Message from the Pastor

This is my first opportunity to use this space to try to convey to you the experiences of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ at the end of June in Hartford, Connecticut.  (We’ll take another opportunity during worship on an upcoming Sunday to tell you more…but let me take this opportunity now!)

Linda and Bill Lyman, Barbara and myself traveled to Hartford and enjoyed the time with one another and the celebration of the UCC’s Fiftieth Anniversary.  We traveled on Friday, June 22, and arrived in time for opening worship that evening.  Rev. DaVita McCallister was the preacher – a woman of energy and vitality who is the national cheerleader for youth and youth ministries in the UCC.  Also shown that evening was a video that included local people and scenes from Elmhurst College.  I was proud to see that local connection displayed at this national gathering!

Saturday was the big day – Synod in the City.  The day began with a keynote from Bill Moyers.  It was the highlight of the event for me.  His call to moral responsibility as we face the challenges of these days was powerful and compelling.  (You can listen to the entire address, as well as some of the other presentations, at www.ucc.org/synod/video-archive.html)

A variety of other presentations followed at various venues.  By the time I arrived at my chosen event, the space was already full to capacity and they weren’t letting anyone else in!  They estimate that around 9,000 people participated in the Saturday events.  Lunch and music in the park provided a carnival-like atmosphere on a beautiful New England Day.  In the afternoon Sen. Barak Obama spoke.  His appearance having been booked before he became a presidential candidate was not a “campaign stop.”  His personal journey of faith and connection with Trinity UCC in Chicago was part of the story he shared.

Let me mention just one other speaker…Marian Wright Edelman, sponsored for the Synod by Elmhurst College.  Because of BLC, this champion for children is familiar to us and Bethel’s own areas of concern.  I’d recommend listening over the web site to her presentation too, and the moving tribute for her sung by Ken Medema.

In summary:  the United Church of Christ is alive and well.  It’s faith and witness is strong.  It’s a good time to remember 50 years of the Church’s journey together.  It’s a good time to give thanks and look forward in expectation to what more God has in store for us….for as we believe in the United Church of Christ:  God is Still Speaking!

Rev. Stephen Schuette

Council Notes

I have never been a big fan of garage sales. But the up-coming Bethel Garage Sale Saturday August 4th promises to be a great event.  I'm liking this event as the proceeds will help Bethel raise much-needed funds. Given our congregation's diversity and fine taste you'll also find some world-class treasures.  Come early for the best deals!

Another event which helps our Human Concerns committee and general fund is the annual Bethel Golf Outing. This event will be held on August the 17th. Al Rago and the group do a really great job organizing and pulling together a fun outing.  Get your foursome together now.

These two events in August will help you sell something, buy something or play a round of golf to help Bethel raise funds.

Let's also wish our Bethel Youth, the Dondlingers and the adult chaperones a safe journey as they head off to the Quad Cities for this year's annual work trip. We look forward to hearing about their experiences and adventures.  Jim and Jan, thanks for taking Emma and Lucy off our hands for a week!

Jim LaPalermo - Council President

The Church Council has called for a Congregational meeting to be held on August 26, following 10 a.m. worship, for the purpose of considering the following motion and resolution.  There will be a pre-meeting discussion and general information sharing on August 12 following worship.

Motion:  We move to adopt the Open and Affirming Statement by two-thirds of the votes cast by the members of Bethel United Church of Christ present at a congregational meeting on August 26, 2007.  The Statement is to be revisited no later than three years from the date of approval.  We will register and identify Bethel United Church of Christ as an Open and Affirming Congregation in the United Church of Christ.

Resolution:  We the congregation of Bethel United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be open and affirming.  With God’s grace, we are striving to be a Christian community that includes all persons, embracing differences of age, ethnicity, gender, mental and physical ability, race, sexual orientation, as well as marital or socio-economic status.  As we respond to the call of Christ, we welcome all to share in the life, fellowship, leadership, ministry, worship, rites, sacraments, and responsibilities of participation in our congregation.  We commit to the ongoing process of dialogue, education, increased awareness, and witness for justice for all of God’s children.

If adopted the “Opening and Affirming” status of our congregation would be included in brochures and literature published by Bethel United Church of Christ.

Financial summary

If you have questions or would like further detail please contact Rod Stipe, Treasurer.

From the Board of Trustees

We have completed the repair of the refrigerator in the Schiffman Hall kitchen.  The compressor had to be replaced.  The refrigerator is once again operational.

Trustees are investigating the installation a screen fence around the garbage and recycling area.  Stay tuned for the latest developments.

Next month we will begin working on developing a budget for 2008.  If anyone has anything to contribute please contact Jeff Braun.  Also next month we will be starting on the 2008 Stewardship campaign which will commence in early October with Stewardship Sunday scheduled for October 28.  We are looking for volunteers to assist in this very important task.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Jeff Braun.

From the Aesthetics Committee

The Aesthetics Committee is looking for any interested person(s) to do some smaller painting projects around the church this summer (indoor & out).  If you are available and willing, please call the church office at your earliest convenience!  Thank you.

From the Board of Elders

OUTDOOR WORSHIP is planned for August 19^th.  Please bring lawn chairs.

NO POP DURING AUGUST Christian Education classes will not meet during the month of August.  Classes will resume in September beginning the Sunday after Rally Day. 

ATTENTION MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS Join us for a trip to Six Flags Great America on August 17^th.  Sign up by August 12^th in the church narthex or by contacting the church office.  Adult chaperones are welcome to join us.

From the Board of Deacons

Students returning from or going away to college, please forward your new address to the church office.  Thank you.

Join the Club

Bethel Book Club  Our next selection is When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, a short first novel that gained considerable kudos from the critics when it first appeared in 2002.  It tells the experience of a Japanese-American family who are forced to move to an internment camp during WWII.  The book appears to be out of print, but the library system does have 15 copies in circulation.  Elmhurst Public Library has 4 copies of its own. 

Our meeting will be hosted by Ellen Braun on Wednesday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m.  Call her if you plan to attend.

Women of Bethel

THE NEXT LADIES LUNCHEON will be on August 13^th at 11:30 a.m.  Ladies are invited to join us at Our Kitchen restaurant in Elmhurst.

SAVE THE DATE – WOMEN’S WINTER RETREAT will be held February 22-23, 2008 at the Loretto Center in Wheaton, IL.  Watch for details.

Men of Bethel

MEN’S BREAKFAST will be at the Fresh Start Café in Elmhurst on August 7^th and 21^st at 8 a.m. 

Youth Fellowship

BYF  Work Trip and House Boating Plans are Set!

As most of our readers know, we will be on the road (and the Mississippi River) from Friday, August 3rd to the 10th. We are excited about having the opportunity to work on a project with another UCC church in Rock Island, and especially since it's Church of Peace, Emmy Odean's home church! We are also anticipating a lot of fun on the houseboats, a new adventure for most of us.

We have received special significant contributions from the Murphy family, the Sundberg family and Ed and Dorothy Rowe. We really appreciate their interest and support! Thank you!

***Please join us in worship on Sunday, August 12th to meet the “trippers” and learn about our experiences.***

The Ds

A Fabulous Recital by Kelly Lockerbie!!

If you were able to be there, you know what I'm talking about! What musical gifts she has and what a great teacher in Jeff Panko. They have both been blessed with exceptional talent and we are blessed to have had them share it with us on a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Those in attendance contributed over $700 to the free-will offering! Kelly asked that this be given to the Project NOW organization in Rock Island where the BYF group will be going to work during the week of August 3-10. I emailed to tell them about this gift. Obviously they are excited to know that a very generous young person, whom they have never met, would make a contribution of such significance. We are looking forward to meeting each other.

You can learn a little about this work experience in two ways: on the internet, at www.projectnow.org and/or by coming to church on Sunday, August 12^th to hear about it from the volunteers themselves.

We'll look forward to sharing our experiences with you!

Jan Dondlinger

Did You Ever Wonder. . .

 How did we become so fond of greeting cards?

One unplanned event for this summer occurred just after midnight in my own home.  I missed a step, fell, and broke my arm in two places.  Recovering from that unplanned moment gave me time to appreciate once again the support Bethel members give one another.  It also got me to thinking about the custom of sending cards.  The many cards and notes I received reminded me of how wonderful it is when someone takes the time to send a card.  But how did the custom start?

As with many customs it is difficult to figure out who was the first person to think about it.  The ancient Chinese sent New Year’s greetings.  The ancient Egyptians sent greetings on papyrus scrolls.  One author sees the greetings in St. Paul’s letters as part of the tradition as well.  The British Museum apparently owns the oldest known Valentine, written by the Duke of Orleans when he was in prison.

But most of us owe the opportunity to send and receive cards to changes in technology and society.  Cards did not become common until reading became a skill shared by many people.  The invention of postal stamps and commercial printing also made it possible for greeting cards to become available to large groups.  It was about the 1850’s when greeting cards became common.

In the United States we can thank a German immigrant for starting the industry here.  Louis Prang opened a lithographic business in 1856, which grew into a large company.

No matter whether we credit St. Paul or the ancient Chinese, I am very thankful for the custom.  It made a broken arm a little less terrible.

Rev. Sally Scheib, Associate Pastor

Human Concerns

FOOD PANTRY In August we will be collecting canned vegetables to be distributed by the local food pantries.  Please leave your donation in the basket just inside the North entrance.

REFUGEE FAMILY Muridi and Halima had a healthy baby girl on May 30. They named her Maryammo after Halima's mom. She said she is happy that her mother and family are moving to the same apartment complex near Marionjoy soon.  Musa did get into preschool and Muridi is still working second shift.

In Sympathy

Prayers of sympathy go out to Cheri Yauch and her family on the recent loss of Cheri’s father and her uncle.

Letters

I would like to thank everyone for the calls, cards, and prayers during my hospital stay.  Special thanks go to Rev. Schuette, Rev. Scheib, Rev. Love, and our parish nurse, Kathy Murray for their visits and prayers.

Dorothea Odom

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and meals during my hospital stay and recuperation.  Thanks go to Rev. Schuette, Rev. Love, and our parish nurse, Kathy Murray for their visits and prayers.

Carol Brehm

THANK YOU to our Bethel Family and Pastor Steve, Pastor Sally and Parish Nurse, Kathy, for their love, concern, prayers and visits while our mother, Ruth Michaelson, has been hospitalized for testing these past few weeks. 

The Haughey and Sandvik families

Music Ministry

Greetings Bethel Members and Friends-

I would like to congratulate pianist Kelly Lockerbie for the wonderful concert she gave in the Sanctuary on July 15^th.  This was Kelly’s first solo concert, and all who attended were thrilled with her excellent playing and musicianship.  A free will offering was taken at the door, and Kelly’s performance raised over $700 for the NOW Project.   BRAVA Kelly, your teacher and the Bethel community are very proud of you.

Speaking of wonderful young musicians, flutist Kristina Murray will be playing a solo recital Sunday August 26^th at 5:30 pm in our Sanctuary.  Many of you have heard Kristina’s beautiful playing during our Bethel worship, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to accompany Kristina on this program featuring music of Bach, Burton, Gordeli and Poulenc.  All are welcome to attend this recital, and this is another wonderful opportunity to support one of our many talented Bethel Youth.  For those of you who may not know Kristina, she is the daughter of Kathy and Mark Murray and will be a sophomore at York in the fall.

Again, I would like to thank the many Bethel musicians who have offered their musical talents to enrich and inspire our summer Sunday worship.  As always it is a joy to work with you and listen to your heartfelt music making for the glory of the Lord each week.

On Thursday, August 30 at 7:45 pm the Bethel Adult Voice Choir will again join forces for our first rehearsal of the season, which will be a fun filled and informal “anthem reading session.”  All are welcomed and encouraged to join us for this rehearsal or for any Thursday evening rehearsal.  If you have any questions about joining the Adult Voice Choir, please feel free to contact me (279-4040) or any of our choir members.  We are always looking for new members.   

Jeffrey Panko, Minister of Music

The 9^th annual Monday Evening Concert Series is proud to present the following:

 Jeff Panko and Friends - September 24, 2007

Our opening concert of the Monday Evening Concert Series’ ninth season on September 24, Jeff Panko and Friends, will feature several artists already familiar to our MECS audience.  Jeff will be joined by his piano duet partner, world renowned pianist Amy Dissanayake, the immensely talented soprano Sarah Gartshore, violinist Thomas Yang and John Schreckengost on French horn in a program featuring works of Dvorak, Schubert and Dukas as well as Brahms’ famous Horn Trio. 

Jazz at Bethel - December 10, 2007

Jazz at Bethel returns to our Monday Evening Concert series lineup December 10 and will showcase the superb jazz vocalist Margaret Carlson and the Scott Stevenson trio in a jazzy tribute to the holiday season.

Chamber Music at Bethel - Sunday at 3 - March 2, 2008

The Monday Evening Concert series will introduce Chamber Music at Bethel in our Sunday at 3 performance March 2.  Three of Chicagoland’s outstanding classical musicians, violinist Katherine Hughes, cellist Jill Kaeding and pianist Jeffrey Panko will be featured in their first public performance as a trio.  Their program will include trios of Mozart and Brahms and will also highlight each musician in solo performance.

Elmhurst’s Own – May 5, 2008

Our final performance for the ninth season of the Monday Evening Concert Series will feature three of our talented Elmhurst musicians.  Dramatic soprano Marcy Stonikas, flutist Jennifer Brown and Jeffrey Panko will present a program featuring major works including Barber’s “Knoxville:  Summer of 1915,” the Faure Flute Sonata and the Busoni piano transcription of Bach’s famous “Toccata and Fugue in d minor.”

We hope you are able to join us for what promises to be an amazing season of music.  Tickets are on sale now, and if you purchase a season ticket before August 15^th you will receive $5 off the regular price (season tickets are $70 for adults, $65 for seniors, and $20 for full time students).  Tickets can be purchased in the church office during the week. 

We can always use more help with the production of this church fundraiser.  We need help distributing posters, baking, serving and clean up at the reception.  We are in the process of putting together our list of contributors for the season, and we would like to invite you to join this list by making a donation.  Lastly, we are always looking for more advertisers for our program book.  Contact Leslie Stipe if you would like to support the concert series in one of these ways.

‘BETHEL JOY’

Hybridized for Bethel by Don Albers

Stop and enjoy these beautiful flowers before or after joining us for

outdoor worship on August 19^th.

LOOK FOR OUR BLOG DISCUSSIONS on the Bethel website. 

The newsletter and other releases are available on the Bethel website under Publications.

Contributions for the September issue are due in the church office by August 26^th!