messenger - NorthbrookUMC

November 2012
NORTHBROOK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MESSENGER
Worship in November
On November 4, All Saints Sunday, we will honor and remember
those who have died since the last
All Saints Day. We name persons
from our congregation and loved
ones of members of our congregation in our service. We also carry
in, during the processional
hymn ,photos of all who have been
named. If you would like to have a
loved one named during our worship service please contact the
church office.
On November 11 Pastor Melissa
Earley will preach on “Disciples
Don’t Let Money Get in the Way.”
The text is Mark 10:17-31. November 18 is Consecration Sunday.
The Rev. Wendy Hardin will
preach and following worship we
will have a catered lunch. On November 25, Christ the King Sunday, Shannon LeMaster-Smith,
director of children and youth
ministries, will preach.
Community Thanksgiving Service
The interfaith Community
Thanksgiving Observance will be
Wednesday, November 21 at 7:30
PM. This inter-faith and ecumenical service brings people of many
faith traditions to give thanks. Join
members of Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, Roman Catholic and Christian Protestant faith communities
for this inspiring service. This
year's service will be at Beth Shalom on Walters in Northbrook.
Advent Bible Study on the Messiah
For advent this year, Pastor Melissa will have a class on the Advent
and Christmas portion of the Messiah. Watch the bulletin and website for details of when this class
will be held.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 4 AT 2:00 a.m.
CONSECRATION SUNDAY IS COMING! Brian Boyer
Congregations that approach financial
stewardship from a spiritual perspective do not view the money Christians
give to their church merely as a way to
pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a
way to help people grow spiritually in
their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry
with a percentage of their incomes.
mission, benevolent, and educational
ministries in this community and
around the world.
Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does
so voluntarily by attending morning
worship on Consecration Sunday. We
urge people to attend who feel strongly
opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no
Our congregation’s finance committee one feels personal embarrassment if he
has selected the New Consecration
or she chooses not to fill out a card.
Sunday Stewardship Program as a way
to teach the spiritual principles of gen- We will do no home solicitation to ask
erous giving in our stewardship educa- people to complete cards. During
tion emphasis this year.
morning worship our guest leader will
conduct a brief period of instruction
New Consecration Sunday is based on and inspiration, climaxed by members
the biblical philosophy of the need of making their commitments as a confithe giver to give for his or her own
dential act of worship.
spiritual development, rather than on
the need of the church to receive. InWe will encourage participation in
stead of treating people like members Consecration Sunday events through
of a social club who should pay dues, the Consecration Sunday team and
we will treat people like followers of
church council members. Since we will
Jesus Christ who want to give unself- make no follow-up personal visits to
ishly as an act of discipleship. New
ask people to complete their cards, we
Consecration Sunday encourages peo- will make every effort to inform, inple toward proportionate and systemat- spire, and commit everyone to attend
ic giving in response to the question,
Consecration Sunday worship.
“What percentage of my income is
God calling me to give?”
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration SunDuring morning worship on Consecra- day events.
tion Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their
Brian Boyer, Church Council Chair
financial commitments to our church’s
In this issue:
Strategic Planning
3
Youth
4
Children
5
WHOLE CHURCH
CLEAN UP DAY!
Saturday, November 17
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LUNCH PROVIDED
Sign up in Penberthy
Page 2
MESSENGER
STRATEGIC PLANNING Chris Greulich
(as filed for our Annual Church Conference )
During a regular meeting of the NUMC Church Council
on April 2, 2012, the Council adopted guidelines for a strategic
planning process that immediately set into motion work toward
a strategic plan that will serve NUMC for the next few years.
The first step was the selection of a Planning Team of seven
people, including the pastor, which has met at least 17 times.
The Council charged the Planning Team with following a planning process that is characterized by clarity, transparency and
communication. The team’s first action was drafting a
“Planning for the Future” letter to the congregation explaining
what the planning process would look like and inviting their
input.
The goal is to draw up a mission and vision that is
shared by the congregation, an implementable plan for ministry
and ideas for outreach to the community for the next few
years. To arrive at a mission and vision, the team took steps to
know better the experiences and expectations of church members. Over the course of the summer, we held some 10 focus
groups with members of the congregation. In the focus groups,
people were asked questions such as “What are you seeking
from church, and are you finding what you seek?” and “When
were you most proud of our church and why?”
In addition, strategic planning team members met with
six Northbrook community leaders to learn more about the
needs and trends in the community. Those leaders included
the church pastor of the Village Church, the high school Superintendent, a nursery school executive director, the Glenview/
Northbrook Youth Services Executive Director, and the Director
of Counseling Services of the Northbrook Police Department.
Using the information gained from the focus groups
and the community leader interviews, the Strategic Planning
team has drafted language for a Mission Statement and Core
Values. The team is currently working on guidelines for the
church’s new vision. These will spell out actionable activities to
help NUMC grow closer to God in our ministry and service.
Members of the Strategic Planning Team have given
several reports on the progress of our work to the congregation
during worship. Updates have also appeared in this monthly
newsletter.
The team will have a working session with Church
Council and other church leaders on November 12. At that
meeting, church leaders will learn about the work of the Strategic Planning Team to date, and will be able to weigh in on the
Mission Statement, Core Values, and Vision Statement. In particular, this meeting will give church leaders the opportunity to
give input as to specific objectives for NUMC around the new
goals for: church growth, deepening of discipleship, increased
volunteerism and stewardship, ministry and outreach to the
community, and building improvements.
The Strategic Plan that comes out of this process will
chart a course for Pastor Melissa Earley, church council and
church staff that will clarify our priorities ad goals for the next
few years. The plan will do the following: it will be simple to
CARING CORNER
Egbert (“Ebbie”) B. Groen, passed away at home on
September 24, 2012. He was preceded in death by his
wife of 42 years, Naomi B. Groen. When reflecting on
his life, he often commented that he had experienced
“a wonderful and blessed life” as to which he had “no
regrets.”
Edwin Frederick Rode, retired clergy member of the
Northern Illinois Conference, died on Tuesday, October 16, 2012. He was 85 years old. During his ministry
in NIC he served the following churches: Des Plaines,
LaSalle, Triumph, Zion: Memorial, Elgin: Wesley,
Northbrook, Hazel Crest: Community and Leland/
Suydam. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday,
November 24, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Chestnut Square,
2601 Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, IL. Messages of
condolence may be sent to: Mrs. Helen Rode2601
Chestnut Avenue - #3201, Glenview, IL 60026. Memorials in Rev. Rode's name may be sent to: Bethany
Methodist Communities, 5025 N. Paulina Street Room 210, Chicago, IL 60640 (For Good Samaritan
Fund).
THANKS TO THOSE SERVING IN NOVEMBER
USHERS:
Kyle Williams, Paige Brooks, Rod Brooks,
Okhee Choi
LITURGISTS:
4—Chris Greulich
11—Daniel Love Glazer
18—Jeremy Miracle
25—Dick Davidson
POWER POINT: 4– Judy Emmert
11—Jeremy Miracle
18 & 25—Sharon Noha
COFFEE HOSTS: 4 & 11—Reconciling Committee
18 & 25—Stewardship Committee
understand; it will include detailed and doable steps to implement; it will look at the next two years in detail and out to five
years in less detail; it will deal with funding issues, including
the use of money from a possible land sale as appropriate;
and it will include a process for continual planning. ▄
Page 3
NORTHBROOK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SOPHIA CIRCLE Karen Wells
On election eve Monday, November 5, at 7:00
p.m. Margaret Moyer will present a program to
Sophia circle on the history of women’s right to
vote. This timely topic will be very motivating!
On Monday, Nov. 19 at 7:00 p.m., Suzy will lead
another drop in knitting clinic. Everyone is
welcome, knitters, crocheters and non-knitters.
People who want to learn to knit should bring
some worsted (medium) weight yarn in a light or
medium solid color along with a pair of size 8 or
9 needles. If you already knit, bring in your
current project. Any questions, contact Suzy. We
also will be putting together a few Angel Baskets.
Item donations welcome!
Everyone is invited to a weekend away, Super
Bowl weekend, Feb. 1-3, 2013 at the Abby Resort
in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We are planning on
staying for one night, but you can spend a whole
relaxing and refreshing weekend at the spa. We
will talk about this at the November meeting,
and begin making reservations. Any questions,
contact Karen.
NUMC BOOK GROUP
MARTHA CIRCLE
Nancy Stevens
Martha Circle will meet on Thursday, November 8 at 10:00 in the library. Juanita Smith will introduce us to WINGS: “Women In Need
Grow Stronger.” We will have a program including the history, mission and service of this wonderful organization. The purpose of this
group is to provide continuing service in an effort to end domestic
violence and homelessness. We would like to urge everyone to attend this program and find out how we here at NUMC can contribute
to this program which provides safe, secure living environments for
homeless, abused women and children.
MISSIONS
Sharon Noha
ChildServ Christmas Gifts
Bring some Christmas cheer to a needy Chicago child this holiday season! You will be able to select names the first Sunday in November. Each child will receive 2 gifts for a total of $40. Gifts need to be
returned to church unwrapped by Sunday, November 25. Additional directions will be outlined by the Christmas tree in Penberthy Hall.
Thanksgiving Offering
Thank you for supporting our missions programs through this annual
offering. Your donations will go toward Opportunity International and
Family Promise.
Chris Greulich
There will be NO GROUP MEETING
on Monday, November 12th due to a
church conflict.
Discussion of The Unlikely Pilgrimage
of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce will
take place at the home of Chris and
Peter Greulich on December 10.
Here’s what a few reviewers wrote
about the book: “Meet Harold Fry,
recently retired, living in a small English
Village
with
his
wife,
Maureen….Harold Fry is an endearing and original character, woefully
unprepared for the task ahead of
him—walking 600 miles across England to the bedside of his friend who
is dying of cancer. As he walks, he
reflects on the regrets that have
plagued his life and marriage…The
act of walking becomes, for Harold,
an act of faith.” Please come to discuss with us this introspective and
inspirational book, from 7:00 to 8:30
P.M. on December 10th at the Greulich's.
NORTHFIELD FOOD PANTRY
Dan Lloyd
Northbrook United Methodist Church has had a long time relationship with
Northfield Food Pantry, an agency that provides food and grocery store gift
cards to people in need. A surprisingly large number of people living in the
Northfield Township take advantage of the service provided by the Pantry.
For years, NUMC members have brought their offerings of food and placed
them in the basket located outside the sanctuary. Sue Mueller felt we could
do more. So, she started a new program, “One Hundred Items A Month”.
The program works like this: the Food Pantry provided Sue with a list of
needed items by month. For instance, this month the pantry needs boxed
mashed potatoes. Next month, the item is baking supplies. Our goal, as a
church, is to provide the pantry with 100 of the designated items each
month. Members of the church’s Mission Committee will help deliver the
items to the Pantry every month.
“Basically, if each member brings in one item each month, we’ll make our
goal,” said Sue. “October may be the exception because we got a late start,
but we can also have a double goal in November, that is, 100 boxes of
stuffing mix and 100 boxes of mashed potato mix. Why not?” she added.
The trick will be to get people to remember to add the Pantry item to their
weekly grocery list. It will be a new, positive habit to learn. “I’m confident
that the members of NUMC will respond and help put a dent in hunger in our
area,” Sue concluded.
Youth News
Covenant creating @
Youth Group:
November 4th
Fall Retreat to Covenant Harbor
November 8th-11th
Youth Group:
Nov. 18th
Church Cleanup Day
Nov. 17th (9am-2pm)
Church Cleanup Day
Saturday, November 17
th
9am-2pm
We will join with other church me
mbers on this
day to clean up the church. Th
e youth will
specifically focus on our areas,
cleaning out the
youth closet, the youth rooms,
and other areas
where we store our “youth stuff.”
If you can only come for part of
the day,
that is awesome.
Yay cleaning party!!!!
My cell # is 336-460-1769.
I text and am on Facebook. Feel free to
contact me and/or “friend” me!
~Shannon LeMaster-Smtih
TOMATO PROJECT AIDS
THREE ORGANIZATIONS
Thank you!!
We had 13 walkers
from Northbrook UMC,
ranging from age 3
to age 85. We have
raised over $300 for
the CROP walk effort
to end world hunger.
Good job, everyone!
The $1000 profit generated by this year’s Tomato Project Dinner will be distributed to three
different local organizations helping to combat
hunger. Five hundred dollars will go to the Hunger Resource Network, an organization made up
of local businesses, churches, and individuals.
the second group that will receive Tomato Project funds is Soup at Six, based out of
Hemenway UMC in Evanston. Soup at Six is a
group of volunteers who serve meals to about
100 individuals every Tuesday evening in the
basement of the church. Finally, Northfield
Food Pantry will receive a contribution of $250.
All this was made possible by local gardeners
who donated tomatoes and mainly NUMC volunteers who cooked, served, and cleaned their
way to making the event a success.
Children’s Ministry News:
Children Singing on Nov. 18th: The children and youth will sing the Lord’s Prayer on
Sunday, November 18th for Consecration Sunday. We have been practicing during Sunday school and will continue to practice. It is on the Spark Sunday school CD. We will go
through the song before worship on the 18th. Meet in the fellowship hall at 9:40.
Save the Date!!
Saturday, December 1st
3pm-7pm
The youth will sponsor Kids Care,
a time of fellowship and fun for
children of all ages. We’ll have pizza and snacks,
and plenty of play!
Our new Sunday school
curriculum is wonderful!
We hope your children will join us as
we explore our faith together.
Parents, use this time to Christmas shop, spend
time with a loved one, or simply rest.
*Donations will support Youth Missions.*
Advent Festival
Practice begins on Sunday, November 18th!
We will practice during Sunday school on November
18th & 25th, and December 2nd & 9th. We will have a
dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 8th from 9am-noon.
The Advent Festival will be on Sunday, December 9th in the
afternoon/evening. More details TBA!
See Shannon or Heather if you want to participate in the festival!
THANK YOU TO THESE GENEROUS
AUCTION DONORS WHO HELPED
US RAISE $8500:
Ravinia Festival
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra
Hel’s Kitchen
Chicago White Sox
Therapeutic Kneads, Ltd.
Museum of Science & Industry
Claim Company
Gretchen Rocks
Pete the Painter
Chicago Hilton Northbrook
Signs Now
Prager Chiropractic
The Popcorn Factory
Cora Lee Candies
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Project Linus
DancEd. Dance Centre
Northbrook Fire Department
Carolyn Lorraine Salon
Michael’s Restaurant
Second City
Crossroads Soft Cloth Car Wash & Detail
Red’s Garden Center Inc.
Kamehachi of Tokyo
Carriage Hill Kennels
Gregory Auto Group
North Shore Racquet Club
Chicago Master Singers
Jacqueline’s of Northbrook
Egg Harbor Café
Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra
IL FORNO Pizza and Pasta
Walgreens
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
Yafa’s Hair Design
Georgie V’s Pancake House
Three Tarts Bakery & Café
North Shore Family Pet Hospital
Chalet Nursery and Garden Shop
Forgotten Times, Ltd.
Greek Feast
350.ORG FOUNDER TO SPEAK
IN CHICAGO—Dan Lloyd
Noted environmentalist and founder
of 350.org, Bill McKibben, will be speaking
in Chicago on Wednesday evening , November 28 at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. The event is sponsored by the Chicago
Area Peace Council. Anyone interested in
carpooling to the event can call Dan Lloyd
at 847-480-1776. Tickets may go fast.
Northbrook United Methodist Church
1190 Western Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062
Address correction requested
Phone: 847-272-2442
Fax: 847-272-8091
E-mail: office@northbrookumc.org
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reality, physical or mental
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