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Maureen O'Donnell

odonnellmo13@gmail.com

"Churches grow by the power of God through the skilled efforts of people."  - Rick Warren

Welcome

Colleen Odegaard has volunteered to serve on the Personnel Relations Committee. This group is charged with the task to oversee personnel activity according to Church policy; conduct performance reviews; and engage in activities to maintain a healthy work environment. Thank you Colleen!

PowerPoint presentation 

The Council watched a presentation titled "Out of Ashes, the rebuilding of a church." The story told us how St. Paul's UCC of Monee, IL moved from a church in crisis, conflict and decline to a thriving, growing church doing God's mission. We followed the presentation with a short discussion acknowledging the vast differences between LHC and St. Paul's physical and emotional climate and looking more to process and positive outcomes. Truly a story of hope relating what can happen when we heed the guidance of the Spirit.

Financial update 

Each month Art Zwemke prepares a state of the church financial statement for the Council meeting. We are charged with being good stewards of God's gifts in the form of your offerings and tithes. As you are aware, the congregation approved a deficit budget at the Janual meeting. At this point, there is a general shortfall in pledge giving. Please take time to review your gifts to LHC.

Dixon property SOLD! 

Leslie Ebersole presented us with six different offers for the property in the past few weeks. After careful review and consideration we accepted an offer for $90,500. Details were  managed through our point person, Art Zwemke and his wife, Gail acted on our behalf in the legal matters. An expeditious closing was scheduled and the sale was completed. Thank you all for the hard work required to get the property ready for market and the very quick sale itself.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven"   Ecclesiastes 3:1                                                                                                    

Where are we now?  

At the time of this publication we are approximately eight weeks into our interim time. Seemingly it feels much longer but let us keep in mind that we had almost six months from announcement to the retirement of Pastor Ron. July 1st marked the beginning of our interim period and the developmental tasks associated with the process. Part of the interim process involves looking at who we are as a church and assessing, perhaps reassessing, our mission as God's church. In that vein, Council is looking at various tools available that might be used to accomplish the task. Pastor David and seven Council members attended a presentation to learn about a UCC program called New Beginnings. We are also looking at Center for Progressive Renewal and various programs that may be appropriate for our needs at this time.

Currently reading and recommend: "The Purpose Driven Church" by Rick Warren and "When 'Spiritual But Not Religious' is Not Enough" by Lillian Daniel.

So what's up with the Pastor Search?  

As outlined in the LHC By-Laws the Nominating Committee is comprised of the current Moderator: Susi Winquist; past Moderator: Kathy Haben; Moderator-elect: Alex Kentfield; and a congregation member: Kay Brynelsen.

That being said, your Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Search and Call Committee. A team of seven congregation members is being formed to work the process for calling a settled Pastor for Little Home Church. We are looking for individuals who possess:

• a passionate commitment to Christ's church
• a positive attitude
• an open heart and mind
• integrity and respect for others and differing opinions
• the ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• a capacity to listen, discuss and come to a consensus.

Additionally, the expectation is that:

• one is an active member/supporter of the church
• attends worship on a regular basis
• is a financial contributor 
• makes serving on the Search Committee a high priority

Much is asked of those who serve but the experience offers opportunities for spiritual growth and will prove to be rewarding as you help form the future of our Lord's mission at Little Home Church.

If you have an interest to be a member of the Search Committee or would like to nominate someone please contact me at 630.484.5908; email sfwchargern@yahoo.com; or see me at Fellowship. Please keep in mind that not all folks who come forward or who are nominated can be chosen.

Next Council meeting: September 9, 2014 at 7 pm. All are welcome!

Invite a friend or neighbor to Sunday Service or a fellowship event.

Susi Winquist, Moderator

sfwchargern@yahoo.com 

"The only thing better than singing is more singing" - Ella Fitzgerald

The first Adult Choir rehearsal will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7 pm. Anyone who is a high school freshman or older is welcome! You don't have to be a church member to sing with us! Bring your friends!

Adult Bell Choir will start on Sept. 17 and will begin at 8:15 pm after Adult Choir practice.

On Sept. 7 we will have a Children's Choir and Bell Choir. The following week we will have music at the start of each class session.

Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist