AUGUST 2016 - By The Way

PASTOR'S MESSAGE
REV. RICHARD E. MALMBERG

Dear Friends,

After witnessing two weeks of hyper-partisanship in the form of national political conventions, I find myself praying fervently for this country we call home. I pray for our people, for our place in, and witness to, the world. I was struck by one speaker during the Democratic Convention who evoked Ronald Reagan's reference to America as a "shining city built upon a hill." Reagan rightly credited our direct religious forebear, Puritan leader John Winthrop, for the image. Winthrop was referencing Jesus.  

We said the following prayer together in worship on July 3rd. I think I may be turning to it often over the next few months. It was written by Elyse D. Friedman, and it appears in the Reform Jewish prayer book Mishkan T'filah:

A Prayer for Our Country
O Guardian of life and liberty,
may our nation always merit your protection.
Teach us to give thanks for what we have
by sharing it with those who are in need.
Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation,
and alert to the care of the earth.
May we never be lazy in the work of peace;
may we honor those who have died in defense of our ideals.
Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance.
May they govern with justice and compassion
Help us all to appreciate one another,
and to respect the many ways that we may serve You.
May our homes be safe from affliction and strife,
and our country be sound in body and spirit.
Amen.

I hope this finds you enjoying your summer. Yours in Christ,

 

HOT AUGUST DATES 

Bible Study - Wednesdays, 10 am 

A Book & A Prayer - Tuesday, Aug. 2, 7 pm  More

Friday Night at the Movies - Friday, Aug. 12, 7 pm  More

Church Council Meeting - Tuesday, Aug. 9, 7 pm (Fellowship at 6:45 pm)

Sunday Small Group - Sunday, Aug. 14, 7 to 9 pm, Kaska Home 

Wayne Historical Preservation Society House Tour - Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 am - Noon  

BTW Deadline - Wednesday, Aug. 24

Tai Chi Class - Mondays, 6:30-8 pm; Tuesdays, 9-10:30 am; Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm


CHURCH CALENDAR - CHECK IT OUT...!

pastorsmessage

MODERATOR'S REPORT
RENOVATION, HR POLICY, YELP & A CASTLE...!

Much is developing at LHC during this sleepy summer season. In July the first Council Meeting of the new team of council members and our new Pastor provided a major agenda item: LHC Renovation Proposal. The proposal presented by Facilities Ministry Co-chair, Anne Bouchard included a plan to outline a comprehensive assessment of our buildings and grounds in order to best budget, prioritize repairs and maintain the church property. The 3-phase plan: Assessment Services; Concept Development; and Budgeting would be developed by Sharp Architects Inc. and provide comprehensive data for the Facilities Ministry to make future decisions. The proposal to proceed with this plan has council approval, and will be privately funded and not part of the LHC operating budget. Thank you to Anne and her team for all their work in bringing this opportunity to the Council. And thank you to Andrea Ferguson for her work behind the scenes to cultivate the much-needed funding for the significant repairs and renovation our historic church requires. 

Also, the LHC Personnel Committee, chaired by Susi Winquist, is in the final stages of developing a new Human Resources Policy, including a Safe Church Policy concerning abuse prevention. Major work on these policies was provided by church member, Paul Figge, who is a Human Resources professional. Updated staff job descriptions are also in work. Thank you to Susi, Paul, and the Personnel Committee for bringing LHC up-to-date in HR management. Our staff and volunteers are important assets to the church and worthy of quality attention. 

Speaking of attention, Little Home Church is now listed online at 'Yelp' thanks to Rev. Richard's good idea. Click here to check out the LHC Yelp listing. Yelp was founded in 2004 to help people find great local business, and there is a 'Church Organization' category. In addition to reviews, you can use Yelp to find events. You can access Yelp via smart phones with free mobile apps. Think about writing a happy review for LHC...!

Finally, work on the LHC Wayne Walk fundraising project continues. We are pleased to have three unique Wayne properties on the tour to date: the Hunt/Bella contemporary, the Schless Family country estate, and now the historic Dunham Castle. The castle is still under extensive interior renovation but we will be able to get a close-up look at the beautifully restored exterior, a peek inside from the front door, and a presentation of the historically accurate restoration and rebuilding process. We hope to add another home to the tour to complete the mix. Thank you to the team of 'property prospectors' working with me to find houses: Carol Berger; Anne Bouchard; Mary Roach; and honorary chairs, Andrea Ferguson and Carol Hancock. Save the date, October 8, to be a part of this fantastic day for Little Home Church...!

My best to you all,

Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
LHC Moderator    

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS
When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my
life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on
the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives
with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind
stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry 1968

pastorsmessage
MODERATOR ELECT'S NEWS
WATCH THIS SPACE...!

Exciting breaking news: We are embarking upon a giant renovation project in anticipation of the church's 150th anniversary in 2021! For the last two years, a small group has been working on a comprehensive review of our buildings and property, in an effort to determine what needs to be done to fully restore our facilities. At the same time, we have reached
outside the congregation for financial support. We have hired an architecture firm to guide the  restoration process. This is an exciting undertaking, which I hope will generate energy, interest and enthusiasm for the church as a community treasure. Stay tuned for future news and please contact me if you would like more information.

Anne Bouchard
Moderator Elect and Co-Chair, Facilities Ministry  
MEN OF LHC
PLAYED BALL AND HIT A HOME RUN

Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed some baseball last month. While the Cougars didn't bring home the win, we sold all 60 tickets and the rain held off.

Next Meeting: Saturday, August 13, 8:30 am at Colonial Cafe Restaurant, Main St., St. Charles
 
MusicNotes
Larry D.
LARRY'S NOTES
SUMMER MUSIC

It's Christmas in July!
I'm listening and looking at Christmas music for choir and bells as well as anthems for the Fall. There is some great new music out there. Have you ever wanted to sing in the choir? Now's the time! Plan to join us this September.

The choir will sing with our "band" at the Outdoor Worship Service on September 11. Please come and be a part of the service and bring a friend.

Choir practice will start on Wednesday, September 7 at 7 pm.
 
Larry Dieffenbach, Director of Music, Organist  
MusicNotes
BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAYS  A young woman at home holds an open Bible in her lap. Closeup image with shallow DOF focus on the tip of the book.
GOD IS STILL SPEAKING

Come join the group in the Pastor's office on Wednesdays, 10 am.

The UCC proclaims 'God is still speaking.' For centuries, God has spoken through prophets, and some of the words of the ancient Hebrew prophets are still relevant today. Just two verses of Micah can still guide our worship, our spiritually, our mission and theology:

"With what shall I come before the Lord,and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:6-8)

Pastor Richard   Connect with Richard
movie
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
'WHERE TO INVADE NEXT' - AUGUST 12 AT 7 PM

Filmmaker Michael Moore visits various countries to examine how Europeans view work, education, health care, sex, equality, and other issues. From cafeteria food to sex education, Moore looks at the benefits of schooling in France, Finland and Slovenia. In Italy, he marvels at how workers enjoy reasonable hours and generous vacation time. In Portugal, Moore notes the effects of the decriminalization of drugs. Through his travels, we discover just how  different America is from the rest of the world.

Come join the group to watch and discuss a movie at Little Home Church. Beforehand, some of us gather for a meal at O'Hare's Pub, Rt. 59 and Army Trail Road.

Any questions? Please contact Maureen O'Donnell at 630.462.0331  
bookclub
A BOOK & A PRAYER BOOK CLUB
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7 PM

Meets 1st Tuesday of every month
7 pm in the Parish Hall


NEXT BOOK: Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle
Topanga Canyon is home to two couples on a collision course. Los Angeles liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher lead an ordered sushi-and-recycling existence in a newly gated hilltop community: he a sensitive nature writer, she an obsessive realtor. Mexican illegals Candido and America Rincon desperately cling to their vision of the American Dream as they fight off starvation in a makeshift camp deep in the ravine. And from the moment a freak accident brings Candido and Delaney into intimate contact, these four and their opposing worlds gradually intersect in what becomes a tragicomedy of error and misunderstanding. In 1997 it was awarded the French Prix Médicis Étranger prize for best foreign novel.

And don't forget, at our meeting on Aug. 2 we will be discussing  'Light Between Oceans' by M.L. Stedman

Kathy Haben  Connect with Kathy 
bookclub
BRING SOMETHING ON SUNDAYS
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS

We are sharing God's abundance with our neighbors...!
Something new as part of our weekly worship will be to include an offering of non-perishable food and personal care items. So please bring something each week, and the children in our service will gather them up so the bounty can be taken to Neighborhood Food Pantries and Community Crisis Center.

Needed: Oatmeal; tuna; whole wheat pasta; Mac & Cheese; canned veggies; baby food; toothbrushes; toothpaste; shampoo; toilet paper; paper towels (DO NOT NEED peanut butter or cranberry sauce - US Gov. provided)

Valeri Baldwin   Connect with Valeri
A NEW TREE IN OUR GARDEN
IN MEMORY OF PHIL AUGHNAY

Louise Aughnay is pictured with dear friends of Phil, his golf and poker buddies, who gather at the newly planted tree in front of the Guild House to reminisce, tell stories, and spread his ashes.

FLOWERS & FELLOWSHIP
SCHEDULE FOR MONTH OF AUGUST - NEED FELLOWSHIP SIGN-UPS...!

Be a part of the spirit of Sunday. Please consider providing flowers for the altar or hosting some light treats to share in the Parish Hall after Sunday worship. Email/call the church office or use the sign-up sheets hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. A reminder call or email will come from the office so you can note what should be listed in the Sunday Service bulletin. Check the church web site for updates. Check the listing

Flowers - Aug 7/Price; Aug 14/Prang; Aug 21/Bouchard; Aug 28/Winquist

Fellowship - Aug 7/Price; Aug 14/Open; Aug 21/Open; Aug 28/
Open

Thank you for your help in making our church look and feel beautiful on Sunday morning...!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO ALL

Aug 5 - Charles Sbarbaro
Aug 9 - Dianna Cave Griffin, Huxley Kapoor
Aug 10 - Chuck McDonough, Brianna Milam
Aug 12 - Jonathan Berger
Aug 13 - Ellie Sterner
Aug 15 - Jamie Kokoszka
Aug 16 - Lynn Tuttle, Marilyn Poole
Aug 17 - Duke Ferguson, John Thorne
Aug 18 - Michele Blosser, Don Heinrich
Aug 25 - Corinne Thornton, Chase Odegaard
Aug 29 - Jim Winquist
Aug 30 - Greg Abell
OUR LOVE & PRAYERS

Our congratulations:
To Ann McLaughlin for being named one of the Daily Herald Business Ledger's 'CFOs of the Year' for her work with the DuPage Children's Museum. Check out posting on our Facebook Page.

To Ellison Smith for raising $206.80 with her lemonade and cookie stand. The money raised will go to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization supporting childhood cancer research - alexslemonade.org. She has done stands for the last four years raising money for both Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation as well as Lazarus House in St. Charles.

BE CONNECTED

UCC DAILY DEVOTIONAL click

ILLINOIS CONFERENCE OF THE UCC click

LHC FACEBOOK PAGE click

LHC GARDENING ANGELS/COURTYARD GARDEN FACEBOOK PAGE click

LHC YOUTUBE CHANNEL click

LHC TWITTER click


CHURCH LEADERSHIP
THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH STAFF AND COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS

Pastor - Reverend Richard Malmberg
Pastor Emeritus - Reverend Dr. Don Heinrich
Director of Music/Organist - Larry Dieffenbach
Office Manager - Lori Prang 
Custodian - Odie Perry 
 
Church Council
Moderator - Kathleen Sullivan Kaska
Moderator-elect - Anne Bouchard
Stewardship - Bob Kaska
Evangelism - Ann McLaughlin
Outreach - Valeri Baldwin
Congregational Life - Barbara Braulick
Christian Education - Karen Kaluzsa
Worship & Spiritual Growth - Jane Shelton
Facilities - Chip Braulick, Anne Bouchard
Members at Large - Susi Winquist, Carol Berger
Financial Treasurer - Art Zwemke
Financial Secretary - Ann McLaughlin
Clerk - Kristen Thornton
Learn more
Little Home Church by the Wayside UCC
32W128 Army Trail Road, Wayne, IL 60184
630.584.4013

Editors: Lori Prang and Kathleen Sullivan Kaska

OFFICE SCHEDULE: 
Monday - Thursday , 9 am to 3 pm
Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday

PASTOR RICHARD: Cell 617.538.4757