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April 14, 2010
The Spirit
of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
2010 Offering of Letters
April 18, 2010
The ups and downs of the global economy affect all of us, but not equally. Any economic downturn makes life especially difficult for low-income families. And that means that right now nearly 17 million children in the United States live in households that have trouble putting food on the table.
We know that God is always faithful, and there is always something we can do. The 2010 Offering of Letters is a powerful way to support families and fight hunger. Tens of thousands of people in churches, campuses, and organizations across the country join together in this special offering to lift up a single voice to our nation’s leaders. We take seriously the Scripture’s call to “Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9).
Congress will be paying special attention to tax policy in 2010, and this presents a unique opportunity to change policies in ways that help low-income people keep more of their hard-earned money. That in turn relieves hunger, because more money in the family budget means parents can afford more and better food for their children.
Our 2010 Offering of Letters provides us with an opportunity to protect and strengthen tax benefits in two key areas for low-income working families. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), established in 1975, could be made more helpful with adjustments for family size and a simpler filing form. The Child Tax Credit was recently improved to include families with incomes below $11,300, benefitting 10 million more children living in poverty. We need to maintain the inclusion of those additional families.
Progress has been made on last year’s Offering of Letters asking that U.S. aid be made more effective in reducing hunger in the world’s poorest countries. Bipartisan bills were introduced in both houses of Congress, and the White House and State Department have begun taking steps to address most of the benchmarks set forward.
Please join us to write letters to our legislators on
Sunday, April 18, 2010, from 9:00-12:30, in Fellowship Hall.
--Mission Outreach Ministry--
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In Case of An Emergency
Teri will be out of town from April 16-23. If you have a pastoral care need or emergency, please call 815.354.9935 to reach the elder on call.
| Immigration Reform
Educational Forum
Put Sunday, April 18, from 4-6 pm on your calendar for an Immigration Reform Educational Forum at RCLPC. This event will be cosponsored by the Jewish Congregation, Resurrection Catholic Church and First Congregational Church. The main speakers will be Fred Tsao, Policy Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Rosa Maria MacNeil, an immigration attorney, and Maralee Gordon, rabbi for the Jewish Congregation. We would also like anyone who has a personal immigration story to share that story with the participants. Contact Ann Legg if you have a story you are willing to share. Child care will be provided.
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SleepOut for Shelter
Help support Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) through pledges on the www.mchenrycountypads.com website. The SleepOut event begins Saturday, April 17th at 4:00 PM at Lippold park. Participants are encouraged to spend the night outside in tents, cars, backyards, and other locations throughout the county to experience a small taste of homelessness.
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Food Pantry Needs Your Help - April 26
Volunteers are needed, so please see the signup sheet in the Connecting Link. Give us whatever time you can spare. We serve once a month from 10am to 2pm. Each month we set a new record for the number of people being served. The growth rate is slowing, but the numbers still expand. We appreciate any help. Thank you. Call me if you have any questions. Nancy Vazzano. |
The Bread Basket Ministry needs your help this spring!
As you may know, when visitors worship with us and provide a local delivery address, we acknowledge their visit with a note and a tasty baked treat during the week following worship! Many of our new members have had this first sweet "taste" of RCLPC hospitality. There is a new signup sheet for March-June in the Connecting Link.
Volunteers are needed right away! Please consider signing up for one or two weeks to continue this welcoming tradition! And please include your email address! We like to track who has received a delivery, so please plan to call or email back to Sarah Jane when the delivery has been made. Any questions, call Sarah Jane Campbell.
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Native American Trip Planned
A mission-in-reverse trip into the culture and spirituality of American Indians is scheduled for June 21-26th through a trip to Rosebud and Pine Ridge American Indian Reservations in South Dakota.
If you are a first-timer, there will be three classes and homework that is necessary to prepare yourself for this experience.
For more information, contact Joy Martin or email her. We need to know your serious intentions by the end of March to include you in the trip and allow the proper time for advance study. ~ Mission Outreach Ministry
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Presbytery Mission Trip
Presbytery Wide Mission Trip to New Orleans Area—April 26-30—Sign Up Now! This will be the 4th year that Blackhawk Presbytery has coordinated a mission trip to Slidell, LA to work in the New Orleans area.
Please get in touch with Rev. Anita Stuart-Steva at anita.middlecreekchurch@gmail.com or 815.335.2609.
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The Future of Our Church Needs Your Help.
Love, betrayal, fighting, jealousy, power... sounds interesting right??
This can all be found in the Bible!! We are looking for Sunday school teachers and assistants for the 2010-2011 school year to teach our youth about the awesome stories found in the Bible and to share God’s love. No experience necessary. This rewarding commitment is about once a month. If you think you would be interested, please contact Karen Nelson for more information.
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Letter Carrier Food Drive Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Crystal Lake Food Pantry needs you!
On Saturday, May 8th, the National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its annual Stamp Out Hunger! Food Drive. Now in its 18th year, the Stamp Out Hunger! effort is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, having collected nearly one billion pounds of food since its inception in 1993. In 17 years the Crystal Lake Food Pantry has received more then 300,000 lbs. of food from this event, designed to help sustain pantries through lean summer months.
Our nation’s food pantries are experiencing universal increases in demand for emergency food assistance due to the current recession and higher unemployment. The Crystal Lake Food Pantry alone saw 9,545 visits in 2009, a 50% increase from 2008. Two Ways You Can Help:
- Leave a bag of non-perishable food by your mailbox on Saturday, May 8th for your letter carrier to pick up. Be sure to leave it before his/her regular arrival time!
- Come between the hours of 1:30 and 6:30, Saturday, May 8th, to the Algonquin Township Facility (3702 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake) to sort donated goods. This is a great project for anyone needing community service hours, families or community groups. Come for one hour or all five! Call (815) 455-0961 for more information or to schedule a group’s volunteer time. (Not required, but helpful) Please help on May 8th!
Contact: Crystal Lake Food Pantry @ 815-455-0961 for more information.
The Crystal Lake Food Pantry is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
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God’s Tapestry
How do we read the Bible in our 21st century context of religious diversity? This class continues to explore how to live as people of the book in our post modern, pluralistic world.
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Confirmation Class 2010
Are you, or is someone you know, going into 8th grade (or older) next year and haven’t been on the confirmation journey yet? Plans are being formed for next year’s confirmation class, so please contact Teri ASAP if you’re interested! Thanks!
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Read with the Pastor
Book Group
The next book you are invited to join Teri in reading is Hospitality the Sacred Art: Discovering the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome by Rev. Nanette Sawyer. Books are available at most online bookstores. Join us on Tuesday, April 27 at 7pm as we discuss this book together! |
Stronghold Work Day - May 1, 2010
The Mission Strategies & Resources Board sponsors an annual presbytery-wide work day at Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center. Participants help to continue to make Stronghold's grounds and woods a place where people can come together to enjoy each other's company and to reflect on the beauty of God's creation. There are work opportunities for all age groups. Stronghold maintenance staff and other volunteer crew leaders are on hand to facilitate all projects. Stronghold provides a hot lunch, snacks and drinking water. This year's work day is Saturday, May 1, from 9am-3pm. The main project will be clearing limbs, trees, and brush near the Castle and Carriage House. Contact Pat Manasco at 815.732.6111 by April 23 to let her know the size of your group and any special skills they might have. Youth groups must have adequate adult supervision.
| Easter Breakfast a Success
The Men's Group would like to thank all for making the annual Easter Breakfast a success. From the planning stage to the last pancake flipped, we enjoyed serving each and every one of you. Approximately $650 will be donated to the Deacon's Emergency Fund to help our members in need. Again, thanks for the support and we look forward to serving you in the future.
~ The RCPLC Men's Group
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Thank You!
We would like to thank the Men’s Breakfast Group for serving up such a wonderful breakfast on Easter morning. Also, a big thank you goes to Cindee Robinson who donated the #30lbs of sausage for the breakfast. The food and service was exceptional.
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Building Expansion Planning Update
The Building Expansion Committee is nearing completion of the schematic design phase of a plan to build a dedicated youth space, expand the existing sanctuary and improve parking and building access. The committee has been working with an architect throughout this exploratory phase during which we gathered much information from the congregation and grappled with preliminary cost estimates that in some cases were considerably higher than anticipated. The committee has been working through options involving design scope as well as construction methods and materials to help reduce expenses, and addressing related matters including requirements for fire safety and storm water detention.
We soon will enter another design development phase in which an architect will create more detailed plans that will allow us to obtain more precise estimates of construction costs. Our goal remains to bring to the congregation a plan that adequately addresses our design priorities as noted above and fits within the ballpark of what a congregation of our size can reasonably expect to raise in a capital campaign, while also allowing for possible future expansion.
Given the current financial outlook for 2010, the timing of a capital campaign remains uncertain. Only after such a campaign has been conducted to determine the level of financial support will the congregation be asked to vote to proceed to the construction phase. In the meantime, our committee continues to prepare for growth, trusting in God’s great blessings and guidance.
The Building Expansion Committee: Chairperson Wayne Prindiville, David Dees, Al Esche, Kristi Geggie, the Rev. Teri Peterson, Andrea Pracht, Bruce Randall, Ken Stewart
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Worship During the Season of Easter
Did you know that Easter is a season lasting 50 days—7 whole weeks?
That’s right, Eastertide lasts from Easter Sunday until Pentecost (which means “50 Days”). During this season we focus on resurrection life—the new life we live with the resurrected Christ.
April 18: We welcome Rick Johnson, deacon, to the pulpit to reflect on Isaiah 58 and James 2, “faith without works is dead” and the connection to our life together as we also participate in Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters.
April 25: Teri will preach on this “Good Shepherd Sunday” using Psalm 23 and John 10, connecting the promise of green pastures and still waters, of “one flock, one shepherd,” with the difficulties faced by people in Colombia.
May 2: Fred Neuschel will preach on Luke 4, wondering how we see and hear Jesus.
May 9: Bob Tripp will preach on Revelation 21—a new heaven and a new earth.
May 16: the Jubilation choir will present selections from Godspell! as we explore what it means to be God’s people in a hurting world.
Taize Prayer Service
The final Taize prayer service of the spring will be held on Tuesday May 4 at 7:30pm. Join us in the sanctuary for this time of prayer through music, word, and silence.
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Community Drum Circle
You don’t have to be a drummer to participate—everyone has something to offer, and everyone is welcome! A Community Drum Circle is a fun, family friendly event designed to build community and help us experience release, stress relief, healing, and empowerment. Rev. Phyllis Mueller facilitates these “drumming for health” drum circles in many places around the county, and now is coming to RCLPC!
This community drum circle will be held at RCLPC in Fellowship Hall every 4th Monday from 7-8pm. The next drum circle will be on April 26—hope to see you! For more info, contact Phyllis at 815.382.0004.
Race for Crystal Lake Food Pantry
On Sunday, May 16, Glacier Ridge Elementary School students, staff and families will participate in a 1 mile or 5K run to raise money and collect food for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.
Carolyn Schofield, Volunteer Coordinator of the event, is asking for a few representatives from the food pantry to bike ride along the race route to direct runners. If interested, please email Carolyn at c_schofield@sbcglobal.net.
Event kicks off at 8am for One Mile start and 8:30am for 5K Starts.
The entire community is welcome to participate in the run. Go to www.signmeup.com/68754 to register. (Those who register by 4/26/10 will be entered into a Pre-Registration Raffle. Race Day Registration is from 6:30 am to 7:45 am at Glacier Ridge) For more information about the race, call Nikki Colvin at 815-444-6912 or Laura Toman at 847-458-8138.
| Middle School spring Lock-In!
Calling all middle schoolers! Come to church on April 23rd, 7pm-9am, for a night of fun! Bring your pjs and your sleeping bag and a snack to share. RSVP to Cheryl Lilly by April 22. See you here!
Missing a sleeping bag?
After recent retreats, two sleeping bags have been left. They’re blue, they’re fluffy, and they’re in the Connecting Link under the coat rack. Please claim them and take them home!
30 Hour Famine is coming up!
On May 14th-15th, our high school youth will spend a weekend in a most unpopular way—they will eat nothing for 30 straight hours, and 24 of those hours will be spent at church and around the community learning about hunger and doing mission projects to help alleviate hunger. Many of our youth are looking for sponsors, so please help them out!
28,000 children die from hunger or hunger-related preventable diseases every day. It sounds like an insurmountable problem, but we can do something about the number of deaths! It only takes $360 to feed a child for an entire year. Each of our youth is trying to feed at least one child for the year. Please ask a youth if you can sponsor them—every penny counts. Thanks! |
Buen dia senors de RCLPC Iglesias (Good day Men of RCLPC Church)
Join us for breakfast on Saturday, May 1st at Colonial Cafe in Crystal Lake at 8:00am as Wayne Prindiville will show slides and explain how a tiny McHenry County Mission can go from building a home in Wonder Lake to building in central Mexico and helping Mexican middle school children with their education? Learn all about Build a Dream, our home town mission project and how RCLPC members have helped from day one. |
Spring Cleaning?
Build a Dream
Is holding its semiannual clothing sale
April 30th and May 1st.
We are in need of donations of gently used
spring-summer
clothing, towels, sheets and blankets.
Drop off bagged items in Fellowship Hall.
Questions or wish to help??
Contact Wayne Prindiville 815 477-4484 |
BENEFIT CLOTHING SALE
at Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church
221 Dean St., Woodstock
(2 blocks south of the Woodstock square)
Friday, April 30th 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
&
Saturday, May 1st 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
100% of the proceeds will assist school children in El Vaquero, Mexico.
Donations:
We are in need of gently used spring-summer clothing,
towels, sheets and blankets.
Donation Drop Off Dates and Time:
Thursday, April 29th: 10:00am – 6:00pm @ UUC church
Or at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
8505 Church Street, Crystal Lake
Sunday mornings in April or April 26th – 29th 9am to 5pm
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Please contact Wayne Prindiville if you are able to help with
set-up on Thursday during the sale or clean-up on Saturday.
Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Phone: (815) 477-4484 | Email: wprindi@hotmail.com
Project: Build a Dream is a program sponsored by the McHenry County Latino Coalition a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. |
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