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The SPIRIT of Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church

July 20, 2005

Click here to see the July calendar or the August calendar.
and the Worship Teams Schedule.




The One Thing

In October 2004 we invited people to submit their “imaginings”—their hopes and dreams for RCLPC. In February 2005 the session took these “imaginings” and drew from them six commitments to guide our ministry.

To refresh your memory, the six commitments include being a diverse and welcoming congregation; worshipping in creative ways; expanding opportunities for spirituality; building caring relationships and community; supporting families, youth, and children; and working for peace and justice.

These commitments are helping to shape decisions we’re making regarding programs, staffing, and building needs.

It’s good to know the things we’re committed to, but it’s also good to know what’s behind those commitments. What’s the “one thing,” the thing that drives us, the thing that shapes everything we do?

I can’t really answer that for you. Everyone has different ideas about this. But I can tell you for me (and for our tradition, the Presbyterian / Reformed tradition) the “one thing” comes down to one word: grace. God’s grace is the heart of the matter. God’s grace makes the world go ‘round. God’s grace gives us life and breath. God’s grace gives us salvation. Everything we have and everything we are comes to us by God’s grace—God’s free, unconditional love for all creation. This is the “one thing.”

Jesus was all about grace. He showed us grace, he embodied grace, he lived and died for grace, he shared grace with everyone. That’s the good news we celebrate. And our job as a congregation is to share this good news, to invite people into an awareness of God’s grace. We do this because we know God’s grace changes everything. God’s grace will change people’s lives, and then they will turn around and change the lives of those around them.

The six commitments presume that people become aware of God’s grace in different ways, through different “channels.” For some people, it happens through worship. For others it happens through feeling accepted for the first time, or finding people who really care about them or their families. For others it happens through spiritual growth. For others it happens through working to change the world. God’s grace is for everyone, so we try to open as many “channels” as possible.

And though there are many “channels”, it’s the same thing flowing through each of them: God’s amazing grace—God’s free, unconditional love for all creation. What better news is there than that? That’s the precious thing we have to share with the world. That’s the one thing.

-Richard

TAIZÉ WORSHIP August 4th at 7:00 pm

Come ... Feel peace ... Be transformed

CHURCH PICNIC

We're celebrating summer and the end of Vacation Bible School with a picnic. It will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at noon. We're planning games for all ages including, horse shoes and sack races. You'll get a sneak peek at the special singing performance by the children in Vacation Bible School, as they rehearse for Sunday's church service. We'll supply the hot dogs, burgers, brats, and drinks. You just need to bring a side dish or dessert and a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Come on out and relax and have some fun!

TUESDAYS AT BORDERS

Who are the Bad Girls of the Bible and what can we learn from them? Join us at 10:15 on Tuesday, August 2nd at the Crystal Lake Borders Cafe. Books are available at Borders. Read the first chapter; grab a coffee or tea; and get ready to talk "All About Evie." See you Aug. 2nd at 10:15. Questions? Call Sheila Mohler.

ATTENTION BOWLERS

Any bowlers interested in a PARTY????
Call Karen Leuchtmann. She is looking for a friendly alley to have a RCLPC bowling party. Watch the bulletin and Connecting Link for more details.

WANTED:  COUNTERS

The counting team needs a few folks to assist in the counting of the churches weekly offerings.  If you can organize your check book or accounts you can be a counter and serve the church in a vital role.  To find out more about the counter responsibilities contact Lee Ekstrom.

MEN'S BREAKFAST

Join together with other men in the church and enjoy a breakfast together while you study the following Sunday's scripture.  We will meet in Fellowship Hall on Saturday August 6th at 9 a.m. Join us! 
Questions? contact Karl Dencker.

HAND CHIME DIRECTOR

The chime choir is looking for a new director.  Responsibilities include nurture and development of the chime program, planning and rehearsing weekly, and participating in worship. If interested, please contact the church office for more information, or call Sherri Dees.

LOOKING FOR AN AUGUST ACTIVITY FOR YOUR INFANT/PRESCHOOLER?

CHILDREN’S MUSIC CLASS
EVERY FRIDAY IN AUGUST, 11:00 - 11:45 am

Emily Floyd will be offering a music class for infants through kindergarteners every Friday morning in August 11:00 - 11:45 am.  A parent, grandparent, or caregiver must stay and participate with their child during the class.  If you have a child within the age requirements who has older siblings, the older sibling(s) may attend class as long as they participate.  This class is offered to RCLPCers and potential RCLPCers (friends/neighbors).  A practice cd will be given to you to take home. 

In music class we will:
tap steady beats
explore ways to use our singing voices
express rhythms with sticks, drums, and bells
demonstrate dynamics (softs and louds)
dance to the music
snuggle in our parent's arms during lullaby time
enjoy music

Both parents and children will leave at the end of each class having felt the joy of music.  This class is based on the Kindermusik curriculum, which is an excellent music education program for infants-preschoolers. Please RSVP by July 25th to the RCLPC office via email, office@rclpc.org or via phone, (815) 459-1132 to register for the class.

FOLK FEST IN HARVARD

The Folk Fest at First Presbyterian Church in Harvard returns this year on August 28th from Noon till Sundown (Rain or Shine). Bring your lawn chair or blanket for an afternoon of great music and food. Admission is $5.00, students and seniors $3.00. See the flyer in the Connecting Link for more details or contact Greg Amelianovich at 815-569-2539.

OPERATION  PRAYERS  AND  COOKIE  LIFT  UPDATE:

Deb Steele let me know that a good friend of their family, Katy Pelz, has been deployed to Iraq.  Deb provided suggestions for Katy's wish list such as Gatorade, Pringles, small packs of nuts and cookies, size 9 white sox, "chick" magazines and movies (DVD format). Please look for the sign up list in the Connecting Link if you can help. Good news about my high school class mate, Richard Siedenburg: he just arrived home from Baghdad!  Thanks to everyone who signed the banners for him, I will mail them to his home. 

If you have a loved one stationed in the Middle East, please contact me.
Mary Moltmann 

THANKS YOUS

Dear Congregants,
Thank you so much for your generous donation for the Family Health Partnership Clinic. These dollars support high quality health services for those in our community who are without health insurance.

The problem of the uninsured is growing larger in our community. It is estimated that in McHenry County, we have over 26,000 people without insurance. There are countless others who are under insured, and lack coverage for basic primary care. Since last August, we have seen our monthly patient visits go from an average of 420 per month to 480 per month.

We are able to care for these patients through the generosity of 19 volunteer physicians, a caring staff, and the generous support of people in the community like you who value health care as a necessity, rather than a luxury. We receive almost no government funding for our services, and rely on the community to come together to ensure affordable basic health care to those most in need.

Thanks you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity in helping keep the community healthy. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change the world for some people.

Sincerely,
Suzanne Hoban, MPH
Executive Director

THANK YOU

I wanted to extend many thanks from my nephew Seanpaul Berube, the son of my brother Ron, from California. Seanpaul and his wife Jennifer and their daughter Madison, and their nieces Anna, and MacKala, enjoyed our New Way Service on July 10th at 10:30 am. Seanpaul has been away from church for a long time. Our service and I quote "Uncle Pierre, this service, the music and the message has inspired me to go back home and search out a church like yours.” Thanks to everyone on the New Way planning, for planting the seed that will go in to rich soil.
Reach up and shake hands with God, Peace Pierre

THANK YOU

Thank you all so much for all of your help in getting me to Interlochen. I greatly appreciate your donations and your offering me work so I could earn money. Also thank you to all those who went to Nicks Pizza and supported me. People have been asking me when I'm going and when I'll be back, I am leaving the 15th of July and I will be back on August 8th. I would like to thank Mrs. Dees for all her help. Again to every one who supported me in any way whether it be offering me work, donating money or telling me "good luck and have fun", thank you because it helped me get there and reach one of my goals.
Carl Wesa

THANK YOU

The whole Hansen family blesses and thanks everyone at RCLPC for the prayers, caring and compassion shown during this most recent crisis in their lives.  The death of Colby, my grandson, was indeed devastating but with the help of all of you the blow has been softened.  I'm eternally thankful that God put me in the midst of such a considerate and thoughtful church family.  God bless you all. 
Marge Hansen

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND NEWSLETTER

Would you benefit from having a bulletin or newsletter that was a little bit easier to read with a larger font? Ask an usher on Sunday morning for a large print bulletin. They are available for both services. If you would like to receive a large print newsletter please contact the church office and we will make sure to put you on the list.

PRAYER CHAIN INFORMATION

All prayer requests are handled from the office. If you have a prayer request, please either phone the office (815-459-1132) or email your request to office@rclpc.org or follow the link on the website at www.rclpc.org.

* Please specify whether your request is confidential or whether it can be shared with the congregation. Confidential prayer requests will only be forwarded to the Prayer Chain.

* Prayer requests that are not confidential will be printed in our weekly Order of Worship on Sunday morning. We would invite everyone to pray for these concerns.

NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION
"LACROSSE" makes a comeback!

So you call yourself a sports enthusiast but are you familiar with the oldest sport in North America?? At least 48 Indian tribes have a history with the game played for fun, but also to resolve conflicts, heal the sick and develop strength and virility - Lacrosse.

The game as it is played today in some high schools and colleges around the country consists of two ten-person teams. The large field has goals at either end, protected by a goalie. Players use sticks with baskets on the end to pass, catch and carry the ball, with the object of getting it past the goalie and into the net.

Lacrosse ranks about as high as water polo on the national sports scene today. However, Brad Barclay is promoting the game and its history in the Native American culture through The Black Hills Lacrosse Association. Brad started playing at the University of Minnesota and learned "how addictive it is". He says in the Lakota Journal, "The only way things get started is if someone approaches it." True in all parts of life, don't you think? What can you start or promote in your neighborhood or with your family and friends this summer? We invite you to browse the Internet to research Indian games of the past. Then let us know what you found and share it through the Native American Connection article.

We have it on good authority that the next issue will include some reflections by our Senior High's on their recent Mission trip to Cass Lake Reservation in Minnesota. Don't miss it!
Joy Martin, Alice Haznedl, Ann Legg, Janet Pearce, Ginger Robinson, Rod Russell, MJ Towne, Gloria Thorson.

OFFICE SCHEUDLE

Just a reminder that all articles and information for Sunday bulletins and announcements need to be in the office by Noon on Wednesdays.

The next Spirit will be sent out August 24th. Articles will be due by NOON August 19th.

The office will be CLOSED the week of July 25-29th due to staff vacations. If any needs arise you can contact one of the on call Elders: Karl Dencker or Joan Jensema.

IN AND AROUND RCLPC WITH BARB

Good morning everyone! As I am writing this our church is filled with many exciting things as we prepare for the onset of Vacation Bible School Monday morning – the 18th. All around are little “cowboy vignettes”, bales of hay and straw, fences, horseshoes, cowboy hats, etc. All that is lacking are the children. They will be coming very soon.

*The end of this school year finds three teachers from our church retiring. They are: ANN LEGG, KATHY RABE, and JOAN BLACK.

ANN has taught a total of 40 years full time and many more years teaching piano while she worked as a teacher. She began in Tennessee teaching with the Teacher Core, where she taught in a poverty area in an all Black school for two years. On to Mississippi where she taught remedial reading, again in an all Black school and an impoverished area. She came to Woodstock where she taught 32 years, everything from Middle School Language Arts, Title I Reading, and grades one through four. In her free time she plans to travel, volunteer, be involved in political action and play more piano.

JOAN (wife of JACK , mother of GARDNER and ADAM), taught 31 years and they were all in Lake Zurich. I find that pretty amazing as I taught in six states.) Joan began teaching English and Spanish in the Middle School and for the last twelve years was the Librarian. Her son Adam will be carrying on her legacy, as he teaches music in L.Z. Elementary School, says a proud mom. Joan plans to spend lots of time with the grandkids and to travel.

KATHY (wife of LOU, mother of BJ, ANDREW and MEGAN) retired after spending 24 years as the Office Manager and Registrar of the Crystal Lake Montessori School. (As the school’s secretary we know Kathy actually ran the school.) She was with the school from the beginning when they first rented space from the Jewish Synagogue until the building they have now was built. At the time of this writing Kathy has not formulated her future plans. I will have to get back to you. Our sincere congratulations to these three outstanding teachers!

*JOAN BLACK has some more news for us, as her son Adam was married in Chicago on June the 17th. He married Heidi Hastings and they are living in Chicago. Heidi does legal writing for a law firm, and we now know what Adam does. Some of our R.C.L.P.C. friends attended the wedding that was held at the Café Brauer in the Lincoln Park area. They were: GINNY and RICK BAILEY from Colorado. MARY LLOYD AND LARRY JAMAISON from Texas, BARB and ALLEN ROYLE from Colorado, GARY and KAREN SALMAN from New Mexico and MARY and DOUG LOVING from Wisconsin. They were fortunate to have Doug perform the ceremony. Congratulations and God’s blessings to you both.

*Other items of interest this past month found eight of our people attending a fun night at Ravinia. This was organized by LISA and STEPHEN NEILSON the slide show looked like they had a wonderful time full of great music and laughter. I only hope you are planning to do this again.

*Prayers & Pincushions had a fun trip to Millie’s Pancake House with twelve women having a terrific time both shopping and eating. (This is an activity for which I was made.)

Thank you for spending this time with me. I am Barb Turley

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