Click here to see the September calendar.Click here to see the Worship Teams Schedule.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:NEXT STEP: FORMING AN ASSOCIATE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEEAs you read in the last Spirit, the Session voted to form an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). With Presbytery approval, the Session instructed the Nominating Committee, which was elected last year by the congregation, to proceed in selecting members to serve on the APNC. The Nominating Committee has begun meeting to discuss what attributes we feel are important in prospective candidates. We have come up with the following:
If you know of someone who possesses the qualifications we are looking for and would like to serve on the APNC, please notify the church office, or Dale Prindiville (Nominating committee chair). -Dale Prindiville |
IN THIS ISSUE:
FellowshipMission News Special Event Worship Youth News Around RCLPC |
SPECIAL EVENT: OPEN MIC NIGHTFriday, September 23Doors open at 7:00 PM / program starts at 7:30 PMClick here to see more information! |
ATTENTION ALL GARDENERS
The Gardening Group could use your help! We wil be meeting on Monday, September 26, at 9:00 am for sprucing up the church's grounds. Please bring your own gardening tools and a big smile (we have a good time while we garden). We could also use your input on any additions or changes for the grounds for next year. Any questions, please call Kathy Rabe. We look forward to seeing you on September 26.
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 October 1st at 9 am. Questions? contact Karl Dencker.ROAD RALLY
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 1st and plan to be at the Road Rally. We will meet at church at 2:30 and end up at an undisclosed location for food and fellowship. Here's a few helpful hints. You should know your 'Presidents', directions of the 'cross', 'who mows the cemetery lawn', cookie bakers, and cemeteries that have 'no snakes'. There'll be more hints in the next "Spirit". Sign up in the Connecting Link.ATTENTION GOLFERS
We hope to see all of you at the annual RCLPC Golf Outing on Sunday, October 2, 2005. We will be teeing off at 1:30 pm at the Old Top Golf Course, located on Walk-Up north of Rt. 176. This is a short 9 hole course and we will be playing a scramble, so no excuses for the novice golfer. Fees are $17.00/person or $25.00/person with a cart. Details for a Pot Luck Dinner at the Esche’s House after golfing will follow later. Sign up in the Connecting Link or call the Esche’s or the Bereiter’s. Hope to See Everyone There!
NEW BOOK CLUB
The Tuesdays @ Borders book study group has been enjoyed by so many, but there are some who cannot attend on Tuesday mornings. NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! There is a sign up sheet in the Connecting Link for all of those who are interested in an evening Borders book study group. Please indicate your interest and join a very interesting and lively group.TUESDAYS AT BORDERS
Great discussion, delicious coffee and good friends—all can be found at “Tuesdays at Borders”.Our next book will be "The Blind Assassin" by Margaret Atwood.
Come join us on Tuesday mornings in the Borders Café in Crystal Lake from 10:00 to 11:30 am for a lively soul-filling discussion. Share your story over a great cup of coffee or tea. See you next Tuesday! Questions? Contact Sheila Mohler or Kim Stewart.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CROP WALK 2005
A Recruiter Rally will be held on 8/30/05 at 7:30 pm at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Crystal Lake. The Crop Walk will be held on 10/16/05 this year. Crop Walk funds will be used for disaster relief and self-help development around the world and right here in our local area by the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and PADS. Last year the city raised almost $13,000. It was also the biggest year for RCLPC with a contribution of $1367. We can do better this year and the need is greater. For more information contact MJ Towne.
SHARE THE BOUNTY - PUMPKINS
The Pumpkins are coming! Even with the dry weather, it looks like we will have pumpkins and fall decorations, and squash this year for Share the Bounty. Watch for more news to come.
PEACEMAKING OFFERING
It is impossible to absorb the enormity of destruction and havoc produced by Hurricane Katrina. For survivors, peace, especially peace-of-mind, is scarce. Therefore the Session has decided to funnel our 25% of the Peacemaking Offering collected on World Communion Sunday, October 2, to those affected by Katrina. RCLPC wants to help provide housing and other resources for a year to a family displaced by the storm. Laura and Steve Middaugh are coordinating our efforts, and a special designated fund has been set up toward that end.Remember, the Peacemaking Offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts: local, national and worldwide. 50% of the offering is allocated to General Assembly ministries, 25% is used by synods and presbyteries, and 25% is retained by congregations to be used as they choose. This offering will be collected on World Communion Sunday, October 2, when Christians around the world gather to share communion in the name of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Please give generously.
BENEFIT RUMMAGE SALE
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 23rd and Sat. Sept. 24th - 8 am to 3 pm (entrance in back)WHERE: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 178 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake
WHY: All proceeds will benefit Project: Build a Dream’s effort to assist a family with housing.
Drop off items to sell:
Saturday, Sept.10th & Saturday Sept. 17th
from 8am - noon at Immanuel Lutheran Church
For more information: visit www.buildadreamproject.com.
Rummage sale sponsored by Project: Build a Dream Volunteers,
a program of the McHenry County Latino Coalition,
a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION
End of an Era for Comanche
We believe the vast majority of Americans know about the Navajo code talkers and some of you may have seen the movie, "The Wind Talkers" based on their experiences in the U. S. military, transmitting messages in their native language. The language (or code) was never broken by the enemy, but we wonder how many of you realize it wasn't just the Navajo who performed this unique and vital service during World War II.Charles Chibitty, the last survivor of the Comanche code talkers has died at 83 years of age. He lived at a Tulsa, Oklahoma nursing home for the last several years. During an interview in 2002, he reminisced, "It's strange, but growing up as a child I was forbidden to speak my native language at school. Later, my country asked me to. My language helped win the war and that makes me very proud, very proud."
He had been at Normandy on D-Day, and said someone once asked him if he feared dying and what he was afraid of the most. "No. That was something we had already accepted", he said. "But we landed in deeper water than anticipated. A lot of boys drowned. That's what I was afraid of…. I wonder what Hitler thought when he heard those strange voices".
In 1999 Chibitty received the Knowlton Award, which recognizes individuals for outstanding intelligence work, during a ceremony at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. "We could never do it again. It's all electronic and video in war now." Note: We invite you to view Mr. Chibitty's picture on the bulletin board in the Connecting Link. Joy Martin, Alice Haznedl, Ann Legg, Janet Pearce, Ginger Robinson, Rod Russell, MJ Towne, Gloria Thorson.
BUILDING & GROUNDS CORNER - FURNITURE STORAGE
Why do we have so many pews in the hallways at church? They really make it feel congested.Our choir in the rear of the Sanctuary originally used the pews, but our needs have changed with different type services and uses for that space. So we replaced the pews with stackable chairs, but don’t want to dispose of the pews as they may go back into the Sanctuary sometime in the future. What we need is a place to store them. If anyone knows of some extra room in a barn or attic or anything we could use, please contact the church office.
UPDATE FROM THE BUILDING TASK FORCE
We wanted to give you an update from the Building Task Force, which was formed in February to support the six commitments guiding the congregation’s ministry. We have been meeting for the past eight months, exploring current and future needs, reviewing options, and collecting relevant information. We will soon be ready for the next phase of our work, which will involve conversations with you, sharing the information we’ve collected and seeking your input as to how we should proceed.If you wander around the building during the 10:15 hour on Sundays, you will notice that every single room is filled with people! We recognize that we have significant space challenges, and we're doing our best to confront those challenges as faithfully as possible. As we move forward together, please keep the Building Task Force in your prayers.
– David Dees, Lee Ekstrom, the Rev. Richard Floyd, Carol Hoefer, Scott Iddings, Jodie LeFevre, Linda Peel, Wayne Prindiville and Lori Thompson
SENIOR HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH!!
This year’s youth group is getting started!! – with a kickoff meeting this Sunday 9/18 at 1:30 pm. Parents and Youth, please join us in Fellowship Hall as we talk about what youth group is all about, review the upcoming events, and more. If there are any questions please feel free to call Jim Pracht or Jeff Mohler for Senior High or call Rob Baser for Middle School.YOUTH MINISTRY
Do you have an interest in working with youth? Feeling a “nudge” to try something new? Want to make a difference in the life of a young person? Our youth leaders are gearing up for another lively year, and they are looking for others who want to join them in the journey. If you’d be interested in working with youth and helping to continue this vital ministry, please contact the church office or talk to one of the youth leaders: Rob Baser, Jeff Mohler, and Jim Pracht.TAIZÉ PRAYER SERVICES
when you need REFUGEwhen you need PEACE
when you need time to BREATHE
when you need QUIET
when you need HOPE
no creeds to say
no standing up and down
no sermon
no saying what you believe before you're sure you believe it
simply pray …… BEAUTIFUL CHANTS
simply enjoy the silence …… MEDITATION
simply come ……. CONNECT
FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH at 7:00 PM
RIDGEFIELD CRYSTAL LAKE PRESBYTERIAN
8505 CHURCH STREET (in Ridgefield) – CRYSTAL LAKE
ATTENTION TAIZÉ MUSICIANS:
There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the choir room. Please mark on it the services that you will play, and the services that you will be absent. This is helpful for planning!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.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.INTRODUCING PEW PALS
Outside the double doors in the sanctuary, there are some beanie babies for children to take in with them to worship. There are also some clipboards with coloring pages and crayons attached. We hope that the beanie babies and clipboards will help your children be excited about coming to worship. With our new fall schedule on Sunday mornings, we anticipate an increase in the number of children in worship.Here I am on this beautiful day writing about what’s going on “in and around R.C.L.P.C., because the usual author of this column is “ in and around” Switzerland. Barb Turley and Caryl Thomas (a former member of RCLPC) left on Labor Day to fly to Zurich, Switzerland to visit Barb’s son Dave. Dave was recently married and wanted to introduce his mom to his lovely bride Mikayla. While in Switzerland, Barb and Carol will be traveling around the countryside via trams, buses, and trains. Sure hope they have a great time and knowing Barb, I’m sure she’ll have many stories to tell us when they get back.
Last Sunday, we were delighted to see Sara Metivier in church. Sara moved east to pursue new career options and has been missing her family and friends back here. So, she hopped on a plane to get a “hometown fix”. It was great visiting with her, but it was too bad we couldn’t get her to sing for us – we miss hearing that beautiful voice.
Another former member, Carol Stolz, sent us an email to update us on her family’s status. Carol had moved to Fort Collins, Colorado last year (her dream location), but unfortunately, hubby Mike had to continue working here until he found a new job. Good news! Mike has bought a Computer Renaissance store in Fort Collins and has moved west over Labor Day. After many trips back and forth, Mike and Carol are thrilled to be together again. Their kids are off doing their own things - son Brandon remains in Crystal Lake, working at Eisenman as an electrical engineer, son Justin is a sophomore at CSU and son Aaron is a restaurant manager in Louisville KY. Their daughter Amy and her husband Russ just had a baby boy – Dillan on May 24th. Amy is working as a pediatric nurse at Rockford Memorial. It’s good to hear that they are all doing well and we rejoice in their happiness.
On August 4-8, Hutchfest 2005 was celebrated at Clyde and Karen Hutchings home. The family celebrated the birthdays of Clyde (88), son Dave (49), and grandson Brian (32). Clyde’s three children all attended the big bash. Son Jim and wife Kay drove from Salida, Co. (they are former members of RCLPC) and son Dave and wife Jennifer flew in from Denver, Co. Daughter Bonnie Sheehan and husband Bill joined with all the local “Hutchings”. Karen’s daughters and extended family also joined in the festivities which included lots of chocolate cake. As they all look forward to another celebration next year, we wish Hutch a very happy birthday and best wishes for a year filled with God’s love.
It’s always exciting to hear about our friends and members and what has been going on, but we look forward to making many more memories at RCLPC. We are not only starting new worship times, but also a new dedicated Christian growth time at 10:15 each Sunday morning. Take time to attend a class, meet new folks, and take another step on your faith journey. God’s grace is in and around us. Take time to feel it.
I am, Dale Prindiville