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September 2018

First Chronicles
The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC

A Positive Word Rally Day!


At our most recent Caregiver Support Group meeting Choir Uplifted Service,
(Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.) we read an article, “Positive First Day of Sunday
Emotion Words People Use.” It was a helpful spring- School, and Block Party
board to conversation about the positive things going September 9
on in our lives. No matter how distracted, discouraged, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
or doubtful we can become, there is always a positive During 10 a.m. worship
word to be said and heard. It is like reading the Psalms our choir returns and
—many of which begin with supplication or anger or children start Sunday
fear, and end with praise, thanksgiving, and comfort. School. After service at
It struck me that many of the positive words in the 11 a.m. we will host a
article are words associated with church in general, and potluck party outside on
Rally Day in particular. There is joy in reuniting with Hinman Avenue. Bring a
people we have not been able to see during the summer. dish to share (last name
We feel gratitude that this congregation is a place of A–M side, N–Z dessert)
welcome and refreshment. Enthusiasm builds through- and join us for family fun with art activities, face paint-
out the community when we see the children clamoring ing, games, conversation, and more. There will be infor-
to come up front in worship and then playing games in mation tables about the life of our church and a gift for
the street. The picnic often gives opportunities to offer visiting each one. Bring your friends and neighbors!
and observe altruism as we generously help others fix a
plate, find a seat, and meet someone new. This Month’s Chancel Choir Anthems
The article ends with the word “love”–which,
ironically, is the place where we start. The love of God September 9
comes to us first, and we respond by loving our neigh- Martin Shaw, “With a Voice of Singing” and
bors. It’s that simple. Love is the positive word that “A Blessing”
ripples through our fellowship gatherings, education
events, committee meetings, and worship services. September 16
I hope to see you on Rally Day, September 9. We Leonard Bernstein, “A Simple Song” (from Mass)
will share a positive word! Blessings, Rev. Ann Daniel Pinkham, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (from
Sinfonia Sacra)

September 23
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Laudate Dominum”
(from Solemn Vespers)
Godfrey Sampson, “Come, My Way, My Truth,
My Life”

September 30
Philip Lawson, “Take My Life and Let It
Be Consecrated”
Martin How, “Day by Day”
News and Notes Sunday School Begins September 9
Don’t miss the first day of Sunday School on Rally Day,
“Imagine This” Youth Art Show Opens September 9 September 9! Following the Children’s Message, children
View the creativity of our congregation’s children in a ages 4–12 walk with our teacher team to our multi-
special art show of their work opening Rally Day. Rag- age classroom in the Church House. We begin the year
doll self-portraits and characters created in this summer’s with the “Season of Creation” following our Seasons
Youth Art Workshops will be on display, as well as other of the Spirit Encore Curriculum. Each session includes
art work submitted by our youth. time together to pray, listen to a children’s version of
the day’s Bible story, ask questions, and explore together
Chancel Choir Sings on Rally Day the story’s meanings for our lives. We then head to the
The Chancel Choir will begin another season of singing craft room to make a project or do an activity connected
hymns and anthems on Sunday morning, September 9. to the day’s lesson. Look for an email from Sarah with
If you have never sung with our choir but would like to Christian Education Registration forms for this year or
take advantage of this opportunity, please contact music fill them out at Rally Day. Visitors welcome!
director David Lornson for details.

Notes on Giving and Pledging In Memoriam


Mission. The most important reason to support the
Church financially is because its mission is your mission, Julia Weertman
and if you truly believe that the church is doing what February 10, 1926–July 31, 2018
you want it to do, providing financial support for that Julia Weertman, a longtime member of First
mission will achieve your goal. Congrega­tional Church of Evanston, died in
Philanthropy/giving. For some, giving to a church is the company of her family at the Presbyterian
your first priority, or perhaps it is the only organization Homes. Julia is survived by her husband, Hans,
you are asked to give money to. We understand this and and children, Julia and Bruce Weertman. She
believe there is a learning curve involved when some- was active in the congregation, serving as a
one joins and is deciding to give financial support to an deacon and in other ministries. A professor
organization whose mission they believe in. It is healthy emerita of materials science and engineering at
and fulfilling to give, at any level, and we hope that you Northwestern University, she served as mentor
will consider all your options and become comfortable to countless graduate students. A memorial
with a level of giving to First Congregational Church of service was held August 21 at Alice Millar
Evanston that fits your relationship to the church and Chapel on the Northwestern campus.
our church family.
Budgeting. Giving is one thing, but pledging plays a Tina Coleman Patzer
critical role in the annual stewardship program, because October 7, 1964–August 8, 2018
the greater the number of our donors who pledge (make Tina Patzer was a member of First Congrega­
an explicit commitment in advance of the actual giving), tional Church of Evanston for many years until
the easier it is for the trustees to predict donation reve­ moving out of state in 1996. She was active
nue and prepare the budget for the following year. with the Christian education program, the soup
We are still listening. The First Congregational kitchen, and rummage sales. In 1993 she was
Church of Evanston Stewardship Committee has honored as our Woman for All Seasons. Among
decided to expand our role this year to include listening her many service projects, Tina began a tradi-
to and capturing the interests and priorities of our tion of bringing sugar cookies with decorating
congregation, so that we know what it is our members supplies to the Evanston women’s shelter so that
and friends want to invest in. We hope you will take mothers and children could prepare for the hol-
this opportunity to let us know what your priorities are. idays together. Tina is survived by her two chil-
—Hal Sprague, Chair, Stewardship Committee dren, Samantha and Zac, and their father, Bob
Patzer. There will be a celebration of Tina’s life
Church Office Regular Hours Resume on October 7 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

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Journeys of Life
Here we are again! In the
rhythm of family life, fall is a
time of schedules and calen-
dars, old routines made new
again, and fresh adventures
marking the passage of time.
To honor the start of the
school year, the congregation
helped me to bless the back-
packs of the youngest students,
teachers, and adult learners
during a recent worship ser­
vice. Together we packed their
backpacks and briefcases full of love, joy, peace, and Mallen Clifton was
courage with a reminder that God is always by their excited to head out to the
sides and this congregation always has their backs. University of California,
While we recognized some of our younger students Berkeley, this year with
during worship, I’ve been thinking a lot about our most her parents, Travis and
recent graduates and wondering how they are faring as Mark Clifton, stopping
they head out into the world on their continuing jour- to stand on a mountain
neys. So I asked their parents for updates and photo- peak along the way. She’s
graphs, and here is what I learned about some of our joining Dominic Daniels,
young adults. son of Mark and Pam
Isabella Ogbolumani Daniels, who will be a
began her gap study year by junior at UC-Berkeley.
participating in a language
intensive in France, where Michael Colton flew
she got to cele­brate France’s out to New York City at
World Cup win. After return- the end of August with his
ing from France, she’s going to parents, Amy (pictured
study economics and intern at with Michael) and Shane
UNICEF in Chicago before Colton, to begin school
attending Cornell University at Columbia University.
in 2019. This report was pro- Shane writes that Michael
vided by her parents, Lacey is “an Evanstonian through
and David Ogbolumani. and through, and the great
times he’s had at First
This summer Congregational Church
Katie Bezaitis reg- throughout his childhood are an important part of the
istered for classes reason why.”
at the University of We have many more young adults out there in the
Washington with world learning, growing, and giving of their time and
her mom, Jennifer talents in so many beautiful ways. May they always feel
Coyne, and dad, God’s love, joy, peace, and courage with them wherever
Andy Bezaitis. their journeys lead and know we’re all cheering them on
Katie starts school from Evanston, too. No matter where they are on their
this month and journeys of life and faith, they are always welcome (and
plans to focus on loved) here.
science with a In the Spirit,
major in biology. Sarah Petersen, Director of Learning and Outreach
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Immigrant Welcoming Task Force Update chose to utilize this terminology to make it clear that
On behalf of the Immigrant Welcoming Task Force we were not signing up to house anyone in regards to
(Bernice Valantinas, Danielle Geracaris, Juan Geracaris, immigration. Rev. Ann subsequently placed me in touch
Jacob M. Guerra-Martinez, Louise Fuller, Rev. Curt with SRT/Sanctuary, and at that point I prepared for the
Fuller, and Richard Davis), I am writing to review, up- Church Council’s April meeting.
date, and inform on where we started, what we’ve been At the meeting I reminded the council of the items
doing, and where we are heading. First Congregational that we as a congregation had voted on placing into
Church of Evanston’s process in taking action to become action. As my term as an intern was coming to an end,
an immigrant-welcoming church began about two years I requested that the council approve the formation of
ago this November. It started with the election results what would become the Immigrant Welcoming Task
that placed the current administration in Washington. Force and allow me to serve as its convener, which was
What followed was the first travel ban. In the midst of approved. Initially I had asked the council to approve a
the chaos and anguish for many folks, Evanston Inter- minimum task force membership of five people to have
faith Clergy and Leaders formed Evanston4All. Created a diverse group ranging in age, gender, race, etc. What
as an activist tool for clergy, church, and community resulted was a blessing: eight people stepped up!
involvement, it includes the Solidarity Response Team, When the task force was full, we met in early June to
now Solidarity Response Team/Sanctuary (SRT). set an agenda, refresh our tasks, and better get to know
In March 2017 the organization held an Upstander why each one of us answered the call to serve. We met
workshop, using role play to help people learn how to via telephone conference in July to initiate draft state-
respond to those being harassed. In November 2017, ments for our congregation on welcoming immigrants.
Rev. Ann informed the First Congregational Church As of today, we are still working on the draft(s) and hope
Council of SRT/Sanctuary’s plan to create a sanctuary to have something more concrete to share with the Mis-
statement for Evanston churches that would include Bib- sion Board for final approval. We are also blessed to have
lical reasons. Furthermore, the interfaith group called for members of the Mission Board serving on the task force,
self-education, volunteering of legal and financial exper- which helps us adhere to the mission of our church.
tise, asking churches to become literal sanctuaries (hous- Over the last few months, I have attended several
ing individuals in danger of being deported or seeking SRT/Sanctuary meetings, where I have been able to get
asylum), training to stand up for immigrants docu- to know other Evanston congregations’ contact people.
mented or undocumented, and being a buddy person. Additionally, I am serving in a smaller group responsible
Throughout the process SRT/Sanctuary had a group of for hosting the premiere for our storytelling series for
three attorneys reviewing the statement, and they found SRT/Sanctuary. In fact, our congregation is hosting the
nothing illegal that would jeopardize any congregation, event in our Church House’s Guild Room. I encourage
organization, or individuals taking part in the actions. you as fellow church members to attend and demon-
After a discussion on the movement, the Church strate the awesome hospitality that I received upon join-
Council voted unanimously to hold a forum series in ing our congregation. There is no better way to practice
January 2018 on becoming a sanctuary congregation. one of the key aspects that we voted on, to be ready to
During that month, as an intern, I led the four-part stand in solidarity when called for action.
forum series on becoming a sanctuary. The attendees Please join us for our premiere storytelling series,
learned the difference between a traditional sanctuary Storytelling in Solidarity: Spotlight on Latinx/Hispanic
(housing individuals or families) and sanctuary as SRT/ Voices, on Sunday, September 30, 5–7 p.m. We’ll focus
Sanctuary refers to it. What came out of the series was on Latinx and Hispanic perspectives in conjunction
that our church would not seek to be a traditional sanc- with Latinx History Month/National Hispanic Heritage
tuary housing people but instead would be an immigrant Month. This will be a bilingual event to come together
welcoming congregation, a term used by UCC. During in fellowship, share dishes for a potluck dinner, and hear
the final forum, participants were asked to recommend stories focused on culture and identity. Please register at
selected actions from a list that SRT/Sanctuary distrib- tinyurl.com/ycrrqoe9.
uted with its statement. Out of the many listed items, I If you would like to become involved in Evanston-
took the following to the Church Council: 4All’s Solidarity Response Team/Sanctuary, please feel
• Education of the congregation and the community at large free to get in touch with me at jongilbertmartinez@
• Partnering with Evanston schools to protect immigrant children gmail.com or when you see me at church. I thank you
• Readiness to stand in solidarity when called for action all for supporting this act of justice, love, compassion,
During February’s congregational meeting, we as a Christianity, and humanity.
congregation voted and approved moving forward with Peace and Blessings,
becoming an immigrant welcoming congregation. We Jon “Gilbert” Martinez
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First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC
Invites ​YOU​ to join us for

September 9, 2018
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Choir Uplifted Service, First Day of Sunday School & Block Party

During 10 a.m. worship our choir returns and children start Sunday School. After service at 11 a.m.,
we'll host a potluck party outside on Hinman Avenue. Bring a dish (last name A-M side, N-Z
dessert) and join us for family fun with art activities, face painting, games, conversation, and more.

Bring your friends and neighbors!

In the Sanctuary and on the Street at 1445 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201

www.firstchurchevanston.org
First Congregational
family and friends
enjoyed a lovely
summer evening
roasting goodies
and singing songs
at our annual church
bonfire at the beach.

Happy Birthday Joan Babbitt Bob Krause Julia Page


to everyone Annika DeStefano John Lee Chris Petersen
cele­brating a Peter DeStefano Isaac Lumpkin Sarah Petersen
birthday in Jacob Guerra-Martinez Nancy Lutton Brock Snider
September! Eric Janicki Jane Munro Stacey Ullery
Thomas Julcher David Emeka Ogbolumani Bernice Valantinas
Peter Omundson
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