THE TOWER BELL
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS
February 09, 2004
“The Tower Bell” is published weekly except for the months of July and August.
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. —Worship
9:30 & 11:00 a.m. —Sunday School
Sunday, February 15, 2004
“God Bless You!”
Message by Rev. John Smoke
Scripture Lesson: Luke 6:17-26
…
Sunday, February 22, 2004
“The Heart of Christianity”
Message by Rev. Debbie Fisher
Scripture Lesson: II Corinthians 3: 12-4:2
…
Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2004
7:30 p.m. Worship Service
“Big Fish”
Message by Rev. Nick Nicholas
Scripture Lesson: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
…
Sunday, February 29, 2004
“Humility: The Essence of Humanity”
Message by Debbie Fisher
Scripture Lesson: Luke 4: 1-13
…
Sunday, March 7, 2004
“A Dead End Street”
Message by Rev. Debbie Fisher
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Wednesday, February 25
7:30 p.m.
Crusader Choir Singing
Peace Like A River/KumBaYah
A Traditional Spiritual
Vol XII Issue 05
Upcoming Special Events
Sunday, February 15
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship
9:30 & 11:00 am—Sunday School
11:00 am—Finding Myself/Claiming
My Life
12:00 pm—The Chapel Choir Tour
Parents’ Meeting
6:00 pm—Alpha Bible Study
7:00 pm—Sr. Hi Youth Group
Monday, February 16
Presidents’ Day
7:00 pm—Gospel of Matthew
7:00 pm—Fun with Oil Painting
7:30 pm—Preschool Bd. of Managers
7:30 pm—Staff/Parish Relations
Tuesday, February 17
7:00 pm—Christian Parenting
7:30 pm—Worship Work Area
7:30 pm—Health & Wellness
Wednesday, February 18
9:30 am—Spiritual Life
10:30 am—Breast Cancer Support Gp.
6:00 pm—Attn. Confirmation Parents
7:00 pm—DISCIPLE I
7:00 pm—WELI
7:30 pm—Mary Elizabeth Circle
Thursday, February 19
7:00 pm—Talking About “Talking
About” Politics
7:30 pm—Woodworking
7:30 pm—Stephen Ministry
Friday, February 20
9:00 am—Jesus in the Gospels
9:30 am—Aerobics Class
7:30 pm—Friday Night at the Movies
Saturday, February 21
8:00 am—Adult Volleyball
8:30 am—Preschool’s Father’s Day
8:30 am—Women’s Retreat
Sunday, February 22
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 am—Worship
9:30 & 11:00 am—Sunday School
9:00 am—12:30 pm—Health Fair
6:00 pm—Alpha Bible Study
7:00 pm—Sr Hi Youth Group
Monday, February 23
9:30 am—Aerobics Class
7:00 pm—Gospel of Matthew
7:00 pm—Fun w/Oil Painting
7:30 pm—Sarah Circle
7:30 pm—Board of Gifts & Bequests
(Continued on page 2 )
Joys and Concerns
IN MEMORIAM
Allan Hicks
February 3, 2004
We extend our sympathy to his children, Susan Rowe, Randall and Brian
Hicks and their families and to his
friends.
Our sympathy to . . .
We extend our sympathy to Ken VanderPloeg and family. His mother, Eva
VanderPloeg died February 8, 2004.
Our prayers for . . .
Kristen Biss
Recently baptized…
On Sunday, January 18, 2004 Olivia
Marguerite Bifulco, daughter of
Nancy and Edward Bifulco, received
the Sacrament of Baptism.
On Sunday, January 25, 2004 Ethan
James Patera, son of Janine and Steven Patera received the Sacrament of
Baptism.
(Special Events continued from page 1)
Tuesday, February 24
7:00 pm Church & Society
7:00 pm—Christian Parenting
7:00 pm—Adult Education
Wednesday, February 25
ASH WEDNESDAY
9:30 am—Spiritual Life Study
10:00 am—Young at Heart Planning
Meeting
7:30 pm—Ash Wednesday Worship
Service
Thursday, February 26
9:00 am—Rachel Circle
9:30 am—Mothers of Yng. Children
12:45 pm—Ruth Circle
12:45 pm—Miriam Circle
7:00 pm—Talking about “Talking
About” Politics
7:30 pm—Woodworking
Friday, February 27
9:00 am—Jesus in the Gospels
Saturday, February 28
8:00 am—Adult Volleyball
8:00 am— Planning Leadership
Team
10:00 am—Baptism Seminar
Christian
ShawonEducation
Carlstrom
Shannon Fredres, Director
Over the Christmas Holiday we
asked the 1-6 grade Sunday School
classes to bring money to be donated to
Heifer International. The children certainly came through and we collected
over $140 to buy animals for those in
need. Amazing!! Thank you children!
Each unit we like to focus on a
mission. Therefore, at this time we
would like to support a small mission
called Back Porch Ministries that is
located in Panama, Central America.
This ministry helps all ages but focuses
on children. We would like for the
children of Downers Grove to be able
to help their peers in another country.
If you have not heard of Back
Porch Ministries, here is a summary of
what they do and stand for:
“Many Panamanian children have
limited access to medical care, education and the Word of God. It is our
goal to offer them a way out of ignorance and poverty by teaching them
basic skills and presenting the Word
of God”.
So, for the next few weeks we are
collecting items to send to this ministry. If anyone would rather give monetarily, that is accepted as well. We
have been asked to collect:
Tooth brushes
Toothpaste
Any educational materials written in Spanish (especially Christian materials)
If you are interested in participating,
we will be collecting items during the
gathering each Sunday morning.
Thank you!
If you would like more information on
Back Porch Ministries, please go to
www.backporchministries.com
CALLIGRAPHER?
The Board of Gifts and
Bequests has purchased a
book in which memorial
gifts may be inscribed. We are looking
for a person with skills in calligraphy
who would be willing to enter the
names and dates of deaths of persons in
whose memory gifts have been given to
the church. For more information,
please call Shirley Benson at 871-5549.
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Adult
Education
Shawon
Carlstrom
OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK
Visit or become a regular at any of
our Adult Education Classes. There
is always room for more people to
participate. All are WELCOME!
SUNDAY, February 15, 2004
8:00 a.m.
Room 202—Men’s Discussion
Group
This weekly discussion group meets
every Sunday morning. All men of the
church are invited to attend.
9:30 a.m.
Room 218—Koinonia Class
Howard & Shirley Benson will be with
us to talk about “Facing Death in a Culture of Denial”. Please join us for this
interesting tropic.
Room 203—Seekers
The Joy and Wonder of Love. Set me
as a seal upon your heart, as a seal
upon your arm; for love is strong as
death, passions fierce as the grave.
(Song of Solomon 8:6). Purpose: To
celebrate the wonder and power of
love.
B READ FOR THE
WORLD INITIATIVE
Bread for the World Sunday is coming
soon. On Sunday, March 7, our church
will join other United Methodist
Churches across the country by educating ourselves about the hunger and
disease our neighbors in Africa are
facing and take action. How? After
each service, you will have the opportunity to take a few minutes to write
congressional representatives to encourage them to appropriate funds that
will alleviate hunger and fight the Aids
epidemic in Africa. Tables with stationary, stamps and addresses of representatives will be provided in the Parlor. We will even mail your letters for
you. Why? Because as Christians, we
are called to reach out to our neighbors.
And because, with the help of our government, we can do so much more!
Please take a few minutes on March 7
and give the gift of your time. This
project is a combined effort of United
Methodist Women and the Missions
Work Area.
Pastor’s Column
Rev. Debbie Fisher
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
April 27th I will leave for Pittsburgh to attend the General Conference of our
denomination. You have been reading a series of articles about General Conference from members of our Administrative Council as published in recent editions
of the Tower Bell. At the last meeting of our Administrative Council a question
was raised about how to inform members of First Church about what will be happening at the quadrennial meeting of our denomination which has the authority to
make minor or substantive changes to our Book of Discipline. Lilian Ficht and
Jerry Moyar volunteered to work on this communications project. They have done
an excellent job of organizing the primary issues to be discussed and securing people to write about them. I am very grateful to them for all of their work.
This year's General Conference will be different from that of prior years in two
significant ways. First the 998 delegates are going to be debating almost 1600 petitions. A petition can be submitted by any member of the denomination; any church;
any organization or a General Board or Agency. Denominational officials are
speculating that the increase in the number of petitions is in part due to the greater
access to computers. It is easier and easier for people to send petitions via e-mail.
This ease of communication has helped give voice to many in our church who have
wanted to express themselves before but found the process for expression too cumbersome. The good news is more voices will be heard. However, the volume of
petitions seems daunting.
The second change is the number of delegates coming from our Central Conferences (Europe, Asia and Africa). The United Methodist Church is growing rapidly
in those regions of the world. This year there will be 178 delegates from Central
Conferences which is an increase of 40 from the 138 who attended the 1996 General
Conference.
Bishop Ruediger Minor, President of the Council of Bishops, has said
“dialogue with the Central Conference delegates can address problems such as hunger, illnesses, inequality and oppression in a comprehensive way. The worldwide
church can also equalize a growing obsession with national security — not only in
the U.S. — in joining forces for a just peace that would work for a removal of the
root causes of violence and terrorism.”
It should be an exciting and challenging year. If any of you would like to come
to Pittsburgh for one or two days of General Conference, please give me a call and I
will provide a listing of hotels close to the Convention Center and any other information that may be helpful to you.
WHEELCHAIR
ACCESSIBILITY
The Board of Trustees has improved
the ability for wheelchair bound people
to attend church. Several changes have
been made in the last couple of weeks:
They have added 2 new handicap parking spots to the parking lot and the old
spots were relocated to a more convenient spot, a new automatic door opener
has been installed on the South parking
lot door and the front half pew on the
West side of the Sanctuary has been
removed to make room for more
wheelchairs in the Sanctuary. A big
thank you goes out to our Board!
M ENTORS
NEEDED
DuPage
P.A.D.S.
Transitional Housing
Program is looking
for volunteers to be
community mentors
to work one-on-one
with single men and women. This
would include assisting them in areas
of career development, budgeting, organization, community involvement, or
simply just a person to talk to. For
further information please contact Kate
Towle, Transitional Housing Coordinator at 630-682-3846, ext. 244.
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Music
Ministry
Shawon
Carlstrom
MUSIC IN WORSHIP
Sunday, February 15, 2004
9:30 a.m. Worship
Chapel Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship
Chancel Choir
¯¯¯¯¯¯
NEW
BOOK CART
TITLES
As follow up to
the Stress Workshop
held on January 25,
several related titles will be for sale on
the book cart on Sunday, February 15.
These include Ken Potts’ Take One a
Day and Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers
by Robert Sapolsky.
Have you noted books our pastors
refer to in their sermons? We have
copies of Walter Wink’s The Powers
that Be (Debbie on Jan. 4), Marcus
Borg’s The Heart of Christianity (John
on Jan. 18), and Harold Kushner’s The
Lord is My Shepherd (Debbie on
Feb.1). Also, Nick has recently recommended Dangerous Wonder and
Messy Spirituality both by Mike
Yaconelli. Other books on the cart
include several on the Apostle Paul as
we look forward to the Paul seminar
coming to our church in late April.
Check out the book cart on Sunday, February 15 to see which of
these or other titles you might want to
purchase to read. This will be your
last chance for a few weeks since there
will be no book cart on March 7.
We will return to our normal 1st and 3rd
Sunday schedule on March 21.
RECORDING SECRETARY
The Board of Trustees is looking for a
willing volunteer who
would be able to take notes
at their meetings. If you
could fill this position,
please call the Church Office at 968-7120. Thanks!
General Conference 2004 Corner
United Methodist Women
“This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist
Understanding of Holy Communion”
“United Methodists are hungry for a better understanding and a richer experience of Holy Communion than what is practiced in their churches.”
That’s the finding of a study committee that, for the past four years, has been
working to clarify United Methodist Holy Communion tradition, theology and
practice to give the denomination a positive vision of what the sacrament can be in
local churches.
Holy Communion was prominent in Methodist churches in the formative days
of our denomination. As we have progressed through the years it has diminished in
importance in many places. Why is that? Are we content with this? These are the
questions the study was seeking to address. The study is complete and delegates to
General Conference will be asked to adopt two pieces of legislation regarding the
study. The first is to adopt the study document as the official interpretive statement
of the theology and practice of Holy Communion in the denomination. The document is also intended to help the church be in accord with ecumenical movements
in sacramental theology and practice.
One of the most important components in the interpretive report is the section
on grace and the means of grace, according to the Rev. Gayle C. Felton, the author
of the Holy Communion document. United Methodists have always talked a great
deal about grace, but its meaning may not be clear, especially to those who are
most active in the church, she pointed out. Felton said the document’s portion on
grace clarifies the church’s Wesleyan tradition and specifies how the sacraments
can be best understood as a special but not exclusive means of grace.
The document addresses a controversy across the denomination about who is
welcome at the table or to whom the invitation is given: Is Holy Communion only
for the baptized or is it open to everyone? Who is worthy to receive it?
Concerns about unworthiness are based largely on misinterpretation and false
fears. “Within the United Methodist tradition, people who participate in the sacrament are assured of the forgiveness of their sins and of pardon through their participation in the Invitation and the Confession and Pardon,” the document states. It
further asserts that the table is open to all who would partake of the sacrament. This is consistent with our practice at First Church. When the document is
complete and study materials are printed, we will make it available to our congregation.
DINE AWAY HUNGER
FEBRUARY 18 TH
IN NAPERVILLE
With the support of the community, the
People’s Resource Center (PRC) food
pantry serves an average of 1400 lowincome DuPage County families each
month. On February 18, join in the
fight against hunger by dining out in
Naperville. The following Naperville
restaurants have committed to share
10% (or more) of what they earn for
the day to the PRC food pantry: Angeli’s, Egg Harbor, Giordano’s on Rt.
59 and Giordano’s on Royal St.
George, Jin’s Mandarin Restaurant, La
Sorella di Francesca, Meson Sabika
(15%), Montage, Quigley’s,
Traverso’s.
THIS
WARNING WAS FORWARDED
FROM SUMMIT COUNTY
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE:
Keep a watch out for people standing
near you at retail stores, restaurants,
grocery stores, etc., that have a cell
phone in hand. With the new camera
cell phones, they can take a picture of
your credit card, which gives them your
name, number, and expiration
date. Identification theft is one of the
fastest growing scams today, and this is
just another example of the means that
are being used. So ... be aware of your
surroundings.
-4-
Thank you for helping the UMW with
supporting the Purchase with a Purpose
program. In 2003, with your help, we
were able to raise $6,789.40! This
money was given to the Aurora District
United Methodist Women with other
UMW funds from our church (from
Crazy Closet and other donations). Our
total undesignated giving to the district
was $14,000. This was one of the largest donations the district received last
year. The Aurora District UMW received a total of $124,760.50 in donations in 2003. Thank you for supporting
UMW with its mission projects! We
could not do it without all of your support! Remember to keep purchasing
with a purpose!
ANOTHER APPEAL
“M EALS
FROM
ON WHEELS ”
There is an urgent need for
drivers and kitchen help.
This valuable program could use your
services on a regular or substitute basis.
Please consider volunteering — you’ll
be glad you did. Call Judy Maxwell at
Lincoln Center—960-3363.
The Da Vinci Code
By Dan Brown
This is a book
you can’t put down.
This is a book that
raises a lot of questions.
Rev. Debbie Fisher will be leading a
book discussion on The Da Vinci
Code on Sunday evening, February
29th at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. If you would be interested in joining the discussion, please contact the
Church Office at 968-7120 or return
the tear off below to the Church Office.
"
Yes! I would like to attend the book
discussion of The Da Vinci Code to be
held on Sunday, February 29th at
6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor.
Name __________________________
Phone _________________________
PARISH NURSING
By Mimi Brile, RN
Parish Nursing at First United Methodist Church and Advocate Health Care
February 22, 9:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. THE HEALTH FAIR will be in the Toon
Parlor, Room 101 and the Gym. There will be health and safety information for all
ages! Spaces are still available for church members to have tables for health related
information. Please call Mimi at 968-7120 with details about your table as soon as
possible to reserve your spot. Patty Patrol Car will again be visiting to talk to the
little ones about our friendly police department. She is delightful, and worth a trip to
the gym to say hello. The Arthritis Foundation will also be here to help those of you
with mobility issues with suggestions for making your life easier, and Kelly Snyder
will be displaying her magnets and giving magnetic roller shoulder massages. Plan
to come to church early, or linger a while after service on the 22nd. I think you will
find your time well spent.
Beginning the first Sunday in Lent, February 29, at 9:30 a.m. in Chapel Hall,
Karla Gulley, Caryl Safford and Mimi Brile will begin a seven week session entitled
"Just Eating? A Faith Practices Approach to Eating Well". Our church has been chosen by Advocate Health Care to be a pilot church as this program is implemented to
assist the authors in providing a thought provoking curriculum. Karla, Caryl and
Mimi are asking for individuals to sign up for this program, to ensure that there will
be enough copies of the materials for each person attending.
The first week will be an introduction to the concept behind the project. Study
books will provide attendees with the reading materials to prepare for the following
six units: #1 Food Sharing as Sacramental; #2 Honoring the Body; #3 Hunger; #4
Food and the Environment; #5 Creating Community with Food; #6 Where Do We
Go From Here? There is no cost to participate in this program. The training session
produced good discussion among the trainees. The course materials provide Biblical
passages and readings from other sources plus 'Faith in Action' suggestions to pursue
at home. Class discussions will apply points covered in the readings using activities
to stimulate conversation. The authors look forward to the critiques from the group
to refine the work that has been written.
Plan to join us for this fascinating look at Food and Faith. You may sign up in
the church office.
On Sunday, January 25, 2004, we welcomed into membership of our church the
following thirteen persons:
Tim and Patty Blystone, 5336 Meadow Lane, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-968-5239.
Tim comes to us on transfer from Weis Library United Methodist Church of Fairview, PA. Patty comes on her Confession of Faith. Tim and Patty are the parents of
three children; 6, 4 and 2.
Jim and Michelle Cannan, 4829 Middaugh, DG, IL 60515, 630-541-0544.
Jim and Michelle come to us on their Confession of Faith. They have four children;
11, 9, 4 and 2.
Laura Cummings, 1529 Crabtree Dr., Westmont, IL 60559, 630-649-0281.
Laura comes to us by transfer from Grandview United Methodist Church of Lancaster, PA. Laura is a teacher and is engaged to Brian O’Neill.
Jill Hagl, 1340 Saylor, DG, IL 60515, 630-964-3719. Jill comes to us on her
Confession of Faith. She has two children, 13 and 2.
Adrienne Graddy, 4435 Shabbona Lane, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-961-4985.
Adrienne comes to us by transfer from the First Christian Church of DG. She is a
member of the Chancel Choir.
Al and Marty Gram, 2726 Vernon Ct., Woodridge, IL 60517, 630-971-2858.
Al and Marty come to us by transfer from the First Christian Church of DG. They
are member of the Chancel Choir.
Tom and Rhonda Leucuta, 1216 Gilbert, DG, IL 60515, 630-969-3744. Tom
and Rhonda come to us on their Confession of Faith. They have two daughters, 8
and 4.
Michael and Dina Salvatore, 625 W. 58th St., Westmont, IL 60559, 630-9696924. Michael and Dina come to us on their Confession of Faith. They have a son
7 months old.
— 5 —
FRIDAY NIGHT
A T THE MOVIES
Friday, February 20th
7:30 p.m.
Popcorn, pop, dessert,
movie & discussion
$2.00 per person
Don & Caryl Safford's
Home Theater
This month’s movie:
The Endurance:
Shackleton’s Legendary
Antarctic Expedition
This is a gripping story of a daring adventure led by a man of
incredible character, courage and
leadership ability. This movie
combines the actual footage from
the films shot by Frank Hurley, a
photographer who accompanied
Shackleton, with new photography. It is an awesome must see
movie, especially for anyone who
aspires to a leadership position.
Don’t miss it!
Discussion Leader:
Mary Zajac
Sign up in the Church Office
Sponsored by the Counseling Center
Limited to 20 people
Share the Warmth
Not just a holiday drive, Sharing Connections is striving to help people survive the cold throughout the winter
season. You are invited to join in a program called “Give a Coat and Share the
Warmth.” Any size jacket or coat,
clean and winter weight, can be
dropped off at Sharing Connections
5111 Chase Ave., Downers Grove. The
most difficult sizes to obtain are adult
XL, XXL, and XXXL.
If you know of an individual or family
in need, please call Carol Partington at
630-971-0565, ext. 222. Save this information in case a need arises after the
holidays.
The Tower Bell
02-09-2004
First United Methodist Church
1032 Maple Avenue
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
(630) 968-7120 -- FAX (630) 968-4901
Web Site: http://
www.dgfumc.org
e-mail: [email protected]
Counseling Center (630) 968-5592
SUNDAY WORSHIP
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Our Staff
Rev. Deborah L. Fisher, Senior Pastor
Rev. John Smoke, Associate Pastor
Rev. Nick Nicholas, Youth Minister
Rev. Fred H. Conger, Pastor Emeritus
Shannon Fredres & Mary Zajac,Coordinators of Christian
Education
Mimi Brile, RN - Parish Nurse
Music Ministry:
Directors: Diane Hires, Belford Hernandez,
Brenda Bromfield, Rebecca Kriz, Janet Hecht
Organists: Patricia Barnes, Elizabeth Jacot
WE HAVE OPENINGS TO HELP WITH PADS SET UP!
We’ve been enjoying having kids from the Onward Bound and Character Counts
programs help with PADS set up this season. They work with such enthusiasm
and care to get the site set up for our guests.
Currently, we have openings on the dates listed below for helping with set up. Let
me know if you and your family or you and some friends or your scout troop or
school club could come. Helpers don’t have to be from this church and can be
from about 2nd grade on up. We just need at least one adult per session to help supervise.
Call me at 719-9075 or email me (the Church Office has my email address) if
you’d like to work – even if you’ve worked before you are welcome to come
again!
Thanks for your support of this important ministry at First UMC!
All dates are Tuesdays, time is 4:30 – 5:30/:45
Our Vision:
Feb. 24th
April 6th
May 4th
Open Hearts
Open Minds
Open Doors
-6-
March 2nd
April 13th
March 23rd
April 27th
Reaching Up
Reaching Out
Reaching You