Father’s Day

WHAT IS NEW FOR THIS SUMMER?
First Congregational United Church of Christ will host graduation
Sunday on Sunday June 7th for graduating high school seniors and for collegiate
seniors. If you have not received notification from the church and have
a college or high school graduate please inform us as soon as possible.
In addition, during the summer we will be trying something new in
terms of our worship announcement time. As announcements sometimes go
quite long, and many come up right as worship is beginning, we’d like to try
pre taping our announcements during the summer. The potential advantages
are: we know exactly how much time is needed prior to service for
announcements and so we can be mindful of our worship service time. We
can run all announcements on our website and at the end of our web-stream
so that people can “remember” or if they are running late, they can hear
what was said at anytime by pulling the information up on their computer.
Lastly, first time visitors get a little less chaotic worship time that looks
planned and coordinated.
The potential drawbacks are that perhaps it makes us less personable,
and that the result feels less warm/friendly. Time and testing will
tell. This is something new for all of us. We’d ask that you’d approach the
idea openly with patience and by sharing feedback as we run this trial period
during the summer. *We will always reserve one space for an in church
emergency announcement.
On June 15th and July 15th, much like our Tuesday lunch and dinner
cooperative 10% donations with Tom and Eddies to PADS, the Downers
Grove Sushi House will be giving 15% to Hopes Front Door ministries. Please
come out and have a meal at one of these establishments and support our
ministries in doing so. Members and friends of First Congregational United
Church of Christ collected over $1850.00 in April and May to help Hope’s
Front Door as they recover from their March break in.
Pastor Scott
Father’s Day
Pilgrim
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
in this june edition:
page 2/3
• FCLC Transition
• Search Process to Fill Youth & Young
Adult’s Ministry/Pastor Scott
page 4
• A Blast To The Past/ Ms Jan Barker
page 5
• Summer Drama Workshop/ Ms Jan
Barker
page 6
• Caring For Creation News
page 7
• B & G Updates
page 8
• 150th Anniversary Celebration
• Community Of Young Adults
page 9
• Ladies of the Morning & Evening
• First Congregational Learning Center
• Check Your Blood
• Prayer Concerns
• New Member’s Classes
page 10
• Taize’ Service
• Support PADS/Tom & Eddie’s
• Support Hope’s Front Door/Sushi
House Coupon
page 11
• Two Way Street Coffee House

Page 02
Search process to fulfill youth and young adult
ministry needs:
On May the 10th First Congregational UCC approved a search committee for a new Associate Pastor for
Youth and Young Adults. The search team consists of: Joann Purcell, Gina Rossetti, Jason Boersma, Dick Hill,
April Prescott, Megan Lockett, Jill Aparo, Brett Johnson, and Kyle Hall. The team was approved by cabinet and
the congregation by vote on the 10th of May. Its members represent not only diversity in our church but also
representation from parents, youth group and young adult groups as well.
Currently the search team will be renewing our church profile. Finance and budget chair Matt Newton,
Members of cabinet, and members of personnel discussed our staffing structure and how to best fund the position
in the future. A meeting will be held during the summer for the congregation to reflect our future budget
projections with plans on the full funding of this position both short and long term.
One of the key challenges facing our church today is a historical one… finances. While this has been a
historical battle dating back to records I have found from the 1800’s, it is one we must take on responsibly and
with wisdom. Our finance and budget ministry will be taking a look at our 5 year average of fiscal growth and
use it to establish a timeline of sustained growth to fully fund the new Associate Pastor position.
This is important, and will need to be an item for a special summer congregational meeting. Why you
might ask? Because the transition funding voted on nearly seven years ago to bring in new pastoral staff and to
bring new resources to youth and children’s ministries is almost at an end. At the time the church voted for
$300,000 of endowment monies to be used in a time of church “transition” in our staffing and leadership. Now
less than 1/3 of that $300,000 remains, and a gap of $60,000 (with a full time associate pastor still exists) . In
short, in less than a year and a half those transition funds will be exhausted with the hire of a new Associate
Pastor.
Pastor Scott
The balancing act is and has been since I have arrived: to grow the church at a pace that can not only
move us forward but also be fiscally sustainable. The challenge: A vital youth and children’s ministry are needed
to have a growing church. While many have part time youth workers, most are not dynamic programs and
ministries, but an afterthought and most part time folks last less than a year in the field. A dynamic Associate
will help grow our church, and may bring gifts and talents to our staff that we are yet to have.
Our options: grow the church.
Gather enough new membership to fund the $58,000 gap in
staffing. Option two: cut back on other areas, the church budget is fairly lean as it is. Cuts to any more ministries,
music, or missions will directly impact our week to week ministry and or worship. Three, find new funding
sources, like new fundraisers, new renters to the facility…etc..
It will likely take a combination of all three of these options in some form to get to where we need to go. We
are working on all those scenarios as we look to the future.

Page 03
Search process to fulfill youth and young adult
ministry needs continues:
Pastor Scott
In order to make our budgets meet our ministries, we have also discussed and debated other staffing
models. A part time youth worker, non ordained who would work 10-15 hours a week in a parallel role to what
Jan Barker brings to CE. The short comings are the average life span of such a worker is 6 months thus hurting
consistent leadership with youth. They are often lacking in theological training. And they provide little pastoral
relief for me.
We talked about emulating another popular model, which is combining CE and youth positions, ordained
and non-ordained. While this model would potentially help with our finances and potentially consistency
from ages infant to high school senior, in my experience it is very difficult to find someone truly gifted and
has a drive and passion in working with adolescents and grammar school kids. In addition, it would also have
direct impact on current staff in those positions.
The last model we looked at was hiring a church business administrator to oversee custodial and office
staff and the contractors and use of the church building and asking me to take on the roles of Sr. Pastor and
youth minister. While this model does have its merits, I cannot devote the time or passion I once had in my
calling in youth ministry when I first came out.
In the end, representatives from personnel, cabinet, finance, and myself felt we needed to continue to
try and feed the growth of the church, not pull back, at a time when all signs point to the church truly growing.
I believe that all of us were able to see what a full time Associate could bring to the growth of our
church. We will create a plan with short term benchmarks as to whether we are achieving our goals.
Our hope is for the search committee to find an ideal candidate who is currently non ordained but
working part time and going to school to become ordained part time, who can grow the program as we grow
and take on full time responsibilities as they are able.
During the summer we will hold a church meeting to ask the congregation’s support in staffing for ministry
in the future.
YOUTH NEWS: Our high school and junior high students (15 of them) will be traveling June 14th-20th to
New York City to work with the Quaker based, Youth Service Opportunities Project. On Sunday June 7th we will
be commissioning the youth to the work and service they will encounter. Opportunities to follow the youth
mission trip online, and to pray for youth individually by choosing prayer partners will be made available in the
sanctuary throughout the first weeks of June.
General Synod: Every two years leaders and members of the United Church of Christ from all over the
country, and some international guests, come together to discuss focal points of the wider denomination, to
speak on issues of mission and justice and to worship together. This year’s synod will be held in our national
headquarters in Cleveland OH. I will be attending synod and posting reports for the church early in the month
of July.

A BLAST TO THE PAST
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Vacation Bible School Time is HERE!
Well…. The time has arrived for the 2015 Vacation Bible School. This year our theme is A Blast to the
Past! Pastor Scott and Reverend Kirk (along with a surprise guest) will take a time machine and blast
all of us back to Bible times! We will meet Moses, David and Goliath and other people from the Bible.
We will make awesome arts and crafts, do exciting science projects, learn great songs, play fun outdoor
games in the park, make delicious snacks and make tons of FRIENDS! Children will bring their
own lunches on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. but will be given lunch on Friday! Our VBS goes from 9:00 a.m.
– 2:00 p.m. The dates are: Tues. June 9 th – Friday, June 12 th . The total cost for our VBS is $50.00
per child and $25.00 for siblings. This also includes a VBS t-shirt and lunch on Friday. We also ask
that children who are able to come to our VBS Sunday, June 14 th please attend our service. They will
be singing a couple of our songs for the congregation. VBS camp is the most fun when we have lots and
lots of friends so please extend an invitation to your friends, neighbors, school mates, family members
and anyone you meet! The more the merrier!
The VBS registration form can be found on our website or in the church entrances. Please feel free
to email or call Jan Barker to register or answer any questions for you. Jan Barker =
jbarker@uccdg.org or (630) 968-0358 or (630) 206-4916.
COME HAVE A BLAST AT BLAST TO THE PAST!!!
On May 31 st we will complete our school year Sunday school program. Our Summer
Sunday school program will begin on Sunday, June 7 th . The Kindergarten – 2 nd graders
will have Sunday school in Fellowship Hall on June 7 th and then will have Sunday school
in the Chapel for the rest of the summer. Jan Barker will be the lead teacher for the
K – 2 nd graders this summer. All children in grades 3 rd and up will attend worship service
this summer. Children ages 3 years – 5 years (who will not be attending Kindergarten
in the fall) will have Sunday school in the nursery this summer (room 202).
Sunday, June 14 th is VBS Sunday so all children ages 3 years and up will attend the
worship service.
Due to the Memorial Day weekend, our final Junior Fellowship group was unable to attend
the May outing. We will try to have a make-up outing sometime in the summer.
Please watch for Junior Fellowship e-mails.

SUMMER DRAMA WORKSHOP!
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Looking for another fun activity this summer? Why not join the FCC Summer Drama Workshop!
Have fun with pantomimes, improvisations, skits and a REAL play! Ms. Jan Barker,
drama director, will lead an exciting summer workshop and direct a one-act play to be performed
on the final evening. All proceeds from this workshop will go to fund next year’s
Junior Fellowship group.
This workshop is great for the shy child to gain confidence and gives an outlet for a highenergy
child. Children will learn all of the “tions”, concentration, projection, improvisation,
enunciation, facial expression, memorization and motivation.
DATES:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
July 7 th – July 23 rd
TIMES:
PERFORMANCE:
TUITION:
AGES:
CONTACT:
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, July 23 rd at 7:00 (with a reception to follow)
$75.00 per child ($50.00 for siblings)
For children entering 1 st grade through 6 th grade.
JAN BARKER TO REGISTER!
jbarker@uccdg.org or (630) 968-0358 or (630) 206-4916

Just when you get over the shock of home heating bills, along comes summer and the unwelcome jump
in electric bills from running air conditioners. Below are some tips from SCARCE that can help you
reduce your energy costs all year long while helping to protect the Earth:
1. Attend a Home Energy Efficiency Workshop at our church on Sunday, June 28 at 11 a.m. to be held in the
sanctuary. Carrie Horak, Energy Advisor for SCARCE, will present.
2. If you have a Smart Meter contact SCARCE (630-545-9710) to learn how to use it .(In the next few years,
CommEd plans to install Smart Meters in all homes in Downers Grove and surrounding communities.)
3. Schedule a home energy audit. For more information, contact SCARCE.
4. Unplug appliances when not in use - toasters, Keurigs, coffee pots, printers, etc. They continue to draw
electricity even when not turned on.
5. Block the sun from overheating your home in the summer – close your shades.
6. Let the sun shine in to heat up your home in the winter – open your shades.
7. Use ceiling fans to cool the room in the summer.
8. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to warm your home in the winter.
9. Don’t block your vents when heating or cooling your home.
10. Use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature of your home when you are out.
11. Replace your standard incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs.
12. Dust the coils on the back of your refrigerator. This will help to operate more efficiently and keep costs down.
13. Keep your freezer full. It doesn’t have to work as hard to keep items frozen when it’s full.
14. Wash and dry several loads in a row so that your dryer doesn’t completely cool down between loads.
15. Always wash with cold water – you will save $0.40 per load.
16. Unplug battery chargers (cell phones, tablets, etc.) when the device is fully charged.
17. Wrap your old water heater in insulation to help it work more efficiently.
18. When replacing appliances – look for the EPA Energy Star label.
19. When purchasing a new furnace, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national
minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR® models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE.
20. When looking for a new air conditioner, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current
minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14.5 SEER or more.
End of School Year Crayon Recycling Drive
During June, The Caring for Creation Team will be collecting used crayons—both
whole ones and pieces. The crayons will be recycled by SCARCE in Glen Ellyn.
SCARCE provides underprivileged children with packages of 12 whole used crayons.
(Empty Altoids boxes hold 12 crayons; so if you have any of these boxes, SCARCE
can use them.)
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Reduce energy costs while protecting God’s creation
Broken pieces are sorted into their respective colors and used to create oversized “Super Crayons” for
children with special needs. Collection containers for crayons will be placed at the Curtiss St. and West
doors through the end of June. If you have questions, contact Tom Eisenhart at teisenhart@yahoo.com

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B&G June Update
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HVAC – Comed has reviewed our plans for the upgraded control system and reserved $10,963.75 as a
rebate to the church pending review and approval of final application and equipment installation. Nicor is in
the process of doing same review and expecting around $3,500 in rebates to be reserved. These approvals
had to be obtained before work could begin. We should see installation in levels 1-3-5 starting in June.
Office Renovation-Asbestos remediation began on schedule on May 18. DEM Services worked from 3:30-
11:30 pm to minimize noise and disruption to FCLC. After tiles were removed, cracks were found in the concrete
base in level 4 hallways and main office. These appear to be normal concrete settling/expansion type
situations. No expansion joints were included in the initial construction. It appears these can be filled with
a patching compound but closer inspection is required. In addition, a 4’ x 4’ area in the hallway just outside
the Music Room had been leveled using latex fill material. It was approximately 3/8” thick and all came up
in one piece when tile was removed.
Furniture, carpet and epoxy floor coverings colors/styles have all been selected. Finalizing furniture bids as
this is written. Julie Burke bequeathed $3,200 to help with the cost of the office furniture for the FCLC.
The office relocation went very smoothly on May 8 thanks to efforts from Sean Sheehan and the members
of the Technology committee. All computers, printers and new phones were operational on May 11.
Building Permit was granted on May 20 and demolition and rebuild should begin on June 1st.
Under the leadership of Virginia Hopley, we are submitting a request to The Retirement Research Foundation
Accessible Faith Grant Program in an effort to help underwrite the cost of the ADA baths on level 4. We
are requesting just over $29,000. It is very competitive, but we are hopeful to receive positive news in November.
Projection video system and larger monitor – The current monitor in Fellowship Hall is too small for the
room. It will be moved to the level 2 entrance inside the West doors and be utilized by Evangelism and others
for new member info, announcements, meeting rooms and Sunday school room assignments. In Fellowship
Hall, we will be installing a larger monitor on the East wall along with a ceiling mounted projection video
system. In addition, we will install a donated Blu-Ray player and 4-channel amplifier in the Table and
Chair closet. By connecting this with the existing speakers we will have video and audio in FH. Later this
summer, we will update electric and network connections that will allow connections to laptops and tablets
to facilitate video presentations through the projection system. As our church and ministries expand, we
need more than just the Sanctuary for these type events. All of this will be provided without using any Capital
Campaign funds. This is a joint project involving WASL, Evangelism and others.
Security – A subcommittee has been formed to study, benchmark and recommend improvements to protect
our church and its members and staff. The focus will on exterior doors, enhanced video surveillance
and ADA compliance at West Entrance.

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UCCDG News!
Page 08
THE PILGRIM
150 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The 150 th Anniversary of First Congregational Church will take place in 2016.
You are probably aware that there is a committee, working hard on events and
activities that will take place to celebrate and demonstrate to the community
our commitment to mission and social justice.
You are always welcome to join us at our meetings. Right now, we are meeting
once per month. Check the bulletin or the church calendar for dates and time. We also welcome
any directories, pamphlets, bulletins, pilgrims or specially printed material that you might have
from the past. We are compiling as many documents as we can and scanning them. We are hoping
to be able to upload the documents to the internet in order to share with everyone. If you
have materials, please see or contact Linda Schranz at 630-464-0426 or lsmedia52@gmail.com
Community Of Young Adults
Lake House Weekend
June 12-14 th , all young adults (18-35), that includes all college
students who are home for the summer, are invited to the Ruschke’s
family lake house in Northeast Indiana. That’s right,
we’re going to Amish country to start off the summer. We look forward to boating, bags,
and board games. Megan and Tom excited to host this fun filled and relaxing weekend.
Please RSVP by June 5 th to Megan Lockett (lockett.megan24@gmail.com).
Nashville Mission Trip
All young adults, ages 21-35, are invited to join us on our mission trip to Nashville. We are
still accepting donations of gas and grocery cards for our trip from the Manna table. Any
questions about the trip or to sign up contact Jill Aparo (jillc285@yahoo.com) or Beth Drew
(elizabethcdrew@hotmail.com).
Wednesday 7/15: Drive to Nashville; Thursday 7/16: Second Harvest food bank: We will
be working to sort donated food that will go to food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens.;
Friday 7/17: Nashville Cares which offers HIV prevention education, FREE confidential HIV
tests, and essential support services. We will be working with individuals to help them with
things like household chores and yardwork that they are not able to do themselves.; Saturday
7/18: Bell Garden is a community garden that works with local schools, community
members, and organizations that serve the community. Extra produce is donated to other
organizations in the area who serve those in need.; Sunday 7/19: Return after worship.

Get Connected!
UCCDG News!
Page 09
THE PILGRIM
Ladies of the Morning & Evening
It 's that time of year!
The Annual Progressive Dinner
All women AND MEN are welcome to this event. Invite a
significant other or friend if you like.
Date: Friday, June 5, 2015, Times: 6:30 PM Appetizers -
location to be determined,
7:30 PM Dinner - Jan Hibbeln 1505 Gilbert DG
9:20 PM Dessert - Peggy Gutzke 4916 Stanley DG
If you plan on coming please email or call me.
Peggy Gutzke H-630/971-1382 peggy.gutzke@gmail.com
Second, Because of construction at church we will meet at
Judy Davenport's (4617 Cross St. DG) for Stitch and Chat.
Friday, June 19, from about 9:30-11:30 AM
You don't need to bring anything to stitch, but can just
hang out and chat. When we meet at homes it is nice to
have breakfast. Let me know if you are able to bring
something. For example it could be juice, doughnut
holes, fruit, cheese and crackers, quick bread, muffins,
coffee cake. I will bring steel cut oatmeal and toppings.
This is a very casual gathering. Come if and when you
can, even if for only a few minutes. If you have any questions
contact Peggy Gutzke 630/971-
1382 peggy.gutzke@gmail.com
Check Your Blood Pressure
The first Sunday in each
month, a nurse is waiting
to check your blood pressure
in the church Library. No appointment
is needed-- just show up!
New Member’s Classes!
Been visiting and interested in learning more about
Membership at First Congregational UCC? Our next
round of membership classes will be held on Thursday
June 11th (class one church parlor at
7pm), Sunday, June 14th (class tour at 11am), and
Tuesday June16th (church parlor at 7pm).
Member Sunday will be Sunday June 21st .
Prayer Concerns
Jack Potts-Stroke (recovery)
Edith Larson –recovery after back surgery
New
Margaret Dahle –recovering from eye surgery
Pat Wager, recovering from surgery
Mary Barrett- Knee surgery
First Congregational Learning Center
The FCLC is still jumping with activity. All of the children love to go outside
to take a walk or play at the playground. Plans for the summer are
underway. We have Summer openings for the preschool and the infant/
toddlers rooms. Fall 2015-2016 registration is ongoing. For more information,
contact Sue Larsen at: suelarsen@uccdg.org. Kimberly Choate has been selected as the new FCLC
Director to replace Sue Larsen, who is retiring. Kim will begin on June 1st.

Get Connected!
UCCDG News!
Page 10
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Come Join Our Monthly Taize’ Service
What Is Taize Worship?
Taize as an expression of worship began in Taize France. It
began as an alternative form or worship expression that is set
to reflection, stillness, song, and readings.
SUPPORT PADS
The service is candlelit and contemplative, meant to allow participants
to slow down from the rat race of fast pace life and to
allow the soul to exhale and re-energize.
Our services will be every last Sunday of
the Month @ 7:15pm
Come as you are - casual or formal attire okay.
Sunday, June 28 th

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Our Church Staff
The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Minister………………….pastorscott@uccdg.org
Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation …..casanders3@aol.com
Jim Molina, Minister of Music and Media………………....jimmolina@uccdg.org
Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music…………….mcarin1m@aol.com
Jan Barker, Director of Children’s Ministries…………………jbarker@uccdg.org
Leslie McFarland Administrative Secretary………………..lmcfarland@uccdg.org
Cliff Mazzone, Bookkeeper…………………….………...bookkeeper@uccdg.org
Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor………….…….Carll@uccdg.org
Sue Larsen, Director, First Congregational Learning Center.suelarsen@uccdg.org
Radika Jungwirth, Admin. Asst, First Cong. Learning Center ..radikaj@uccdg.org
Dave Humphreys, Dir, Two Way Street Coffee House....dave@twowaystreet.org
Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist………………………………………..bill@symbolix.com
Len Poter, Director of Broadcasting……………………….lenp@protterpro.com
The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus
Fa t h e r ’s D ay P i l g r i m E d i t i o n
First Congregational UCC * 1047 Curtiss Street * Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: (630) 968.0358
Email: office@uccdg.org Website: www.uccdg.org * Broadcast: www.uccbroadcastministry.org
Other Communications: www.twitter.com/uccdg * www.facebook.com/uccdg
FCC Learning Center: www.facebook.com/fdcdg