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April 10, 2010

Easter is More Than a Day - It's a Way of Life!

What a joy-filled celebration of renewal we had last Sunday. Thanks to all who made this such a memorable morning – the sanctuary was beautifully adorned, the flowers were fragrant, the music was inspirational, the service was uplifting, the energy was healing and fulfilling. Wherever you were last Sunday, please remember that Easter is more than a day ... it is a way of life!

We had quite a crowd of children who enjoyed hunting for eggs after service. Pictures from Easter services will be posted at the church and are available from Vicci Rodgers Keutzer.

The Sunday morning bible study group will not meet this Sunday. It will resume at 8:45 a.m. April 18.
 
READ ON ... THERE IS A LOT OF NEW INFORMATION BELOW

VERY IMPORTANT - Saturday, April 17 – Church Clean-Up Day – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Two three-hour work shifts to do various chores around the building. The trustees are looking for qualified volunteers to lead cleaning teams for the day. If you can’t come in person, perhaps you can make a donation that will help with supplies. Sign up sheets will be available on Sunday or send an email to: coachk1620@yahoo.com. We need your help.

Building Restoration. Following worship on April 11 and April 18, members of the Trustees will be available to answer questions about the work that has been done over the past two years as well as the next steps in the restoration phase. This is a major step in the future of our church. Please take time to make sure you have your questions answered. Kent Keutzer, chairman of the Trustees, invites emails and phone calls but encourages members to take advantage of the Q&A sessions after church. We also will be preparing answers to frequently asked questions that will be available from a member of the Trustees or through the church office. coachk1620@yahoo.com or 773-316-9755 (mobile).

Be prepared for our special Charge Conference Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. in conjunction with the next Church Council meeting. At this time the church membership will vote on the approval of funds for this restoration work.

Among our many prayers: We have received word that Anna Certa isn’t feeling well and will be going to the doctor to see what may be wrong. Betty Dietchek is not yet recovered from her recent fall. Pat Schulz asks for prayers for her friend, George, whose cancer has returned. Please keep all those who have suffered loss or illness, lack of work, heartbreak or other life challenges in your prayers. Also raise up your joys! If you are interested in being part of our Prayer Network, or would like to have them pray for a special person or cause, contact Tina or Wally Felckowski: bwf79@sbcglobal.net

Requesting favorite bible passages and faith messages for our confirmation class members
Last Fall five young people from IPUMC started on their journey through confirmation. On Mother’s Day, May 9th, they will commit themselves to serving Jesus and the church: Ruby, Jackie, Alejandra, Daniela and Abraham. Last year our confirmands had dozens of bookmarks given to them with favorite bible passages and messages to help guide them in the future. If you would like to submit a bookmark, please turn it in to the church office by May 2nd. If you just have a passage you want to send in by email or mail, please send it to Pastor Vickie and she’ll make sure it it included. Guiding these young lives through the confirmation process, along with Pastor Vickie, is our student Pastor Emily Slavicek. May 9th will be Emily’s last Sunday with us, so feel free to make her a bookmark as well. Pre-cut paper is available in the church office if you need it.

April Mission: The United Church of Rogers Park Community Feast – Blue Band
This is part of the Blue Band of our Rainbow Covenant, that encompasses our own Chicago Northwestern District. The Community Feast serves 60 – 100 people a free, nutritious, home-cooked meal every Sunday evening. The Feast, in its 26th year, is run by volunteers from United Church and many other church groups and ecumenical affiliations. It takes volunteers and money to run this mission. Wally and Tina Felckowski will share information about this mission on Sunday, April 25th. Please make your check out to Irving Park United Methodist Church with “Rogers Park Community Feast” on the memo line. As an extension of our April Mission, the United Church of Rogers Park Community Feast, a group from IPUMC will go on Sunday, July 18, to volunteer in the preparation and serving of the evening meal. We will have an opportunity for a "hands-on" experience in supporting this wonderful mission.   

Our own Ruby Keutzer is performing in Animal Farm at Lookingglass Theatre on Michigan Avenue, April 17-18, 24-25 in noon and 1:30 shows on all four days. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. You can contact the theatre box office directly at: 312-337-0665 or by visiting the website: http://lookingglasstheatre.org/content/education/young_ensemble. Please mention Ruby’s name when you place your order as there is a contest for ticket sales. A group from IPUMC is attending April 25th. Additional information will be available at the church.

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Coming up:
Thursday, April 15 – Communication team meets at Vicci Rodgers Keutzer’s home. 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 – John Knutson & Pam Kleinert’s twins, Samantha & Nicolas Knutson baptized during 10 a.m. worship
Wednesday, April 21 – Church Council and Special Charge Conference, 7 p.m. - Fellowship Hall
Friday, April 30 – Sunday, May 2 – Confirmation Retreat, Wesley Woods, Wisc.
Sunday – May 9 – Confirmation Sunday
Sunday – May 9 – Pastor Emily’s last Sunday
Sunday – May 23 – Pentecost Sunday (Youth leading worship at 10 a.m.)
"Creation Care 2010 – Reducing our environmental footprint on Planet Earth" is the theme of workshop April 17 held at Downers Grove First from 8:15-1:00 p.m. Info: barrymiller@sbcglobal.net
April 30 – Church camp registration forms and funds due. Contact Meg Green: mmrgreen@sbcglobal.net for more information. There are flyers and registration forms available at church. This is a fun and faith-filled weekend for all.
Caring for Creation 2010 – Summer Camp June 22 through August 10 @ IPUMC
CHURCH CAMP: June 25 – 27, Wesley Woods, Wisconsin
September 25, Saturday evening. Church Fundraiser. Family friendly program. Details to follow.

Caring for Creation 2010 – Special summer camp for kids grades 3-6 offered by IPUMC!
Tuesdays, June 22 through August 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Created by Tracy Mitchell and Pastor Vickie, this summer program is designed to give children an opportunity to learn more about how to take care of themselves and how to care for the environment/community in which they live. The program will rotate from week-to-week between the two areas of focus. Field trips include: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, Waveland Bowl, New Hope Food Pantry, The Field Museum, Bethany Home. Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. Each field trip will be supplemented with games, movies, cooking and crafts to reinforce the theme of the day. Registration is $75 per participant for the entire summer. Registration deadline is Friday, June 18th. For additional information or to volunteer to help, contact: Tracy Mitchell at tracymitchell228@sbcglobal.net or Pastor Vickie Hadaway at hadvl@comcast.net

Appeal your property taxes at local sites, 4/22 and 4/29
Alderman Allen will be hosting the Cook County Board of Review community outreach meetings for assisting taxpayers with filing their assessment appeals on the following dates. Please bring a copy of your recent property tax bill.  No charge.
Thursday, April 22   6:30-8:00 pm  Merrimac Park  6343 W. Irving Park
Thursday, April 29   6:30-8:00 pm  Irving Park Baptist Church  4401 W. Irving Park

Tours at Belding School for prospective parents, 4/20 & 5/11
School enrollment for the 2010/2011 school year is just around the corner.  If you would like more information, please call the school at 773-534-3590.
For all of you prospective parents, Principal Yutzy has set up the following Belding Elementary Tours: April 20 (Tuesday) at 9:15 a.m. and May 11 (Tuesday) at 9:15 a.m.

Holy Week Clergy Service May 5 at IPUMC
This will be held at our church. All clergy in the Chicago Northwestern District are invited to to a Easter season service on Wednesday, May 5, at 2:00pm at our church. This will be a time for clergy to receive and renew after a busy Lenten season and Holy Week.  
If you would like to help with the fellowship that will follow the service, please contact Pastor Vickie.

Annual Conference is June 13-16 in Saint Charles
The Northern Illinois Annual Conference will meet  in regular session, June 13-16, 2010 at Pheasant Run Resort in Saint Charles.  The theme is Radical
Disciples - Abundant Fruit. More information available at: www.umcnic.org

Posted by vickie at April 10, 2010 08:38 PM