January/February, 2015 Christ United Methodist Church

After lifetimes working in emergency rooms, intensive care units, homes, classrooms and clinics of all kinds, three members of the Christ United Methodist Church congregation have become parish nurses. Their services range from checking blood pressure to speaking publicly on health topics to visiting congrega-tion members in inpatient situations to their main pur-pose: building bridges between hospital and home for their fellow worshippers. Suzy Black, Darla Bradle and Debbie Whinnery together bring nearly a century of health care experience to the ministry they’ve created. Pastor Scott Himel, who previ-ously worked as a hospital chap-lain, is their liaison to the church administration. The church needs a greater focus on health, Himel says. “Look back on Methodism and John Wesley, the founder of our faith. John Wesley was known for advising people about their health,” Himel says. “Our parish nursing program is a key way for people with medical expertise to grow in their faith, share their expertise and leverage these gifts in a beautiful expression of hospitality.” Black and Bradle, who both teach as adjunct instructors at the Saint Anthony College of Nursing, heard of the course from their supervisor there. After successfully completing the one-semester course a few years ago, their proposal came during administrative change at CUMC and they pulled back.

Meanwhile, Whinnery was taking an online certification course through Indiana Wesleyan University. “I was interested back in the ’90s, when it first became a popular concept, but I didn’t do anything about it,” says Whinnery, a graduate of Rock Valley College and North-ern Illinois University whose career included stops at Singer Mental Health Center, SwedishAmerican Hospi-tal, Crusader Clinic, various nursing homes and in home-health.

“In 2013, I went back to school to become a parish nurse. It’s concerned with the whole aspect of the person: body, mind and spirit. It’s not just concerned with physical aches.” Black chose parish nursing as her retirement pursuit (although she’s still teaching part time) over the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. “I wasn’t sure I could handle the emotional stuff with the kids, even though I was an ER nurse,”

says the former Rockford Memorial emergency room manager who trained at West Nebraska General Hospital and at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Parish nurs-ing utilizes a lot of the skills I already have, so I feel like I’m helping people and getting to know people in the church better.” The skills utilized do not include things such as dressing wounds, giving shots or even touching the “patients.” Parish nurses can answer general questions, such as those about the seriousness of conditions or how to take

To Your Health by Mark McGowan Parish nurses combine professional knowledge with spiritual caring

Parish Nurse Deb Whinnery checks Kay Cull’s blood pressure on a Sunday morning at Alpine Center

Parish Nurses continued on page 3

The Flame

Page 2

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will make straight your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Comings and goings It is a new year, and we are experiencing many changes in our staff. I wanted to update you on those changes and welcome our new staff members.

Associate Pastor for Our Master’s Center Rev. Min Chea sought out an appointment in the Wis-consin Conference, and she left our church at the end of December. We wish her all the best in her churches in Westfield, WI, where she began January 1. Because of the suddenness and timing of Min’s departure, Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford, our District Superintendent, has appointed a six-month interim to that position. Rev. Lora Zink is known to some of our congregation, as she serves as Sec-retary for the Northern Illinois Conference (at Annual Conference meetings, she can be seen on the dais, sitting alongside our bishop, Rev. Dr. Sally Dyck). Lora served as a psychiatric nurse for many years before becoming a pastor. She retired in 2013 and had already served two other interim pastorates (in Sugar Grove and Minooka) before coming to us on January 1. We are thrilled to have Lora with us.

Office Support Assistant for Finance

Crystal Lake served as our Office Support Assistant for Finance for almost 1-1/2 years. With the arrival of her baby Addison, she knew she needed to find full-time work with benefits. She sadly left us at the end of December, and she now is working for the State of Illinois in down-town Rockford. With Crystal’s departure, Robin Roegner is switching to that position. Robin had started with us as the Office Support Assistant for Membership in June 2014. Robin is working closely with Megan Ab-bott, our Director of Accounting Services, to learn the assistant’s portion of the financial functions of the church. Megan and Robin are also adjusting to new financial soft-ware; we apologize in advance for any glitches along the way.

A Word from the Senior Pastor

Journey with Jane

Office Support Assistant for Membership With Robin Roegner’s shift from Membership to Finance, we had begun to advertise the Office Support Assistant for Membership position. To our joyful sur-prise, Al and LeeAnn Mowbray approached us with an offer too good to refuse. The Mowbrays will job-share the Membership position (they will split the 16 hours be-tween the two of themselves) as volunteers for one year. They have directed Megan Abbott to take the money that would have been spent on the staff position and re-direct it to the Capital Campaign. We receive two highly-dedicated and skilled volunteers AND the Capital Cam-paign will receive their regular donations. We are so grateful for their generosity and their commitment to Christ UMC and its ministries.

Director of Children’s Ministry The Director of Children’s Ministry position is still open, but we have received resumes and have begun interview-ing. Please pray for a new staff member with skills, wis-dom, and love for our children and their families. In the meantime, we are grateful for all the volunteers who are managing the functions of that role: Vicki Persinger overseeing Alpine 9:30 Sunday School, Melissa Sarver-West overseeing Alpine 11:00 Sunday School, Ann Dan-iels coordinating with Pastor Scott for the OMC 9:30 Sunday School, Amy Nickel and Emily Palm overseeing JAM, and Megan Abbott overseeing the Wednesday night family meal. Please thank these volunteers for their excellent service. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is working diligently to find the right person for the posi-tion. God has provided for this congregation’s staff for almost 60 years. We walk ahead, trusting God, and thanking God for so many years of faithful staff members.

Peace,

Jane

Alpine Center (MAILING ADDRESS FOR

BOTH CENTERS): 4509 Highcrest Road Rockford, Il 61107

Phone: 815-399-5910 Office Hours: Monday—Friday

8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Services Blended Worship Services:

8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Celebration Service:

11:00 a.m.

Our Master’s Center 5973 Darlene Drive Rockford, Il 61109

Phone: (815)399-5910

Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Child care is available

Rev. Jane Eesley, Sr. Pastor jeesley@christumc.cc

Rev. Lora Zink, Interim Assoc. Pastor lzink@christumc.cc

Rev. Scott Himel, Assoc. Pastor shimel@christumc.cc

Welcome to Christ United Methodist Church!

Page 3

Christ UMC Mission Statement We will live out God’s vision as we

Gather: introduce people to Jesus Christ, Grow: move from believer to follower, and Go: make a Gospel impact beyond the church

The Flame is a monthly publication of Christ United Methodist Church, available by mail or online at www.christumc.cc. Editor—Linda Kuntz Features Writers—Don Black, Mark McGowan, Beth A. Palm Contributing Photographer— Joe Whinnery Director of Worship Arts and Communications—Jody Warren

various medications, but do not interfere with doctor’s prescriptions. When questions are beyond their scope of responsibility, parish nurses will refer patients to their doctors – although they will not place the call them-selves. “The only tool you take,” Black says, “is your Bible.” “We’re working to keep this as professional as we can make it,” adds Bradle, who danced professionally in New York before returning home to Rockford to enter Rock Valley College and eventually NIU and embark on a 38-year career at Saint Anthony. “We’re careful about legali-ties. We don’t overstep our boundaries.” And, Bradle says, “one of the things we learned in our course was, ‘Start small, start small, start small. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.’ ” CUMC’s parish nurses are conducting blood pressure checks on the second Sunday of the month at the Alpine Center and the third Sunday of the month at the Our Master’s Center. Serving an older clientele so far, they’re hoping younger adults will take advantage of those op-portunities.

Parish Nurses continued from page 1

Meanwhile, the home visits offer chances for prayer and sacred wellness. Some of the “patients” are coping with a type of loneliness that impedes their relation-ships with God. “The No. 1 thing I end up doing is listening. The pa-tients end up talking a lot more than I do,” Whinnery says. “It’s very rewarding. I can do something that helps people spiritually and not just nursing-wise.” More parish nurses are always welcome. Requirements include an RN degree, at least three years of professional practice and the successful com-pletion of a parish nursing course. Call Himel at (815) 399-5910 for more information.

Page 4 Fellowship News; Financial Update

CUMC Senior Fellowship Group

Friday, February 20, at Noon Dining Room, Alpine Center

Come and join this group for those who are age 65 or better for a wonderful homemade lunch and fellowship with your friends. Watch for your postcard for infor-mation about the program. Call the church office at 815-399-5910 to make your reservation by Monday, February 16. Please join us!

Groundhog Day on Feb. 27

Movie night in Alpine coffee house Friday, February 27, 6:15 p.m.

Close out February--and winter--with us at the free movie night on Fri., Feb. 27, in the Sacred Grounds Coffee House. We'll watch the comedy drama Groundhog Day (PG; 1993). We start the night with popcorn and other snacks along with a little conversation before the movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards there's a discussion. We end by 9:30. Bill Murray stars in this movie filmed in nearby Woodstock. Two other actors are Andie Mac-Dowell and Chris Elliott. Roger Ebert wrote a glowing review of Groundhog Day in Jan. 2005 and said he under-rated it in his first review of the film. Maybe you too will see more the second (third? fourth?) time around. If you have questions about movie night, please call Mary Eng-lish, 815 397-4883.

WOWS Widows Or Widowers and Singles

Open to all single women age 65 and over

The WOWS will be attending the play Verdict by Agatha Christie on March 28 at 2:00 pm at Rock Valley Studio Theater. We will lunch at Applebee's on Riverside before, meeting at 11:45 am. Please contact Phyllis Melenas to make your reservation. Reserva-tions need to be made by March 8th. Any questions call Phyllis at 815-633-2288.

Mom’s Connection Plan to join us for Mom’s Connection. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month, 9:30-11:00 am in the Al-pine Coffee House. Moms of all ages are welcome to join us! Every meeting will have coffee, snacks, fellowship and there’s always free childcare. Call or email Megan Abbott with questions at mabbott@christumc.cc or 815-399-5910. Feb 13: Soup Swap! Bring six 1-quart frozen containers of soup and go home with an assortment! Feb 27: Fellowship

2014 Year-end Financial Update The most important message I bring from the fi-nance committee is that of appreciation. Thank you for your gifts of over $1,127,000 to the ministry fund of Christ UMC! Your offerings were used to pay the salaries of our pastors and staff; to pay property ex-penses which include utilities, maintenance, and mort-gage; to pay our apportionments to the conference; and to pay for program expense. Unfortunately, for the first time in several years, 2014 expenses exceeded income. We were not able increase income in December to overcome the expenses due and the year-end deficit in operating budget was approximately $60,000. This shortfall would have been greater had the pre-school not contributed an ex-tra $30,000 above normal $102,000 contribution to cost sharing. Full payment of apportionments is included in this $60,000 shortfall. Following direction from the congregation; the dollars sitting in the saving account ($233,525 that is tied to restricted funds) were not used to fund the shortfall. The check written to Northern Illinois Conference was not mailed to conference but is being held until adequate funds are available in the checking account. This means that we will need to cut expenses or increase income in 2015 to generate the cash needed to fund the $60,000. The finance committee has already taken action towards reducing expenses. We will continue to close-ly monitor spending and take further actions as re-quired throughout the year. This situation under-scores the importance of eliminating debt and $150,000 per year expense of debt service. Please pray for our leaders to make the wise decisions in reducing expens-es and for generous gifts of time and resources to keep our program ministries growing. As always, financial statements are posted at both worship centers. Jolene Unangst

Page 5 A Quick Take; A Fresh Take; Souper Bowl Sunday

A Fresh Take...

The Youth Perspective By Cam Geddes

A Quick Take…

Youth Snapshot By Jenny Thomas,

2014 was an exciting first year for me as Director of Youth Development here at Christ UMC. We have an awesome 2015 planned for the Youth Ministries program. We are heading to Silver Birch Ranch on January 30th for Sr. High SnowCamp. Jr. High Lock-in will be Friday, February 13th. We are having Dinner Thea-ter on Saturday, February 28th. We have begun planning for WorkCamp 2015, being held in Hannibal, Missouri from July 18th-25th. This is just a taste of the activities planned for 2015. As we embark on this New Year, I would like to appeal to the congregation for your prayers, time, gifts, and service in the Youth Ministries program. If you are looking for a short-term or long-term project or time commitment, want to help us cook at Dinner Theater, be a leader at the weekly youth group meetings, or be a crew leader for WorkCamp, we need you! To be a successful youth leader, all you need is a set of ears and a caring heart. Our youth are loving and accepting of people from all backgrounds, ages, and cultures. You don’t have to be a theology expert; you just have to love our youth. And isn’t love what being a Christian is all about? Give me a call at the church office if you would like to get involved!

Witnessing Christ through Daily Lenses

The Lord, our God and our Redeemer, is much closer than we think. Our Savior is very tan-gible and very alive. He is in fellowship with us in every moment of our lives, taking us step by step through the highs and the lows of our walk in faith. He has created the whole world in his image, as Colossians 1:16 states, "For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him" (NRSV). God is a uni-versal deity, and to see Him we must see his uni-verse. We must focus on seeing him through a universal lens, a cosmic and fundamental window, not through simply our eyes or ears alone. Christ can be seen in the face of a happy child playing in the leaves. Christ can be viewed in the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, in the snow falling to cover the broken and torn ground. God is the birthday card sent to a loved one, and the gentle hand that comforts the widow. He is near us in every way. To know others is to know Jesus himself. Jesus came not just for one but for all. So, we must view him as a collective salvation for our lives, not as one man alone. Jesus of Nazareth was the human embodiment, the hu-man form of an eternal Father, willing to give himself for his people. God is seen in the father teaching his son to fish, or the mother sewing a blanket for her daughter. God is the flour in the warm cookies grandparents give to their children, and the pa-tience a teacher shows a child. He is a flower, blos-soming after a harsh winter. He is a spark of bril-liance and light on the outer rims of space. He is the moment of creation, the wind carrying the first kite in China and the first flag on the moon. Christ is the protecting brother, the ozone layer of the world. He is the playful sister, encouraging explo-ration and fellowship. Christ is billions upon billions of individu-al moments and discoveries. God shows himself through his people, his universe, and his scripture. We must in turn, as one body, look back through these frames to witness our Savior, and greet the surprise that He was beside us all along.

"Souper" Bowl Sunday Collection for Food Pantry Sunday, February 1

Our annual "Souper" Bowl Sunday collection of non-perishable food for the Pantry is February 1. Recommen-dations include: canned fruits & vegetables, macaroni & cheese, soup, pasta, rice, canned meat, cereal and peanut butter. Monetary donations can be made by writing a check to CUMC, with "food pantry" noted on the memo line. Before you settle into that comfortable chair to watch the big game, please remember those having a food crisis and help win the battle against hunger. Containers for collection of your donations will be in the narthex.

United Methodist Women Page 6

UMW Circle Schedule The United Methodist Women invite all women of the church to their circle meetings. Visitors are welcome and encouraged! To learn more about each circle, con-tact Carla White-Carpenter at 815-885-3425 Some cir-cles do not meet in the summer.

Out to Lunch Bunch The Out to Lunch Bunch will meet on February 26 - We'll meet at 12:30, at Ciao Bella, 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park. Please bring a donation item for our local shel-ters. Current suggestions/needs are razors, Kleenex pocket packs, full-size toothpaste, shaving cream, small hand sanitizers. For reservations or questions, please contact Nancy Vogel at 815 633-6894 or email nan-cylovespark@aol.com.

Priscilla Circle Priscilla Circle will meet on January 26 at 6:30 pm in the home of Geneve Harris, 7583 Western Gailes Dr. We will have Barbara Seaworth speaking to us about the program at Rock House Kids. We will meet on February 23 at 6:30 pm at the home of Diane Wilson, 5779 Shelford Ln. Mary English will speak about Justice for Our Neighbors, JFON. Questions? Call Deb Laskey at 815-979-8555.

Martha Circle We will meet again on Wednesday. February 11 at 12:30 pm in the Armstrong Lounge, with refreshments prior in Fellowship Hall. Our program will be presented by Audrey Johnson. We will have a shower for MAYA”S House. Please bring any of the following: Lysol spray, AA and AAA batteries, garbage bags, food handling gloves, dishwashing soap, or band-aids. Questions? Please call Wilma 815 877 5381, or Donna 815 877 5381.

Harmony Circle We will meet on February 10 in the Alpine Coffee House at 9:30 a.m. We will study Two Young Women of Courage (Esther-Naaman’s wife). All women of the church are wel-come to join us as each month’s study does not depend on the one prior. If you have any questions, call Jo Hellmich at 815-639-3074.

United Methodist Women News

Rebekah Circle holds baby shower, brunch

Wed., Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m., Egg Harbor Rebekah Circle holds its annual brunch and baby shower around Valentine's Day as an act of love for the mothers and newborns of Rockford who would have very few baby clothes and blankets without help from UMW's collection of layettes in Feb. The event will be at Egg Harbor in Edgebrook Center at 9:30 a.m., Wed. Feb. 11. If you've wondered what Rebekah Circle does, here's a good informal time to enjoy a morning out with us. No reservations needed. Bring newborn siz-es for the babies. See another article in the FLAME that lists items needed in each layette. If you have questions about the brunch or Rebekah Circle, contact Gennie Schultz, 815 877-3405.

Greeting Cards at Alpine Center Cards by the UMW will be for sale on February 8th and the 22nd. We would appreciate additional help in selling cards twice a month. You would only be asked once a year. If you would like to help, please call Margot Kelley at 815 877-1016.

UMW Layette Project During the Month of February

February is the UMW Layette Project month. We will donate layette packages to Crusader Clinic. A basket will be in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday in February. We would appreciate the following dona-tions of new items . NEWBORN size onesies (undershirts) NEWBORN size sleepers or gowns Receiving blankets Crib- size blanket Booties or socks Sweater and cap (or sweater with hood) Bibs Women who knit or crochet – your creative donations are most welcome! Any questions: Marilyn Rothermel 815 332 2494 or Phyllis Melenas 815 633 2288

Page 7 General Church News

Reading for Tuesday book group The Tuesday night book group meets in the Trinity building on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Feel free to join us for one or all of the books we'll read and discuss Feb. through May. Here's the schedule: Feb. 3 to March 17--Prayer: Find-ing the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster; March 24 to April 21--The Way by Adam Hamilton; April 28 to May 26--The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis. To get copies, check the used book shelf at the Sacred Word Bookstore, buy the book on the Internet or at a bookstore, or call Mary English, 815 397-4883, who will or-der a used book for you. Allow three weeks for delivery.

Lenten Book Study Teacher(s)/Facilitator(s): Rotating each week between Pastors Jane, Scott, and Lora Start Date: Wednesday, February 25th Meeting Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM Meeting frequency: Weekly # of sessions: 5 Location: Adult Dining Room Book: Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie J. Thompson Cost of Book: $9.00 Description: Forgiving others and humbly asking for for-giveness are central disciplines for all Christian believers. Lent, a time to reflect on our Christian journey, is an appro-priate time to deepen our understanding and practice of for-giveness. In her book Forgiveness: A Lenten Study, Marjorie J. Thompson, author of the best-selling book Soul Feast, takes a close look at our understanding of forgiveness in this en-couraging study. This book is really something special. Len-ten sermons will also be based on chapters from this book each week.

Walk to Emmaus –

Spring 2015

Men’s Walk Dates: Begins the evening of April 16th, all day the 17th and 18th, and concludes the evening of the 19th Women’s Walk Dates: Begins the evening of April 30th, all day the May 1st and 2nd, and concludes the evening of the 3rd Location: Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Center – Woodstock, IL Description: A 4-night, 3-day educational and spiritual re-treat which will enrich your understanding about what it means to be a Christian, and provide you with sacred opportu-nities to draw closer to God, and those attending the Walk with you. Contact Ed and Phyllis Smerke via phone ((815) 332-2394) or e-mail (e.smerke@comcast.net) for more information.

Fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria at Rockford IceHogs Game

February 7 The Rockford IceHogs and BMO Harris Bank Center would like to welcome the supporters of Im-agine No Malaria to the IceHogs game on February 7 against the Milwaukee Admirals. Tickets are $15 with $5 of every ticket purchased through this fundraiser getting donated to Imagine No Malaria. Tickets must be purchased by calling Nick at 815-847-6386 mentioning “fundraising” or by using the specially prepared fundraising form available from Pastor Doug Williams, pastor of Aldersgate UMC, at pastordoug57@gmail.com. If 750 tickets are sold, that is $3,750 for INM, INM gets a cere-monial puck drop before the game that night.

An Opportunity to Help a Church Member

Andrew Gummow and his mother, Mary, frequently usher together at the 11:00 service. An-drew is a student at Shepherds College and has an opportunity to travel to Jamaica on a mission trip, March 31-April 8, 2015 as part of the Shepherds College Mission Immersion Experience team. He is asking for your prayers for himself and the mem-bers of the team. The other support he needs is financial. The cost of the entire trip is $1,900. If you would like to help with a contribution toward Andrew’s trip, please make checks payable to Shep-herds Ministries and write “Andrew Gummow” on the memo line. Mail to Shepherds College, Attn: Jamaica Mission Trip, 1805-15th Ave., Union Grove, WI 53182. No gift is too small and all are greatly ap-preciated. Payments for the trip are due in Febru-ary and March.

Tough for Tyler: A Fundraiser for a Child Fighting Cancer

Friday, January 23, 7-9 pm at Dance Attitudes, 1212 Plainfield Ave., Janesville Please donate what you can!

Tyler is the son of Alisha Levine, a friend of Megan Abbott and Ben Fisher. Tyler was recently diag-nosed with cancer: a peripheral primitive neu-roectodermal tumor. He has a long fight ahead of him. Please help his family offset some of the costs that will occur. Join us at the event and either work out or just check things out! If you can’t make the event, contact Megan or Ben to make your dona-tion.

Page 8

At the time they were both planning to marry others ... she to an Oklahoman and he to a New Yorker. Don and Suzy married within a year. It must have been the right choice because the couple will be celebrating a 50th anni-versary this year. Suzy was a summer intern at the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle-Beacon before their August marriage. Don had graduat-ed and was reporter-photographer at the Ottawa (Kan.) Herald. During her senior year, she was one of the six all-women editors of the Kansan. Don became city editor at the Coffeyville (Kan.) Journal in 1968 and Suzy was city reporter. It was the first of several moves as they followed his career. Later they switched roles, following Suzy’s career. They learned at Coffeyville, however, that they don’t work well together and to this day avoid being even on the same committees at church. Next Don went to Kingfisher, Okla. There Suzy be-came a nurse’s aide at the local hospital “to see if you really want to do nursing.” Their oldest son was born at that hospital. Don was invited back to Coffeyville as the managing editor. Suzy’s role as stay-at-home Mom became more com-plex when she was appointed as a city commissioner. Having covered the city as a reporter, she had great knowledge about its workings. While later helping the League of Women Voters develop a voting packet, Suzy discovered she lacked sufficient residency to be city com-missioner, so she resigned. When they went to Camarillo, Calif., she stayed home to raise their two sons. After national economics soured, Don got a job at Leavenworth, Kan., as editor. Again Suzy worked part time as a nurse’s aide, to get a feel if that was her career. Don was lured in 1974 to Scottsbluff, Neb. After their daughter was born, Don was at home during the day with the children while Suzy went to nursing school, then he worked evenings while she was at home. Suzy earned her RN diploma at West Nebraska General Hos-pital. Their oldest son, Todd, and his wife live in Chicago with three children. Stacy and her husband live in Mari-etta, Ga., with two daughters. Darrin lives in Macomb. Hopes of becoming a publisher sent Don to Keokuk, Iowa. Suzy worked in the emergency room at Keokuk Area Hospital. “I went in there kicking and screaming,” she said, be-cause she liked working in post-surgery. “But within two months I was hooked.” Later she became the night supervisor. The Keokuk newspaper was sold, so Don

was invited to Macomb as editor. Suzy started in post-surgery at McDonough District Hospital then became an ER nurse before becoming ER director. That change gave her daytime hours, so she’d see more of her children who were in school. Later the Intensive Care Unit also became her responsibility. A switch to manager of the Operating Room area was a surprise. “OR was a whole new ballgame for me,” she said. She started a master’s in health education at Western Illinois University but dropped out when Don began work on his master’s, while teaching at Western. By 1996, she had earned her master’s in nursing at the University of Illinois-Chicago branch in Peoria. They lived at Macomb 18 years. The next year Don retired, so they decided to follow her career. “I wanted to move north ... for the snow ... and focus more on a larger – more urban – emergency department,” She said. She got both in St. Mary’s Mercy Medical Cen-ter at Grand Rapids, Mich., as its ER manager. She came in 2003 to manage Rockford Memorial Hospi-tal’s emergency department. By 2006 she was teaching at Saint Anthony’s College of Nursing on the hospital cam-pus. She retired from full time after seven years as an as-sistant professor, and continues part time as an adjunct professor. At the nursing college she started the local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the nursing honorary society. “I enjoy the clinical part of teaching because I got to take the students back to work with the patients ... and witness many of their eye-opening moments,” she said. She enjoys travel. She’s been to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and Africa twice. Church mission trips were to Zambia and Guatemala. She also went on safari with her aunt to Kenya and Uganda in Africa. “Uganda was the most beautiful, high up in the rain for-est,” she said. At church, Suzy is a parish nurse, in Stephen Ministry, ushers – usually on holidays, tutors at Marsh School, and participated in Faith in Action. She was on the church’s taskforce Crisis Management and the blue dot on her name tag identifies her as a medical volunteer. Two years ago she was the nurse at Blue Lake Arts Camp in Michigan. Her letter to the editor, “The Joy of Camp Nursing,” was published last month in the Journal of Emergency Nursing. She loves to do puzzles and has completed at least 50. Suzy admits that she enjoyed the investigating part of journalism, but not the writing part. But helping people in the hospital instead of with the pen is just fine with her.

Suzy Black, continued from back page

Page 9

Sandra found her church family at Our Master’s Center in 1994 when she was new to town and her husband was traveling often. She saw the church sign advertised Sunday school and knew her young children’s needs would be met as well as her own for adult fellowship. Sandra was born into the Methodist heritage, growing up in a Methodist parsonage in the Northeast Ohio Conference. Her dad was Pastor Lawrence Miller, and he played a significant role in her faith journey. She said at night the family would take turns reading the Bible. She received a Bible on her 8th birthday and admitted at the time she would have rather had a doll! Her dad allowed them to baptize the family pets. When pets died, they conducted funerals where her brother preached the sermons. She said her father would let her come ring the church bell with him. She said of course, as a child you rose up in the air when you rang the bell. Sandra learned that “Jesus was my playmate.” She said, “Jesus has always been a part of me.” When asked what are some experiences that impacted her faith Sandra spoke of some of the challenges she has faced in her life and how the church family supported her through those times. Whether it was when she lost her job, going through her divorce, or going through breast cancer, she felt Jesus was with her. She explained that both during her divorce and her breast cancer the pastor called everyone to let them know what was happening so that the first time she walked into church all Sandra felt was love. In her ill-ness, she was cared for with meals and people taking

Sandra Chhatpar

her to therapy and caring for her daily needs. She knew Je-sus as her constant companion through the care of others. She also explained that going through the difficult times she learned some-thing about prayer. People were telling her that they had passed on her prayer request to others in other states and she realized that hundreds of people were praying for her. Sandra said, “People are afraid of cancer, but cancer was my friend. It taught me to be humble enough to accept help and that has been so freeing.” Sandra currently lives out her faith through singing in the choir and coordinating the liturgists at the Our Master’s Center. She stated, “My friends there are my mentors, my heroes.” She said, “When I look out at the congregation when I am singing, all I see is love.” She also lives out her faith in other ways that remain silent between her and God inspired by the book, The Magnif-icent Obsession by Lloyd Douglas. Former Pastor Sun’s invitation, “To be a blessing to everyone you meet,” inspires Sandra to live out her faith.

By Beth A. Palm

Volunteers work to assemble Thanksgiving baskets on November 24, 2014. Over 100 baskets were given to needy families in our area through community agencies. The baskets contained a full Thanksgiving meal and enough additional groceries to feed the family for a week. (See page 14 of this issue of The Flame for some thank you notes received from recipients.)

I Need Thee Every Hour Annie Sherwood Hawks (1835-1918) Robert Lowry (1826-1899) Refrain

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford. I need Thee, O I need Thee; Ev’ry hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee. I need Thee ev’ry hour, Stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their pow’r When Thou art nigh.

You don’t often think of hymns being written by thirty seven year old home-makers from Brooklyn, but that’s the story of this hymn. Annie Hawks was busy with her household chores when the words came to her. She later wrote, “I was so filled with a sense of nearness to my Mas-ter that, wondering how one could live without Him, in either joy or pain, these words, ‘I need thee every hour’ flashed into my mind. Seating myself by the open window in the balmy air of the bright June day, I caught up my pencil and the words were soon committed to paper.” Hawks reflected, “It was not until years later, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I under-stood something of the comforting power in the words.” God often allows us to learn in the sunshine what we will need to lean on in the darkness.

Taken with permission from The One Year Great Songs of Faith,

Tyndale House Publishers, 1995

Page 10 Getting to Know Hymn; Dinner Theater

I need Thee Ev’ry hour, In joy or pain; Come quickly, and abide, Or life is vain. I need Thee ev’ry hour, Teach me Thy will, And thy rich promises In me fulfill.

Dinner Theater 2015

Saturday, February 28 Dinner and a Show in Alpine Fellowship Hall

Dinner is at 6:00 pm VIP Room at 5:30 Show at 7:15

Tickets cost $5.00 for kids $17 for VIP seating (more expensive but well worth it!)

$12 for regular seating for adults Get your ticket from a high school student on Sundays

To benefit Senior High Workcamp, July 18-25

in Hannibal, MO

Children’s Ministry News

January/February, 2015

Page 11 Children’s Ministry News

Alpine Center Winter Schedule

9:30 a.m. Worship Hour Infants and Toddlers: Nursery All children begin in the Sanctuary and are dis-

missed after Children's Message (except on the first Sunday of the month)

Pre-School(4)-5th Grade—Lower Level Sunday School Room 7.*

11:00 a.m. Worship Hour Infants and Toddlers: Nursery All children begin in Sanctuary and are dismissed

after Children's Message. Pre-School(4)-5th Grade—Lower Level Sunday

School Room 7.

Our Master’s Center Schedule

9:30 a.m. Worship Hour Infants: Nursery Pre-School-Kindergarten: Nursery 1st-6th Grade: Begin in Sanctuary,

dismissed downstairs for Sunday School following the Children’s Message

Every first Sunday of the month* Kindergarten-5th grade children at the 9:30 am Alpine worship center will begin downstairs. We will all come up together to take com-munion and then return to our Sunday School classrooms.

To ensure safety for our children, we ask that you please pick up your child from their Sunday

School room.

Our church is currently searching for a part-time Director of Children’s Ministry. The position is 30 hours per week, and may become fulltime in the future. If you are interested in applying, then please contact Linda Kuntz via e-mail (lindakuntz@christumc.cc) or phone (815/399-5910). During this time of transition, Pastor Scott is leading a team of volunteers in keeping all areas of children’s ministry going. If you are willing to help with Sunday School, JAM, or the nursery, then please contact Pastor Scott via e-mail (shimel@christumc.cc) or phone (815/399-5910).

December was an exciting month for Children’s Ministries! Our church’s children and youth did a fantastic job in the Christmas Cantata, and the chil-dren and youth added a whole new dimension to the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve children’s worship service! A big “thank you!” to all of the children, youth, and their families who participated in this year’s Advent programming. We can still use adult helpers and high schoolers to assist with JAM. Please contact Pastor Scott Himel via email (shimel@christumc.cc) or phone 815-399-5910.

Join us for our Wednesday night children's program from

6:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m. There are games, crafts, Bible stories and

much, much more! Bring a friend and get ready to J.A.M!

February 1 Jane Eesley Peg Francis Barbara French Ken Kortemeier Joslin Mathews Margaret Newell Pat Seuring Doris Weir February 2 Carol Fisher Caitlin Kerr Steve Nesbit David Vang February 3 Kellen Deppe Tony Dzik Larry Hedberg Patrick Lauher February 4 Jennifer Meyer Jim Waddell Patrick Yates Peter Erickson February 5 Jasmine Roby Erin Jagels Deondri Masters February 6 Lauren Deppe Jean Hennis Duncan Randall Tanner Kamholz February 7 Tara Blazer Joe Centeno Roberta Esparza Ryan Ott Seth Reynolds Grace Reynolds Amy Taylor

February 8 Nathan Alms Erin Black Maddie Geddes Marissa Giannangeli Lori Gustafson Jean Kearney Caleb Leaich Chuck Mann Cheryl Martens Ryan Myers Brian Olson February 9 Jenny Aarvig Amy Cosler Debbie Shaefer- Istad Loren Melenas Barbara Wicklund February 10 Lydia Ogilby Julia Paun Kirk Rydberg Scott Sarauer Bob Stuttler Lindsey Vass Nola Wood February 11 Bill Calow Xavier Lundberg Brian Wicklund Mildred Zeller February 12 Alexis Anderson Cody Brechon Bill Cacciatore Julie Davidson Loretta Fry Alex Moore Brian Schroeder Alex Wehmeyer February 13 Bailey Carlson Marion Kern Russ Leopold Pam Miner Kevin Mueller Randy Roberson Grace Schmaling Bill Sweeney

Page 12 Birthdays

February 14 Sophia Bradel Jo Mohrmann Lucy Morlan Robin Sarver Helga Votteler February 15 Georgia Bradley Brittany Erdmier Joyce Gibbons Carol Plum Malia Weedon February 16 Jack Gilbert Dale Ortberg Gerald Smith Jake Stroup Laura Zehrung February 17 Heather Atkinson Karen Huclick February 18 Larry Andersen Olivia Myers Roger Newell Christa Unangst February 19 David Steffen Fred Troyan February 20 Rachel Fox Mark Hedberg Lisa Jewell Carole Miller Carrie Murray February 21 Suzy Black Judy Davison Mary Ann Foster Rose Johnson Alan Palm Andy Schavland Lucy Olmsted Mark Trojniar Joann Turner February 22 Bryan Buck Lon Christensen Gloria Lauher

February 23 Kelly Koppen Alissa Neubauer Matt Ott Diane Russell Daniel Sargent Gabby Schmitt February 24 Sherry Brandon Jeff Kirk Heidi Palm February 25 Darla Bradle Kathy Doulabi Bryn Kiley Darby McGowan Ray Paul Gina Sims Brad Zimmerman February 26 Samantha Crane Alice Fox Hunter Powell Rhonda Yaun February 27 Kaiden Gosch Kari Gale Bill Fry Ryan Hunter Brennan Klein Austin Perez Tom Ogilby Mya Stroup Logan Watts Arrayla Sorg February 28 Grace Cosler Barb Mink Donna Schafman Dennis Sweeney Jim Welte February 29 Noel Nickel Calie Sadewater Doug Wilson March 1 Delores Fenn- Anderson Julie Saez-Gimeno Kelly Wainwright

March 2 Jennifer Martin Emily Palm Scott Schroeder March 3 Scott Cordes Kerry Keller Steve Kentner Doris Lindsay Jill Saul Lynn Wood March 4 Steve Anderson Elaine Johnson Marie McGowan Jim Lindsay

Anniversaries; The Church is People Page 13

February 1 David and Nancy Winker February 2 Jeff and Cheryl Wallem February 7 Bruce Dearborn and Nancy Watson February 9 Bob and Jane Stuttler February 11 Bob and Connie Silletti February 12 Bob and Nancy Johnson February 13 Paul and Molly Klazura February 14 Dean and Amy Kurth Bill and Gina Sims Larry and Marla Wainwright February 17 Tom and Nicky Danielson Wendy and Randy Volz February 21 Carol and Rich Fisher February 23 Les and Helen Englehart Alice and Thomas Moczynski James and Kate Mohan

The Church is People

Births: Congratulations to Aaron and Megan Blick on the birth of their son, Ripley John Vernon. Congratulations to Daniel and Jennifer Harris on the birth of a daughter, Ellie Louise; grand-parents are Kurt and Geneve Harris

Sympathy to: Beth Hajek and family on the death of her hus-band, Dr. Don Hajek Craig and Laura Barkley and family on the death of Craig’s grandfather, Lloyd Larson Terry and Gretchen Poffinbarger on the death of Terry’s aunt, Wilma Fran Schaible on the death of her father Joyce Lantz, Kris and Duncan Geddes, and family on the death of husband and father, Chuck Lantz The family of Betty Blake Melissa Sarver-West and Mark West on the death of Melissa’s aunt, Linda Sarver Doug and Nancy Otwell on the death of Doug’s mother, Verna Otwell Doug and Amy Leaich and family on the death of Amy’s brother, William Cooper Doug, Diane, and Elena Wilson on the death of Diane’s mother

Page 14 Thank You Notes

From Kathy Williams I wish to thank everyone for all my get well cards, gifts, the thoughts and prayers during my heart surgery and recovery. And also a thank you to Don and Suzy Black who delivered the poinsettia that was given by the Jerry Spong Memorial, along with a prayer book-let. It's a beautiful plant to cheer me up during the cold days of winter. Thanks also to Pastor Min and Pastor Scott and others who visited me during my hospital stay. I'd also like to give a gold star to my sister, Diane Kirkland, as I have been staying with her for the past two months while I recovered. God bless everyone as we go our daily ways.

From City of Rockford Head Start On behalf of our families that received Thanksgiv-ing food baskets, Rockford Head Start wants to say thank you. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and be-nevolence to continue to include Head Start families in your community outreach campaign. It goes without saying that the food baskets were a blessing to the chil-dren and families that received them. Your volunteers were very helpful to staff on the day the food baskets were distributed. Again, thank you for thinking of us. Your act of kindness goes a long way to show what a sharing community looks like.

From Al and LeeAnn Mowbray We would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers who helped with the Thanksgiving baskets ministry by sup-plying time, talents, and/or contributions This is cer-tainly a team effort and everyone who helped was greatly appreciated. Hope to see you again in 2015!

Thanks For The Response! The clothing that was donated in September for Christ the Carpenter Church was much appreciated by Pastor Putney. It was placed in the their food pantry as part of their outreach to that community. Many warm articles were received.

From Diane Wilson Thanks to the congregation and pastors for your pray-ers, cards and expressions of care and sympathy during the illness and after the passing of my mom, Audrey Weiss, on December 4.

During 2014, adults from CUMC served over 2,500 meals at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Soup Kitch-en. The Outreach team wishes to thank all of the following who helped provide meals to those in need:

Rhonda and Griff Allen, Susan Clark, Carol Fleming, Mary Gummow family and Monday Night Book Club, Mark and Nancy Halverson, Jack and Barb Hansen family, Chris and Kim Jacobsen family, Renee Johnson, Jeff Kearney, Ruth Kolar, Phyllis Melenas, Al and LeeAnn Mowbray, Melissa Pratt and team Beef a Roo, Randy and Sue Roberson, Gail and Marilyn Rothermel, Jeannine Ruefer, Scott Sanders and Troop 425, Sue Sarauer and Sarah Circle, Kim Schmitt team, Richard and Judy Schultz, Richard and Darcy Schultz family, Sharon Snyder, Mark and Julie Trojniar, Jolene Unangst and Our Master's team, Patti Walker, Karen Weedman family, Michael and Darcy Wilson family. Christ UMC serves meals the second Sunday of each month.

From Kaye Dinsmore Thanks to everyone who sent cards, prayers and came to visit while I was at St. Anne’s. Thank you too for the beautiful poinsettia I received. Special thanks to Pastor Scott and Rickie Andersen for their many visits.

Excerpt from a letter received from Mary Bawin-kel and the Staff of the Regional Attendance Co-operative

It is with heartfelt thanks we express our apprecia-tion for the wonderful Thanksgiving Baskets to the chil-dren and families we serve in the Regional Attendance Cooperative. The bountiful Thanksgiving baskets were gratefully received. To share a story on one of the families I designated to receive one of your baskets: Dad is in jail. Mom, first grader, 3 year old, and a 6 week old baby were just evict-ed from their home and are homeless. Mom just returned to her full time job following maternity leave. Grandma took them into her home and suffered a stroke a week ago. When no one was home for me to deliver the basket, I spoke to the first grader at school. This little boy has shouldered a lot of responsibility at home. He was elated I had a Thanksgiving Basket to deliver to his family. When talking with him about his Mom’s work schedule and when she would be home, he insisted he could take the food himself and put it in his backpack. I kiddingly said it would be hard to stuff the turkey in his backpack. He seriously insisted he would make it fit. I then ex-plained the food basket was 3 boxes of food and described what was in the boxes. The intensity of his concern at delivery of this Thanksgiving basket was heart wrench-ing. I promised him the basket would be delivered to his family and encouraged him to spend the rest of the school day focusing on being a first grader. What a reminder of that which we take for granted and the heavy burdens people (and sadly, children) bear.

Page 15 Preschool News; UMW Annual Report

Happy New Year! We’ve been very busy at CUMC Preschool. We have hosted a Thanksgiving Feast for our families, we had 150 people come and share a meal with their children. We hosted our 2nd annual Polar Express night for the children and their families. They were able to come in their pajamas and watch the Polar Express, drink hot chocolate and make a snowman snack upstairs at the church. They then were able to go downstairs and have a picture with Santa, make some reindeer food, a reindeer hat, jingle bell bracelet and a Christmas tree ornament. We had a tremendous turnout and the children could not stop talking about it. We ended our holiday season by making Gin-gerbread houses with the children and families. We are now in the process of registering children for the 2015 summer and 2015-16 school year. Registration is

currently open to the families at the preschool and will open to the public Monday, January 26, 2015. We will have

information on the CUMC website and on our Facebook page. If you are interested in registering your child(ren)

please call 815-398-1458 for more information.

United Methodist Women 2014 Year End Report MISSION is the focus of UMW- women organized for mission whether locally or outside our immediate area. Our local unit raised, with your help, $21,046 for missions in 2014. This is a decrease of $468 from the previous year. Our unit maintained our giving to the Rockford District of the Women’s Division. We gave $7595 to District. Our primary source of funds are from the pledges, TLC, the quilters, the wedding guild, the funeral recep-tions, and the recycled card project. The organizations that received our year end disbursement of mission dollars follows. Centennial Kids Club $1,046 CUMC Workcamp 1,569 Carpenter’s Place 1,639 McCurdy School 523 Rock House Kids 1,046 Rockford Rescue Mission 523 29 hats/scarves, 21 pairs of gloves/mittens, and 14 pkgs of diapers were collected for Christ the Carpenter Church. Also a monetary collection of $121 was forwarded to them. 47 layettes were donated to Crusader Clinic for distribution to their clients. Through the delicious efforts of all the bakers and other contributors, we have continued our support of the Emmanuel Soup Kitchen, Good Samaritan fund and Rosecrance. Through our love offerings at our social events and our circle meetings throughout the year we have supported CASA, Project Undershare, Shelter Care Ministries/Maya’s House, Rock River Pantry and the Rockford Public School Career program.

Publication Schedule of The Flame for 2015

Issue Deadline Date Stuffing/Mail Date

January/February January 15 January 21

March February 19 February 25

April March 19 March 25

May April 23 April 29

June May 21 Thursday, May 28

July June 18 June 24

August July 23 July 29

September August 20 August 26

October September 24 September 30

November October 22 October 28

December November 19 November 25

Committee Members, 2015

Following is a list of the members of the key committees of Christ United Methodist Church for 2015.

If you have questions or need information about these

committees, please contact the committee chair.

Leadership Team Paul Carpenter, Chair Pastor Jane Eesley Melinda Hagerman Morry Harms Pastor Scott Himel Jeff Holmertz Kathy Moore John Noonan Diane Robinson Judy Schultz Jim Seigfreid Ed Smerke Amy Taylor Ty Unangst Ken Walker Carla-White Carpenter- Secretary Diane Wilson

Finance Committee

Jeff Holmertz, Chair Jolene Unangst, Vice Chair Megan Abbott Scott Arthur Paul Carpenter Donna Copeland Bruce Dearborn Pastor Jane Eesley Melinda Hagerman Pastor Scott Himel Mike Moser Carol Parker Ed Rounds-Treasurer Richard Schultz - Assistant Treasurer Dennis Sweeney Ty Unangst Sue Van Grove

Staff Parish Relations Committee

Melinda Hagerman, Chair Sherri Crawford, Vice Chair Gail Brady Kay Cull Pastor Jane Eesley George English Darrin Erickson Pastor Scott Himel Barb Kaiser Diane Kirkland Tom Laughlin Al Mowbray Ty Unangst

Trustees Jim Seigfreid, Chair Pastor Jane Eesley Rich Fisher Carol Fleming Jacki Gommel Jack Hansen Gary Kaufman Sam Parkinson Ted Plum Erik Stram Earl Williams Mitzi Williams

Photos of some Christmas Events at CUMC, 2014

The new Joyful Noise Choir for children and youth sang at the

December 14 musical cantata at Alpine Center, New Life…

New Hope...New Joy

Hanging of the Greens at Our Master’s Center On November 30

The CUMC Youth Puppet Team at the December 14 cantata

On December 28, children

were invited to wear their pajamas to church and bring their favorite toy

for the blessing of the toys

Christ United Methodist Church 4509 Highcrest Road

Rockford, Il 61107

Address Service Requested

Next Flame Deadline: February 19

Non-Profit Org. U.S Postage

PAID Permit #3336

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Articles may be e-mailed to lindakuntz@christumc.cc or mailed/brought to the church office by the deadline date.

Getting to Know You: Suzy Black by Don Black

Check out our website:

www.christumc.cc

Suzy Black as a teen-ager didn’t want to be a nurse like her mother. “Her community health nursing didn’t inter-est me at all,” said the former Emergency Department manager at Rockford Memorial Hospital, who’s now a parish nurse at Christ United Methodist Church. Raised in Omaha, Neb., her folks waited until after the Great Depression to have children, so Suzy was an only child. Her father was an accountant. She developed a pseudo-sister for a lifetime in a class-mate. A highlight of their relationship was being “cabin maids” at a dude ranch a couple of summers after high school near Grand Lake, Colo. The spunky pair took on the cowboys with one practical joke after another ... like putting manure near the furnace in the guys’ bunkhouse one night. When Suzy’s mother talked about her days of being a private duty nurse for Tim Murphy, then head of the Chi-cago Catholic mafia, nursing sounded more interesting. Her mother took care of Murphy’s daughter, not far from where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurred in 1929. Murphy was killed not long after her mother left the job. Reading about the mafia as an adult got Suzy into learn-ing more about him and the era. It might also have spawned her interest in murder mystery novels. One of

(continued on page 8)

her favorite authors is James Patterson. Journalism was more attrac-tive to Suzy and that’s when she changed her name from Susan Tichacek to Suzy – because her real name wouldn’t fit as a col-umn byline. She was a reporter and later editor of her high school weekly newspaper, the “Westside Lance”. Before attending a three-week journalism camp at the Univer-sity of Nebraska after her junior year, she planned to attend the famed University of Mis-souri journalism school. A teacher at camp said Mizzou was over-rated and suggested she go to the University of Kansas, which had a good J-school. “I didn’t even know if it was the University of Kansas or Kansas State University, when someone asked me,” she recalled. “I just said it was the one at Lawrence.” As a sophomore she was a reporter for the University Daily Kansan, and Don Black was an assistant managing editor.