February 3, 2014 Christ United Methodist Church

The Flame

Since Pastor Jane’s arrival in 2011, members of the Christ UMC Leadership Team have focused almost ex-clusively on one task: getting the church’s financial house in order. Memorial and restricted funds that had become depleted are ei-ther fully or nearly restored. The church re-ceived a gener-ous donation that enabled it to pay off the mortgages on all the Coman-che properties and to demolish most of the houses to create green space. A capital cam-paign in 2012 raised money for siding on the Alpine Center sanctuary, a new boiler, and a down payment on the senior pastor’s parsonage. “The ship is upright,” co-chair Ty Unangst said, “and sailing.” And so, with a firm foundation re-established, the team’s attention turns to “visioning” for a future amid choppy waters. It’s critical work as congregations gray. “I look at the number of kids in Sunday School. When we had kids in Sunday School, I’m going to guess we had three times that many,” says Paul Carpen-ter, the team’s other co-chair. “How do we reach out to young families?” Viability also depends on the “GO” component of the Christ UMC mission statement: “to make a Gospel im-pact in and beyond the local church.” “We want to try to make a difference in the lives of the 35 to 40 percent of the population that is, for lack of a better word, un-churched,” Unangst says. “What can

Behind the Scenes at Christ UMC

Righting the ship, setting a course: Leadership Team works to ensure Christ UMC’s future by Mark McGowan

we do to make a difference in their lives, and in Rockford as a whole? We’ve got to do something.” Members of the team, who meet monthly with the pas-tors, gathered Jan. 11 in the coffeehouse for a four-hour

retreat to begin plotting the next five years. Ques-tions on the table: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where do want to be in five years? How do we get there? The retreat also included a “SWOT” analysis to identify strengths, weak-

nesses, opportunities, and threats. One initiative—the tutoring program at Marsh Ele-mentary School, where about half of the children come from Spanish-speaking homes—is an opportunity based on the strength of the congregation. Alpine Center member Pam Miner, a fifth-grade teacher at Marsh, is the link. (See Inspired Faith, p. 9.) “It’s easy to see what the fastest-growing demographic is in Rockford: Hispanic,” Unangst says. “What do we do to reach out to them? The Marsh Elementary School tu-toring is part of that.” Meanwhile, protecting the church’s future will create more opportunities. Unangst points to Thanksgiving baskets and other missionary works, many of which are self-supported through “off-budget” donations. “It would be nice to budg-et for that and for some new ministries,” he said. “We ask ourselves, ‘How do we support that and do it right?’ ” “What I’m looking forward to,” Carpenter said, “is de-veloping a five-year strategic plan that the congregation has input in and gets passionate about.”

Leadership Team members meet monthly with the pastors. Pictured left to right are Pastor Scott Himel, Paul Carpenter, Earl Williams, Carla White-Carpenter, Ty Unangst, Pastor Min Chea, Pastor Jane Eesley, Mary Ann Foster, Ed Smerke, Amy Taylor, Ken Walker, and John Noonan. Not pictured: Melinda Hagerman, Morry Harms, Jeff Holmertz, Diane Robinson, and Rachel Schrank.

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How do we worship? “I was glad when they said to me, ’Let us go to the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1).

Every church has its own culture of worship—how peo-ple dress for worship, how much they stand or sit (or kneel, in some churches), how they participate in singing and in prayers. Those of us who have worshiped in sev-eral churches may have found ourselves surprised by dif-ferent practices; for example, if we grew up passing the communion elements in a tray through the pews, it may have been startling the first time we were asked to go forward and receive the elements by intinction (receiving a piece of bread and dipping it in the cup). The Commu-nications Team has asked me to write about our worship practices at Christ UMC, and here is my somewhat hesi-tant attempt.

I describe my attempt as “hesitant,” because worship practices touch us deeply. People have strong feelings about how they experience God, and being told that something is “right” or “wrong” may not be very helpful. The longer I worship with others, the more convinced I am that categories of right and wrong don’t really make sense. What is more helpful is to think about the mean-ing behind our practices.

I’ve been asked to write about two parts of worship that can be controversial: the prelude and the practice of clap-ping. First, the prelude. The prelude is usually (but not always) a quieter piece of music, intended to help us enter a spirit of worship. Musicians often have put a lot of time into preparing the prelude music, to enhance our experi-ence of worship.

The challenge with the prelude is that the time when we are quieting our hearts for worship is also the time when some of us are re-connecting after a week apart. There is a sense of fellowship and excitement as we catch up with one another. Because there aren’t many seats in our Fel-lowship Hall area, it’s understandable that people come into the Sanctuary and sit down to catch up with one an-other.

A Word from the Senior Pastor

Journey with Jane

How can we solve the dilemma—the need to fellowship vs. the need to still our hearts? My recommendation would be to do some of our catching up outside the Sanc-tuary or to whisper as we catch up inside the Sanctuary. That way, we can re-connect and we can also allow oth-ers their space to center their hearts. Both needs can be met at the same time, if we practice some consideration.

The second issue is a bit trickier—the issue of clapping for music. We have an amazing array of music at Christ UMC, with vocal choirs, handbell choirs, praise team, and soloists or ensembles. We have four worship services every Sunday, with services at 8, 9:30, and 11 at Alpine Center; and at 9:30 at Our Master’s Center. We are grateful for the excellence of our music, and we want to express that gratitude.

Many of us express our gratitude by clapping. We are grateful for the hard work of those who prepared the piece of music for us, and clapping is a way of expressing that gratitude. Others of us clap not so much to thank the singers/instrumentalists as to thank God for the beauty of the musical gift. Others of us clap because it’s how we participate in the offering—we’re not just sitting there like bumps on a log.

Others of us see the issue quite differently. In this group are people who were taught that the anthem and offering music are part of the service—just as the call to worship, prayers, scripture reading, and sermon are part of the worship. As each part of worship is an offering to God, it would be odd to clap for any of them. For some of this group, clapping is actually demeaning to the musicians, because it implies that they were performing, rather than offering their gifts to God like all the other worship lead-ers. Others experience the worship service like a sym-phony with many movements; just as you don’t clap be-tween the movements of a symphony, you don’t clap for individual portions of the worship service.

On top of all these cultural and theological factors are the factors of personality—those of us who are more extro-verted are more likely to clap as a means of participation;

(Continued on page 3)

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. Min Chea,. Assoc. Pastor mchea@christumc.cc

Rev. Scott Himel, Assoc. Pastor

shimel@christumc.cc

Welcome to Christ United Methodist Church!

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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 Editor—Amy Nickel Features Writers—Don Black, Mark McGowan Contributing Photographer— Joe Whinnery Director of Worship Arts and Communications—Jody Warren

Upcoming Events February 21—Family Game Night—6:00-8:30 pm, Our Master’s Center March 5—Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30 pm, Alpine Sanctuary March 21—Family Movie Night, 6:00 pm, Our Master’s Center April 5—Dinner Theatre, Alpine Fellowship Hall April 13—Palm Sunday—all services April 17—Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 pm, Alpine Sanctuary April 18—Good Friday—Services at noon and 7:00 pm at Alpine Sanctuary April 19—Easter Egg Hunt—10:30 am, Our Master’s Center April 20—Easter May 14—UMW Salad Luncheon, Alpine Center

those of us who are more introverted are more likely to want silence as a way of soaking in the music.

So, what’s right, clapping or not clapping? I would encourage you to worship as you feel led. If clapping is how you express gratitude and participate in wor-ship, do it. If not clapping draws you closer to God, don’t clap. If you want to participate but you prefer not to clap, saying “Amen” at the end of the piece of music is perfectly appropriate. What’s most important is that we respect one another’s choices, as we recog-nize that there are myriad ways to worship God.

I love the diversity of our congregation—a diversity of backgrounds, politics, and theology. Let’s love one another more deeply as we worship God, by honoring our differences and keeping our focus on God.

Peace,

Jane

(Journey with Jane continued from page 2)

Page 4 Fellowship News

CUMC Senior Fellowship Group Friday, February 21 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. After lunch our friends at Lifescape will do a program on medication safety. Bring any ques-tions you may have. Call the church office at 815-399-5910 to make your reservation by Monday, February 17. Please join us!

WOWS Widows Or Widowers and Singles

In February: The WOWS will be going to lunch at Nunzio’s on North Second Street on February 12 at 12:30. Please bring a valentine for an exchange and a travel size deodorant to donate. Please let Phyllis Melenas (815-633-2288) know if you plan to attend so reservations can be made or if you have any questions. In March: The WOWS March luncheon will be at the Hoffman House restaurant at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, March 19. Please call Emily Dilonardo, 815-874-2149 with your reservation or questions before March 15.

Are you looking to connect with other moms?

CUMC Mom Connection is a group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday mornings every month from 9:30—11:00 a.m. We have different speakers, craft or cooking ideas and snacks. Childcare is provided. Please contact either Megan Abbott at mabbott@christumc.cc or Alicia Arthur at 815-332-7868 or akarthur@comcast.net if you have questions. Our February meetings: February 14: Talking about the book “Love Dare” in honor of Valentine’s Day. No need to read the book in advance. February 28: Fellowship and conversation

Friday Movie night on Feb. 28 Chocolat

The Feb. movie is Chocolat (2000; PG-13), a good one for the month of chocolate hearts and also because the story takes place during Lent, which begins this year soon after movie night. A young woman arrives in a staid French town and opens a chocolate shop. What follows is conflict--between paganism and Christianity, individuals, points of view. Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp are among the stars. Join us in the Sa-cred Grounds Coffee House at Alpine Center (south end of the main building) on Fri., Feb. 28, at 6:15 p.m., to fill your popcorn bowls. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m. with discussion after. We wrap up by 9:30. Food and movie are free. If you want free child care in the church nursery, please make your reservations with the church office by one week before the movie, 815 399-5910.

Scrapbooking/Stamping is scheduled Saturday, February15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the

Alpine Dining Room Stay for all day or just a half day - whatever fits your schedule. Not everyone in our group scrapbooks. Some are stamping so join us for a fun day of crafting! Child-care will be provided from 9 a.m. to noon only, but you must request it. If children will be joining us, it's re-quested they be at least middle school age. Please bring money for a sandwich plus a snack to share and your own beverage. RSVP to Mary Hicks at 815-742-1136 by Wednes-day, February 12th if you need childcare.

Foster Care and Adoption Group Sunday, February 16, 3:00-5:00 pm in the Alpine Center Coffee House

Use Door #5 on the south side of the building

Fellowship and support for adults; Free child care and fun activities for the children

There will be a speaker: Patti Lawrence, program super-visor at Children’s Home and Aid. We will have time for questions and answers. Call Pastor Min Chea at 815-399-5910 for more information.

Page 5 General Church News

Rainbow Covenant Coins in February

Rainbow Covenant coin offering in February goes to Grace Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Clinic in Haiti.

Located in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Over the past 40 years, millions of people suffer-ing from TB, HIV/AIDS, and chronic illness have re-ceived care from in-patient, out-patient, and community health services.

Assists with earthquake relief by being a central food and water distribution source.

Church World Service Blankets + Program

On February 9th a special offering will be taken for Church World Service Blankets + Program

Cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations.

Responds to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, and shelter the homeless.

Provides sustainable self-help and development. blankets tents other shelter items seedlings water pumps basic farm implements sewing machines training

Disaster relief

Refugee assistance

Revival: To Revitalize To Fill Back With Life

Rev. Adam Hamilton preached six sermons on “Revival” and has a new book coming out this spring on the topic. These will be used in a class starting this fall. It is the story of John Wesley, the developer of Meth-odism, and how it pertains to our daily lives. An article for the following several months will be in the Flame discussing some of the major themes. The December Flame had the first article. It is not too late to make some resolutions for 2014. May I suggest the following? Most of us have children and grandchildren and some of us may have great grandchildren. What can I do to influence their rela-tionships with God and to improve it? Some of us may call that a revival which is to revitalize, to fill back with life. The first is that revival happens in the hearts of people who are humble in Spirit and they do not think that they have every thing figured out and who are willing to listen to people and love them. The second is to remind you that revival happens when parents and grandparents pray for their chil-dren and intentionally invest in their faith. We all need to be the kind of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles which are intentionally shaping the faith of children that they might be revived in their love of God. The third is revival happens and we do not give up, so do not give up.

(Three points from Rev. Adam Hamilton

sermon on Revival. 8/2013)

Daily Devotionals Available Bookstore in Fellowship Hall, Alpine Center

The book store in Fellowship Hall at Alpine Center has several really good daily devotionals available as this new year is beginning. They aren’t dated, but put together topically, and are wonderful tools to use on our individual spiritual journeys. Lots of other good titles/topics are, as always, available at discounted prices. Stop by on Sundays between services and browse.

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, Contact Carla White-Carpenter at 815-885-3425 Out to Lunch Bunch:

Thursday, February 27, 12:30 p.m. At Imperial Palace, 3415 East State Street

For reservations please call Rickie Andersen at 815-885-4373 or email r.andersen@comcast.net. For donations please bring toothpaste and toothbrush. Priscilla Circle: Priscilla Circle will meet February 24, 6:30, in the home of Barb Hansen, 1134 Brook Hill Cl. We will be cutting fleece to make layette blankets for Crusader Clinic. Bring your scis-sors. The pledge service will be our devotions. Questions ?Call Deb Laskey 815-979-8555. Priscilla Circle will meet March 24, 6:30, in the home of Diane Wilson, 5779 Shelford Ln. Dola Gregory, director of Rock House Kids will be our speaker. Visitors are welcome. Questions? Call Deb Laskey 815-979-8555. Martha Circle: Martha Circle will meet on Wednesday, February 12 at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for refreshments, and then into the Armstrong Lounge for our meeting. We are pleased that Pas-tor Scott Himel will be our guest. We shall also hold our an-nual pledge service, led by Betty Fisher. Please plan to come and bring a friend! Questions? Call Wilma 815- 877- 3465, or Donna 815- 715- 8249 Harmony Circle: February meeting will be held at the Alpine Coffee House on Tuesday, February 11 at 9:30 and we will be studying about Leah & Rachel--Genesis 25:19-28. March meeting will be held at the home of Jo Hellmich on Tuesday, March 11 at 9:30 and we will be studying about Miriam--Exodus 2:1-10 and Numbers 12:1-6. All are invited to join if you want to learn something about these Biblical women. Call Jo Hellmich if you have any questions at 815-639-3074.

United Methodist Women News

Baby shower and brunch Rebekah Circle, February 12

Rebekah Circle will celebrate Valentine's Day at 9:30 a.m., Wed., Feb. 12, with a brunch and baby shower at Egg Harbor in Edgebrook (next to Ace). The baby shower is for United Methodist Women's layette month. Look for the separate arti-cle in this Flame about items needed. Sizes are new-born. The baby things brought will go to Crusader Community Health for the new babies born to their clients. Come for a meal or just coffee; we each buy our own. Questions? Call Gennie Schultz, 815 877-3405, or Mary English, 815 397-4883. New mem-bers and visitors are always welcomed.

Tour Shelter Care and hear about programs February 19 with Caravan Circle

In Feb. Caravan Circle will visit the Episcopal church downtown and learn about their Shelter Care ministries for the homeless and others. Women who would like to carpool can meet at either the Our Master's Center or Alpine Center at 9:30 a.m., Wed., Feb. 19. Parking at the Episcopal church, 412 N. Church, is ample; the parking entrance is actually around the corner on Court St. The pro-gram begins at 10:00. Afterwards we'll go to Resto-ration Cafe on W. State for refreshments. A love offering will be taken for supplies for Shelter Care's new art therapy program. Please join us! If you want more information about this meeting or Caravan Circle, call Judi Thorn. 815 398-4261, or Mary English, 815 397-4883

Page 7 United Methodist Women News

Layette Project Love month, February, is our time to collect items for lay-ettes for newborns. Last year we were able to donate 40 packages for needy mothers who receive medical assistance from Crusader Clinic. We hope to match or exceed that number this year. Each layette includes 1 crib size blan-ket,, 2 receiving blankets, 2 sleepers, 2 undershirts or Onesies, 2 bibs, 1 sweater, 1 bonnet, and 2 pairs of booties. Monetary gifts are also helpful. A basket will be in Fellowship Hall on Sundays in February to receive your contributions.

UMW Greeting Cards at Alpine Center

Greeting cards created by women of the church will be on sale on February 9 and 23. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month for a time of crea-tivity and fellowship. If you would like to join us, please call Margot Kelley at 815-877-1016.

Mission is the focus of UMW - women organized for mission. United Methodist Women members are called to be in mission through ministries with wom-en, children, and youth. Our local unit raised, with the help of our congregation, $21,514.08 for these ministries in 2013. This was an increase from the previous year of $686. Our unit should be confident that we have main-tained our giving to the Rockford District of the Women's Division. We were able to give $7,716 to support their budget and mission giving (formerly known as undesignated). We have continued our con-tribution to the Preschool and Youth Work camp are-as. We also continue donations of 40 layettes for use by clients of Crusader Clinic. Our primary source of funds are from the member pledges, the TLC, the cre-ative quilters, the wedding guild, the funeral recep-tions and the recycled card project. The local organizations who received our year end distribution mission dollars are listed below. Centennial Kids Club $908.52 CUMC Youth Work Camp 998.28 Carpenters Place 332.76 Love INC 332.76 Northern Illinois Hospice 665.52 Rock House Kids 332.76 Rockford New Hope 332.76 Midwest Mission Dist. Ctr. 250.00 MAYA'S House 332.76

57 toys were collected for the children at Christ the Carpenter Church. Diapers were also collected for them earlier in the year. Also, they received the proceeds from a very successful bake sale as well. Because of God's grace from the generous giving to World Thank Offering, Love Offerings, and Call to Prayer and Self-denial, we have also contributed to the Crusader Clinic, Healing Pathways, UMC at Northwest-ern, and GED at Regional Office of Education. Caravan Circle also took up monetary collections for CASA, LSSI Foster Care, and Northern Illinois Conference NET church. Rebekah Circle collected for Rockford New Hope and for cement for a Peru Methodist Church. Through the delicious efforts of all the bakers and other contributors, we have continued our support of the Em-manuel Soup Kitchen, Good Samaritan Fund and Rosecrance. Thank you for so generously reaching out to the women, children and youth of this community and the extended family of God around the world. On behalf of the mission team and all UMW members, I want to thank each and every one of you for contributions of money, food, time or talents for any of the collections we do throughout the whole year whether it is an offering, the craft show, or a funeral. Your support is vital and truly a blessing. Respectfully submitted, Donna Kirk

United Methodist Women 2013 Year End Report

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Issue Deadline Date Stuffing/Mail Date

March February 20 February 26

April March 20 March 26

May April 24 April 30

June May 22 Thursday, May 29

July June 19 June 25

August July 24 July 30

September August 21 August 27

October September 18 September 24

November October 23 October 29

December November 20 November 26

New Publication Schedule of The Flame for 2014

New Schedule for The Flame

The publication schedule for The Flame will be altered slightly in order to get the print copy of the newslet-ter into your hands earlier in the month. Beginning with the March issue, The Flame will be mailed out on the last Wednesday of each month (the June issue will go out on Thursday, May 29, due to the Memorial Day holiday). The change in schedule is due to the extra time involved in postal handling of bulk mail, which now goes to Carol Stream for processing. This has resulted in a delay in delivery times and the new publication schedule of The Flame will help in receiving the newsletter a bit earlier. The change will result in different deadline dates. The schedule is printed below. As always, the deadline date for submission of news for the next issue is printed on the back page of each issue. Just a reminder that The Flame is posted on our website on the mail date shown below. To view the Flame, go to christumc.cc, then click on the tab for “monthly newsletter.” You can also request that we email the newsletter to you and it will be sent to you on the mail date shown below (just send an email to lindakuntz@christumc.cc if you aren’t already on the Flame by email list and would like to be). In this way, you can always be sure that you can see all the news for the next month as early as possible. If you have any questions about the new schedule, please contact Linda Kuntz at the church office at 815-399-5910 or email lindakuntz@christumc.cc.

The Flame

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Pam Miner and her husband, Bill, came to Christ UMC with their four children in the mid 1990s. The church’s proximity to their new home was a plus. Then they heard about Christ UMC’s outstanding children’s program and visited the church. While the children were involved in Kids’ Klub and Sunday School, Pam helped with those programs. She also was involved in a circle for a while and she donates cookies for the cookie exchange. But her passion lies in teaching children. She’s been a teacher since 1979 at various schools in Rockford and South Beloit, currently working at Marsh Elementary School. “God has given me the opportunity to make the most of each day with my 30 students and to encourage them to be the best that they can be, both intellectually and emotionally,” said Pam. “It is a ministry of love, and I am so grateful for the chance to use my gifts in this way. It is no secret that teaching is extremely chal-lenging and exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding.” Pam recently began a volunteer tutor program at Marsh that allows other Christ UMC members to expe-rience those challenges and rewards with her. Working toward her master’s degree in school administration, she was inspired to start the program by a class that focused on community and family outreach. “I do believe that outreach to the community is es-sential in creating a successful school, particularly in an urban setting,” Pam said. “I met with Pastor Jane and we discussed the possibility of Christ UMC partnering with Marsh, as the school is so close to church.” Twenty people came to an informational meeting about the fledgling program—a wonderful surprise for Pam, who expected two or three to show up. But there’s always room for more. Volunteer tutors from Christ UMC have been placed

Pam Miner

“Working there can be very challenging,” he ex-plained, “and sometimes rough.” Today Tim works as a technical sales representative at Danfoss, a Loves Park manufacturer of variable-frequency drives for electric motors. He’s the conduit between sales and engineering, and has quoted project systems for the federal government, municipalities, hos-pitals, colleges, and shopping malls. He also serves as vice president of Edgewater Association, a group of about 1,200 households on Rockford’s northwest side.

(Tim Moore, continued from back page) Chris Ann was assistant director of admissions at Rockford College until the position was eliminated be-cause of the bad economy. Currently she teaches GED classes through Rock Valley College. Her parents, Karen and John Weedman, also attend Christ UMC. Tim explained that adventure running is like cross country with obstacles or a multiple triathlon. Obstacles can be climbing steep cliffs, crawling through mud, or climbing several high walls. He’s also run several 3k, 5k, and 10k races. In season, he runs 10 to 15 miles a week. Why does he run? “It’s entertaining and healthy,” he said. A healthy diet and running once helped him shed 37 pounds.

with a grade level where they are comfortable and matched with a teacher. Tutors typically come once a week for 45 minutes to one hour, working with designated students on reading and math. Those volunteers are already making a huge difference at Marsh. “The teachers ask why they have been so blessed, and parents are intensely grateful for any help that their child receives. Our poverty level is almost 80 percent, and 44 percent of our school is bilingual. Many of our parents are unable to help their child with Eng-lish the way they would like,” Pam explained. “My students light up when a tutor comes to my door. For a few minutes, they are the focus of attention with one adult, and that time is priceless. I see God’s hand in the hall when a volunteer is giving of his or her time to better the life of a child.” Of course, the volunteers sharing their gifts with the children also feel the joy and satisfaction of making a difference in someone else’s life. “We all have gifts to share, and in doing so, praise God,” said Pam. “Sharing in the congregation and the community are both vital, and this outreach in our com-munity shows that Christ UMC cares about those around us, and makes the love of God visible to others.” Anyone interested in joining the volunteer tutor program should contact Pam at pam.miner@rps205.com or 815-519-8451.

By Amy Nickel

“O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” Samuel Trevor Francis

(1834-1925)

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean In its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of Thy love; Leading onward, heading homeward To my glorious rest above. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, Changeth never, nevermore; How He watches o’er His loved ones,

How deep is the love of Jesus? This hymn tries to express something of its magnitude. It is an ocean and more. It is a “heaven of heavens.” But what does this mean? How does knowing of this deep, deep love affect the way we live each day? Perhaps most important, it reassures us. When the apostle Paul says that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, we know that even our own sin will not stop Jesus from loving us. He continually offers His loving for-giveness. Christ’s love also motivates us. “Spread his praise from shore to shore!” The deep, deep love of Jesus is so great, we just have to tell someone! This “love of every love the best” makes Christ the highest priority in our lives. All other longings fall by the wayside as we bask and bathe in the vast ocean of Jesus’ love for us.

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

Tyndale House Publishers, 1995

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Died to call them all His own; How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o’er them from the throne. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Love of every love the best; ‘Tis an ocean vast of blessing, ‘Tis a haven sweet of rest, O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me; And it lifts me up to glory, For it lifts me up to Thee.

At CUMC Our Master’s Center 5973 Darlene Drive (Near intersection of Harrison and Mulford)

Games of all kinds for all ages

Indian Taco Supper will be served!

Come shake off the winter gloom!

Friday, February 21

6:00-8:30 pm

Children’s Ministry News

February, 2014

Page 11 Children’s Ministry News

Alpine Center, Schedule

8:00am Worship Hour Nursery care is available for all infants and children 9:30am Worship Hour Infants and Toddlers: Nursery

Pre-School-Kindergarten: Lower Level Sunday School Room 7

1st – 6th Grade: Begin in Great Hall 11:00am Worship Hour Infants and Toddlers: Nursery

Pre-School-Kindergarten: Lower Level Sunday School Room 7

1st-6th Grade: Begin in Sanctuary, dismissed downstairs for Sunday School

Our Master’s Center,

Schedule 9:30am Worship Hour Infants: Nursery Pre-School-Kindergarten: Nursery

1st-6th Grade: Begin in Sanctuary, dismissed downstairs for Sunday

School following the Children’s Message

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

February Sunday School Worship Preschool - Kindergarten Memory Verse: “Love each other as I have loved You.” John 15:12 NIV Bottom Line: Jesus loves everyone. 1st—6th Grade Faith—believing in what you can’t see because of what you can see. Memory Verse: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NlrV February 23rd: Parent Connect Join us immediately following the 11:00 service as we gather together and share a meal. From 1:30– 2:30 pm parents will have the opportunity to connect and childcare will be provided. To RSVP and for more information, please contact Eri-ka Coffer in the church office, 815-399-5910 March 1st: KK Dress Rehearsal Kids Klub children will have rehearsal from 9:00 am—12:00 pm in the Alpine Sanctuary March 2nd Join us for the 9:30 and 11:00 services at Alpine as the children lead us in worship. March 5th: Ash Wednesday The Kids Klub and Sunday School children will sing at the Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30 pm.

February 10 Kelly Finch Al Langley Lydia Ogilby Julia Paun Kirk Rydberg Scott Sarauer Bob Stuttler Nola Wood February 11 Bill Calow Xavier Lundberg Brian Wicklund Mildred Zeller February 12 Cody Brechon Bill Cacciatore Loretta Fry Karen Grover Alex Moore Alex Wehmeyer February 13 Ann Auker Bailey Carlson Donna Hayes Marion Kern Russ Leopold Pam Miner Kevin Mueller Judy Rabito Rachel Reitsch Randy Roberson Grace Schmaling February 14 Sophia Bradel Jo Mohrmann Helga Votteler February 15 Georgia Bradley Joyce Gibbons Carol Plum February 16 Jack Gilbert Dale Ortberg Jake Stroup Lana Zehrung

February 17 Heather Atkinson Karen Hulick February 18 Larry Andersen Jessica Fall Olivia Myers Roger Newell Christa Unangst February 19 David Steffen 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 Mark Trojniar Joann Turner February 22 Bryan Buck Dave Carlson Gloria Lauher February 23 Matt Ott Daniel Sargent Gabby Schmitt February 24 Sherry Brandon Jeff Kirk Heidi Palm February 25 Darla Bradle Bryn Kiley Darby McGowan Ray Paul Gina Sims Brad Zimmerman

Page 12 Birthdays

February 26 Megan Blackburn Karen Kliebe Hunter Powell February 27 Bill Fry Ryan Hunter Brennan Klein Tom Ogilby Austin Perez Mya Stroup Logan Watts February 28 Gracie Card Grace Cosler Sam Finch Barb Mink Dennis Sweeney Jim Welte February 29 Noel Nickel Doug Wilson March 1 Delores Fenn- Anderson Julie Saez-Gimeno Kelly Wainwright March 2 Jennifer Martin Emily Palm March 3 Charlene Ceci Scott Cordes Addison Greenland Kerry Keller Steve Kentner Doris Lindsay Jill Saul Lauren Williams Lynn Wood March 4 Steve Anderson Elaine Johnson Jim Lindsay Chandra Malone March 5 Elaine Anderson John Beachum Haley Esgar Bill Kapfer

March 6 Barbara Havens-Shirk Laura Jernigan Janis Johnson Herbert Jones Alli Picken Jenny Thomas Elena Wilson March 7 Adam Hageman Cody High Jack Masters Kate Moore March 8 Tom Danielson Al Fox Jean Johnson Chris Ann Moore Mitch Porter Carlton Rittweger Marilyn Rothermel Kelli Snyder John Weedman March 9 John Anderson Dylan Hawes Chelsea Lashock John Steward Sully Sullivan Robert Whitney March 10 Jason Cruden Doris Jones Barb Palm Cameron Riemer Earl Williams March 11 Nancy DeHart Joan Hamachek Bruce Johnson Karen Keller Mark McGowan Garret Wermager Chad Wieck March 12 Joe Calcione Richard Heerdt Matt Kaiser Ken Kern Kate Mohan Martha Ritter

March 13 Megan Abbott Jane Gilbert Nancy Johnson Kent Kobler Ava Kuntz Kate Picken March 14 Brenda Anderson Peggy Hacker Oliver Melenas Paul Wallem Mike Wight March 15 Janna Becherer Susan Busenbark Todd Eilers Mia Vongsiri Sophie Vongsiri March 16 Matt Abbott Paige Lester Debbie Oyler Colleen Zahm March 17 Joe Johnson March 18 Ed Alms Chad Hageman Lynn Morlan Sam Parkinson John Scheub Jim Slife March 19 Kate Harper March 20 Lynda Kennedy Dave Picken Doris Sackley Liv Scribner Kelly Steffen March 21 Jessica Gale Shelby Martin Judy Schultz Nancy Smith Brina Wicklund Shannah Wicklund Jakob Wilson

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Page 13)

Birthdays, Anniversaries; The Church is People Page 13

The Church is People

Sympathy to: Heather Katzen and family on the death of her father, Robert Korey and Erika Coffer and family on the death of Korey’s grandmother Jim and Sandy Welte and family on the death of Jim’s sister, Harla Dobrinz, in Rochester, MN Gretchen and Terry Poffinbarger on the death of Gretchen’s sister Ray and Nola Wood and family on the death of Nola’s mother, Alma Freouf Bill and Ruth Ann Eilders on the death of Ruth Ann’s mother, Helen Gartner, on January 1 Steve and Diann Anderson, Patrick and David Anderson, on the death of Steve’s mother, Marjorie Dayton and Susan Hunter, Dave and Deena Lantz, Derek and Jenny Hunter, Alan and Jodi Hunter, Kent and Monica Hunter, on the death of Susan’s brother, Darrell Rapp

February 11 Bob and Connie Silletti February 12 Nancy and Bob Johnson February 13 Molly and Paul Klazura February 14 Amy and Dean Kurth Bill and Gina Sims Larry and Marla Wainwright February 17 Nicky and Tom Danielson Wendy and Randy Volz February 21 Rich and Carol Fisher February 23 Les and Helen Englehart Alice and Thomas Moczynski Kate and James Mohan March 6 Bill and Deb Keenan March 21 Bob and Tawnya Reitsch John and Bonnie Shourek March 25 Alan and Jodi Hunter March 27 Pete and Arlene Earleywine

(Continued from Page 12)

March 22 Linda Baker Marlena Bielefeldt Logan Hulick Deb Keenan Art Pulford Ruth Yeager March 23 Frances Conway Wendy Esgar Connie Fox Claire Mathiesen Amy Mayberry Donna Tomlinson Lindsey Zimmerman March 24 Chris Baldwin Courtney Klein Grant Morgan Alan Persinger Patrick Wagner March 25 Beth Crane Bob Giunter Caryn Kolthoff Sawyer Kurth Dave Lantz Dave Robinson Melissa Slife Camden Taylor March 26 Sandra Chhatpar Lisa Clark Bill Cook George English Denise Freethy Hayden Roach March 27 Harold Hawes Ruth Kortemeier Amanda McMaster Beth Rives Lois Roe

March 28 Arayah Mattis Marcus Paraggua Jeannine Ruefer Rachel Wermager March 29 Evan Fuller Margot Kelley Nancy King Don Stark

March 30 Becky Daniels Duncan Geddes Barb Kaiser Heaven Katzen Keller Kurth Victoria Morrison March 31 Moira Smith Megan Williams

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From Donna Tomlinson and family

My family and I want to thank all the people of the church who served the luncheon, donated salads and desserts, and set up the room for Jerry Tomlinson’s memorial service. Everything ran smoothly and the food was delicious. Also, so many of you attended the service and he would have loved that. Thank you again.

Tuesday Men’s Holy Club (Bible Study) First meeting is February 11

6:30—7:30 am, Alpine Coffee House

Men, would you like to be a part of the Holy Club but be-tween work and family schedules just can’t find the time to join? In addition to the Wednesday & Saturday groups, we are starting a new Holy Club just for you. We will meet eve-ry Tuesday morning in the Coffee House at Alpine Center at 6:30 am and be done promptly by 7:30. What is the Holy Club? This was the name given to the group led by John Wesley. It is a time to read, meditate, share and pray. We rotate taking turns reading a Bible verse in the study chapter of the week. That is followed with medi-tating on what verses may touch you, and then sharing with the others what it means to you. BYOB – Bring Your Own Bible, or use a church Bible, enjoy a cup of coffee and come for a "no homework" time of Bible reading and sharing. Our first meeting will be Tues-day, February 11th. We are planning to read the New Testa-ment starting with Matthew. For more information contact Paul Carpenter, (815-885-3425) email pecarp@comcast.net), Curt Sidener (curts314@gmail.com) or Pastor Scott (shimel@christumc.cc).

Adult Study Opportunity Spanish as a Second Language

Begins Wednesday, February 26, six weeks, 6:00-8:00 pm, Alpine Dining Room

The goal of this class is to help non-Spanish speakers overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to practicing radical hospitality with our Spanish-speaking neigh-bors. In this class we will learn about Hispanic cul-tures—the importance of family, food, fun, and caring for each other—and learn some basic Spanish, enough to feel comfortable greeting the Spanish speakers around us, ask after their children, and invite them to share God’s love with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This class will help us to stand on common ground with our Spanish-speaking neighbors, and open our hearts, our minds, and our doors to them. To register: Visit www.umcnic.org/ssl, or email Linda Kuntz at lindakuntz@christumc.cc.

From Melissa Pratt, Chair, Christmas Angels I want to say thanks to everyone who made the 2013 Christmas Angels project so successful. The number of presents and the wonderful gift choices that buyers made was generous and overwhelming! Over 300 of our area’s citizens received their needs and wants wrapped beauti-fully with paper and ribbon. For the first time ever, we had wrapping in the late afternoon and it was a huge suc-cess. So many people remarked how happy they were to come after work. Our Tuesday morning group finished up the wrapping in record time and the agencies were able to pick up bags and bags of brightly wrapped gifts just in time for Christmas. Our team of Angels included Molly Klazura, who kindly manned the table after each service. Teri Reynolds, a computer whiz, coded reams of paper and labels. Jennifer Stiles kindly shopped for “mom” gifts and was an incredible assistant. Kathy Wight was the all-important, “checker-in” of presents and our audio dynamo, bringing holiday carols to us as we wrapped. The wonderful ladies at Our Master’s, as usual, kept their lists and gifts organized. A special thank you to Virg Wilson, who was with us in thoughts and prayers. Thanks to her guidance, this project has grown tremen-dously and remained a joyous ministry to undertake.

From Heather Katzen Thank you for the many cards and well wishes that I received at the time of my father, Robert’s death. I appreciate the care and support.

From Mary Doerr to the Christmas Carolers from OMC

What a treat you carolers were! I enjoyed them so much - shocked at how many there were. They filled my living room and made a joyful feeling that lasted all evening. Thanks also for the treat!

Thank You Notes; Adult Study Opportunities

Page 15

Christ United Methodist Preschool is in full swing with registration for

the 2014-2015 school year. Internal registration for current families began on

January 13th and open registration for the public was held on Saturday, January

25th. Registration went well and currently we only have 22 full time and 25 part

time spots left for the next school year. A majority of those spots are in our 2’s

classroom since this is our entry level class room and there is a limited number of

spots in our 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s classrooms. If you or anyone you know may be inter-

ested please don’t delay as we fill up very quickly!

We also are taking registration for our summer camps and it is not too

early to be thinking about what the kids are going to be doing this summer. Par-

ents can register children on a week to week basis throughout the summer and

each week is centered around a different theme to keep it interesting. Please call

815-398-1458 if you would like any additional information on either summer

camps or the next school year.

Leadership Team Paul Carpenter-Co-Chair Ty Unangst-Co-Chair, Lay Leader Pastor Min Chea Pastor Jane Eesley Mary Ann Foster Melinda Hagerman Morry Harms Pastor Scott Himel Jeff Holmertz John Noonan Diane Robinson Rachel Schrank Ed Smerke Amy Taylor Ken Walker Carla-White Carpenter- Secretary Earl Williams

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 Carol Parker Ed Rounds-Treasurer Richard Schultz - Assistant Treasurer John Skaggs Ty Unangst Sue Van Grove Lynne Vass

Staff Parish Relations Committee

Melinda Hagerman-Chair Sherri Crawford-Vice Chair Gail Brady Pastor Min Chea Sherri Crawford Jack Croffoot Kay Cull Pastor Jane Eesley George English Harold Hawes Pastor Scott Himel Barb Kaiser Diane Kirkland Tom Laughlin Ty Unangst

Trustees

Earl Williams, Chair Cory Schrank, Vice-Chair Pastor Jane Eesley Carol Fleming-Secretary Rich Fisher Jacki Gommel Jack Hansen Don Johnson Crystal Lake Sam Parkinson Jim Seigfreid Erik Stram Mitzi Williams

Committee Members

Following is a list of the members of the key committees of Christ United Methodist Church for 2014.

If you have questions or need information about these

committees, please contact the committee chair.

Preschool News; Committee Information

Christ United Methodist Church 4509 Highcrest Road

Rockford, Il 61107

Address Service Requested

Next Flame Deadline: February 20

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: Tim Moore by Don Black

Check out our website: www.christumc.cc

Some people like to run cross country. Others do tri-athlons: running, riding and swimming. Then there are crazy people like Tim Moore who put them all together—plus throw in a few obsta-cles—and call it adventure running. Of course, when it’s win-ter he does something else, like hunt deer or coordinate the snow plowing at Christ UMC. About five years ago when the economy was bad, Pastor

Dick Wisdom approached young men to form a church group. Time constraints kept Tim from joining that group, but then Wisdom persuaded them to plow snow. Twelve guys started, but now it’s Tim, Corey Schrank, Mike Taylor, Curt Leppert, Rich Fisher, Al Mowbray, and Morry Harms driving the church’s pickup with plow. Tim coordinates the team, weekday mornings for the daycare center and other times for the Our Mas-ter’s and Alpine Centers when snows come. (continued on page 9)

The job takes four to five hours to clear 3 inches of snow, and can take up to 12 hours for a big snow fall. But it’s worth the effort. One year, they saved the church $35,000 in snow plowing fees. Tim’s used to being called crazy. “I was a little wild,” he said about his youth at East High School. The Rockford native swam at East and was a member of the Rockford Swim Club near the high school. Today, his daughters, Krystle, 22, Kate, 11, and Kylee, 9, also are swimmers, and he’d like to get them running with him. Tim came to Christ UMC with his mother, Barb Han-sen, and his grandmother. He participated many years in youth groups, led then by Pastor Bob Atkins, who helped him get through difficult times growing up. Tim also has a stepfather, Jack; three brothers: Mike Moore, and Greg and Jeff Hansen; and a sister, Jodi Ged-des, who is deceased. Tim worked for10 years with children as a teacher’s aide and a family educator at places like The Mill and Maryville Farm Campus, which were homes for sexually abused children or delinquents to be rehabilitated. At the Mill, Tim worked with the boys, and his wife-to-be, Chris Ann, worked with the girls, to overcome behavior disor-ders.