February 2018

First Chronicles
The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC

Vision Keeper 2018

Every year Interfaith Action of Engaging Fully the Season of Lent
Evanston celebrates people in
the community who “keep the Wednesday, February 14, 6:30 p.m.
vision” of advocacy for hungry 6:30 p.m., Ash Wednesday Service, Chapel
and homeless people in our
midst. Laurie Brown is our Thursdays, February 22–March 22, 7:00 p.m.
church’s 2018 Vision Keeper honoree. Laurie is an activ- 7:00 p.m., Lenten Study Series, Church House
ist, singer, Interfaith Action delegate, and faithful volun-
teer in the Friday lunch and Thursday warming center Sunday, March 25, 10:00 a.m.
programs at First Congregational. She served on the 10:00 a.m., Palm Sunday Service, Sanctuary
church Board of Mission and Benevolence Committee
for many years and currently serves as church clerk. Thursday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.
Laurie’s unassuming manner is misleading—she is 6:30 p.m., Maundy Thursday Service, Chapel
a force of change and advocacy! In addition to her par-
ticipation with IAE, she is active with the Community Sunday, April 1, 10:00 a.m.
Renewal Society and its mission to enact systemic 10:00 a.m., Easter Sunday Service, Sanctuary
change in Illinois through legislation and education.
Formerly a bookseller and editor, she now runs her own
Other Upcoming Events
pet-sitting service. Everything she does is geared toward
the care and encouragement of others. First Congrega­
Sunday, February 4, 11:15 a.m.
tional Church is blessed to have Laurie keeping the
Sunday Forum (Signs), Chapel
vision of mission and outreach in front of us all.
We hope you are able to attend the Vision Keeper
Sunday, February 11, 11:15 a.m.
Dinner, on Sunday, February 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the
Annual Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary
Hilton Orrington. Contact Rev. Ann for more details.
Sunday, February 25, 10:00 a.m.
January Chancel Choir Anthems
Youth Talk, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
February 4
Saturday, March 3, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
C. Hubert H. Parry (arr. Lornson), “O Love of God”
Youth Serve Dinner at Hilda’s Place
February 11
Sunday, March 4, 3:00 p.m.
Alec Wyton, “Transfiguration”
Robinson Recital (Liebeslieder Waltzes), Sanctuary
Gilbert Martin, “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
Sunday, April 22
February 18
Earth Day celebration in worship
Harrison Oxley, “Forty Days and Forty Nights”
John Ireland, “Greater Love Hath No Man”
Friday–Sunday, June 22–24
All-Church Retreat, Tower Hill
February 25
G. F. Handel, “He Was Despised” and “Surely,
He Hath Borne Our Griefs” (from Messiah)

Annual Meeting on February 11
Check your email or mailbox for the slate of nominees
for 2018 board and committee membership! All mem-
bers of the church, as well as nonmembers who are serv-
ing on a board or committee, are eligible to vote at First
Congregational Church’s annual meeting, to be held
after the service on Sunday, February 11. Childcare will
be provided during the meeting.
The agenda will include a review of the past year,
an update on our financials, celebration of our Man and
Woman of the Year, and discussions about elevators at
church, the Evanston Sanctuary Resolution (see article
on page 5), and a rummage sale.
Following the meeting, new board and committee
members are invited to stay to meet their partners in
ministry and to choose chairs for each group. The chairs
of our boards and committees, along with the officers
and members-at-large, make up the Church Council.
February 4 Forum: Signs from God?
And the sign said, “Long-haired freaky people need not
apply” (from the song “Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs”).
Signs call attention, give direction, keep people out,
invite people in, clarify what’s going on, and potentially
stir things up.
The front of the sanctuary building has displayed
a variety of signs in the last few years: a rainbow flag, a
Black Lives Matter yard sign, a rainbow banner with the
message “God is Still Speaking…,” a suspended “Be the
Church” banner, a sign board on the front sidewalk
advertising special services, and the white-framed kiosk
with basic information about morning worship.
On February 4, the Sunday Forum following wor-
ship will be a discussion of signs at church. What is the
purpose of our signage? Who decides what is posted?
How else do we communicate our identity and values
to the wider community? Join Rev. Ann as we explore
these questions together.
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Thursday Night Lenten Series on Suffering
The Board of Mission is focusing on the issues of anti-
racism, anti-violence, and housing and serving homeless
people. As part of this focus, the board is presenting
this year’s Lenten Study Series, “From Suffering to
Hope.” The series meets Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in
the Church House, February 22–March 22.
February 22 and March 1 Book study (Suffering and
Salvation in Ciudad Juarez by Nancy Pineda-Madrid)
led by Board of Mission chair Joseph Roberts
March 8 Speaker from the Church Alliance Against
Sexual Exploitation
March 15 Speaker from the Evanston YWCA on
violence against women
March 22 Series conclusion: Congregational Imperative
Next Youth Talk: February 25
On monthly Youth Talk Sundays, middle and high
school youth sit together in the balcony during the
service and then leave after the sermon to re-gather in
Fellowship Hall. We laugh and talk deeply about what
matters to you in the world. We always share snacks and
welcome new friends. It’s not the same when you’re not
there—join us! See Sarah Petersen for questions, topic
ideas, and snack requests.
Youth Serving Dinner at Hilda’s Place on March 3
On Saturday, March 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., youth of
the church will come together to cook and serve dinner
to guests at the Hilda’s Place shelter. We could use your
help and would enjoy your company! Contact spetersen@
firstchurchevanston.org to RSVP.
Robinson Recital: Liebeslieder Waltzes on March 4
Sing Joyfully presents Johannes Brahms’s Liebeslieder
Waltzes, Op. 52 and 65, on the Robinson Recital Series
at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. The performance will
feature soprano Lorelei McDermott, alto Kristi French,
tenor Garrett Johannsen, baritone Daniel Robinson,
and pianists Kingsley Day and Roger Stanley. A $10
donation is suggested for admission.
If it’s broke—let’s fix it!
As staff, members, or friends of the church, we are all
responsible for the upkeep of our beautiful buildings.
If you see something broken or missing (a burned-out
light, for example), please contact Melia Pappas in the
office by phone at 847-864-8332, ext. 22, or by email
at mpappas@firstchurchevanston.org. Be as specific as
possible with your observation. Let’s all collaborate in
being good stewards of our space. Thank you!
Leading by Serving
Toiletries and Cleaning Products Collection
Our youth have such giving hearts. From the sharing they
Our midwinter collection of toiletries and cleaning
do each week at Sunday School and monthly at Youth
products will continue through March 11 and this
Talks, to the art projects they carry home to their fami-
year has two parts. The large yellow box in the nar-
lies, to the care they offer one another across grade levels,
thex is for regular-size toiletries and cleaning prod-
to the light and laughter they bring to our congregation,
ucts, to benefit the male residents of Connections for
our First Congregational youth give so much to our
the Homeless’s Hilda’s Place shelter and the women
church community. They also practice generosity in our
and children of the YWCA Mary Lou’s Place shelter.
broader community as they share love through service.
The smaller collection box is for personal-size items
This month, we’re collecting personal-size items in
listed below, to be packaged into kits by our Sunday
the narthex to be assembled by our Sunday School youth
School students and delivered to homeless clients
and congregation into kits that Connections for the
by Connections. Thank you in advance for your
Homeless will distribute to those in need. You can help
generosity. Many of these items are available at local
by bringing in items to donate this February and joining
dollar stores!
with the youth in mid-March as we assemble kits. Please
Items needed for Connections kits:
see the full list of needed items in the right column of
• A pair of cotton socks
this page.
• A pair of underwear (boxers preferred)
During Youth Talks our older youth have also been
• Winter gloves
brainstorming ways they can make a difference in the
• A pop-top can of tuna or chicken
community. We’ll begin by cooking and serving a meal to
• Hand or foot warmer pouches
the guests at Hilda’s Place shelter on Saturday, March 3,
• A bottle of water
from 6:00–8:00 p.m. If you’re a middle or high school
• Travel-sized first-aid kit
student, or an adult who’d like to chaperone, please con-
• $5 gift card to any restaurant (helpful for getting
tact me at spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org to sign up.
out of the heat or cold)
Let’s follow the youth’s lead and be God’s Love in action
• A razor
by finding new ways to serve.
• Deodorant
Peace,
• Hand wipes
Sarah Petersen, Director of Learning and Outreach

Women from First Congregational Church of Evanston proudly

joining Chicago’s Women’s March to the Polls on January 20
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From left: Lindsey Hammond, Jon “Gilbert” Martinez, Catherine Watkins

Members in Discernment graduate degree in sociology with a minor in psychology

The process of ordination in the United Church of Christ from the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley, for-
requires not only a theological education and church merly the University of Texas–Pan American. Gilbert
membership but also review and oversight by a sponsor- is a First Congregational Church of Evanston member
ing congregation and a committee of the UCC’s Chicago and is currently completing his field education with Rev.
Metropolitan Association. Our congregation’s members Ann serving as his supervisor. This summer he will be
in discernment are also blessed to have a committee of working on finishing his clinical pastoral education as a
support. The process culminates with a theological paper chaplain intern in Barrington. Gilbert is hoping, plan-
and public exam, at which time the association determines ning, and praying to graduate in May 2019.
that the MID can be ordained. We are proud of our three Catherine Watkins grew up on the North Shore
MIDs at First Congregational! and was actually baptized down the street at First United
Lindsey Hammond is the associate director of state Methodist Church. After attending seminary at Emory
policy at Community Renewal Society, where she man- in Atlanta, she began
ages CRS’s statewide policy development and advocacy. working as a chap-
She has collaborated with community coalitions and lain, primarily in
faith leaders to pass legislation to increase employment pediatrics. Since
opportunities for people with criminal records and pro- returning to the
tect survivors of human trafficking in Illinois. Lindsey Chicago area, she
is passionate about mobilizing people of faith to advo- has been working
cate for economic and criminal justice policy changes, on blending religion
especially justice reform, affordable housing, and restor- and mental health;
ing opportunities for people with criminal records. She she currently works
serves on the United Church of Christ Chicago Metro- at a behavioral health
politan Association Justice and Witness Committee and center in Skokie as
First Congregational Church’s Board of Mission. Lindsey a crisis worker and
holds a master of divinity degree from Vanderbilt Uni- therapist. One of her
versity Divinity School and a BA in religious studies hopes for ordina-
from Rhodes College. She loves spending time with her tion is to help people
family and trying new vegan recipes and hot sauces. and communities of
Jon “Gilbert” Martinez is in his third year at faith approach issues
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he of social justice and
serves as student council treasurer. He holds an under- mental health.

4
Immigration and Sanctuary
During January, Jon “Gilbert”
Martinez—church member and
Garrett-Evangelical Theological
Seminary intern—led a four-part
forum on immigration and sanc-
tuary. The forums covered the
history of the sanctuary movement
from the 1980s and its relaunch
in 2014; both times, the campaign
was initiated by Southside Presby-
terian Church in Tucson, Arizona.
The forums explored aspects of
being a sanctuary congregation
other than housing individuals.
Congregations can take some
of the following actions: advocat-
ing for immigrants (documented
or undocumented alike), provid-
ing resources, providing education
for our church and community
at large, partnering with schools, money is going into building, staffing, and operat-
participating in vigils, and accompanying immi­grants ing this facility. Dilley is run by a for-profit prison
to deportation hearings and appointments with govern- company, the Corrections Corporation of America
mental authorities. Other options are at http://files (CCA), which has a contract with U.S. Immigration
.constantcontact.com/6c8525d9001/8b8857f7-2988- & Customs Enforcement. There are reasonable alter-
45ff-9706-53498e38abb3.pdf, which includes a resolu- natives to detaining immigrants who pose no security
tion that the Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders risk. These alternatives can cost as low as $7 to $17 a
have created for congregations to review as well as day, whereas family detention costs $164 per person
modify to fit each congregation’s unique capability. per day on average. The Dilley facility has been esti-
Additionally, the forums answered critical questions, mated to cost nearly $300 per person per day.
including the legality of being a welcoming immigrant
During this journey, we must remember that we are
congregation. Lawyers working with the Evanston
to walk with the folks we want to help. We are to walk
Sanctuary Community have determined that no laws are
at their pace, with them at hand; after all, it is their
broken in providing resources and advocating for immi-
stories we want to be heard. Individuals are not required
grants, documented and undocumented. Furthermore,
to answer about their immigration status without legal
we learned that First Congregational Church would be
representation. They should also never be advised to lie,
one of many in a network of congregations that are also
and it is best to remain silent.
working on their unique form of being a sanctuary.
While immigrants come from various countries,
Forum attendees also learned about various deten-
including European countries, we must remember that
tion centers, court proceedings, the proposed border
the current social climate is placing a bull’s-eye on people
wall, DACA, and the cost to taxpayers for each detained
of color. Keeping that in mind, a judicial warrant is
person, among other things. Two privately run compa-
needed for entry or search of a place that is not public.
nies, CCA and GEO Group, have lobbied lawmakers
As a United Church of Christ congregation, we
in favor of immigration reform that benefits their
recognize that our denomination has stood its ground
pockets. According to https://www.humanrightsfirst.org
in the fight for social justice. An important point is
/blog/human-rights-first-tours-dilley-detention-center-
that Gilbert conducted these forums as part of a Board
immigrant-mothers-and-children,
of Mission initiative and with support of the Church
Family detention is an enormous cost to U.S. taxpay- Council. Enough of being angry, anxious, or fearful—
ers. From what we saw on [a tour of the detention let’s get educated and take action!
center in Dilley, Texas], an incredible amount of
5
 Happy Birthday to everyone cele­brating
a birthday in February! Birthdays are
acknowledged at the Second Saturday
Brunch (second Saturday of each month).

Tracey Bloomer Melissa Pinney

Ian Clutter Anya Sefton
Amy Colton Jake Snider
Dominic Daniels Hal Sprague
Barbara Ferguson Maggie Stamell
Joshua Harker Trimmy Stamell
Jean Herbert Kate Todd
Sharyn Julcher Nicholas Tucker
Wayne MacPherson Jazmyn Vasquez
Jonathan Murakami Julia R. Weertman
Nancy Omundson David Wywialowski
Matthew Perkins