May–June

August2023
2020

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

Minister’s Message Desk

From the Minister’s Sarah Petersen
Becoming (whose children’s messages are so elegantly
the Church
April
The 17,
month 2023, of marked
July hasthe one-year
certainly flownanniversary of my
by. I’ve been done),
busy Last year,andFirst
Miko Fentanes (who weaves all the video
Congre-
ministry at First Congregational Church
meeting with committees and individual members on of Evanston. gational Church recog-
pieces together so beautifully). And to all the volunteers
Or as I am fond of saying, we’ve completed
Zoom or by phone. It’s been great to meet folks and our first nized
who havethat the
steppedtimein wasto read scripture, share announce-
lap around the sun together. After 52-plus weeks of right to begin a process
learn about many aspects of First Congregational Church. ments, and sing for us. You may know that liturgy means
worship and service with this community, I have a few of discernment
I’m impressed by all the work that’s being done by so “the work of theand to
people.” What is true during normal
observations I’d like to share…. chart a new course for
manyWhat dedicated
a greatpeople
place to to further
serve! Whenthe work myofministerial
the church times is even truer in these times of pandemic. If you
the future of the congre-
and care for
colleagues askone me another
about First in these difficult times.
Congregational, my I have gation.have ideas or feedback you would like to share, please
Acknowledging
a strong
answer sense that
is always some wevariation
are pulling ontogether as aThis
“I love it!” church. feelfundamental
the free to do so.changes We are all learning as we go forward.
Elsewhereis in
congregation thiswith
filled newsletter you will
good people whofind informa-
have an I would like
rippling through church to extend an invitation to everyone to
tion aboutofsome
abundance of the
talents. Ourthings
worshipwe are undertaking
is lively. We have as a joinsociety,
and me in achurch
“Coffeelead- Klatch” on Thursday, August 6, at
church. I’m
resources excited
to make about
bold moves.the new
The Anti-Racism
buildings areTask 2 p.m.
ers createdThisanwill be an informal time to check in with
initiative
beautiful, and Evanston is an awesome
Force that will be working to help us better understand community. I one
called another
“Becoming and engage
the is casual conversation. Join
know my ministerial “honeymoon”
issues of race in this time, to identify ways we as ashould be winding the ZoomThis
Church.” gathering at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
initiative recognizes that we must grow
down soon, but I feel like the abiding
church can address systemic racism, and to take action joy and persistent in
82227173405; the meeting IDthe
new directions and become church
is 822 that3405.
2717 God is
hope that run through this church will
that will join with others to seek justice in our world. never expire. calling
Everyone us to
willbe.need to bring their own coffee! Sorry
The music is magnificent! I was told that the In the last ninethat.months, the Becoming the Church
Another task force is looking ahead to plan for us to I can’t provide
music program of First Congregational was one of its Task
re-gather as a church community. The term re-gathering, I am alwaysheld
Force has eagerover 20 listening
to connect withsessions
folks. If with
you the
hallmarks, but to experience an orchestra on Christmas membership, conducted interviews with peer churches,
rather
Eve, thanbrass
bright reopening, has been
on Easter, chosen
and every deliberately,
Sunday a surprise and are in need of pastoral care or just someone to talk to,
read resources related to congregational vitality. The
because
from the First
choirCongregational
is such a gift tohas me never
and our been closed. This Task
whole pleaseForce
feel free
membersto email me orscripture
studied call. I’m and
happy to speak
inclined their
group family.
church is looking at policies and procedures that will by phone or
ear to God’s Spirit.to set up a Zoom chat.
allow
Theuspeople
and ourmake guesttheorganizations
place! I don’t to make use of
minister to the
a Blessings
On April and Peace,
29 the Board of Trustees and Church
buildings
building or in
anaaddress,
way thatI isserveresponsible
alongside and safe. We
people, andare Tim met at a retreat to review the Vision Document
the Council
all looking
people of Firstforward to a day when
Congregational makewethis cana resume
wonderful in- for the church. The Vision Document is centered on
church.
person In my firstThe
worship. year, I have
task forcecome to know
is looking at a you in of Four Cornerstones:
myriad
many ways,that
concerns andwillto agoperson,
into a the folk are
sensible andcompassionate,
well-thought- • Cultivating Community
creative, and committed. I feel the love
out plan. The foremost concern is our responsibility to you have for • Advancing Justice and Action
your church and the love you have for
care for one another, especially those among us who are your pastor. I • Sharing the Good News
am so very grateful
most vulnerable. for the opportunity to minister • Caring for the Church
among you. In May, the Vision Document will be shared with
Under the leadership of the Fellowship Committee,
Here’s to the next lap around the sun! May God the entire congregation for feedback and insight.
a group to
continue is looking
light ouraheadpath to andRally
showDay on Sunday,
us the way! Following revisions and approval by the Church
September
Grace and Peace, 13. We are looking for creative ideas for this Council, a blessing and endorsement are planned
opportunity
Pastor Jason to celebrate our life together as a church or Celebration Sunday in June. Stay tuned!
and kick off the new church year. Rally Sunday can
offer us a time to renew our commitments and perhaps
become involved in new ways.
May and June Birthdays • Anne Bauer • Ashley Benirschke • Laurie Brown • Mallen Clifton
It looks likeCharlotte
online worship
Cubbagewill continue
• Pamela for •the
Daniels Richard Davis • Kingsley Day • Laura Hamm • Alexander Hardesty
foreseeable future. Eleanor I am very grateful• Chris
Hardesty to everyone who Lane • Roger Lehman • David Mansen • Lacey Ogbolumani
Krei • Betsy
works so hard to make
Scott our virtual
Omundson worship
• Joseph Pagea •meaningful
Jonas Petersen • Elizabeth Phillips • Jeffrey Roseberry • Lindsey Siemens
and inspiring experience. It’s Eliza Sprague how
surprising • Bill much
Tripp •extra
Cole Tucker • Alexandra Vasquez • Kathy Vissman •
effort is required to put together a weekly streaming 1
broadcast. Many thanks to David Lornson (for provid-
ing and coordinating the music that is so uplifting), Our new church sign!

Sarah Peterson Says Farewell
On April 16, the congregation gathered to celebrate and
give thanks for the ministry of our director of learning
and outreach, Sarah Petersen. During our worship, the
congregation blessed her with bread for her journey,
and Sarah shared a final Children’s Message with the
young and the young at heart.
After worship we convened in the Guild Room of
the Church House for a party, with subs from Potbelly,
a beautiful cake, and speeches, hugs, tears, and laughter.
Sarah has been an integral part of our community
for many years and will be dearly missed. She is looking
forward to working full-time with Open Communities,
a local housing justice organization. We hope to wel-
come Sarah and her family back to life in our church
family after a time away for sabbatical. Until then, we
say: thank you Sarah!
2
June Celebrations
The month of June with the end of school and the start
of summer always puts us in a joyous mood to celebrate,
and this year is no exception! Every Sunday in June
features a reason to cheer and give thanks for the joy
of a life with God and community. Mark these dates:
June 4 Baptismal celebration for Gabriel and Alex
Benirschke (sons of Ashley and Robert).
June 11 Celebration Sunday! We give thanks for our
Sunday School teachers, honor our graduates, and show
some love for the choir before summer recess.
June 18 Father’s Day! We honor our heavenly Father
and those persons who have fathered us here on earth.
June 25 Pride Sunday! We gather in worship to
recognize the many forms of love and put our love
in action at Chicago’s Pride Parade.
YEA Festival in Raymond Park on May 20
Join First Congregational Church members on Saturday,
May 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Raymond Park for
Evanston’s YEA Festival. We will have a drop-in craft
table with a fun, free craft for the children and adults
attending this lively festival. Join us to have fun crafting
and to meet and socialize with our neighbors!
Holy Week and Easter Recap Summer Art and Music Interludes
No week in the Christian calendar equals the week As summer approaches and our choir prepares to take a
leading up to Easter Sunday. This year First Congre- well-deserved break, we are requesting volunteers to
gational began Holy Week with a Palm Parade and share their talents in our summer worship services. If
Procession in Raymond Park with our ecumenical you are a singer, instrumentalist, dancer, poetry reader,
partners and a real live donkey! etc. and would be interested in enhancing our worship
Maundy Thursday started with a soup supper, services with your creative skills, we would love to have
including special guests from the Rogers Park Good you share your gifts. Opportunities are available from
News UCC. We then gathered in the chapel for a mid-June to early September. If you are interested in
Service of Light, Love, Table, and Shadow that featured participating, please let music director Matthew Hogan
a hearty communion meal of loaves of bread and glasses know on a Sunday morning or send an email to him at
of grape juice. Then we told the story of Jesus’ arrest matthew@firstchurchevanston.org.
and passion as candles were extinguished to signal the
coming darkness of the Passion of Christ.
A Good Friday service, held in partnership with
Good News UCC, included powerful praise music and
a prophetic message on gun violence from Pastor Jason.
Our Easter morning worship service was a joyous
celebration! The sounds of brass, cymbals, timpani, and
organ reverberated through the flower-filled sanctuary
as the congregation and choir lifted their voices in
singing festive Easter hymns and anthems. The weather
was perfect as our festivities continued outside with the
Easter egg hunt in the memorial garden. Hallelujah!

3
Spring Cleaning
In April, First Congregational staff and volunteers came
together with our other community partners for a thor-
ough Spring Cleaning at the Community House. On
that beautiful spring morning we went all-in to go out
with the old and make room for the new—filling a
dumpster with disused furniture, old equipment, and
storage boxes that probably hadn’t seen light in years.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped us
continue our project to make the Community House
modern, accessible, and tidy for all who enter.