August 2020

July 2022

First Chronicles

The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC

From
From the
the Minister’s
Minister’sDesk Desk Matthew Hogan Is
Sarah Petersen Named
(whose New Director
children’s messages of Music
are so elegantly
The month of July has certainly flown by. I’ve been busy done), and Miko Fentanes (who weavesinterviewing
There are several numbers that pop up with some After three months of discussing resumés, all the video
frequency in the Bible. The number seven represents the church musicians, and holding auditions, First Congre-
meeting with committees and individual members on pieces together so beautifully). And to all the volunteers
days of creation, the number of times a person should gational Church of Evanston has chosen Matthew
Zoom or by phone. It’s been great to meet folks and who have
Hogan to be stepped
our nextindirector
to readofscripture,
music. share announce-
forgive another (7 times 70!), and the colors in the
learn about many aspects of First
rainbow promised after the flood. Forty is the number Congregational Church. ments, and sing for
Matthew is currently the us. You may know that liturgy means
I’myears
of impressed by all wandered
the Israelites the work that’s in the being
desertdoneand theby so “the work
director of the
of music at people.”
St. Peter’sWhat is true during normal
many dedicated
number of days Jesus people wastotempted
further in thethe
work of the church United
wilderness. timesChurch
is even oftruer in these
Christ in Elm- times of pandemic. If you
and care for one another in these difficult
Twelve represents the tribes of Israel and the disciples times. I have have ideas or feedback
hurst. He began playing the organ you would like to share, please
Jesus. sense that we are pulling together as a church. as feel
a strong
of free to in
a teenager dohis
so.family’s
We arePres-all learning as we go forward.
IElsewhere
have now in this newsletter you will find informa-
presided at twelve worship services at byterianI would like to extend an invitation to everyone to
church. His musical
First
tion Congregational
about some of the Churchthings of we
Evanston. I have settled
are undertaking as a experience
join me in includes
a “Coffee22 years as on Thursday, August 6, at
Klatch”
into a rhythm with our worship.
church. I’m excited about the new Anti-Racism TaskI know when to stand, an organist, 15 years as a choral
2 p.m. This will be an informal time to check in with
when to sit, when to speak, and when
Force that will be working to help us better understand to keep silent. I director, and 6 years
one another as a handbell
and engage is casual conversation. Join
am getting
issues of race familiar
in thiswith our to
time, hymnal
identifyandways
becoming
we as used
a director.
the Zoom Matthew is alsoata https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
gathering gifted
to the ways each Sunday unfolds when we gather to multi-instrumentalist. He was a
church can address systemic racism, and to take action 82227173405; the meeting ID is 822 2717 3405.
praise God’s name. bassoon major as an undergrad-
thatBut
willmost
joinimportantly,
with others Itoamseek justice in our world. uate Everyone will need
and graduate to bring
student their University,
at Indiana own coffee!where
Sorry
getting to know you!
The Another
other week task force
I sat is looking
at the ahead
altar at the to planof
beginning us to heIearned
forour can’t provide
bachelor’sthat.and master’s degrees in music and
re-gather as a church community.
service and surveyed the faces before me. As I went The term re-gathering, I am always
developed organ and choral eager to connect with folks. If you
proficiency.
rather than
around reopening,
the sanctuary, has been
I could namechosen deliberately,
the people in the are in need of pastoral care
The Music Director Search Committee or just someone
was to talk to,
because Firstwith
pews—even Congregational
their masks on! hasOne
never bybeen
one, Iclosed. please feel
spoke This impressed free
with histoorgan
emailplaying
me or and
call.conducting
I’m happy to speak
groupnames
their is looking
in my at policies
mind… and procedures
there’s Betty and Nick that and
will by phone
abilities or to
and felt heset up abe
would Zoom chat. fit for First
a wonderful
allow us and our guest organizations to make use of the
Thekla and Jean… Over there are Robert and Hal and Blessings
Congregational and Peace,
Church. Committee members noted that
Nancy.
buildings And inthere
a wayinthat the back are Lindsey
is responsible andand Dona
safe. We are heTim worked well with the choir and felt that his back-
and the Krei family...
all looking forward to a day when we can resume in- ground in instrumental playing and teaching would
I believe that the foundation of the
person worship. The task force is looking at a myriad of church is bring strong instrumentalists to our church for holidays
relationships—the
concerns that will relationships
go into a sensible we shareandwith one
well-thought- and special services. A pastor with whom he worked for
another as the Body of Christ, and the relationship we many years gave him a stellar recommendation. Pastor
out plan. The foremost concern is our responsibility to
form with the Divine One, our God in heaven. When Jason was impressed by his collegiality and desire to use
care for one another, especially
I began service as your senior minister in April, I
those among us who are music as a means of evangelism, and he looks forward
most relationship
made vulnerable. a priority. Along with worship and to working with Matthew to curate new musical
Under the leadership of the
fellowship, relationship formed the foundation of my Fellowship Committee, experiences that attract people to First Congregational.
a groupShips”
“Three is looking and theaheadfocusto ofRally
my Day ondays.
first 90 Sunday, Matthew lives in Chicago and teaches bassoon at
September
To date,13. I haveWecompleted
are lookingnearly for creative ideas for this both Northeastern Illinois University and VanderCook
40 one-on-one
opportunity
meetings withtomembers
celebrateand ourfriends
life together
of Firstas a church
Congre- College of Music. In addition, he is a performing
and kickAnd
gational. off the new
I still have church
more year.of you Rally Sunday
to meet! (You cancan member of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, the
sign
offerupusfor an appointment
a time to renew our using my Calendlyand
commitments App,perhaps Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Indianapolis
https://calendly.com/revjcoulter,
become involved in new ways. or feel free to email Chamber Orchestra and a regular substitute with the
me [email protected].)
looks like online worship will continue for the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra.
I look forward
foreseeable future.toI am learning
very more
grateful of your stories and
to everyone who Matthew’s tenure at First Congregational will begin
deepening our relationship, because that is my number in mid-August. He is looking forward to playing our
works so hard to make our virtual worship a meaningful
one priority. Skinner organ and working with our choir. We look
and inspiring experience. It’s surprising how much extra forward to welcoming him to our congregation.
Grace and Peace,
effortJason
Pastor 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!
Upcoming Events
Sunday, July 10, 10 a.m.
Guest Preacher: Rev. Kate Alexander
Tuesday, July 26, 7 p.m.
Book Discussion Group, Church House
Sunday, July 31
10 a.m. Beachside Worship, Lighthouse Beach
Fire Circle
6–8 p.m. Bonfire, Barbecue, and Fellowship,
Lighthouse Beach Fire Circle

Looking for Performing Talent

Do you like to sing, or to play piano, violin, or another
instrument? How about presenting a wonderful poem
or sacred reading? Do you have a talented young person
in your household who would like to play a special
piece? The Worship, Music, and Arts Board is looking
for people to provide special music or other arts
presentations for summer worship, and we hope you
will send us the name of someone in your family who
would like to participate. Children who have been taking
lessons are perfect summer musicians!
Please contact WMA chair Sheran Fiedler for a
Sunday slot. All summer Sundays are wide open, and
we hope we can count on you to add to our worship
together with a special contribution. Sheran can be
reached at [email protected] or by calling and
Come Play in the Park! leaving a message at 847-475-4267.
We need your help! Will you volunteer for one or more
Sundays to assist our nursery supervisor, Kelly Tran, Summer Bible Study Group
and play at Raymond Park with our young people Do you want to know how the early church addressed
during worship for Summer Spirit? On rainy days, conflict? Are you interested in how the Apostle Paul
Summer Spirit will be held in Fellowship Hall and the viewed communion and spiritual gifts? Have you ever
Church Library downstairs in the sanctuary building. wanted to unpack those famous words from First
New volunteers are welcome and must complete a brief Corinthians 13, “Love is patient, love is kind...”? Well,
background check. Teen volunteers are welcome to sign here’s your chance!
up to help. Join the Wednesday night Bible study on Zoom at
Your help gives our Sunday School teachers a little 7:30 p.m. Pastor Jason will lead a discussion informed
rest and allows more people a chance to get to know the by a study guide prepared by the UCC’s Still Speaking
awesome children in our church family. Plus it’s fun to Writers Group. The last two of our six sessions on
be outside with joyful kiddos on a summer day! Sign up July 13 and 27 will open up scripture and give us a new
here or in the narthex to volunteer as many weeks as perspective on God’s Word.
you like, or email Sarah Petersen with questions. Click on the link to get a PDF copy of the lessons
and to access the links to the Zoom meeting. See you
2 on Wednesday!
Book Discussion Group: How Not to Be Afraid Pentecost Sunday
In How Not to Be Afraid, Irish The Spirit of God blew into our congregation like a
storyteller, activist, and creative wind and flame on Pentecost, June 5. We recognized
convener Gareth Higgins ex- the Spirit present in our gifts of many languages and
plores seven common fears, bright, shining lives. Look at all that red!
inviting us to change the course
of our stories through seven
habits of hope and action for
the common good. How Not to
Be Afraid is ripe for the moment
in which we find ourselves. If
you’re feeling afraid, and want
to consider an option beyond
fight, flight, or freeze—an alter-
native that might actually trans-
form our experience of fear into something better—
come on in. You’re not alone.
Pick up a copy of the book wherever you get your
reads and join your fellow First Congregational travelers
on Tuesday, July 26, at 7 p.m. at the Church House for
a conversation in courage and hope.

Beachside Worship and Bonfire on July 31

We are about to do a new thing at First Congregational.
Are you ready for it? We will worship on the shores of
Lake Michigan! Join your church family at Lighthouse
Beach Fire Circle on
Sunday, July 31, at
10 a.m. for our first
Beachside Worship.
Pastor Jason is
preparing an alterna-
tive worship experi-
ence focused around
prayer stations. He
will invite those
gathered to confess
and forgive, to cele-
brate and affirm, to
sing praise to our
Creator, and to lift
up the joy of community in creative and life-giving
ways. You won’t want to miss it! July Birthdays
Then later that evening, come back to the Fire Justin Bauer • Barbara Bright •
Circle from 6 to 8 p.m. for our annual church bonfire David Colton • Connor Doyle •
with food and fellowship. We will grill hot dogs and Donald Durkes • Anne Gauthier •
veggie dogs over the fire, sing campfire songs, enjoy Brock Janicki • Jansen Krei • Kaden
conversation or play time, and roast marshmallows McMillan • David Ogbolumani •
for s’mores to close out our Spirit-filled summer day Sylvia Petersen • Carole Schumacher •
together. The Lighthouse Beach Fire Circle is located at Don Sheber • Avery Shikanai •
2611 Sheridan Road in Evanston. See you at the beach! Molly Shikanai • Nolan Shikanai • Matthew
Tripp • Laura Wilson • Kylie Yost

3
Celebration Sunday Joy
We celebrated our choir, graduates, and teachers with
worship, fun, and fellowship on June 12. Our giant
walking labyrinth, “Celebrate the Journey” Bingo,
community weaving project, and more helped us
connect with one another across the lifespan as we
reflected on our own life journeys.

4
Interfaith Community Reparations Initiatives
First Congregational leaders, staff, and members joined
Evanston’s interfaith community on June 13 as we
made shared commitments to truth telling, education,
and reparations to address historic and current harms
done to the Black community. We have a lot of work
to get done together. There will be many ways to be
involved in more conversation and action in the weeks
and months ahead as we discern how our congregation
can be a leader in this growing movement.

5
Pride!
A 16-person First Congregational Church group
marched in this year’s Chicago Pride Parade on
June 26. What joy!