First Chronicles: Winter 2024 Edition

March 2024
FIRST CHRONICLES
The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC
From the Minister’s Desk Annual Meeting Recap

Welcome to the winter edition of First Chronicles! The Annual Meeting of the First Congregational
In this issue we are recapping our fall stewardship Church of Evanston took place on Sunday, February 4,
campaign and Christmas season and looking ahead to 2024. Here is a quick recap.
the Lenten season and the coming joy of Easter. Co-moderators Sarah Pressly and Julie Captain
The Book of Ecclesiastes calls us to be mindful and Pastor Jason shared reports on the year that was,
of the seasons of life. There is a time to sow and a and looked ahead to 2024 as a time of growth and
time to reap, a time to break down and a time to build experimentation.
up. In the church we are moving out of a season Treasurer Beth Babbit Borst shared the financials
of discernment and moving into a season of experi with the congregation. Our balance sheet shows
mentation and action. ample reserves, but with a revenue mix that draws
As we move into 2024, we are trying on new more from reserves than from offerings or building
things, starting new programs, considering new income. She noted we are investing in our future.
opportunities. The first notable change is that we have Chair of trustees Thekla Metz reported on the
adopted a new governance structure for the church. building improvements completed and those in
At the Annual Meeting on February 4, the process. She noted that we are improving our financial
congregation voted to adopt a trial governance struc accounting practices and investing our funds wisely.
ture that calls for a 12-member Church Council (plus Anne Trompeter reported on behalf of the
the pastor) supported by three boards to lead the work Becoming the Church task force and noted that the
of the church. The boards are as follows: Vision Document we blessed in June has turned into
• The Worship, Music, and Pastoral Care Board an action plan with many ideas implemented and
facilitates our Sunday morning worship and fellow- other initiatives underway.
ship time and oversees the pastoral care needs of Nancy Anderson reported from the governance
the community. working group and introduced a resolution to change
• The Finance and Administration Board (FAB) man our quorum rules from a fixed number of 50 or 80
ages First Congregational’s finances and facilities. persons to 33 percent of active members. The motion
• The Community Life Board supports our programs passed unanimously.
and activities, including Christian Education, Justice/ Rev. Jason shared the trial governance structure
Action/Compassion work, and our efforts to build from the governance group and explained how the
community within the congregation and in greater three boards and restructured council would work.
Evanston. This one-year trial structure had strong support and
We will try this new structure for a year, and if likewise passed unanimously.
we feel it is serving us well, we will prepare a new Julie Captain shared the leadership slate for 2024.
constitution and bylaws to reflect this new way of A great collection of church folk was elected to their
organizing the church. positions for the coming year. (See the complete slate
Later in the spring and summer, look for a new on page 4.)
iteration of the Robinson Recital Series and an Lastly, Chris Krei presented the Member for All
Interfaith Family Pride Fest in Raymond Park on Seasons award to Paul Janicki to recognize his con
June 2. I am excited for what God is doing in our tributions to our building improvements.
midst and hopeful that the seeds we are planting will The meeting was efficient and energizing and
bear fruit in a vital and dynamic faith community. ended on time. The members left the Annual Meeting
Grace and Peace, encouraged by what we have accomplished and
Pastor Jason excited for what is to come!
1
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Once again, members and friends of the First
Congregational Church of Evanston honored the
legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual
interfaith worship service and Interfaith Action of
Evanston’s Walk for Warmth.
Holy Week and Easter at First Congregational

Join us in remembering the story of Jesus’ final week
on earth and celebrating the Resurrection! Make sure
you are subscribed to First on Friday, our weekly
newsletter, for details about Maundy Thursday and
Good Friday services.
Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday
9 a.m. Donkey Parade
10 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship Pastor Jason Coulter participated in the annual
interfaith worship service honoring the life and work
Thursday, March 28 of Dr. King. This year’s service took place at Alice
Maundy Thursday service (details to follow) Millar Chapel on the Northwestern University campus.
Friday, March 29
Good Friday Service (details to follow)
Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday
10 a.m. Easter Worship
Easter Egg Hunt to follow
First Families Newsletter

Are you the parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a
child or teen ages 0 to 18? Our new monthly First
Families email newsletter not only keeps you informed
of events for children and families at First Congrega
tional Church, it also includes resources to help you
talk to your teens and children about tough topics,
ideas for observing the seasons of the church year in Members and friends of First Congregational
your home, and strategies for cultivating your family’s Church braved frigid temperatures in Interfaith
spirituality. This newsletter is sent on the first day of Action of Evanston’s 2024 Walk for Warmth to
every month. To subscribe to First Families, go to support work with the unhoused and the hungry in
www.firstchurchevanston.org or send an email to our community. First Congregational will host IAE’s
[email protected] winter emergency shelter in March.
2
Christmas at First Congregational Church again, Andrew Biliter worked with our young people
The 2023 Christmas season saw First Congregational to create a high quality and memorable play. Follow
Church filled with the sounds of joyful music, the ing the performance, the young players shared their
sights of our children retelling the Christmas story, thoughts on the relevance of the story today. They
and the warmth of fellowship. pointed out that the current migrant crisis in the
Chicago area is similar to the story of Mary and
Joseph looking for a safe place to stay in Bethlehem.
At the beginning of December, we gathered to

celebrate the holiday season with treats, Christmas
Carol karaoke, and wreath-making.
First Congregational Church’s annual Christmas

Eve service included an orchestra and soaring choral
As our annual Christmas Pageant, Sunday School works, along with the reading of the Christmas story
children performed “No Room at the Inn,” a creative and candle lighting. It was a joy to welcome friends
and relevant retelling of the Christmas story. Once old and new to worship with us!
Happy Birthdays!
January John Metz Anya Sefton Nancy Omundson Craig Johnson
Ashley King Joseph Roberts Barb Ferguson Nathaniel Martinez Gabe Fredrickson
Catherine Watkins Linda Krei Catherine Todd Nick Tucker Gary Hardesty
Christopher Panek Mary Greene David Wywialowski Sharyn Julcher Hailey Benirschke
Connor Armstrong Messiah McMillan Dominic Daniels Tesina Mato Hank Doyle
Daisy Bagley Michael Colton Hal Sprague Haven Krei
Douglas Irwin Miranda Metz Henry Doyle, Sr. March Jane Omundson
Elena Daniels Ron Kucirko Ian Clutter Barbara B. Meyer Julia Doyle
Elizabeth Armstrong Zoe Snider Jake Snider Bob Gaskill Margot Goode
Georgia Evans Jazmyn Vasquez Caden Krei Michaela DeStefano
Joan Lindsey February Jean Herbert Candace Heaphy Parker McClendon
John Bezaitis Amy Colton Melissa Pinney Charlotte Lillquist Tom Lindsey
3
7 Aspasia Apostolokis Miller – 1/24
8 Charles Moore – 1/25
9 Barbara Bright – 1/24
Finance and Administration Board (8-12 people)
Position Candidate/Term Board 2
Board responsible for the prayerful care and stewardship
of FCCE staff, finances and facilities. Responsibilities
Officers (6) formerly part of Trustees, Buildings & Grounds, HR,
Moderator Julie Captain – 1/24 Stewardship, Archives.
1 Thekla Metz – 1/24
Vice Chris Krei – 1/25
2 Hal Sprague – 1/24
Moderator
Clerk Candy Heaphy – 1/24 3 Jennifer Coyne – 1/24
Treasurer Beth Babbitt Borst – 1/25
4 Laima Day – 1/24
Assistant Gary Hardesty – 1/25 5 Sheran Fiedler – 1/25

Treasurer 6 Tom Snider – 1/25
Historian Nancy Anderson – 1/25
7 Jeff Roseberry – 1/25
Worship, Music and Pastoral Care Board (8-12 8 Paul Janicki
Board 1
people) Board responsible for the caring and thoughtful Community Life (8-12 people) Board responsible for
execution of logistical elements surrounding Sunday Board 3
enriching the community life of its members and sharing
morning worship service and the ongoing pastoral care God’s love with the broader community through Action/
and concern of FCCE members and friends. Justice work. Responsibilities formerly part of WMA, BOCE,
1 Dona Hildebrandt – 1/24 Mission, Communications, Fellowship.
2 Bob Krause – 1/25 1 Candy Heaphy – 1/24
3 Jansen Krei – 1/26 2 Gary Hardesty – 1/25
4 Eda Uca – 1/25 3 Rhonda Storm – 1/25
5 Nick Tucker - 1/25 4 Ashley King – 1/25
6 Doug Irwin - 1/25 5 Linda Krei– 1/25
7 Aspasia Apostolokis Miller – 1/24 6 Sarah Pressly – 1/25
8 Charles Moore – 1/25 7 Laura Hamm
9 Barbara Bright – 1/24 8 Anne Trompteter

Finance and Administration Board (8-12 people) 9 Ashley Benirschke
Board 2
Board responsible for the prayerful care and stewardship
of FCCE staff, finances and facilities. Responsibilities 10 Robert Benirschke
formerly part of Trustees, Buildings & Grounds, HR,
Stewardship, Archives.
1 Thekla Metz – 1/24
2 Hal Sprague – 1/24
3 Jennifer Coyne – 1/24
4 Laima Day – 1/24
5 Sheran Fiedler – 1/25
6 Tom Snider – 1/25

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March 2024

From the Minister’s Desk Annual Meeting Recap

Holy Week and Easter at First Congregational

First Families Newsletter

At the beginning of December, we gathered to

First Congregational Church’s annual Christmas

Assistant Gary Hardesty – 1/25 5 Sheran Fiedler – 1/25

2 Bob Krause – 1/25 1 Candy Heaphy – 1/24

3 Jansen Krei – 1/26 2 Gary Hardesty – 1/25

4 Eda Uca – 1/25 3 Rhonda Storm – 1/25

5 Nick Tucker - 1/25 4 Ashley King – 1/25

6 Doug Irwin - 1/25 5 Linda Krei– 1/25

7 Aspasia Apostolokis Miller – 1/24 6 Sarah Pressly – 1/25

8 Charles Moore – 1/25 7 Laura Hamm

9 Barbara Bright – 1/24 8 Anne Trompteter

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