Union Church of Hinsdale

Gather + Grow Youth Group
2023-10-25 16:00, 2023-10-18 16:00, 2023-10-11 16:00, 2023-10-04 16:00, 2023-09-27 16:00, 2023-09-20 16:00 - 18:30, 2023-09-13 16:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
Gather + Grow Groups are for 2nd through 8th grades and are created to foster important connection and mentorship. Throughout the year the group does mission work, plays board games, has church-wide scavenger hunts, engages in deep discussions about our faith and plays music that is performed in church from time to time.
*2nd – 5th graders are from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Middle School is 4:00 – 6:30 (with a fellowship dinner served) or anytime within that time period. They are welcome to bring homework too.

PADS 2023 Meal Packing and Delivery
2023-10-24 17:00 - 18:30, 2023-09-26 17:00 - 18:30
Union Church provides a healthy meal delivered to each client on the 4th Tuesday of each month. We are looking for volunteers to shop for healthy sides for the meals and to hand out and meals to the clients in the Interim Housing Center in Downers Grove. Please use the link below to sign to shop for sides or to distribute meals, or both!
Sign up here!

Worship in the Woods
2023-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 | Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook, IL, 60523
at the 9:00am service

Ostrega Uhl Project: Mozart and Musicals
2023-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
Friday, October 20, 7:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary
Join The Ostrega Uhl Project in its premiere performance of its second season! Mozart and Musicals will begin with Mozart’s famous Piano Quartet in G minor followed by string quartet performances of popular selections from Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, and culminating with a medley of great tunes from West Side Story. With concerts that always deliver on variety for everyone, this is a season opening concert you don’t want to miss! Guest Artists include Stephane Collopy, Violin Oana Tatu, Viola, & Brian Gaona, Cello.
An in-kind donation is greatly appreciated, kids attend free with accompanying adult!

Golden Friendship Dinner
2023-10-15 11:15 - 13:00 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
In the Dining Room

New Member Welcome Service!
2023-10-15 10:00 - 23:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States

New Sermon Series: Koinonia
2023-10-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
September 17 at 10:00 in the sanctuary
Koinonia is a Greek work from the New Testament that is hard to translate into English. Perhaps the best way to capture it is with the phrase “a shared life.” However we word it exactly, the reality is that it was this koinonia that caused the thriving of the early church. As followers of Jesus, people found a community of connection, joy, meaning, and hope. It was not first of all beliefs about Jesus or God that mattered, but it was the unique nature of the community that was created in Jesus’ name that made all the difference in the early church.
In our fall sermon series, we are going focus on koinonia, both with regard to the church itself, and on what this concept might mean for our lives in our neighborhoods, our town, and the larger community around us. For example, studies find that participation in the life of a church helps create deep connectedness to others, and, gee, look what this study from Harvard University found! Be with us this fall, to worship, learn, and know real koinonia.

New Member Classes
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:15, 2023-10-01 11:15 - 12:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States

Used Eyeglasses Drive For Angola
2023-10-08 - 2024-01-31
PUT YOUR OLD EYEGLASSES TO GOOD USE by donating them to benefit our friends in Angola!

Glasses will be delivered to Dr. John Kakorio, ophthalmologist, to better serve his patients at the hospital in Dondi, which is supported by our congregation.

Donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off in the Gathering Place at Union Church starting Sunday, October 8. A plastic bin will be located underneath the bulletin board for collection.

The deadline for our first shipment is November 30, but we will continue to collect glasses into the new year!

Generosity Campaign
2023-10-08 - 2023-11-30
On Sunday, October 8, we are kicked off our annual pledge campaign for 2024! Please look for our mailing sent out this week. In the mailing is information that will help you make your pledge for next year. We thank you so much for taking the time to review the guidance for pledging and the FAQ, including electronic giving. Everyone’s pledge counts no matter the amount.
Our theme for 2024 is “Transforming Lives.” Seem overly dramatic for the life of a local church? Well, it doesn’t always happen all at once, but transforming lives is surely what happens through UCH, often one small bit of transformation at a time (think the growth of an oak tree, not a bolt of lightening). Year after year, our members transform lives by supporting the mission and ministry of UCH. We’ll even back up that claim with videos of members talking about transformation, starting with Penny Davey!
So many of you share the gifts God has given you and, as members to members, we are truly grateful. We encourage you to give at the most generous amount that is right for you. See the giving instructions in your mailing, or click here for the information letter and here for the FAQs about giving at UCH, including information about how much other members give.
If you can increase your pledge for 2024, please consider doing so. The basic costs of operation continue to rise in today’s economy, and our beautiful, but increasingly aging, church building requires significant maintenance, sometimes unexpectedly, despite our best planning. Just this past summer, the HVAC system, bell tower, and parts of the roof, have all needed various repairs. In simply truthful terms, the more generous your giving, the more we can do to transform lives.
If you can pledge via the online system, that’s fantastic. If you can set up automatic giving to pay that pledge the super easy way, that’s fantastic too. If you return the pledge card you get in the mail, great. But if you have any trouble, don’t let that stand in the way of pledging! Just call our bookkeeper, Ann Gleason, and she’ll make sure you can pledge hassle-free. Call her office directly at 630.590.6654, or email her at agleason@uchinsdale.org.
Our target date to have all pledges in is November 30. This helps us plan for next year. So, by all means, read through the materials, get inspired to give, and make a generous pledge for 2024 at your earliest convenience.
Thank you. Your pledge helps transform lives!
Gratefully, your Generosity Team

Union Church Annual Resale!
2023-10-07 09:00 - 13:00, 2023-10-06 17:30 - 20:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
Shop!
October 6: 5:30 – 8:30 pm
October 7: 9:00 – 1:00 pm
This huge bargain-packed sale includes clothing for men, women, teens and children, including infant and maternity wear as well as designer French Room items, housewares, linens, sports equipment, jewelry, collectibles, and some holiday items.
Proceeds benefit a wide variety of charities and social service agencies.

How To Be An Active Bystander
2023-09-17 11:15 - 12:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
September 17, 11:15 to 12:30, in Rowell Hall
What’s an active bystander?
An active bystander can be a lifesaver.
This event offers an opportunity for attendees to be educated and gain awareness about how to be an active bystander during violent situations, process the lingering trauma of such an event, and help while protecting yourself emotionally and physically.
This presentation will be conversational.
Attendees are invited to ask questions and share reflections.
Flyer: How To Be An Active Bystander

Sunday School Resumes
2023-09-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
during 10:00 worship only.

Fall Sermon Series Kicks-off
2023-09-17 09:00 - 23:15 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
for both 9:00 and 10:00 worship services

9:00 Family Worship Is Back!
2023-09-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
9:00 in the Chapel
After almost three years of being outside during the pandemic, this service is moving back inside and back to the Chapel. We’re also moving the time up to 9:00, but if you’re running late – that’s ok! Who actually gets places on time with kids in tow? Like God, we give grace.
We’ll have a great musician, Cole, leading us each week incorporating traditional hymns with his guitar. Reverend Grant will also be there every week (until his baby arrives mid-late fall) and lead us through the foundational faith stories, using these classic Bible stories to anchor the service and conversations.
But don’t worry – we’re still all about movement. This family-friendly 25-30 minute service embraces the busy energy of young children. While it is designed as an introduction to Christian worship and a teaching opportunity for young children to learn about our faith practices, we welcome anyone of any age or family stage.
Join in on the fun in our beautiful Chapel every Sunday at 9:00, beginning on September 17.

RESALE Donation Dropoff Begins
2023-09-17 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
Dining Room Stage
It’s time to gather your stuff and set it aside for RESALE. Let your family and friends know too!!!
Item drop off begins September 17 in the Dining Room on the lower level of the building. All items should be placed on the Dining Room stage.
This year we will NOT be accepting:
• furniture
• holiday decorations
• electronics
• books
• artwork (if it is collectable, please email a photo for a possible exception)
• office supplies
• curtains
• luggage
• toys
We also need volunteers from October 1 through October 7! If you are interested in being part of our annual RESALE, please follow this link, https://signup.com/go/juctpWB.
Questions? Email UCHRESALE@gmail.com

Thriving Pastors in Revitalizing Congregations
2023-09-16 08:30 - 15:00 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
You are warmly welcomed to attend the Education Summit Workshops provided by Thriving Pastors In Revitalizing Congregations (TPIRC) Saturday September 16th. There is no cost to attend.
Our 2023 TPIRC theme is Rebuilding Our Communities of Faith. This two-day event will bring together Pastors and lay leaders to learn new skills to support and grow their communities of faith.
To register, please click this link to complete the TPIRC Education Summit 2023 (Workshop Signup). There is also detailed information on the Summit events and presenters on the TPIRC Website. Please contact Marz Rivera (He/Him), TPIRC Program Coordinator at the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ at MarzRivera@ilucc.org if you have any questions.

Pet Blessing
2023-09-10 09:00 - 11:15 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
both 9:00 and 10:00 (outdoor services)
Blessing of pets…and stuffed animals! Bring your non-human friends to church for a special blessing. Both services will be held outdoors on this day.
Please send a photo of your pet so we can show it during our service should we need to move indoors (and keep pets at home) due to rain or print them in our worship order. Email the photo to Carissa Kapcar or drop in the church office mailboxes.

Beer and Brat Party & Fundraiser
2023-09-09 18:30 - 21:00
Honigschmidts’ Back Yard: 222 N. Adams St, Hinsdale
$75 per person
Live music, fun, games
Beer, wine, brats and all the fixin’s
Everyone is welcome!
Event committee: Sharon Olsen, Stephen Edwards, Cindy Klima, Parish Life, Mary Sue Honigschmidt
Please join us!!

New Music Kickoff
2023-08-30
Interested in joining the Chancel Choir? Do you also like a good Backyard BBQ? Email Stephen, sedwards@uchinsdale.org, for more information!

Back to School Sunday/Blessing of Backpacks
2023-08-27 10:00 | Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL, 60521, United States
Bring your bag (work bag, school bag or handbag) to church and have it blessed for a year full of safe, joyful learning and growth. Wear your favorite school colors (high school, elementary, college and even UCECP) to church and join for a tailgate-style social with yard games in the Close and root beer floats from Parish Life after worship. What a fun way to welcome each other back from our summer adventures and kick off the school year together!
