By Rev. Elizabeth Steele

You never know who will walk into a church office, or what pain and suffering they will bring with them. One morning it was two very polite young men from the neighborhood. Their grandmother had died unexpectedly in another state. Could they hold a car wash in our lot to help pay for the funeral and to help pay for the family here to get to the funeral. I talked with them for awhile, explaining that the parking lot had just been redone and we’d been told not to have car washes on it for awhile. We began to explore other ideas. Hilari quietly went back to her office. After a few minutes she returned. She’d been calling local businesses where she’d seen funeral car washes in the past. Unfortunately, none of them could help either. We continued talking. They called home and explained what was happening.

Suddenly one of them came up with an idea. Would we let them hold a lemonade stand? Sure. We asked them to put it in the far corner away from the kids. It would also mean more traffic going past. They left, shaking our hands and thanking us. One commented, “Not too many people take teenagers seriously.”
A short time later, we saw them walk by with a grocery sack in hand. Shortly after that they and a young woman (sister or cousin?) were outside selling lemonade. It took a lot of determination to stand in the sun, holding signs explaining they were doing, trying to raise the money. It was a hot day, but even so I wondered how they would do. When I went to check they were enthused and felt things were going well. They even brought lemonade to those of us in the office.

The next day the family was off to the funeral, buying gas money with the funds from the lemonade stand. Just because of our location, we had helped, if only a little.

The New Orleans Mission group has returned and some photos are viewable here. Also the group maintained a daily blog while they were there the link is http://5real.blogspot.com.

Keith Scott will be preaching Sunday, July 6.

Keith is a friend of both Nancy Bacon and Jane Fisler-Hoffman, the interim conference minister. Keith is a recent graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago with a Masters of Divinity degree. Keith is currently the Director of Organizing for the Good News Community Kitchen and the community organizer for Northside P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized to Work, Educate, and Restore), the grassroots community organization for the Kitchen. Keith is also actively involved in the wider church as the Site Coordinator for the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, a position that Keith has held for the past 8 years. Keith is also on the Planning Committee for the National Youth Event for the United Church of Christ. Keith has been blessed to use his gift of gab to share his love for Christ through preaching. On any given Sunday, Keith might be seen and heard preaching at various churches throughout the Chicagoland metropolitan area. Last year Keith was invited to be one of three keynote speakers at the Illinois Conference Youth Initiative Midwinter Retreat for youth of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ.

A member of Trinity United Church of Christ (Trinity) in Chicago, Keith has offered to lead A Sacred Conversation on Race. Many UCC congregations held such conversation May 18. Since we were honoring our music people, we postponed the conversation. Now we have the opportunity to talk with Keith who can share his perspectives from working in community organizing, doing prison ministry, and working with youth. Come welcome and hear Keith Scott July 6.

Sample “Conversation” Sermon

Would you like to help plan worship services? As we start planning beyond the summer toward the fall, now is the time to start working with a worship team. You don’t have to be an expert in liturgy or scripture. You just need to be someone who likes to express and communicate ideas in different ways. Contact Reverend Steele.

353 Rexland Drive - 20% of the proceeds will go to the FCC General Fund

of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ

The Annual Gathering is being held in Glendale, California, June 20-21, 2008.
Our congregation will be represented by two voting delegates, Dinah Campbell and Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout. David Campbell will also be attending. They will be able to share experiences upon their return. Don’t forget to ask them about this exciting event.

From the Southern California Nevada Conference UCC: Phil Jenkins and Topher Nichols; our interim pastor, Elizabeth Steele; from our congregation: Greg Muir, Brenda Hoschele, Robert Slocum, Bruce Jones, Don Kruszka, Carolyn Aranda, Cindy Hooper, Liz Haley, Peghi Webb, Lydia Zimmerman, Sara Oliver, Jan Thomsen, David Hill, Joe Meyer, Jill Rodriguez, Marty Steinman, Bill & Greta Lydecker, Stephanie Johnson, Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout, Jack & Bobbi Hulson, Margie Bell, Shay DeWeese, David & Dinah Campbell, Pete Bacon, Deborah Wells, Henry Lydecker, Mackenzie Hooper, Jacqueline Johnson, Rachel Robinson, Ben Robinson.

Phil and Topher were very helpful in conveying the broader picture of youth ministry and some alternative ways of going about it. Stay tuned!

- David Campbell

Part II, led by Elizabeth Steele, will discuss the “branches,” options for the future of our church and our community. Schedule to be announced.

• Sunday, June 22, 5:00, Mackenzie Hooper’s house
• Sunday, June 29, 5:00, Jill Price’s house

All are welcome! For more information, contact Jacqueline Johnson, 428-0370 or Ben Robinson, 332-3455.
Letís all go FISHING! (Friends In Senior High Informal Night Gatherings ~ )