 DROP and SHOP at RCLPC
Saturday, Dec. 23rd from 2 - 5 pm
Drop your children at the church for an afternoon of crafts, movies, and games while you finish those last minute things you need to do. Pick them up by 5 PM and stay for the New Way service if you wish. After the service, a pizza supper will be available at 6 PM in Fellowship Hall for only $5 per family. Shown here are Church members enjoying cake and planning for the event. For information call the church office at 815 459-1132.
 RCLPC Publishes CookbookNancy Blakely with the help of the members and friends of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church has published a collection of recipes, Beyond the Cookie Walk, that features favorite recipes from appetizers to main dishes to desserts, and includes many favorite cookie and candy recipes that are featured at the Church's annual Cookie Walk. Since 1990, the Church has sponsored a cookie walk on the second Saturday in December, and uses the proceeds to fund charities such as Home of the Sparrow, PADS, and Fairhaven School in Egypt for children with disabilities. The cookbook is dedicated to a wonderful couple and longtime Cookie Walk bakers, the late Louie and Lucy Grivett, who in 1999 began a romance in their eighties while baking for the Cookie Walk. Copies of the cookbook may be purchased for $12.00 at the annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 9 (9 AM - sellout) or by calling the Church office at 815 459-1132. Pictured here are the chairs of this year's Cookie Walk, Nancy Blakely and Marypatriece Raupp.
 Monster Mash at the Dole Mansion
Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church held a Monster Mash Costume Party at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake on Sat., Oct. 28. Members and friends came in costumes, shared appetizers, and danced in the Mansion that had been decorated for Halloween. Prizes for the best costumes went to Tom and Cheryl Lilly, Melanie Wesa, and Ron and Alice Haznedl. Pictured here are the committee members who organized the party.
 RCLPC Helps Marines with Christmas Party in Iraq
In March, 2003, Mary Moltmann organized a Prayers and Cookie Lift at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church to send care packages to soldiers serving in the Middle East. Last month a Major in Marine Aviation Logistics asked his sister, a member of RCLPC, if she could enlist people to help him obtain nonperishable gifts to give to the 300 male and female soldiers in his squadron at a Christmas party. Mary has already recruited a number of community groups to donate items, and Nancy Vazanno suggested that RCLPC make Christmas stockings for each soldier. Members and friends in the community have donated CDs, DVDs, crossword puzzles, decks of cards, candy, and money for postage which has already exceeded $1,000. On Friday, October 13, some of Santa's elves gathered in the Church lounge to fill 300 stockings and pack them into 22 boxes.
 Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church Makes Christmas Cards for Soldiers in Iraq
Church members along with the high school class (shown here) at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church made Christmas cards to send to soldiers who are serving in the Middle East.
 Visit to Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations
In April 2006, Dawn Condill, Ann Legg, Gloria Thorson, and Joy Martin traveled to two of the three most poverty stricken communities in the U.S., Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations in South Dakota. All the participants agree with Dawn's statement that it was a Powerful experience. Allowing ourselves to be immersed in the Oglala Lakota culture and spirituality enhances our own faith with each trip having its' own unique qualities through this mission-in-reverse program. The wisdom of our Indian leaders is illuminating and life changing. We are forever in their debt for allowing us to join in some of their ancient ceremonies and to add another stone to this bridge of friendship and understanding.
 Rev. Floyd Offers Adult Ed Class
On Sundays at 10 AM through December 17, Rev. Richard Floyd, will be leading an adult discussion group based on The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg. Rev. Floyd stated, " I think that this will be a challenging experience for all of us. We may find that some of the ideas we've been holding on to since our Sunday school days no longer serve us very well. We may find that there are new and surprising ways to think about our faith that are not only faithful to our tradition but also make sense of the world we live in." Rev. Floyd is inviting the members of the congregation and community to explore what it means to be a Christian in a complex world.
 World Music at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
World Communion Sunday will be celebrated on Oct. 1 with Sherri Dees, Emily Floyd, and Sheila Mohler directing all of the choirs and the congregation in a festival of world music from many nations including Africa, China, New Zealand, and France. Music and instruments from around the world are frequently featured at RCLPC, and on a recent Sunday "Creator Rhythm" was offered with the djembe, the organ, the marimba, the cabasa, and the piano.
 RCLPC Holds Reception for New APNC Candidate
On September 16 and 17 Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church held several receptions for the candidate for associate pastor, Teri Peterson. Lou Rabe and Ed Bennett are pictured here setting up the food for the Sunday reception held after the 11 AM service.
 RCLPC Holds State Fair
Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church held a State Fair on Sept. 3 at the Dorothy Vick Fair Grounds. Judges awarded blue ribbons to Emily Floyd for her couscous, Sally Weller for her chopped vegetable salad, "Stuff on a Stick" Chefs Steve Leuchtmann and Mark LeFevre for corn dogs and stickles, and Dale Prindiville for her strawberry pie. The RCLPC Men's DoWop Chorus directed by Jim Iddings and Steve Neilson serenaded the fair-goers while they feasted on all of the dishes entered, pulled pork, and corn on the cob. Trophies were presented to the victors in the following contests: Rev. Richard Floyd and Pete Koenig for the Three-legged Race, Deb Steele for the Spouse-Calling Contest, Dale and Wayne Prindiville for the Water Balloon Toss, and Scott Iddings for the Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest.
 Church Adds Play Area
Members of the Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church added a play area to the lawn for the children of the Church and neighborhood to enjoy. A bench was placed as a memorial to the late Ken McCreary who served his church in many capacities, most recently as a Deacon. Emily Floyd, Sue Hayden, Wayne Prindiville, Lou Rabe, Bill Blakely, Mike Lazar, Ken Miller, and Ed Waters worked on the project. A group of children and adults from the church are shown playing on the equipment on a recent summer day.
 Taize' Worship Services
Taize' worship services are held at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church on the first Thursday of each month in the sanctuary. The service features candlelight, songs sung as a series of prayers, Bible readings, prayers of the people, and silence. Worshippers are asked to take a Taize songbook and electric candle and enter in silence. Do not be anxious about knowing what to do next or when. Silence is a central part of the service and is a gift to us in a busy world. Allow the silence to be a vehicle in which you can speak to God about what is in your heart. More importantly, allow God to speak to you.
 Vacation Bible School
Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church held a Vacation Bible School, Adventures of the Treasure Seekers, for 63 children so that they could learn about God in a fun and relaxing way. Each day children sang songs, heard stories, made crafts, ate snacks, and played games reminding the children of God’s love for them. As a mission project the children collected school items for children in El Salvador. On the last day the children celebrated all they had learned with their family and friends during a closing celebration and ice cream social.
 Annual Picnic
Sunday, June 25, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church held its annual church picnic on the Church lawn. Members and friends brought a dish to pass, and volunteers helped Deacon Phil Wesa grill the meat.
 New Deacons Elected
Members of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church elected a new class of deacons in June. The Session recently proposed expanding the charge of the Board of Deacons into the following: Welcoming (greeting and new member assimilation), Caring (calls, cards, meals, visits), Fellowship (planning events), and Mission (special offerings, mission funding). The four separate teams will each be led by three deacons and will include people from the congregation.
 RCLPC Gardening Group
Kathy Rabe of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church has organized a Gardening Group that works to beautify the Church grounds by weeding, pruning, and planting flowers and shrubs. Shown here are some of the members at a recent work day.
 RCLPC Supper Club
Jodie LeFevre and Deb Steele are co-chairing the Supper Club Large Group Social Events Committee at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church this year. The first event was a Seis de Mayo party at the home of Lou and Kathy Rabe on Saturday, May 6, 2006. Members and friends were asked to bring a dish to share and contribute $5 for the entertainment. Other events scheduled are a State Fair party in the summer and a Monster Mash in the fall.
 Food Pantry Building Fundraiser
Nancy Vazzano, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church's liaison to the Food Pantry, organized a Chili Luncheon to benefit the Food Pantry's Building Fund. Volunteers made a variety of delicious kinds of chili or dessert, and everyone paid $6 to join the fun.
 Members Prepare for RCLPC Rummage Sale - May 20th, 9am to 3pm
Pictured here are members organizing the Rummage Sale that will be sponsored by Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St. (behind McHenry County College), on Saturday, May 20, 2006, from 9 AM - 3 PM. Items will sell for $2/bag during the last hour. The proceeds will benefit the Senior High Mission Trip to Egypt in June. Members of the congregation will visit the El Saray Christian Church in Alexandria, and they will help with construction projects at the Fairhaven School for the Developmentally Disabled in Alexandria.
 New Members
The Rev. Richard Floyd held an Inquirer's Class for prospective members on Saturday, April 29. Pictured here with Rev. Richard Floyd and several Elders are the new members who will join Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church.
 Maundy Thursday Dinner
The Rev. Richard Floyd welcomed members and friends of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church to a dinner to commemorate Jesus' last supper and to remember His commandment to love one another. Ken Stewart provided guitar music, and after a family style dinner of soup, bread, fruit, and dessert, members shared communion with each other. Shown here are members preparing the meal.
 RCLPC Presents Children's Choir Musical, "Down by the Creekbank"
RCLPC Children's Choirs under the direction of Emily Floyd (above, back row) have been hard at work rehearsing to present the musical "Down By the Creekbank" on Saturday, May 6, 2006, at 3:00 PM in the Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church sanctuary. The public is encouraged to attend, the Church is accessible to people with disabilities, and admission is free. You won't help but smile as you see these enthusiastic children sharing the message of how special each of us are, especially when we are free to be ourselves. They'll take you to the creekbank where you'll encounter crickets, tadpoles, turtles, frogs, and even an invisible dog named "Germs." Shown here are the children's choirs getting ready to sing on Palm Sunday.
 Egyptian Connection at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Gendi Rizk came to Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church in 1979 through a "mission in reverse" program, and 26 years ago this month, RCLPC members prepared for their first visit to the El Saray Church in Alexandria, Egypt. The connection has endured through the years, and another group from RCLPC is preparing to go and experience life, share faith with their sister church, and help with projects at the Fairhaven School for the developmentally disabled that the Rev. Rizk founded in the early 1990s. The Rev. Rizk spoke at each of the three worship services on March 26th, and met with the congregation in Fellowship Hall during the adult education hour.
 Prayers and Cookies Lift to Iraq Soldiers
Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church has been operating a "Prayers and Cookie Lift" for three years for soldiers serving in the military in the Middle East. Members contribute cookies, snacks, hygiene items, magazines, DVDs, and items that the soldiers request. Shown here are members signing the Easter greetings to the soldiers.
 RCLPC Sponsors Egypt Night
RCLPC has celebrated a 27-year relationship with the El Saray Christian Church and Fairhaven School for the Developmentally Disabled in Alexandria, Egypt. In June, 2006, a mission team of thirteen members of RCLPC are going to Alexandria to help finish a remodeling project at the School. On Friday, February 24, 2006, at RCLPC, the mission team is sponsoring an Egypt Travelogue Movie Night, featuring visits to the Valley of the Kings, the Great Pyramids of Gaza, the beautiful bazaar of Khan al-Khalil, and Luxor. The doors will open at 6:45 PM, the movie will be shown in the sanctuary at 7:30 PM, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall featuring North African dessert and beverage recipes made by the mission team. The evening's events are open to the public and free of charge. There will be a freewill offering with all donations going to the Fairhaven School.
 Souper Bowl of Caring at Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
On February 5 the youth groups of RCLPC collected money and non-perishable food for the Souper Bowl of Caring after each of the three services. They donated the money and food to the local food pantry. The youth totaled the donations to phone into the program headquarters, and the total was announced during the half-time of the Superbowl.
Adult Education Class Offered at RCLPC
The Reverend Richard Floyd offered an adult education class that examined the differences and similarities of "traditional" and "contemporary" worship, guided by the book Beyond the Worship Wars by Thomas Long. Given our creative and at times conflicted worship life, the Church invited all members and interested community members to participate.
RCLPC Elects Board of Deacons
 Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church recently elected, ordained, and installed a Board of Deacons, the first Board in the 166-year old congregation. The Deacons form the compassionate arm of the Church, with duties toward both the congregation and the community at large. Under the direction of Rev. Richard Floyd, the group considered the immediate needs of RCLPC's large and diverse congregation. After identifying the need to promote a sense of community in the Church's 211 families that are members or friends of the Church, each Deacon was assigned a group of families to contact periodically. At the first meeting the Board elected Bill Moll as Moderator and Joy Martin as Secretary.
[ go home ] | [ back to top of page ]
|
