CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Called for Nov. 18-19 A congregational meeting has been called for the purpose of electing elders for the class of 2009 and nominees for the nominating committee. In an effort to accommodate worshipers on both Saturday and Sunday, the congregational meeting will begin on Sat, Nov 18, at 6pm (immediately following NewWay worship) and will then resume on Sun, Nov 19, at 10am (after the 9am service). Ballots will be collected from each "session" and counted together. Information on our elder candidates and nominees for the nominating committee is below. Elder Nominees for the Class 2009 JIM BAUMAN Jim grew up in the Chicago area and was raised Roman Catholic. He and his wife, Laura, have two daughters: Andrea (19) and Kristen (16). Laura was already involved at RCLPC when she and Jim met, and eventually she lured him into the fold. Jim has ushered, led small adult education classes, and attended Men’s Group meetings. He also began the “Spare Change for a Big Change” program, where we collect spare change and use it for mission projects. Jim would like to see the church remain as inclusive as possible of the various views and visions of its members. He thinks our strength comes from our diversity, and he hopes we will continue to work together and stay together. JODI IDDINGS Jodi grew up mainly in Illinois, though she spent about five years in Vegas. When she was younger she tried out different kinds of churches, joining the First Congregational Church of Huntley in junior high school. She has been married to Scott for 10 years, and they have three children: Emma (6 ½), Ryan (3 ½), and Josh (2). When they were dating, Scott brought Jodi to a RCLPC choir rehearsal and she was sucked in (“everyone was so nice and the music was awesome”). She has been involved in the adult choir, the NewWay band, the chime choir, and she helps out with the Sunday school program. She has also been a part of the mission committee and worship planning for special services. Jodi would like to work in the areas of education and worship. She would love to see the church continue to grow and have new families join us. She enjoys the NewWay service and would love to see that service grow. DEBI KEYZER Debi was born in Winfield, IL and grew up in Glen Ellyn and Elmhurst. She was raised with a Catholic background… “and a lot of questions.” Debi has a Bachelors degree in special education with an emphasis in visually impaired and a Masters in Educational Administration. She has taught in Wisconsin and Illinois. She married Mike in 1998, and they have two children: Amy (5 ¾) and Matthew (2 ¼). They also have a big black and tan German Sheppard named Jake. After they were married Debi and Mike spent two years visiting a variety of churches until they found RCLPC, where they immediately felt an overwhelming sense of comfort, aligned religious beliefs, and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Since then Debi has been involved in many ways: Sunday school teacher, nursery committee, Vacation Bible School, help with the Flood family, Meals on Wheels, CROP Walk, Cookie Walk, Circle of Friends, and church work days. Debi is excited by the change in the air and the possibility of new beginnings. She hopes RCLPC will continue to be an extended family for all who enter, where people feel welcome and free to ask comfortable and uncomfortable questions, a place to turn to in times of need and a place to rejoice in times of happiness, and a place to celebrate our faith, both individually and as a church community. CONNIE RASMUSSEN Connie was born in southern Illinois but from 6th grade on she lived in the St. Louis area. She was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian church. She has been married to Chuck for 12 years, and combined they have five children, who are all adults and on their own (she reports with several exclamation points!!). Her daughter, Allison, lives in Crystal Lake and her son, Rob, lives in Portland, Oregon. Her stepson, Cary, and his wife, Melissa, live in Chicago with her grandson, Leo; Ross and his wife live in Bolingbrook; and Lani lives in England. Connie joined RCLPC in 1971. She has been involved in most areas of the church: Stephen Ministry, adult education, Vacation Bible School, new member classes, stewardship committee, personnel committee (for many, many years), and a member of the associate pastor nominating committee (the previous one). Connie is just retired and is excited about being involved again in the life of the church and would be open to serving in any area. She notes that through the years RCLPC has always been changing, searching, and growing, and she hopes we can work together to discover the path we should walk together, and walk it hand-in-hand. Nominees to Serve on the Nominating Committee KARL DENCKER Session Chair Karl will serve as the Session Chair for the 2007 Nominating Committee. LINDA PEEL Deacon Represenative Nominee Linda grew up all over the Midwest and South (13 schools before graduating high school). Her family was not formally religious, and RCLPC is her first church experience. Linda’s family includes Joan and their kitty, Peanut. Linda was invited to RCLPC by Dorothy Vick who had already visited RCLPC a few times. Now she has served as a greeter, usher, liturgist, coordinator of the bread basket ministry, and currently a deacon. Linda hopes to help bring the congregation together and encourage healthy growth. KATHY RABE Kathy grew up in Prosser, Washington. She has lived in San Francisco, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Iowa. She was born and raised Presbyterian. She’s been married to Lou for 30 years. Their eldest son, Benjamin, lives in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, and works as a trade show coordinator. Second son, Andrew, also lives in Chicago and is a first officer for Air Wisconsin. Their daughter, Maggie, lives in Chicago as well and works in advertising. They have been members of RCLPC since 1981. Kathy has been an active elder (two terms), Sunday school teacher and superintendent, director of lay ministries for several years, involved in many committees, and served as an usher and liturgist, participated in Meals on Wheels, and currently handles care of the church’s grounds. Kathy hopes for growth in the spiritual life of our members, outreach into the community, and development of members’ gifts. GEORGE STEFFEN George grew up in Chicago, raised Presbyterian. His wife, Julie, is a middle school teacher of math and science at Bernotas Middle School. His daughter, Lauren, is a pharmacist in Cincinnati, and his son, Justin, is a third year law student at Washington University in St. Louis. In his time at RCLPC George has served on session (and as clerk of session), the pastor nominating committee, and various other committees. He hopes to see the church continue to grow and expand its programs and ministries. BILL WELLER Bill grew up in Holland, Michigan, but went to high school in Pella, Iowa. He grew up in the Reformed Church of America. He and his wife, Sally, have three children. Their oldest, Ben, is a junior at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Their only daughter, Claire, is enjoying her freshman year at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Their other son, Charlie, is a sophomore at Crystal Lake Central. They joined RCLPC about 19 years ago, and since then Bill has served on session (twice), he’s been active in adult education and stewardship, and he’s also been an actor, liturgist, video-taper, and even headed-up one of the church’s financial campaigns. He hopes RCLPC will continue to be a place where people come together to learn and to worship, to mourn and to celebrate, to share with others and care for others. KEN ZOERNER Ken grew up in Libertyville, IL. He was confirmed as a Presbyterian but his family did not regularly attend church. His wife, Jayne, teaches at Olson Middle School in Woodstock. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is a senior at Cary Grove High School. She plans to attend college next year. Their youngest daughter, Anna, is a freshman at Cary Grove and is happy finally to be in high school. Ken works for AT&T as a network security engineer. Ken reports that when he and Jayne first visited they were asked to please not sit in the choir seats at the back of the church. Apparently this made them want to come back. Ken has been on session, taught Sunday school, and works with the church’s computers. He’d like for RCLPC to expand our abilities to welcome newcomers so that they can more quickly and easily feel “at home.”

Global Gift Shop ~ November 18-19 A wooden hummingbird ornament from Argentina, a snowflake trivet from Bangladesh, an elephant puzzle from Sri Lanka, or a turquoise necklace from Kenya… Each of these handcrafted and fairly traded items can help families build better lives around the world. You can purchase these and many other items in Fellowship Hall before and after each worship service on November 18 and 19. Our suppliers are A Greater Gift and Equal Exchange. A Greater Gift is a nonprofit organization that partners with 90 groups of artisans and farmers in 35 countries. They are committed to paying fairly for labor, involving the partners in decision making, giving women equal opportunities, using eco-friendly resources, and ensuring safe work places. More than 93% of A Greater Gift’s total expenses support their international partners. Equal Exchange has been working to change the terms of trade for small-scale coffee, tea, and cocoa farmers for 20 years. 100% of their products are fairly traded, representing a commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and long-term partnerships. Through the Presbyterian Coffee Project, Equal Exchange contributes to the Presbyterian “Small Farmers Fund” for each pound of coffee, tea, or chocolate purchased. In fact, Presbyterian groups purchased 67 tons of Equal Exchange products in 2005. Another offering of the Global Gift Shop will be alternative gifts from Heifer International. Heifer is dedicated to ending world hunger and caring for the Earth by providing livestock, trees, training, and other resources to help struggling families around the globe. The animals provide milk, eggs, wool, and draft power, leading to better nutrition, higher income, education for children, and improved health care and housing. Cards will be available for gifts ranging from a share of a sheep for $10, to tree seedlings for $60, or a heifer for $500. Kalpana Palma, an artisan from Bangladesh who sells embroidery through A Greater Gift, says, “I feel great to think that I am a working woman today. This opportunity has enabled me to stand on my feet, taught me to speak, and inspired me to look ahead toward a brighter future.” Please join us in spreading hope and justice at the Global Gift Shop. Thanksgiving Worship? In the past we've had a special worship service on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Richard travels the week of Thanksgiving, so this service has been lay-planned and lay-led. The past two years Sherri Dees and Dale Prindiville have planned the service, but they are not able to do it this year. The feeling among the worship planners was that we would not have the service unless someone from the congregation feels inspired to make it happen. Let us know if you are that person. Otherwise, please note that we will not have worship on Wednesday, November 22. Worship for Advent and Christmas Please take note of the following days and times for worship. Advent 1 - Dec 2 at 5 pm (NewWay), Dec 3 at 9 am & 11 am Advent 2 - Dec 9 at 5 pm (NewWay), Dec 10 at 9 am & 11 am Advent 3 - Dec 16 at 5 pm (NewWay), Dec 17 at 9 am & 11 am Advent 4 - Dec 23 at 5 pm (NewWay), Dec 24 at 9 am only Christmas Eve - Dec 24, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm (NewWay), 9:00 pm, 10:30 pm After Christmas - Dec 30 at 5 pm (NewWay), Dec 31 at 9 am only Adult Choir Cantata - Dec. 10th The adult choir will present the cantata, "Gospel Magificat, My Soul Doth Magnifiy the Lord" by Robert Ray during the 9 and 11:00 worship services on Dec. 10. The choir will also be singing, "Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose", from John Rutter's "Magnificat".

SEASONS CHANGE…
to give us something new to look forward to! Yeah!

SAVOR the SEASON
RCLPC Cookie Walk ~ December 9th from 9-12*

Angel Tree

Happy Birthday to Jesus!

DROP and SHOP
Save the Date - Saturday, Dec. 23rd 2 - 5 pm

Building & Grounds Corner - HANDICAP PARKING

Interested in Exploring Membership at RCLPC?

CONFIRMATION ~ Calling all youth in 8th and 9th grades!
(and 10th graders who missed confirmation)

Salvation Army’s “RED KETTLE DAYS”

Community Harvest

Mission Outreach Program on Colombia

Native American Connection

POW WOW

Crop Walk 2006

JOY COMMUNITY Dedicates Their New Building Nov. 12th

Have you been CAUGHT ON TAPE lately?