Weekly Newsletter, December 15, 2022, to December 21, 2022

* Lectionary Bible Study (Hybrid) - 9:30 am

For those interested in attending our Lectionary Bible Study on Sunday, please know that you can click on the link to see information to prepare for the Bible Study in advance. Join in person in the Library or Join on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 895 7905 3221 / Passcode: 095084
* Sunday Worship and Communion Service (Hybrid) - 11:00 am

Zoom dial: 1-312-626-6799 (Chicago)

Our church is an LGBTQ+ inclusive congregation and welcomes all God's children, no matter where you are in the journey. We are a member of the Open and Affirming Coalition (UCC), Reconciling Ministries Network (UMC), and More Light Presbyterians (PCUSA). V isit our Affirming Ministries page (link) for our Open and Affirming Statement and Covenant, events, video recaps, and more information.

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and we will be lighting the Advent Candle - Joy. Next Wednesday, December 21, we will prepare sandwiches for the Night Ministry. Join us! A brief note of the Congregational Conversation Part One is included in the newsletter. You can also see the link to the Appeal For The Children Community Fund Campaign, which was announced at the meeting.
On Christmas Eve, we will have Candle Light Service at 5 pm, live streaming is also available. After the service, we will have refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. Please be reminded that there will be no in-person on Christmas Day Service (Sunday. December 25) or New Year's Day Service (Sunday, January 1st). Please join the "New Year’s Meditation with Pastor Charlene Hill" on our Facebook page or YouTube channel on January 1st at 11 am CST. The link will be provided in December 29th newsletter. Or you can find it on our church website and social media platforms.

Every year, United have a special Christmas offering. We invite you to include us on your Christmas gift list. Contributions to this year special Christmas offering. can be mailed or can be place into the offering plate either as a check or in a pew envelope and label Special Christmas Offering. Make check payable to the United Church of Hyde Park and label your check "Christmas." Thank you ever so much for your generous and kind donation.

This Christmas, the Deacons' Committee will purchase poinsettias to give to those in our congregation who are shut-ins. Your donation can be mailed or can be place into the offering plate either as a check or in a pew envelope label Poinsettias. Make your check payable to the United Church of Hyde Park and write “Poinsettia” on the memo line. Thank you.

"Happy Birthday" Duone Brown and Joseph (Joe) Rumenapp (December 19). "Happy Birthday Annika Frazier - Muhammad (December 20). Hope your day is filled with lots of love and laughter! May all of your birthday wishes come true.

Visit our beautiful sanctuary during Advent! And don't forget your Advent Bag to experience the season of Advent in your home. You can pick up your Advent bag after service or the church office: United Church of Hyde Park 1448 East 53rd Street, Chicago, IL 60615 during office hours 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. Monday - Friday.

Our December special offering goes to Bethany House of Hospitality. These gifts could be given to Bethany House of Hospitality and children at her establishment. Gifts would be unwrapped, and wrapping paper included. A box for children’s donations of toys, etc., is placed in the sanctuary. Please leave your gifts there by the end of December.

Notes from the Congregational Conversation Part One
and the Appeal For The Children Community Fund Campaign

Dear Congregation:
We began a conversation on Sunday (see notes below). We hope to continue on January 8th. We need your help. Please use templates to mail to family, friends, community and business members. Help us get Little People Day Care pen by improving our building. We appreciate and love each of you. Pastor Charlene Hill & UCHP Council
Appeal For The Children Community Fund Campaign: Below is a mission close to my heart. As a member of the United Church of Hyde Park, I am looking for your advice and support to complete our goal of bringing needed childcare services to our community. Can you please spread the word to your friends and family during these closing weeks of the year. Thank you for your help! See you in the New Year! The United Church of Hyde Park and Little People Learning have been working to bring a daycare facility to the Hyde Park neighborhood over the last 18 months. We are close to our goal to open early in 2023. The funding for the project is almost complete. Please help us finish the job (Note from Nevin Hedlund)!
Why are we at UCHP doing all this work? Because this expresses our mission. We are a church located in the heart of the city, on our way together, doing our best to serve one another and our neighborhood. Our neighborhood needs more pre-school centers for young children. We have a building which we view as a resource for ministry, therefore we can help. So we are upgrading our building for early childhood education. We have invested heavily to make our building much safer. We have met new fire code and other standards. We have upgraded our heating system, many classrooms, and prepared this old building for a new ministry. We have done all this because we are followers of Jesus, the only great religious leader who made a place for children among his followers (note from Rev. Paul Dietterich).
* You can download the Google Doc Template of Appeal For The Children Community Fund Campaign, and share with your friends, here is the link (link updated).

Up-Coming UCHP Events
based on Central Standard Time

We will be making sandwiches for the Night Ministry on Wednesday, December 21. This month, the pick-up time and location are different. Please contact the church office or Tracy if you need more information.

Saturday, December 24, 2022 we will be hosting our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service at 5:00 pm CST in the sanctuary, also live streaming online. We also encourage everyone to take a couple of posters and share them with friends and neighbors. Let's enjoy the Christmas carols and singing together! After service, we would love you to join us for refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.

The Northern Illinois Conference (United Methodist Church) just released the newest video. Check out the Christmas Greeting from Bishop John L Hopkins and Bishop Dan Schwerin. https://vimeo.com/779721424 (click the link).