News in 2020

Miss seeing UCRP’s yearly Christmas Concert?

You can still watch it here

You can find by click this link below and press play. Enjoy our gift to you.

Note: the video starts after the time stamp 9:36
In others, forward video ahead by 9 minutes and 35 seconds to see the beginning of the concert.

https://www.facebook.com/ucrogerspark/videos/834363700631681

*YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE LIVE STREAM.

2020-12-21

Bishop Sets New District Boundaries

UCRP is now in Northern Illinois Conference’s [NIC] new district Lake North, and Rev. Brittany Isaac is still our District Superintendent [DS]. On Dec. 17, the Cabinet and Bishop Sally Dyck approved the redistricting plan reducing the number of districts and DS the NIC from six to five effective July 1, 2021. The Annual Conference voted in favor of the legislation during the Nov. 14 virtual session.

The names of the districts are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. Click here to read the list of churches in each district.

Bishop Dyck is setting the boundaries of these districts as of December 31, 2020. Any additional reconsiderations may be submitted with a rationale to your current district superintendent by January 15, 2021. The Interim Bishop and Cabinet will make a final determination by January 31, 2021

In addition to setting the boundaries, she also announced the following appointments to these new districts, effective July 1, 2021:
Prairie South – Rev. Brian Gilbert
Prairie North – Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer
Prairie Central – Rev. Jeffry Bross
Lake South – Rev. Jacques Conway
Lake North – Rev. Brittany Isaac

2020-12-17

Hank Albert Pahl
July 6, 1930 ~ November 30, 2020 [age 90]

“O God, May Hank rest in eternal peace and his memory be a blessing to all who are in grief. He and his family are much loved at his church. May his love continue to fill the silence.”

obituary

Henry Albert Pahl left this world on November 30 at age 90.  The cause of death was old age.  Also known as Hank by friends near and far, he was a Chicago native and child of the Great Depression, the only child of Hedwig (née Ebel) and Heinrich Wilhelm Pahl, both immigrants from Germany.  Thanks to their hard work and perseverance during the Great Depression, Hank was fortunate to grow up in the family-owned two-flat on Barry Avenue in the delicious proximity of the Reed Candy Factory.  He attended Morris Elementary School and then proceeded to Lane Technical High School, where he rowed with the Lane crew at the Lincoln Park Boat Club and participated in the German Club.  The values he learned as a Boy Scout with Troop 892 served him well throughout his long life and far-flung travels.  His early work experience was a job at the Chicago Public Library branch of Books for the Blind, where he would check in and out various “talking books” that had been recorded on phonograph records.  From an early age he knew he wanted to become an electrical engineer, and a class at Lane where he made a soldering iron sealed the deal.   After graduation from Lane, he took up studies in Electrical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  He first lived at home on Barry Ave. and commuted via the streetcar down to IIT, then lived at the Theta Xi fraternity house.  To pay the tuition, he worked in the cafeteria making sandwiches.  One of his many stories (also called his “Hank talks”) told of learning the craft of sandwich making after being sent to the Berghof to watch how to artfully create a great sandwich.  Aa legend has it, his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were most famous!      

Most remember Hank this way.

As a fraternity brother, he attended various dances where the girls were (of course).  At one such dance, he met the love of his life, Arlette Julia Smith, who was in nurses’ training at Evangelical Hospital.   Upon graduation in June 1952 with a BSEE, he joined the US Navy as a degaussing officer on the USS Ampere (ADG 11).  After posting to San Diego, he was joined by Arlette and daughter Leslie, who was followed by daughter April.  In 1954 he was posted to the U.S. Naval Base at Sasebo, Japan, where Hank and Arlette and daughters lived off-base in private housing and experienced life in Japan in a more authentic way.   After discharge from the Navy (though he remained in the Navy Reserves), Hank joined Westinghouse as a field service engineer, working in local steel mills such as Northwestern Steel & Wire and US Steel, South Works.  From Rototrols to thyristors, from solid state logic and power to incoming transformers and switchgears, Hank was an expert equipment engineer, an expertise that would serve him well later in his “second act”. 

After assignments designing and supervising installation of steel mill drive systems, Hank was ready for a truly life-altering assignment in Slovenia, Yugoslavia.  The entire family, now with Bethany and Michelle, moved to Maribor in 1967, where the girls attended school, learned Slovene, and Arlette negotiated with aplomb running a household in a completely new environment.   Henry was the general management engineer at the IMPOL aluminum mill in Slovenska Bistrica, where he oversaw the installation of electrical systems.  In 1969, they returned to the U.S. and moved to Park Ridge, Illinois where Henry worked at Laramore, Douglass and Popham and then United Conveyor Corporation.   In 1976, Westinghouse offered him a position in Pittsburgh, PA where Henry enthusiastically joined the Teutonia  Männerchor.  This led to enjoyable rehearsals at the Teutonia Club and European travels with the Männerchor.   In 1988, Hank retired from Westinghouse, moved back to Chicago and started his “second act”: giving electrical safety training classes for new service engineers in places near (across the United States) and far (Borneo, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Singapore).  He and Arlette traveled extensively, with a favorite journey being on the Orient Express.   During early morning walks with faithful terrier companions Mollie and Cali, he collected cans in the neighborhood and donated the proceeds from recycling to the United Church of Rogers Park, where he was a 30+ year stalwart member of the congregation.  He could be counted on to lend a hand with repairs, electrical wiring, pancake breakfasts and, on occasion, the New To You Thrift Store.  For many years he was also a member of the Rheinischer Gesangverein, where he enjoyed a fine camaraderie with his fellow singers.    

All in all, Henry Albert Pahl lived life well and to the fullest, with devotion to family, profession and community in even measure.  In his later years, when not traveling with Arlette to visit new places and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he would do handiwork and repair on the building on N. Francisco Avenue, with Clark-Devon Hardware being a favorite destination.  After selling the N. Francisco building, he found a safe haven at Covenant Home of Chicago, where he enjoyed “three square meals a day” and found a congenial community of active seniors.  He enjoyed reading the Hamish Macbeth mysteries, histories of navigation, seafaring, mapmaking, and any book about Nikola Tesla. And what would afternoons be without Jeopardy! and Perry Mason?   He is predeceased by his wife, Arlette J. Pahl (2015) and daughters April Leigh Pahl (Ian) and Bethany Maria Pahl (Edgar/Starr).  He is survived by daughters Leslie (Michael) and Michelle Pahl, grandchildren Ursula, Emma, Rosie and Roland, and great-granddaughters April, Lemoni, and Grace.  He will be missed by long-time and new friends.  His family will greatly miss his “Hank talks” about his travels, Nikola Tesla, and the finer points of electrical systems.  Not to mention his sardonic sense of humor.  The punch line to an oft-told tale was: “But sir, there was no traffic.”  Go figure.  Have a toast to Hank’s memory with a shot of Jägermeister!   In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to the VFW, the Humane Society of the United States, or the United Church of Rogers Park.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Internment of ashes will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where he will be together with Arlette once again.                      

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry Albert Pahl, please visit our floral store.

2020-12-13

Advent 2020 at UCRP

Peace Garden’s Wish Tree. This picture is taken in the right angle to have a distance star on top of the Wish Tree.

While the building may be closed, UCRP on the outside is lit up to show the church is still open in our community

Wish tree at UCRP: Our youngest children have received ornaments that they will fill with their Christmas wishes and leave on our “wish bush” in front of Grace and our “wish tree” under the buma in the Peace Garden at UCRP. Please feel free to write your wish on a ribbon, or something that will stand up to the elements and leave it to spread some Christmas cheer!

2020-12-04

Bishop Sally Dyck retiring

• Due to the pandemic and delay of Northern Illinois Annual Conference, Bishop Dyck postponed her retirement till 31 December 2020.

• Retired Bishop John Hopkins will serve as an interim bishop for the Conference for the year 2021.

He will be “interim,” which means that he will continue to live in the Indianapolis area where he retired. Especially in the upcoming months with COVID, he will work remotely with a few visits to the office, perhaps the Cabinet and other important in-person meetings, as Illinois begins to re-open for gatherings. He will have access to the condominium in the near West Loop where Bishop Dyck has been living.

Bishop Dyck states: 

“I’ve known Bishop Hopkins for years—probably back in the 1980s we met when he was the equivalent of the Director of Connectional Ministries (then called the Conference Council of Ministries director) and I was chairing the East Ohio Conference Council on Ministries. We met when we asked him to do some leadership training for our conference leadership. You’ll like him—he’s very outgoing and knows no strangers! You will hear a greeting from him at the end of our annual conference session on the 14th of November.”

Bishop Hopkins’ bio can be found here.

For more words from Bishop Dyck and her video, click here

2020-12-01

Report on the Northern Illinois Annual Conference

Northern Illinois Annual Conference was held via webinar a one-day gathering after being postponed last June.  On 14 November, 630 members participated, including UCRP Lay Member David Gunnell and Pastor Lindsey.  Voting was secured by Good News TV [which is related to the United Methodist Church].

This was Bishop Sally Dyck’s last Annual Conference since she postponed her retirement till the last day of 2020. The theme of the conference and asked by the Bishop, “Y Church”.   

“It was over a year ago that I proposed the theme “Y Church” to help us focus on what it means to be the church in our challenging times—and then the times just got more and more challenging!” Dyck said. “Not being able to gather in person has forced us all to think about what the church means to us and what’s most important in being church in the world today. Sure enough, during the pandemic, some churches across our conference have focused on their 'why' and found new ways of 'how' to be church!"

This question reminded David Gunnell how the church has been tied within his life and its importance.  How the church – mostly at a local level – has kept him alive by witnessing God’s presence.  “I like the interconnectional within the Methodist Church,” said Gunnell.  “Our little local church has an extra powerhouse by being with other little churches throughout God’s realm - even outside Methodist churches.”

 This very short Annual Conference [usually a 2-1/2 to 3-day event] passed three major legislation.  They are:
·       2021 Budget
The 2021 budget for the Northern Illinois Conference [NIC] of $4.4 million was a reduction of last year’s budget by 5%.  
·       Anti-Racism Training
A requirement that all local licensed pastors, deacons, and elders must attend anti-racism workshops once every four years.
·       Redistricting
NIC reduced its 6 Districts down to 5 Districts. Money would be saved by one less District Superintendent [DS] and its office and staff.  Also, this move was made in part to demographics changes in NIC.  UCRP is currently in Chicago Northwest District.  The new boundaries will have UCRP in Lake North District and Rev. Brittany Isaac will still be our DS. For more information about the redistricting, click here.

If you have questions, contact Pastor Lindsey or Lay Delegate David Gunnell.

2020-11-14

A Crisis of Faith and Democracy

A statement by United Methodist Bishops in the United States

October 12, 2020

The right of every citizen to vote in the United States is under attack, and with it, the foundation of American democracy and the sacred worth of all persons. We call United Methodists to vote and to protect free and fair elections and peaceful transfer of power.

A faithful retelling of the story of Methodism in America and the history of The United States must consider the influence of each on the other. They came into being alongside one another, and similarities in development of the two are undeniable. The narrative includes noble ideals and shameful actions, astonishing opportunity and disturbing discrimination, ethical vision and moral failure.

Our church and our nation are both democratic institutions. Through a system of conferences, from the local church to a global assembly, Methodists discuss, debate, and vote in order to discern the will of God. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church affirm that we “hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections.” (BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, ¶164). As Bishops of The United Methodist Church who reside in The United States, we affirm our democratic institutions. However, we believe that the democratic processes of our country are under great threat. This is particularly evident in the reality of widespread initiatives to obstruct voter registration and to suppress voters from casting their ballots with confidence they will be accurately counted.

The right to vote is rooted in a commitment to the value of all persons, created in the image of God as individuals of sacred worth. This belief in the sacredness of humanity is a foundational principle of many religious traditions present in the American body politic.

The legacy of injustice told in civil rights museums across our country is one of suppression of the vote. And the legacy of white supremacy and privilege continues. At times this suppression has been overt, as when one was required to own property or be a white male to vote. At other times it is more nuanced, as in moving or eliminating polling places, or in sowing confusion over early voting or voting by mail. Such actions undermine the people’s confidence that voting matters. And in some instances, where the people have affirmed the right to vote for convicted felons who have served their sentences, state legislatures and governor’s offices have sought to overturn the will of the people in order to suppress the vote.

Efforts by our government or elected officials to suppress the freedom to cast ballots violate the high principles upon which our nation was founded. By contrast, these high principles are affirmed and realized when elected officials and government entities promote, defend, and guarantee the unfettered right of all citizens to choose our leaders in free and fair elections.

The greatest hallmark of a democratic institution is the peaceful transfer of power once the will of the people has been established. This model of democracy has existed within our country for over 220 years. It is incumbent upon those who participate in democratic processes not only to ensure each citizen’s right to cast their ballot, but to respect the result of those ballots once counted. When we resist this aspect of our democratic franchise, we undermine the whole and corrupt the foundation of our republic.

We are in a moment of national crisis as we navigate two viruses, COVID and Racism, and suffer the economic consequences of both. In these crises we are reminded that our religious faith and our nation’s principles support elections that faithfully reflect the will of the American people. Our faith in God who created all people in the divine image, and our hope that our nation can live into the aspirations of our founding ideals, lead us to pledge ourselves to the fullest expansion of this right to vote.

To that end we call upon the people of the United Methodist Church to use their influence in their states, legislative districts, and local precincts to enable voter registration and to encourage elected officials to provide the resources necessary to support the fullest possible participation in November’s elections. This would include the provision of an adequate number of accessible polling sites and the support of an efficient process of counting mail-in ballots. Our identity as a democracy requires no less.

Affirmed by the following United Methodist Bishops in the United States:

Bishop David Alan Bard, Michigan Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, New York Area Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, San Francisco Area
Bishop Ken Carder, Retired Bishop Kenneth Carter, Florida Area Bishop Ray Chamberlain, Retired
Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, Retired Bishop Charles N. Crutchfield, Retired Bishop Sally Dyck, Chicago Area
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, Boston Area Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Washington Area Bishop Elias Galvan, Retired
Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Retired Bishop William Boyd Grove, Retired Bishop Grant Hagiya, Los Angeles Area
Bishop Laurie Haller, Iowa Area Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Louisiana Area Bishop Susan Hassinger, Retired
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, North Georgia Area Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, Phoenix Area Bishop Janice Huie, Retired
Bishop Alfred Johnson, Retired Bishop Peggy A. Johnson, Philadelphia Area Bishop Scott Jones, Houston Area
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Wisconsin Area Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, Retired Bishop Paul L. Leeland, Charlotte Area
Bishop Richard C Looney, Retired Bishop John M. (Mike) Lowry, Fort Worth Area Bishop Ernest Lyght, Retired
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Ohio East Area Bishop Joel Martinez, Retired Bishop Marcus Matthews, Retired
Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey, Retired Bishop Michael McKee, Dallas Area Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Pittsburgh Area Bishop Sue Morrison, Retired Bishop Fritz Mutti, Retired Bishop Karen Oliveto, Mountain Sky Area
Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, Ohio West Area Bishop Jeremiah Park, Harrisburg Area
Bishop Joseph Pennel, Retired Bishop Sharon Rader, Retired Bishop Ruben Saenz, Great Plains Area
Bishop Robert Schnase, San Antonio Area Bishop John Schol, Greater New Jersey Area Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson, Retired
Bishop Dan E. Solomon, Retired Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, Greater Northwest Area Bishop Forrest Stith, Retired
Bishop James E. Swanson, Mississippi Area Bishop Julius Trimble, Indiana Area Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Raleigh Area
Bishop Peter Weaver, Retired Bishop Woodie W. White, Retired Bishop Richard B. Wilke, Retired
Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr., Retired Bishop Joe A. Wilson, Retired

2020-10-12

United Church of Rogers Park is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Albert Lunde during the weekend of July 11th, 2020.

Albert Lunde passed away during the weekend of 11th of July 2020. He died of natural causes, specifically heart failure and nothing COVID related.  He is survived by his older sister, Anne Lunde.

As quiet as he could be, no one could miss this towering man with glasses and his long wild hair and beard.  He spoke truthfully from his heart, but always with facts and figures. Our church was blessed with his knowledge of electronics and computers as a part of our sound technician committee. Albert was also a member of UCRP's health team and sat on our worship team. 

Affirmation: United Methodist for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns original logo.

Albert’s history with UCRP goes back to December 2002 with the merge of our churches with Wheadon United Methodist Church of Evanston [of which he was a long time member].  And from Wheaton, he was an active member of Affirmation: United Methodist for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns since July 1975.

Some of Albert's church family describe him as a, "square peg trying to fit into a lot of round holes." “Albert beat to a different drum. . .  Albert’s drum reminded the people who were forgetting the people outside the norms. His drum beat toward inclusion, healing, and love when the public was out for blood.” And he was often called a peacemaker. Reading and studying was in his DNA. His bookshelves were overflowing into boxes with Bibles, theological literature from all faiths, including his love of manga and anime.

These Japanese arts are animation like graphic-novels.   Albert would make it clear the difference between “Anime” and “Manga.”  “Manga” means more Japanese comics where as “anime” is referred by its name outside of Japan.

Pastor Lindsey remembers the glimmer in his eye when he knew he was challenging the status quo:
“I remember that look when I wore a collar on one of the first Sundays, I was at UCRP and he told me I didn't need to dress in ‘liturgical drag.’

“He once described himself to me as ‘recovering from certainty,’ and that stuck with me. I do think Albert was certain about some things. He was certain that God loved everyone, that everyone had a place in the church and that God had no time for hate. But I think Albert loved the wonder and mystery of God as well, allowing God to be bigger and more surprising than we give God credit for. I'm grateful to have known Albert and I imagine that God is now looking at Albert with that same glimmer in God's eye. A glimmer of delight and some mischief, welcoming Albert home.”

Lord God of comfort, we lift our prayers for all who loved and cared for Albert as they struggle with his loss. May we find peace in knowing that Albert is now entrusted to your love and care. Amen.

A joint service will be held at UCRP and at his family’s church Edison Park United Methodist Church in Chicago at some point in the future when it is safe for us to gather again. In the meantime, if you would like to leave a comment or a memory about Albert, you can do so at the bottom of this page.

Albert was a huge supporter of the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR]. This group brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by war, conflict or natural disaster around the world and in the United States. After the recovery has begun, wounds have been tended, basic needs met, and the world's attention has faded, UMCOR continues to be present by providing ongoing assistance. UMCOR provides survivors not only temporary relief, but also long-term education, training, and support. While UMCOR cooperates with other aid organizations, the most important partners in the work of recovery are those being served. 

You can donate to this cause in Albert’s name by clicking here. 

People’s Thoughts, Comments, and Prayer for Albert Lunde:

22 December @ 10:16
From:  Judy Jahnke
Message: I first met Albert in the early 80s when I began visiting Wheadon UMC where I eventually became a member. I quickly learned this was a man who understood feminism, which is where we connected. I was awed by his breadth of knowledge in so many subjects. We often worked together on the Worship Team as well as other committees. And it didn’t take him long to dive into the life and work of UCRP. Yes, Albert did beat the drum in a different way, but it made a lovely song to which many of us danced along, and understood and appreciated. I think Sophia Wisdom welcomes him and his great faith. Blessed are we who knew him.
Judy Jahnke

22 December @ 08:15
Name:  request not to post
Subject: Happy Birthday
Message: Hi Albert,
Happy Birthday. We are honoring you tonight at dinner. We are having pizza like you would’ve wanted and we will remember you. I hope you are safe wherever you are. I miss you and we will look for stars in the sky tonight for you.

28 August @ 15:57
From: Jill Graham
Message: Albert first came into my life in 1982, when I was a Northwestern graduate student. I had ordered a computer tape from the government that supposedly contained survey data I could use for my dissertation research; but when it arrived, it was just a reel of tape without any documentation. In search of help, I went to Vogelback Computing Center and met my hero: Albert Lunde! Albert somehow figured out where all the data was on the tape and showed me how to access it. I was incredibly grateful to him back then, and delighted when he later started coming to my church, Wheadon UMC. Many years later, Albert helped me update the Passover Seder liturgy that my late husband had created for Wheadon, adding music and Hebrew prayers. Albert's research was invaluable, and we have used that liturgy ever since at United Church of Rogers Park.

Subject: THE SPARK ON SUNDAY - 23 August @ 23:39
From: Solomon Groothuis
Message: I remember my first Sunday during my season at UCRP. I was used to keeping my guard up during services, especially duet any fellowship time. After church, I had my coffee in hand and Albert and I struck up a conversation on American church history and theology (an interest of mine). I was blown away by his cornucopia of knowledge and the wisdom behind it - the eye of discernment. Beyond that, there was an invitation in his events. He welcomed me along for the discussion (discourse?). I wish I knew him deeper, but I’m thankful that we got to do a sliver of life together and he showed me a sliver of heaven. May he rest in peace and live on in joy.

17 August @ 10:47
From: Philip Burns
Message: Albert and I both attended Taft High School in Chicago. I was one grade ahead of Albert. We both ditched study halls
spent lunch periods working on the two computer terminals Taft owned. These connected to a remote IBM 360 mainframe.
We entered programs on punch cards.
When I was a senior and Albert a junior we participated in the Astro-Science Workshop, a full year astronomy program
held at the Adler Planetarium. We used our nascent programming skills to complete computer assignments and labs.
Albert and I shared several interests in common. We both loved cats. Albert was fond of visiting my home and petting
our large brood of felines. Albert and I were both fans of Japanese cartoons (anime) and comics (manga).
Albert attended Northwestern University and I attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. We both continued to
improve our computing skills and kept in touch.
After I graduated from the University of Illinois I attended Northwestern University for graduate school. I also started
working at the Vogelback Computing Center as a graduate assistant. Later I became a full-time staff member.
As an undergraduate Albert worked with faculty on research projects. After graduation Albert sought full-time employment.
I suggested he apply for a position in the User Services department at Vogelback. I recommended Albert and he was
accepted.
Many of us in IT worked with Albert on a variety of projects. Albert was a great co-worker and lots of fun to work with.
Several of our coworkers have left their appreciations for Albert here.
Albert remained in Northwestern's IT department until the summer of 2019, when he was laid off along with about
a third of the IT staff.
I was fortunate to know Albert for over fifty years. I will miss him. Requiescat in pace.

27 July @ 11:28
From: Chaz Rita
Message: I had the pleasure of working with Albert for about 9 years. He was generous with his time and knowledge. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My wishes and thoughts to all of his family and friends.

27 July @ 11:15
From: David Gunnell
Message:  Albert was a behind the scene member of United Church where he took pride in his church.  Albert may had a bad foot, but he was one of the pillars at UCRP.
I knew him back in the days of Affirmation: United Methodist Concerns for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender and Queer Concerns [when it was just called Affirmation: United Methodist Concerns for Lesbian and Gay Concerns]; And from thereon at Wheaton UMC in Evanston.  My relationship with him grew more at United Church especially within the Worship Committee.  He was my guarantee of a weekly hug. During the Covid-19 pandemic, over the after worship fellowship time on Zoom, I would tell him a lot how I missed our in-person services and our weekly hug during the Passing of the Peace - sweaty body and all. I missed his witty and dry humor, and his love of peace and reasoning.
I miss you Albert.
Peace be with you.

Subject: Albert was great - 27 July @ 11:09
From: Julian Koh
Message: I first met Albert Lunde when I was an undergraduate at Northwestern back in the early/mid-1990's. He was a great (even legendary) technical resource for us students, and I learned a lot from him not just in raw knowledge but also on how to approach troubleshooting and analysis problems. When I got a job as a student worker at. the help desk, Albert's office was just off of the help desk room, and he would often emerge to tell us if he heard us give any bad or suboptimal advice to a customer. One moment that I'll always remember was when Albert came out to tell me that I had given a user the wrong modem initialization codes. However, I was actually able to show him that the code was the correct one for the situation that the user was in. He looked at me for what seemed to be about a whole minute, then he said, "That is interesting. I will have to research that some more myself" before turning around and going back into his office. None of us had ever remembered him hearing that before. Later near the end of my shift he came back out and thanked me for teaching _him_ something new!
I never left Northwestern after graduating, and I always enjoyed working with Albert on any project because I knew I could always count on him to have or find a technically correct answer to a problem as it was posed to him. He always made time to talk and answer any question I had, and it was obvious that he enjoyed working on challenging problems and finding elegant solutions to them. His memory and knowledge were encyclopedic, and he was unfailingly generous with sharing it.
I have missed Albert ever since he left NU, and I will continue to miss him now that he has passed on.

Subject: Remembrances of Albert's Professional Life - 23 July @ 20:27
From: Jacob Arnold
Message: I knew Albert as a Northwestern University institution. He built the central web server and the white pages (people search) scripts, which were cutting edge at the time. Many of the systems he designed are still in use decades later. I remember fondly his detailed calls (replete with sighs) whenever I had technical questions. He often referred me to his detailed documentation. He was a consummate professional who was always true to himself, and he will be missed by anyone who had the fortune to meet him.

Subject: Thank you Albert - 23 July @ 18:33
From: NOT want your name posted
Message: There’s another memory I have of Albert. It was on a Sunday afternoon and we had just gotten home from doing an activity. We went back out to visit cousins. Albert is over helping Anne and I remember this very well. We had just gotten back in the car and as I turn around, Albert is waving at us from across the street. When we came home later, I was on my bike and Anne was also out there. Albert approaches me and says “Where did you go today?” I said to him, “we went to visit my cousins.” He says “ah”! I think we talked more after that but I don’t remember what we both said. May Albert rest in piece and I dearly miss him.

Subject: Albert always came to me to chat when I attended ucrp service or another event, We talked often about the Japanese art he was very involved with studying and loved. These memories are very dear to me and thank God for him and his family and friends.. - 21 July @ 15:15
From: Anita Alcantara
Message: Thanks to Albert and his membership with United Church of Rogers Park and Wheadon UMC..

20 July @ 15:25
From: B.J. Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
Message: I love this Mardi Gras picture of Albert - it is so Albert! We sojourned for many years at Wheadon United Methodist in Evanston (pre UCRP merger), and he stood at the door every week for worship welcoming all who came. No one forgot Albert! He also shocked many back in the 1980's who came from GETS seminary or other communities to worship. He was the tech wizard, always contributing to worship planning (I think it was in his soul) and to our keeping faithful to a truly LGBTQIA+ community. He never gave up on the United Methodist Church and he was an Affirmation. He was succinct in his comments in the dialogue circle or at a worship team meeting, but he always had an insight that kept us thinking and being challenged. His was overall a quiet commitment. Albert was not one to be at every protest, but his presence was always there. My prayers to his sister, Anne, to the UCRP congregation and all his friends and colleagues over the years. He made his mark, and will be missed. Rev. B.J.

Subject: Missing Albert - 19 July @ 10:08
From: Maria Longo
Message: A couple more memories I have of Albert are good ones. It was a sunny day possibly it might have been the weekend and Anne pulls up in her car with Albert. I remember being really surprised and happy to see him at the same time. I remember he was in the hospital possibly for a procedure he had. I’m not really sure but it was great talking to him. Another memory is when he was over one night and the street lights were on and I happen to be on my bike. He walks quickly out of the house to talk to me. His sister is standing there inside of the front door looking jealous. There are many more memories of him but I can’t share all of them. I miss you already Albert and you were a joy and pleasant person to be around whenever I got to see you. I really wish this was a nightmare about your death and I would see you again but no. Enjoy new memories in heaven and one day we will see each other again.

Subject: I miss you Albert - 19 July @ 09:37
From: Maria Longo
Message: Albert was a kind man who knew me well. I know his sister Anne because she lives across the street from me. Whenever Albert would be around in the neighborhood of Edison Park, I would always ask him how he’s doing. I would know when he was in town because of how tall he was. I sorta remember when it was a sunny day, he gave me some kind of gift. I’m not sure what is was. But, I do remember that. That is my happy memory of Albert. When he’s not, I would ask Anne how he was doing and what he was up to. Now that he’s deceased, I can no longer ask those questions which makes me sad. His death saddens me that I would no longer see him or ask how he’s doing. I hope he is resting in piece and is reunited with his family and telling new family stories. Rest in Piece and I hope you are watching over me and your sister. I will definitely see you in heaven again one day. I miss you already my friend.

Former UCRP Pastor Rev. John Auer passed away on 21 July

Reverend John Auer died on July 21, 2020. He passed away with in-home hospice care in Fresno, California.  He served UCRP back in the 1980s. 

During his serves at UCRP, he served part of the AIDS Pastoral Care Network in a Rogers Park which was growing rapidly with gay population.  In 1987, the first national Convocation of Reconciling Congregations [now called Reconciling Ministries Network] met at UCRP that drew 120 persons from the 22 Reconciling Congregations and other friends.  The small Overdear Hall kitchen fed these people. 

picture on right: Most recent picture of Rev. Auer

After serving at UCRP, he moved west continuing justice work for the communities of People of Color and the LGBTQ.  He served in churches in Fresno and San Rafael, California, and Reno, Nevada.

He always viewed the Chicagoland area his home.

You can click here to read Rev. Auer’s  autobiographical statement from April 2011.

Loving God, your holy Word tells us that our times are in your hands. Hear our prayers for our brother Rev. John Auer and for our church-family as we give thanks for his earthly life. Comfort those in mourning with your gracious promises of the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Juneteenth is labeled as the true Independence Day of United States. The Fourth of July was the colonies becoming independent from England. “All men are created equal”? When the United States Constitution was created thirteen years later, “We the People” really meant white male landowners while the slaves were only counted as 3/5 of a person. So again, Juneteenth is United States’ real Independence Day.

What is Juneteenth all about? Click here.

Below is a letter that James Baldwin wrote to his nephew about his future in a country full of racism since its United State birth. Fifty-eight years later, it still speaks strongly to our time. This article first appeared in The Progressive in 1962.

********************
 Dear James:

I have begun this letter five times and torn it up five times. I keep seeing your face, which is also the face of your father and my brother. I have known both of you all your lives and have carried your daddy in my arms and on my shoulders, kissed him and spanked him and watched him learn to walk. I don't know if you have known anybody from that far back, if you have loved anybody that long, first as an infant, then as a child, then as a man. You gain a strange perspective on time and human pain and effort.

Other people cannot see what I see whenever I look into your father's face, for behind your father's face as it is today are all those other faces which were his. Let him laugh and I see a cellar your father does not remember and a house he does not remember and I hear in his present laughter his laughter as a child. Let him curse and I remember his falling down the cellar steps and howling and I remember with pain his tears which my hand or your grandmother's hand so easily wiped away, but no one's hand can wipe away those tears he sheds invisibly today which one hears in his laughter and in his speech and in his songs.

I know what the world has done to my brother and how narrowly he has survived it and I know, which is much worse, and this is the crime of which I accuse my country and my countrymen and for which neither I nor time nor history will ever forgive them, that they have destroyed and are destroying hundreds of thousands of lives and do not know it and do not want to know it. One can be--indeed, one must strive to become--tough and philosophical concerning destruction and death, for this is what most of mankind has been best at since we have heard of war; remember, I said most of mankind, but it is not permissible that the authors of devastation should also be innocent. It is the innocence which constitutes the crime.

They have destroyed and are destroying hundreds of thousands of lives and do not know it and do not want to know it. 

Now, my dear namesake, these innocent and well meaning people, your countrymen, have caused you to be born under conditions not far removed from those described for us by Charles Dickens in the London of more than a hundred years ago. I hear the chorus of the innocents screaming, "No, this is not true. How bitter you are," but I am writing this letter to you to try to tell you something about how to handle them, for most of them do not yet really know that you exist. I know the conditions under which you were born for I was there. Your countrymen were not there and haven't made it yet. Your grandmother was also there and no one has ever accused her of being bitter. I suggest that the innocent check with her. She isn't hard to find. Your countrymen don't know that she exists either, though she has been working for them all their lives.

Well, you were born; here you came, something like fifteen years ago, and though your father and mother and grandmother, looking about the streets through which they were carrying you, staring at the walls into which they brought you, had every reason to be heavy-hearted, yet they were not, for here you were, big James, named for me. You were a big baby. I was not. Here you were to be loved. To be loved, baby, hard at once and forever to strengthen you against the loveless world. Remember that. I know how black it looks today for you. It looked black that day too. Yes, we were trembling. We have not stopped trembling yet, but if we had not loved each other, none of us would have survived, and now you must survive because we love you and for the sake of your children and your children's children.

This innocent country set you down in a ghetto in which, in fact, it intended that you should perish. Let me spell out precisely what I mean by that for the heart of the matter is here and the crux of my dispute with my country. You were born where you were born and faced the future that you faced because you were black and for no other reason. The limits to your ambition were thus expected to be settled. You were born into a society which spelled out with brutal clarity and in as many ways as possible that you were a worthless human being. You were not expected to aspire to excellence. You were expected to make peace with mediocrity. Wherever you have turned, James, in your short time on this earth, you have been told where you could go and what you could do and how you could do it, where you could live and whom you could marry.

I know your countrymen do not agree with me here and I hear them. saying, "You exaggerate." They do not know Harlem and I do. So do you. Take no one's word for anything, including mine, but trust your experience. Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go. The details and symbols of your life have been deliberately constructed to make you believe what white people say about you. Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure, does not testify to your inferiority, but to their inhumanity and fear.

Please try to be clear, dear James, through the storm which rages about your youthful head today, about the reality which lies behind the words "acceptance" and "integration." There is no reason for you to try to become like white men and there is no basis whatever for their impertinent assumption that they must accept you. The really terrible thing, old buddy, is that you must accept them, and I mean that very seriously. You must accept them and accept them with love, for these innocent people have no other hope. They are in effect still trapped in a history which they do not understand and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it. They have had to believe for many years, and for innumerable reasons, that black men are inferior to white men.

They are trapped in a history which they do not understand and until they understand it, they cannot be released from it. 

Many of them indeed know better, but as you will discover, people find it very difficult to act on what they know. To act is to be committed and to be committed is to be in danger. In this case the danger in the minds and hearts of most white Americans is the loss of their identity. Try to imagine how you would feel if you woke up one morning to find the sun shivering and all the stars aflame. You would be frightened because it is out of the order of nature. Any upheaval in the universe is terrifying because it so profoundly attacks one's sense of one's own reality. Well, the black man has functioned in the white man's world as a fixed star, as an immovable pillar, and as he moves out of his place, heaven and earth are shaken to their foundations.

You don't be afraid. I said it was intended that you should perish, in the ghetto, perish by never being allowed to go beyond and behind the white man's definition, by never being allowed to spell your proper name. You have, and many of us have, defeated this intention and by a terrible law, a terrible paradox, those innocents who believed that your imprisonment made them safe are losing their grasp of reality. But these men are your brothers, your lost younger brothers, and if the word "integration" means anything, this is what it means, that we with love shall force our brothers to see themselves as they are, to cease fleeing from reality and begin to change it, for this is your home, my friend. Do not be driven from it. Great men have done great things here and will again and we can make America what America must become.

It will be hard, James, but you come from sturdy peasant stock, men who picked cotton, dammed rivers, built railroads, and in the teeth of the most terrifying odds, achieved an unassailable and monumental dignity. You come from a long line of great poets, some of the greatest poets since Homer. One of them said, "The very time I thought I was lost, my dungeon shook and my chains fell off."

You know and I know that the country is celebrating one hundred years of freedom one hundred years too early. We cannot be free until they are free. God bless you, James, and Godspeed.

Your uncle,

James

2020-06-01

Statement from the United Church of Rogers Park Anti-racism working group:

We are tired. We have written so many statements over so many years. We don't know what else to say. We know words will not bring justice and heal the deep wells of righteous rage and overwhelming sadness in our communities at the lack of justice. What we do know and speak full-throatedly is that God loves God's children, God has freed us from death and would never ask us to participate in our own destruction. We do know that Pentecost is when we remember that God breathed the fire of the Holy Spirit onto people and sent them out into the streets, what we do know that Jesus destroyed property in the very temple where his beloved were being exploited and that he undoubtedly cares for human life over property. What we do know is that rage and sadness are faithful. Pray for the lives and families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and so many others. Pray for the mental health and safety of the Black community.  

We invite anyone who would like to join our anti-racism working group to reach out to Edvette Jones (edevettej@gmail.com) or Ron Johnson (ronpianos@yahoo.com).

Lastly, if you can't take to the streets (please wear a mask and gloves if you do, we are still in a pandemic), you can give to the Chicago Community Bond Fund who will be paying the bonds of protesters who are arrested. You can donate here: https://chicagobond.org/donate/
Or our very own Circles and Ciphers, who do incredible restorative justice work:  http://www.circlesandciphers.org/

2020-05-31

At our Penetcost worship service [31 May], two UCRP choir members, Jen Schmidt and Ron Johnson [bottom row], sang “Draw the Circle Wide” with United Methodist Northern Illinois Conference - Northwest District. Click the arrow in the middle of the picture to hear their voices.
Enjoy, and if you listen closely, you can hear Jen and Ron’s voices.

2020-05-31

To our very own
Sabrina Bermingham…

We congratulate Sabrina for finishing her schooling at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.  UCRP named Sabrina as a candidate in her calling for ordination.   Normally during an in-person worship service the community would honor Sabrina, but the Corvid-19 quarantine only allows virtual worship.  In today’s worship via Facebook streaming, a big hear-hear in a parade.  Click here to see the YouTube video of UCRP shouting its joyous praise to her.

2020-05-24

Bishop Sally Dyck response to President calling for reopening of churches:
"Churches need to remain closed"

To the clergy and laity of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference:

As many of you may have heard, President Trump this morning called for the reopening of all houses of worship throughout the country. He rightly recognizes that we need “more prayer, not less,” but doesn’t realize that people, including the people called United Methodist, have been praying and worshipping all along through these months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Frank Beard of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and I are united in stating that we are calling on all United Methodist churches in Illinois to honor the regional and phased-in plan of “Restore Illinois,” which Governor J.B. Pritzker has outlined for us. 

Therefore, none of our churches are to open at this time.

Undoubtedly, some regions across Illinois in the near future will be allowed to progress to new phases that would allow a maximum of 50 people to gather, while following guidelines to help eliminate further suffering and death from the coronavirus. 

Our founder John Wesley urged us to practice “do no harm.” Recent reports from parts of the country where churches have opened indicated some devastating outcomes, leading to illness and death – even while practicing the best social distancing (at least in theory). Just because something is “legal,” doesn’t mean that it is beneficial.

Shortly after Memorial Day weekend, we will be putting out our ReTurn Team’s guidelines for returning to various ministries based on the best practices and scientific data that can be determined at this time. Please watch for that document, which will be sent out via email and on the website.

Please “love your neighbor” and do not open for worship at this time! Thank you for your willingness to stay the course—worship with each other online or through other means until we have greater assurance that it is safe to come together again.

God bless you and keep you safe!

Sincerely,
Bishop Sally Dyck

2020-05-22

Deacon Nick Nicholas passed away in April.

Rev. Paul E. (Nick) Nicholas passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the age of 63.

Deacon Nick started working at United Church of Rogers Park in 2015. He and Deacon Wes started the summer program thinking that only a few children would show up. When 30 showed up he and Wes knew that they had come to something that the community needed. His stories of the first summer program made one laugh and wonder how they were able to do the work they did.
Deacon Nick was a huge advocate for the children's programs at UCRP, even after leaving he would come every year with a mission group to help out with the summer camp. He was a wonderful storyteller, had an awesome smile, and an infectious laugh. He was always willing to talk to you about anything and deeply committed to social justice.

We are so glad to have had Nick in our lives at United Church of Rogers Park. His gifts to our church still resonate. He will be sorely missed.

In remembrance and celebration of the life of Paul "Nick" Nicholas, his family will be hosting a celebration of his life on Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 pm CST. The worship celebration will be streamed live at facebook.com/faithatfirst. 

"Nick will be forever in our hearts and we hope you can be with us virtually to share in this celebration of his life. In honor of Nick's ministry and passion for connecting the church in service to the world, we have made gifts to the Appalachia Service Project and to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in his name and we invite you to consider a memorial gift to these organizations." ~ Jane, Nicole, Calvin, Tina and A.J.

Messages of condolences may be sent to his wife and family:
Rev. Jane Berman Cheema & Family
828 Ingleside Place
Evanston, IL  60201