Civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Albert Sampson will be worshiping with us at United on Sunday, February 25, at our regular 10:30 am worship time. We look forward to hearing an interview with this leader and to share with some questions and answers.
As we move through the season of Lent, here is help to keep a disciplined mind and soul in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.
You are invited to celebrate International Women’s Day and to learn more about a remarkable witness by seeing a movie. Special price available. We can make this a party.
Our big thanks to Chef Joanne Thomas for her contribution to worship on February 18. It’s not often we get a sacred fragrance arizing in the sermon. Here’s one of the recipes.
February 2, 2024
Dear United Christian Church Friends and Family:
Starting this Sunday, we will begin our first community-based event for the 2024 year. The “Spread The Warmth” Clothing Drive is designed to assist the various nonprofit and mutual aid groups that are assisting newly arrived migrants in the Chicagoland area. These agencies need financial help and donated goods now more than ever to help thousands of people.
More than 18,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August of 2022. Nearly 11,000 are being housed in temporary city-run shelters, while about 3,000 are sleeping inside and outside police stations and city airports.
Community groups need temperature-appropriate clothing for these cold winter months. I have attached a flyer and a checklist of requested items. Drop-off bins are located in the church narthex.
Our clothing drive coincides with the church’s observation of the Week of Compassion Offering (February 18 & 25).
Please download the TWO attached flyers. Share this information with your friends, neighbors, and family.
Financial donations will also be gladly accepted and can be given at church or through the Givelify and Vanco phone apps.
Collection dates will be from February 4 – March 3, 2024. My hope is that we can grow this ministry to be not just for the migrants or our newest neighbors, but that it will be for the wider community, too.
Yours in Christ,
Kevin Benford
Worship Ministry Chairperson
Click here for the Flyer
Click here for the items list. (You can also see it below.)
CLOTHING (NEW or GENTLY USED)
MEN, WOMEN, and CHIILDREN
- Long sleeve tops (shirts/blouses/sweaters)
- Sweats/warmups (All sizes)
- Hoodies/jackets (All sizes)
- Coats/jackets/gloves/hats/caps (All sizes)
- Jeans or khaki pants
- Sneakers, work boots, comfortable walking shoes
- New underwear/boxers/thermal wear
- T-Shirts
- Socks
- Bras
- Belts
- Blankets/sleeping bags
- Backpacks/duffle bags
FAMILY HYGIENE KITS
- Hand towels and washcloths
- Toothbrushes (new)
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Bars of soap
- Body Wash
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Shaving Cream
- Disposable razors
- Sanitary napkins
- Box of Assorted Bandages
- Stick or Cream Deodorants (no aerosol sprays)
- Hairbrushes/Combs
- Fingernail Clippers
- Wipes
- Kleenex/Tissues
- Body/Hand Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-Tips/Cotton balls
- Lip Balm
- Feminine Supplies
- Toilet Paper
BABY ITEMS: BRAND NEW ONLY
- Baby Soap, Lotion, Diaper Cream
- Baby Washcloths
- Bibs
- Bottles & Sippy Cups
- Burp Cloths
- Combs & Brushes
- Diapers & Pull Ups (all sizes, open packs accepted)
- Formula & Baby Food (unopened & unexpired)
- Nursing Supplies: Pads, Tubing, Milk Bags, etc.
- Pacifiers & Teething Toys
- Period & Perineal Products
- Wipes (unopened)
BABY ITEMS: NEW OR LIKE NEW ESSENTIALS
- Baby Blankets, Sleep Sacks, & Swaddles
- Baby Towels
- Books: Children & Parenting
- Clothing & Outerwear (Children sizes NB-6/7)
- Diaper Bags
- Maternity Clothes
- Shoes (Children sizes 0-12)
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
- Flashlight & Batteries
- 1 Calendar
- Pads of Paper
- Pens/Pencils
- Travel Sewing Kit
- Small toolkit
NOT ACCEPTED ITEMS
- No summertime clothes
- No food
- No toys, stuffed animals, games, or electronics
- No houseware items or furniture
Our Thanksgiving Mission offering goes to support Disciples of Christ colleges, universities, and seminaries.
“For all the saints who from their labor rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!: –William Walsham
Just a reminder: Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5. We will fall back one hour, so the night before be sure you reset your clocks. But don’t worry; if you show up early for church, we’ll still be glad to have you here!
It was cold, but it wasn’t raining. So about 50 kids — about 35 families — came out to show off costumes and collect on the treats offered by members of United Christian Church and our neighbors, Jeremiah Temple Church. Oh, and hot chocolate! The cocoa was the hit of the day with adults and some of the children. Here are some memories:
