Banner Newsletter | January/February 2022

BANNER NEWSLETTER
JAN
FEB
2022
SERMON SERIES

Rev. Chris Winkler
Senior Pastor
cwinkler@barringtonumc.com
Rev. Matthew Johnson
Associate Pastor
mwhjohnson@barringtonumc.com
Rev. Wendy A. Witt
Senior Pastor
First UMC, West Dundee
wwitt@barringtonumc.com
Pastor Bonnie Bevers
Director of Youth Ministries
bbevers@barringtonumc.com
Luis Vega
Lay Pastor
Comunidad Cristiana
lvega@barringtonumc.com
Susan Acosta
Director of Family Ministries and
Noah’s Ark Christian Academy
sbrown@barringtonumc.com
Lou Ann Gordon
Director of Finance
lgordon@barringtonumc.com
Sharon Orr
Director of Missions and
Multisite Ministries
sorr@barringtonumc.com
Becky Lemna
Director of Communications
blemna@barringtonumc.com
Sign up to receive our weekly
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form on our website,
www.barringtonumc.com.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Barrington United Methodist Church
98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 836-5540
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Worship online | Services are posted each week on Saturday
Worship in the Sanctuary | Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Respecting the health and safety of all, masks continue to be required in the church
building. We will also continue to offer a third service online through our Do.Be.Live
channel or our website, barringtonumc.com. Join us in worship!
Sunday School is available for children ages 3 through grade 5
during both worship services.
All students, grades 6 through 12, are invited for fun conversation
and fellowship at 10:30 a.m. in the youth room.
God’s Squad meets Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Students,
grades 6 through 12, are invited to come for dinner, games, fellowship, and fun.
Got homework? Bring those assignments and projects that aren’t quite finished to
Homework Hangs from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Comunidad Cristiana | Christian Community Worship
Sundays at 2:00 p.m. | In-person
Trinity Center
1647 Ravine Lane, Carpentersville IL 60110
You and your neighbors are invited to join this emerging worship. Experience
Hispanic-style worship with a mix of traditional and contemporary worship elements.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.
First UMC of West Dundee
318 W. Main Street, West Dundee, IL 60118
Classic Worship, Sundays at 10:00 a.m. | Online and In-person
In-person, socially distanced worship is held in the sanctuary.
Masks are required.
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
ISAIAH 43:18–19
The situation was this: God’s people—actually just a remnant of a once-proud,
independent and strong nation—were living in exile. The way of life they once
knew, when the world seemed to be in order and they knew what to expect,
had been taken from them. They had been the dominant force in their corner of the
world, but a combination of internal turmoil and the rise of powerful forces around
them had come together to defeat them. The truth is, their demise had been a
relatively slow and gradual descent largely self-inflicted by their own loss of civility
and in-fighting. That demise was accelerated when other nations rose in power and
prominence and eventually their proud army was defeated, their beautiful capital
city destroyed, their holy temple, the very heart of their culture and national life,
leveled—a smoking pile of rubble.
It is easy to understand how much of their time those once proud people spent
lamenting their fate and longing for the good old days, remembering the former
things. The past became incredibly important for them because it represented—or so
they thought—their hope for the future. If only God would come and set things right,
they would be restored, they would regain their former glory and the world would be
made right again. But, time passed and God failed to act and they began to question
God’s faithfulness. They even began to question whether or not God was still with
them. As hope begins to fade and they find themselves clinging desperately to the
past, seeing no promise for the future, the prophet makes a dramatic announcement:
God is about to act. God is not dead, as some suspected. God is still creating. God had
not abandoned them as some had secretly suspected. God is about to intercede.
In the Biblical story summarized above, God did intervene. The people were set free,
in fact. The story began with the conquering of Israel by the Babylonians, and when
the Persians defeated them, the first thing the Persian leader, Cyrus, did was send the
Jewish captives home. Interestingly, the prophet’s message doesn’t change. He doesn’t
suggest that they can now reclaim those “good old days” they had been pining for.
Instead, he is adamant: they must be ever more vigilant, watchful, alert, and hopeful.
They must continue to dream about God’s future and not get caught up wallowing in
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the past. He wants them to be ready to act. God is about to do a new thing. If you
are so preoccupied with the past, so obsessively focused on the good old days,
you’re going to miss it. The prophet warns:
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
The theologian, Douglas John Hall, began writing about the changing landscape
for the churches in North America long before the current pandemic. He
has referred to the decades-long decline of the Church as “The end of
Christendom,”—which is different than the end of Christianity. Christendom is
the centuries-old cozy arrangement between the Christian faith, the church, and
the culture. “It’s over,” Hall has said. “The culture has turned radically secular
in front of our eyes, and we suddenly are not at the center of things anymore.”
While we might be inclined to mourn the loss of power and importance the
church once had, we must—as Hall reminds us—see the end of Christendom
not as a tragedy to be lamented but as an opportunity to be embraced. Rather
than feel sorry for ourselves and cling to the past, we have—Hall proposes—a
unique and important opportunity to embrace the change. We are free, Hall says,
to become what Jesus Christ is calling us to be. He suggests that we are now
able to become communities of compassion and integrity and justice, a place
where something of God’s love can be seen and experienced, not just keepers of
tradition and ceremony.
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I am talking about being a place of hope rather than fear. Of claiming the
quiet confidence we have that God will be in the future, whatever it is for us.
PRAYER REQUESTS We believe in the power of prayer and have a
dedicated prayer team committed to praying your requests. If you have a
prayer request, please contact the church office, (847) 836-5540, Paula Gordon
(pgordon@barringtonumc.com), or Julia Hooper (2juliahooper@gmail.com). Please
also indicate if you would like your request to be printed in the Sunday bulletin.
That a merciful, gracious and loving God will be actively a part of whatever future
we encounter. This hope is not resignation, not just sitting around waiting for God
to act; it is actively and intentionally working to invite people in and send people
out to change the world. St. Augustine said hope has two lovely daughters, Anger
and Courage: anger at the way things are; courage to change them. We have the
opportunity to declare to the world that we are people of hope, always ready to act, to
join God in recreating the world.
It is my prayer that the people of Barrington United Methodist Church never forget
where we have come from, what we have built and how faithful God has been in
leading us to this moment. At the same time, I pray that we will claim—with a little bit
of anger and a whole lot of courage—the unknown and unrestricted future that God
has in store for us. We have done it before; let us set our eyes and our minds and our
hearts on becoming God’s new creation, always participating with God in the building
of God’s kingdom on earth. Be strong, have courage, keep the faith.
Rev. Chris Winkler
We Did It! I want to thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in 2021,
especially as we came together in December to close a significant budget gap.
We raised over $200,000, and our preliminary calculations indicate we will have
finished the year breaking even or a little above. Thank you to all who fulfilled
their pledges, those who gave generously but did not pledge, and those who
were able to give an additional amount beyond their estimate of giving.
Barrington United Methodist Church continues to do important and lifechanging
work in our church, our community and in the world. Please know that
every gift of time, talent and treasure is received with sincere gratitude and is
put to use in the work that God has called us to do: Vibrant Worship, Growing
Vital Faith and Friendships, and Changing the World for the Better. Again, thank
you for all that you do.
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First United Methodist Church West Dundee
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We are very grateful to the BUMC Chancel Choir and the other musicians who helped us provide
music for six services on Christmas Eve.
Noon service: Denise Calderon, flute and Kathy Pearson, piano
2:00 and 4:00 services: Crossroads Band--Seth Durbin, Brittany Edwards, Jenna Hesseln,
Michael Joiner, Alli Panzarella, Bill Wiliams
7:00 service was led by choir members (listed on page 8) and the Preucil Family Strings:
Stephanie Preucil, Violin, Makiba Kurita, Violin, James Preucil, Viola, Walter Preucil, Cello
Special thanks to Rosalyn Wesley for her inspired solo on “O Holy Night” at 7:00, 9:00,
and 11:00 services, and to Ricardo Ramirez and Stephanie Preucil for accompanying her.
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As the dawn breaks on a new year, we
often pause and reflect. We look back
and thank God. This church in Dundee has
stood for over 180 years as a witness to God’s
faithfulness and our commitment to bringing
His Kingdom on Earth to all. Through times
of growth and times of difficulties, we look
back at the past and stand amazed at how
far we have come. We look forward and trust
God. There will still be times of growth and
times of difficulties. And there will be times of
joy. God calls us to the future, always looking
for new ways to serve him. We walk to the
future, rejoicing in the challenges it brings to
us. Let us continue to do the work that has
been entrusted to our care. We remember
that we are God’s church and remain faithful,
connected, and hopeful.
Water main break
—Julie Johnson
To everything there is a season and
a time to every purpose under heaven.
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Thanks to all the Festival Choir members who sang in the Magnificat on the last
Sunday of Advent. Their musical offerings enhanced our morning of worship and
The Magnificat was accompanied by Stephanie Preucil, solo violin; Brittany Edwards and
James Zhang, percussion; Laura Utley, harp and Ricardo Ramirez, organ.
brought glory to God.
SOPRANOS
Suzanne Bible
Taylor Fox (soloist)
Karen Leoni
Allison Panzarella
Gail Rossow
Mary Ulery
Rosalyn Wesley (soloist)
ALTOS
Jan Barlow
Peggy Crawford
Robin Fox
Gloria Grebner
Carol Henrikson
Jenna Hesseln
Sarah Holman
Linda Snyder
Shirley Tetteh
Sydney Whitley
Pat Ziebart
TENORS
Seth Durbin
David Snyder
BASSES
Bill Bible
Tom Fox
Ralph Henrikson
Timothy Holman
Dennis Rossow
Thanks as well to Laura Utley and Dana Angel for their beautiful harp duets: and to the
Exaltation Handbell Choir, led by Laura Olsen, for their special offertory—Jody Antrim,
Suzanne Bible, Lisa Buboltz, Loretta Downey, Lynn Grant, Nancy Jensen, Olivia Jones,
Lynn Pampalone, Kathy Pearson, and Karen Strother.
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CELEBRATIONS | Christmas Gifts
Barrington UMC Christmas Offering goes equally to apportionments
and UMCOR disaster relief
Our 2021 Christmas offering was designated to help close our gap in operating
income with a significant gift to UMCOR. Thanks to everyone who fulfilled
their pledges and gave generously, our Christmas offering will be used to make
a $2,400 additional payment toward our 2021 apportionment and to gift $2,400
to UMCOR for disaster relief.
Deaconess Inserra thanks Barrington UMC, First UMC West Dundee, and the
United Methodist Women for our continued support of Kids Above All in 2021
Together this Christmas, our congregations provided 100 Christmas gifts for
KAA children and over $400 in financial support for their programming to
support foster children and at-risk families. She specifically thanked the United
Methodist Women for supporting the new Mommy and Me diaper drive and
Barrington UMC for generous support of this year’s Backpack Drive.
Members of Barrington generously supported UMCOR in 2021
In addition to the Christmas offering, members of Barrington UMC donated
$2,740 to UMCOR during 2021. The congregation also gave $5,255 on UMCOR
Sunday to offset administrative costs so that all monies marked for disaster relief
or development projects are used as donors intend. Altogether, BUMC provided
$10,395 to the United Methodist Committee on Relief in 2021. Thank you!
First UMC West Dundee provides Christmas gifts
to homeless families in D300
Homeless families in D300 gratefully received the Christmas gifts provided by
members of the congregation. Thank you for giving hope and joy to children in
difficult circumstances in our community.
First UMC West Dundee helps the most vulnerable
in our community at Christmas
First UMC West Dundee provides a monthly lunch to the PADS homeless
shelter in Elgin and regularly helps the Women’s Crisis Center. This year the
congregation stepped up to provide additional help to both in the form of
needed supplies. Thank you!
Ten Thousand Villages Pop Up Market was successful
The new manager was thrilled to be with us in person this year. Not only did the
sale go smoothly, your purchases raised $2,134 which goes back to the makers
who receive fair prices for their goods and are able to support their families and
their children’s education. Thank you for shopping for fairly traded goods and
don’t forget that Ten Thousand Villages is also online..
Comunidad Cristiana Children’s Christmas Pageant at Trinity Center
Thank you for giving Heifer Living Gifts to family, friends and neighbors
We thank everyone who purchased a living gift for those hard to shop for
friends. Alpacas and ducks continue to be very popular among our congregants.
Living gifts help whole communities to work their way out of poverty by
investing in animal husbandry. We made sure to send this year’s gift of $1,930
before December 31 to participate in the DOUBLE match that was on offer.
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CELEBRATIONS | Christmas Gifts continued
Rev. Tommie Johnson thanks Barrington UMC for our ministry partnership
Outside the Walls ministry works with individuals and families recently
released from prison to help connect them to social services and to provide
positive reinforcement in their lives. Your missions team helps fund the
annual OTW Christmas luncheon as well as the fall gathering in Douglas Park.
Pre-Covid, Barrington UMC members joined setting up and serving at the
Christmas luncheon, which is designed to connect and re-connect families.
Please enjoy seeing how special this mission partnership continues to be.
D220 Early Learning Center expressed thanks for your gifts
Thank you very much for the generous Holiday donations made to some of our students.
We at the Early Learning Center are thrilled to have your continued support. Due to your
warm-hearted gesture, we were able to bring such delight to sixteen families that needed
an extra helping hand this Holiday Season.
I can happily share that these families were more than happy and eager to receive the
gifts you bought for their children. In as much as you were not present physically, know
that you touched a child’s heart with hope and Christmas Joy! These students can now
enjoy their new winter clothes and play with wonderful new toys.
—Michelle Acosta, principal of the D220 Early Learning Center
12 13

CELEBRATI0NS | Carpentersville Community Meal
Table to Table
Meals for home.
2712 meals provided
34 volunteers
27 cooking days
165 unique families served
12 Table to Table take-out meals in 2021
Food donations from Costco, Lake Zurich;
the BUMC Congregational Garden;
and Illinois Pork Producers.
WHAT A GREAT YEAR!
Let’s continue to connect with our neighbors in 2022.
If you would like to volunteer to help us cook, package or serve – please talk
to someone involved or reach out to Sharon Orr at sorr@barringtonumc.
com or (847) 636-9934.
If you can support this amazing ministry financially, please select
community meal on the barringtonumc/giving page or make your check
to BUMC and mark Community Meal in the memo line. Thank you for your
support in 2022.
Carpentersville Community Meal
We have a place for you!
¡Tenemos un lugar para ti!
Do Good. Be Kind. Live Community.
CARPENTERSVILLE COMMUNITY MEAL
Financial support from many members of our
churches, from the United Methodist Women,
from the Barrington Area Community Foundation,
and St. Anne’s Hope Ministries.
Thanks to our volunteers’ hard work,
our cost per meal $3.91
Each meal included at least 6 ounces of protein,
a vegetable and fresh fruit.
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GET INVOLVED | AFGHAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
We are partnering with World Relief, an agency selected by the State Department,
to support the Afghan refugee resettlement effort. To help their efforts, World Relief
is seeking volunteers from our multisite community and churches throughout the
area to help welcome these refugees, soon to be Americans. Volunteers will receive
a background check and participate in online training to better connect with new
families. World Relief’s caseworkers work with all volunteers to schedule (at the
volunteer’s convenience) any of the following activities:
• English Language Class Aide
• Apartment Set-Up Assistant
• Transportation Assistant
Volunteers looking to serve can choose from many roles!
• Young Adult Mentor
• Health Advocate
• Youth Tutor
• English Language Tutor
• Friendship Partner
• Citizenship Tutor
World Relief Chicagoland joins with 350 churches
and over 1,000 volunteers annually to serve
6,800 immigrants and refugees.
Children and Youth
Aids refugee and immigrant children
from birth to 18 years so that they
are prepared both socially and
academically for success in school and
in life in the U.S.
Employment
Provides adult refugees and
immigrants with the dignity
of work through training for
job readiness, employment
counseling and successful job
placements.
Legal Services
Represents immigrants,
including refugees, in a wide
variety of immigration legal
processes with quality, low-cost,
accredited services.
These are activities to assist our new neighbors. Among other help, the focus
for churches is on acclimating Afghan refugees to new neighborhoods, schools
and institutions. World Relief caseworkers manage housing and employment for
the refugees.
This is how we help the foreigner in our midst. This is the “Do” of “Do, Be, Live.”
Learn more at worldrelief.org/chicagoland or
contact George Gill at gkgill.sr@gmail.com
Meet Abdul Qader Abdul is an
Afghan who served with the
U.S. military in Afghanistan.
Abdul feared for his and his family’s
lives while hiding in a safe house
outside Kabul. In August, U.S. military
officers worked to get him to safety,
and now Abdul and his family are
starting a new life in the
United States.
Education
Teaches refugees and
immigrants the vital
English language skills
needed to be engaged
and productive
members of the
community.
Counseling
Helps refugees and
immigrants succeed by
dealing with past trauma
and the current stress of
adjusting to a new culture.
Refugee & Immigrant Family Services
Supports the stability of newly arriving
refugees, asylum seekers and immigrant
families through housing, case management,
cultural orientation, and connections to
community resources that result in a
pathway toward healthy integration into local
communities.
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GET CONNECTED | FELLOWSHIP & FAITH DEVELLOPMENT
LENTEN STUDY
Barrington United Methodist Women
Thursday at 10:00 a.m. through Zoom
Barrington United Methodist Women are staying connected while avoiding
venturing out into the cold via weekly Zoom meetings. Anyone who would like a
chance to “visit” with old or new friends is welcome to join. We “gather” at 10:00
on Thursday mornings. If you would like to join us, please email Linda Osikowicz,
Lmosikowicz@comcast.net to receive the weekly meeting link.
Practical Christianity for Men
Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. fellowship, 9:00–11:00 a.m. bible study and discussion,
both virtual and in-person in BUMC Room 111
Open to men of all ages, Practical Christianity for Men is a Saturday morning study
group that offers opportunities for faith development, meaningful outreach and
lasting fellowship. Contact John Maxson, jsmaxson@aol.com, for more information.
Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, February 2 at noon in the Fireside Room at First UMC
All are invited to a discussion of Toni Morrison’s Beloved. This book won
the Pulitzer Prize for fiction when it was first published in 1987. Recently,
it had been at the heart of much controversy as several school boards have voted
to ban it from being taught in their schools as part of their fight against “critical
race theory.” We will be discussing this very powerful book and the controversy
it has generated. For more information, contact Pastor Wendy, wwitt@
barringtonumc.com
Study of the Prodigal Son
Study to begin in March, watch for more information!
Pastor Chris will lead a study of the Prodigal Son that attempts to consider what the
parable would have meant and how it would have challenged the assumptions of the
first listeners who heard Jesus tell it.
What was expected of the Younger Son, the Father and the Elder Brother? How did the
characters in the story confirm or shatter those expectations? What about the role of
unseen characters like the Mother, the Hired Hands and the Neighbors?
Finally, what can we learn about ourselves and our own assumptions about shame and
honor, grace and forgiveness?
“The return of the prodigal son”
Marc Chagall - Lithography - 80 x 59 cm
TURN IT UP! United Methodist Women Assembly 2022
Orlando, FL May 20-22, 2022
United Methodist Women Assembly provides a time to reflect on today’s challenges
and build new ways for faith-filled women to make a difference in our communities
and the world. It is a time for spiritual healing and renewal, rebirth, and to learn
ways to work for justice for women, children, and youth.
There is also a virtual option, join from your living room! Virtual attendees receive
access to all five Community Gatherings, one workshop on Friday and Saturday,
exclusive behind-the-scenes speaker interviews, sisterhood networking, and more.
For more information, contact Linda Osikowicz, Lmosikowicz@comcast.net.
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GET CONNECTED | YOUTH MINISTRY at BUMC
Sunday Mornings
All students, grades 6 through 12, are invited for fun conversation
and fellowship at 10:30 a.m. in the youth room.
UPCOMING EVENTS
God’s Squad
God’s Squad meets every Sunday, September through May, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Join us weekly for dinner, games, fellowship, and fun.*
Homework Hangs
Sundays, 4-6 p.m.
It’s Sunday...which means Monday is just around the corner. Bring those
homework assignments and projects that aren’t quite finished. We’ll have
coffee, cocoa, and extra pencils.
*Holidays and special dates that we will not meet will be communicated.
**Interested in volunteering with our youth? We are always looking to grow our ministry
support team. We guarantee laughter, joy, and a ton of fun! For more information, contact
Pastor Bonnie, bbevers@barringtonumc.com
God’s Squad at Main Event
Saturday, March 5 | Save the date!
Feed My Starving Children
Saturday, April 9, 4:30–6:15 p.m.
Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to join us at Feed My
Starving Children. This is a fun, high energy experience that allows
us to help individuals all over the world. Registration is limited and
required, barringtonumc.com.
God’s Squad at Pinstripes
Saturday, February 5, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us
for an afternoon of bowling at Pinstripes!
$10 per youth includes bowling, shoes,
and snacks. There’s no time to spare,
register now, barringtonumc.com!
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GET CONNECTED | FAMILY MINISTRY at BUMC
Sunday School with a Twist! Alll children (ages 3 through grade 5) are
invited to Sunday School during either worship service!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Candyland in February!
Throughout February, we will be talking about Bible stories that have
food as a focus, yum!
We had so much fun in Pajama Jam January!
Children ages 3 and older are invited to join us for a SUPER day of SUPER
HEROES. We will have obstacle courses, games, crafts, lunch, and a movie.
The cost is $10 per child.
Family Movie Night
Saturday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Walk with Jesus
Friday, April 15, 10:00–12:00 p.m.
Family Ministry Summer Kick
Sunday, May 29
Rocky Railway VBS
June 20-24, 9:00–12:00 p.m.
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NOAH’S ARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
We thank Noah’s Ark Christian Academy for their help in decorating the
Christmas tree in the rotunda. Your helping hands and attention to detail
were much appreciated!
Registration for the 2022/23 school year is open.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact Susan Acosta,
sbrown@barringtonumc.com.
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98 Algonquin Road
Barrington, IL 60010-6145
barringtonumc.com
(847) 836-5540
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
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BARRINGTON, IL
60010
PERMIT NO. 27
First UMC West Dundee
318 W. Main Street, West Dundee, IL 60118
fumcwd.org