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UCC News
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United Church News names new editor
The Rev. Gregg Brekke has been named editor of United Church News and the denomination’s news director, succeeding the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, who was appointed the UCC’s national director of communications last December.
Faith-based initiatives: Thomas reiterates need for 'responsible partnerships'
Following Barack Obama's July 1 speech calling for continued government funding for faith-based initiatives, the Rev. John H. Thomas reiterated his support for cooperative programs as long as church-state separation is protected.
Presbyterians move to allow gay clergy, but fight remains
Meeting in San Jose, Calif., the nation's largest Presbyterian denomination on June 27 cracked open the door to ordaining non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy, though the decades-old fight is far from over.
Thomas to Bush: 'Not in my name will you justify torture'
“Today I join many in saying to my President, ‘not in my name.’” said the Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, in a widely covered, bipartisan news conference held on June 25. “Not in my name will you justify torture and allow it to be used.”
'Think You Can Dance' finalist is UCC
A finalist on the popular TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” is a member of the UCC, who first came to know about the church because of the denomination’s welcoming TV commercials.
State ecumenical bodies taking lead in creative immigration ministries
"The church is called to minister to all our neighbors, new and old," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary. "As the issue takes on more and more importance in our country, the urgency of that calling intensifies. The National Council of Churches and state and local councils are talking together so we know what each other is doing."
UCC's Southern California -- Nevada Conference reaffirms support for same-gender marriage
At its June 19-20 annual meeting, the UCC's Southern California – Nevada Conference adopted a statement reaffirming its commitment to equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender.
Tom Hunter, UCC's modern-day minstrel, has died
The Rev. Tom Hunter, a musician and pastor who shared his music across the UCC for decades, died on June 20 after a short battle with rare brain disease.
World's churches encouraged to pray for Zimbabwe on June 22
Churches worldwide are being invited to celebrate a day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday, 22 June, as the beginning of a season of prayer for the people and government of the African country, which is facing a critical time.
UCC leaders join Cleveland community to protest death penalty
The Rev. John H. Thomas, United Church of Christ general minister and president, and the Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister of the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries, participated June 11 in a rally in downtown Cleveland to protest the death penalty.
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Congregational Church in Deerfield
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We are the Congregational Church in Deerfield.
We are part of the United Church of Christ, and all who come are welcome here.
We stand for the integrity of creation, peace rooted in justice and righteousness, and the affirmation of all human beings as children of God.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we say that making a difference honors the magnificence of the human spirit and fulfills the possibility of being the body of Christ in the world.
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Contact Us
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Congregational Church in Deerfield
225 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, Illinois 60015
847-945-0176
Blair Hull can be reached by email at:
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"Welcome to the Congregational Church in Deerfield. All who come here are welcome here." This is how we introduce our worship every Sunday, and it is the truth. Oh, we aren't the biggest or the snazziest, but we are, in my opinion, the friendliest, healthiest church I have ever attended. I have never seen a church family so willing to open their minds and their hearts, not only to people they know, but people they don't know.
We are a family church where everyone knows you. We strive to live into the call and the mission of the United Church of Christ and to be in relationship with those who are with us as members, visitors, and friends.
It is a great joy for me to be here. I am personally blessed to be called by this church to be their pastor. Here we work together in leadership, recognizing that we are all leaders in the service of God in God's church. My personal theology begins with the fact that we all need attention, that we all come from different backgrounds and cultures, and that we are loved by a triune God who is with us all the way, all the time.
We recently changed our name from the Congregational Church of Deerfield to the Congregational Church in Deerfield. Why? Because our members come from all over the area ? Deerfield and the surrounding communities of Highland Park, Northbrook, and Buffalo Grove, among others. We also have members who travel from Vernon Hills, Roselle, La Grange, Grayslake, Evanston, and Chicago. People choose our church not necessarily because we are nearby but because they like our community of faith.
Often it isn't easy to live in our culture with its quick fixes, inch deep promises, and ever-changing landscape, but here we offer a church where all are welcomed and accepted as people of God where we strive to do as God would have us do in both the difficult times as well as the comfortable ones.
I invite you to come and visit us, stay for worship, coffee hour, or visit on a special occasion. Come try us on, and who knows, like so many others, you might choose to stay.
Blessings,
Rev. Blair Hull, M.Div.
(address obfuscated to reduce spam)
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Blair Ann Hull, a 1995 graduate of the Chicago Theological Seminary, was called by the Congregational Church in Deerfield UCC in May 1995 and has just completed her 12th year as their pastor. Prior to being a minister, Blair was a professional musician and was employed as a musician and in the educational and business sectors. Blair is married to Cecil Curtwright and has two grown children and a grandson. Please call (847) 945-0176 to speak with Blair or to arrange a pastoral visit.
Cynthia Fremling has been the organist and choir director for the Congregational Church in Deerfield for twenty-four years. Cynthia, who has Bachelor and Masters degrees in music education, has taught music and private voice for over 30 years and is presently teaching at Shepard Middle School in Deerfield. She has also performed professionally in operas, oratorios, musicals, and solo and duet recitals, often singing duets with her husband Warren. Despite her busy schedule, she has also served as musical director for many North Shore theater groups.
The congregation is also blessed with the contributions of four other graduates of Chicago Theological Seminary. Rev. Susan Martersteck, a hospice chaplain, was the first member of this church to be ordained and often leads worship. Roger and Harriet Dart, also graduates of Chicago Theological Seminary, are frequent worship leaders. Roger took work camp groups from the Chicago Metropolitan Association to New Orleans in May and December, 2007. Two rebuilding trips are scheduled for 2008. Rev. David Wywialowski,a health outreach minister with The Night Ministry in Chicago, recently joined the church and currently heads up other mission and stewardship activities.
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