Fine Arts Festival at Barrington United Methodist Church

A marvelous celebration of music, dance and art is again coming to Barrington United Methodist Church (BUMC), 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) on Sunday, August 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.! BUMC's "5th Sunday Fine Arts Festivals" feature everything from fine and visual arts to performance arts including painting and sculpting, instrumental and vocal music, dancing, acting and dramatic reading from our multitalented congregation and friends.

All are welcome to this free celebration of God's many creative gifts. For more information, please call (847) 836-5540.

"A Taste of BUMC" at Barrington United Methodist Church

Come sample a "Taste of BUMC" on Sunday, September 7th at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) and share in the excitement of a brand new school year as we begin our regular schedule!

8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services; nursery care available for infants and toddlers all morning.

9:00 a.m. Sunday school for all ages. Our Rally Day activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with an introduction of BUMC's many educational, fellowship, mission and music offerings.

At 9:15 a.m. children will be accompanied to their rotation stations for the new Sunday School curriculum; at 9:20 adults are invited to sample some of the adult education classes offered for the fall. A continental breakfast will be served.

11:45 a.m. - Enjoy a "Taste of BUMC" following the 10:30 service as we share a simple lunch in Fellowship Hall, and enjoy a variety of activities, including, a hayride, children's games, and entertainment.

All are welcome to join us for a Christ centered year of learning and love!

For further information, please call the church office at (847) 836-5540.

BUMC Rummage Sale Returns in October

Looking for "gently used" treasures? The Barrington United Methodist Women are busy preparing for their spectacular annual "Rummage Sale" on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Rd. (southeast corner of Route 59) in Barrington! The sale will take place Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. There will be a half-price sale on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 in selected departments. Those departments will close at 4:45, and then re-open at 5:00 for the half price sale. Plus, Saturday shoppers can take advantage of their bargain Bag Sale, with all of the goodies you can fit into a $5 bag in selected departments!

Proceeds from the sale are distributed to many groups, including many local and Chicago-based organizations that work with women, children, and youth. Funds are also sent to the national organization of United Methodist Women, which is often described as "the largest organized women's group in the world!" UMW has nearly one million members who contribute to charitable programs and projects throughout the United States and more than 100 countries worldwide.

The Barrington United Methodist Rummage Sale is not just another rummage sale. It's an institution in the community. Now 75 years old, UMW's Rummage Sale was begun during the Depression. Women of the congregation gathered items they no longer needed and brought them to the church, trading with other families. As more items were gathered than could be used, it was decided to begin a rummage sale so others experiencing hard times could share the abundance. The sale has continued, even in the years we were without a building due to the fire in 1998. "We look forward to seeing the many customers who come year after year to take advantage of our many bargains and great finds," commented committee member Linda Osikowicz. Originally, the sale was held at the previous church site on South Hough Street in just a few rooms, where a handful of women spent a few days organizing clothes and kitchen items. The sale now fills up an entire wing of the new building and a tent full of furniture! The lower level contains clothing (including men's, women's and children's), shoes, purses, and children's toys. Departments upstairs include electronics, lamps, sporting goods, books, CD's, videos, computer hardware and software, house wares, tools, linens, holiday items, crafts, and fabrics. Countless volunteers help to sort, organize, and price the incredible array of items. Furniture, bikes, and lawn items are just some of the departments that fill the tent to the seams. One of the outstanding areas not to be missed is the "French Room" filled with carefully selected items of high quality, including china, jewelry, clothing, antiques and collectibles, and other amazing treasures! "You can find most anything from designer label clothing and famous maker purses to fine lace antique tablecloths, a cute Christmas ornament or a piece of heirloom jewelry," remarked committee chair Mary Mellon.

"The sale is a great opportunity to find some unique treasures and bargains. But more importantly, it provides funds for many worthy organizations and provides families a way to stretch their budget with a selection of needed items at a low price," remarked Carolyn Schneider.

Committee members include Sherrie Anuskiewicz, Bev Booth, LouAnn Gordon, Norma Jung-Stein, Nancy Koutsis, Pam Larsen, Mary Mellon, Linda Osikowicz, and Carolyn Schneider.

Donations of goods will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 12th; Monday and Tuesday, October 13th and 14th, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, October 15th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Tax donation receipts will be readily available. Any and all volunteers are welcome to help unpack, sort, and distribute merchandise. "We are so thankful for the many, many individuals who contribute items to the sale, the businesses who offer their support, and to the many volunteers who help prepare for the sale. We all have a great time!" noted Nancy Koutsis.

For more information, please contact (847) 836-5540.

Harvest 2020 website comes to life!

Harvest 2020 now has its own website. This site will serve as a clearinghouse for ideas, resources, news and a virtual meeting place for all things Harvest 2020.

You can link to the site from the Harvest 2020 logo on the NIC conference website home page or visit the site directly.

Harvest 2020 is a movement in the Northern Illinois Conference for empowering healthy discipleship, planting new faith communities and revitalizing cluster ministries. The movement was launched at Annual Conference in 2007. Harvest 2020 has been embraced and expanded by congregations, laity and clergy all over the conference. "We have been waiting for something like this," said one Harvest 2020 enthusiast.

Development of the Harvest 2020 website has been managed by Rev. Arlene Christopherson, Assistant to the Bishop who also provided leadership for the feasibility study for a future capital campaign, planned to be one part of enabling future Harvest 2020 expansion. During the feasibility study, participants talked about the importance of communication as a way of sharing resources, increasing knowledge and building commitment to the Harvest 2020 movement.

The new website is a direct response to those requests for more communication. Orange Propeller, a web design firm from Arlington Heights was the principal partner in the development of the new site.

"So many events, activities and momentum have grown out of the launch of Harvest 2020 since last June that it became clear we needed to capture our story in one place where we can learn, share and stay current as we grow and develop our mission together. We know this website will become a valuable tool as we link to the future," says Rev. Christopherson.

Help China, Myanmar, and More through UMCOR!

Would you like to help those suffering from recent world disasters, but are afraid your money willnever get where it is truly needed? Fear not! Monetary donations are being collected now through Sunday, June 1st at Barrington United Methodist Church to assist those affected by the recent tornadoes in the U.S., the earthquake in China, and the devastating cyclone in Myanmar. One hundred percent of your offering given to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) will help those in need! Please make checks payable to BUMC, note "UMCOR" on the ledger and mail to: 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL 60010. For the latest information on the Methodist Church at work in the world go to the General Board of Global Ministries website.

Summer Hours at Barrington United Methodist Church

Summer is here, and the times are changing at Barrington United Methodist Church! Starting June 8th through Labor Day, BUMC's Sunday worship services will be 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. at 98 Algonquin Road (corner of Route 59) in Barrington. There will be children's church after the children's message at the 9:30 service for all pre-schoolers (age 3 and up) through fourth graders. Professional nursery care for infants and toddlers is available at both services. All are welcome! For more information, please call (847) 836-5540.