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HINCKLEY UPDATE
A monthly newsletter of the Hinckley First United Methodist Church • March• Volume 3 • 2015
Letter From the Pastor
Dear Hinckley,
Over the years, I’ve been
asked to write many letters of recommendation for people. Having been
the subject of such letters in the past,
I know how important they can be.
Sometimes specifics are provided
about what traits or skills are being
sought, but sometimes they aren’t,
and those writing the letter have to
guess about what those receiving it
want to know.
Several things go through my
mind when I write about someone.
One of my main thoughts is that what
and how I write could have important
implications. Sometimes it feels like
a lot of pressure, but I’m usually able
to just be honest about how I have
experienced the person I’m recommending If I just try to be clear about
why I think they would be a good fit,
it usually ends up being pretty easy.
I remember a time, 30 years
ago, when I asked one of my college
professors to write a letter of recommendation for me. He seemed happy
to help, but asked me to write it, and
if he agreed with everything I said, he
would sign it. I was unsure of how to
go about that… And once I started
the letter, it became more difficult to
write rather than easier. It was painfully uncomfortable to write about my
own personality, talents, and
accomplishments!
It shouldn’t really be difficult,
though. After all, don’t we know
ourselves better than anyone else?
Most of us can be fairly accurate about
identifying our own strengths and
weaknesses. Yet, to many of us, it feels
like “bragging” if we promote our
own abilities to others. Even pointing out objective qualifications can
feel uncomfortable. Why does being
openly proud of our abilities have the
potential to be so embarrassing?
Most of us are taught to be
humble – and most of us learned that
well! If someone gives us a compliment, we might brush it off, sometimes
with a blush or self-effacing comment
like “Oh, I don’t know about that,” or
“You’re too kind!” And yet, if instead,
we overhear other people saying
nice things about us to each other, or
see something complimentary that
someone has written, it feels especially
good - especially if it’s something they
don’t think we will hear/see!
Few of us like to be around
people who crow about how great
they are all the time. Real hubris has
always been irritating and unattractive. Actually, people who constantly
brag about themselves are usually
pretty insecure and often have low
self-esteem. But genuine confidence
is different than bragging. And, if we
want to take advantage of potential
opportunities that will help us achieve
our goals, then we need to be able to
differentiate ourselves from others
who may not be as qualified.
time soon. But I do wish we could
all feel freer to be more self-confident
rather than constantly needing the
approval of others. God has made
each of us with important but
different, individual talents. If we
downplay their importance and value,
we may as well be telling God that
divine creation isn’t good enough –
we won’t be satisfied until someone
else says we’re deserving of praise and
recognition.
What if we all wrote a ‘letter
of recommendation’ for ourselves? It
would be good for most of us to make
the case for being the absolute best,
most qualified person in the whole
world to be ourselves. Be sure it’s
convincing. Read it often. Believe it
and celebrate it. And no matter who
else has applied, make sure you are the
only one who gets the position!
“Learning to embrace and feel
Peace,
Pastor Laura
unapologetically confident about
our gifts and talents, without just
hoping that others will notice and
praise us, can be healthy and
even attractive.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if
we could all feel honestly good about
ourselves and our accomplishments?
That doesn’t mean we would suddenly
be immune to the wonderful power of
compliments from others, but it might
mean that we were a little more comfortable with ourselves.
I suppose letters of recommendation won’t become obsolete any
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 1
In This Issue
Letter from the Pastor .. .. .. .. . 1
Church Directory . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2
Board Meetings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2
Food Pantry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2
Library News . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 3
Friends of Library .. .. .. .. .. .. . 3
Parks & Recreation .. .. .. .. .. . 4
Historical Society .. .. .. .. .. .. . 4
H-BR #429 . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 5
Lions Club.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 5
Announcements.. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 6
CHURCH AND VILLAGE DIRECTORY
THE HINCKLEY UPDATE
is published on the 15th of each month
by the Hinckley First United
Methodist Church (HFUMC) as a free
service to the community. There is no
charge to print community news in
the Update. The editor reserves the
right to edit or omit material that is
deemed unsuitable for this
publication.
Church Information
Hinckley First United Methodist Church
801 N. Sycamore Street 815-286-7102
Services, Sunday - 9:30 a.m.
Christian Education - 10:40 a.m.
(Nursery Care available during services).
AA meets every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
Covenant Restoration Church
181 N. Sycamore Street 815-286-7274
The deadline for submission is the
first of every month.
Services, Sunday - 9:30 a.m.
Prayer & Praise - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. Friday, Prayer - 8:00 p.m.
Submit information, comments or
corrections to the editor at:
hinckleyupdate@gmail.com or
HFUMC, 801 N. Sycamore,
Hinckley, IL 60520.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
12760 Lee Rd. (west of Hinckley) 815-286-3885
For further information, contact
HFUMC at 815-286-7102.
EDITOR: Nora Gubbins
(Contributions to help defray the
costs of printing and mailing the
Update are always welcome.)
Hinckley Area
Food Pantry
is open the first and third Saturdays of
each month from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. at
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ,
324 W. McKinley Ave., Hinckley and
serves the communities of Big Rock,
Hinckley, Maple Park and Waterman. To
register the first time bring a photo ID, and
2 forms of residency verification, such as a
utility bill or lease with your address. (Entrance
on View St.)
For more info: call 815-286-7275 or email
the pantry at hafp93@gmail.com
Volunteers are always welcome.
office@immanuel-hinckley.org
Sunday Schedule - Sept. through May • Men’s Bible Study 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. • Adult Bible Study & Sunday School - 9:00 a.m.
• Worship Service - 10:15 a.m
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
324 West McKinley Street 815-286-3391
Services, Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Sunday School - 10:45 a.m.
Coffee Fellowship immediately following Sunday service.
Village Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Mondays of
each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Hinckley Village Hall, 720
James Street. If the first or third Monday falls on a holiday,
the Board meets the following Tuesday.
Community Building Board
Board of Trustees meets on the first Monday of each
month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hinckley Community Building.
Hinckley Public Library District Board of Trustees
Board meetings are held the second Monday of each
month at 7:30 p.m. at the Hinckley Public Library,
100 N. Maple St.
Squaw Grove Township Board
Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each
month at 7:00 p.m. at the Hinckley Community Building.
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 2
Library Happenings
Exciting things will be happening during
ongoing and new participants
1000 Books
are always welcome. For
BEFORE
every 100 books read your
Kindergarten
child gets a prize and gets to
put a sticker on our rainbow
mural to show how many books are being read to young
Hinckley children! Pick up your information packet today!
Experience authentic Irish
folktales, ventriloquism, and
music to get you dancing jigs.
No registration is required and
all ages are welcome.
Story Time continues for the winter on Tuesdays and
BOOK SALE
Just as you weed your garden to make room for the good
plants, we weed the library shelves to make room for
newer, more popular materials. Right now we are working
through the fiction section. If a book hasn’t been checked
out in years you can find it on our book sale waiting for a
new home. Some of your favorite authors might be waiting
to be added to your collection, so stop by and pick up a few
hard covers for only 50 cents each!
The Friends of the Library meet the
second Tuesday of the month at
7 p.m. at the library. Upcoming
events are National Library Week in
April, the Summer Read Program
starting in June and the Garden Walk
in July. We need all the help we can
get, so stop by one of our meetings
and find out what we are all about.
r Our Rainbo
o
l
o
w
The 1,000 Books before
Kindergarten program is
Tuesday, March 24th at 1 p.m.
Chris McBrien presents
The Irish Traveler
C
• National Library Week, April 12-18th •
You can expect Family Story Night with Don Austin,
fine forgiveness, and drop-in tech help.
Watch for more announcements.
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. 2 - 5 year-olds and their caregivers
are invited to join us for stories, music, crafts, and more!
Call the library for availability. Registration is required.
Chess Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays
of every month at 6 p.m. Chess sets are provided. All ages
and abilities are invited to play and learn. Join us March
11th and 25th at 6 p.m.
LEGO Group is still going strong. Build with us every
Friday at 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and your creations
are displayed in the library.
Mrs. Rylie Roubal
Director
South Moon BBQ , 100 East Lincoln Hwy.,
Hinckley, is hosting Drink & Dabble events
on the third Wednesday of every month.
Part of the proceeds go to the library, so
get some friends together for a fun night of
painting. Discover your inner Picasso! Sign
up and get more information at South Moon
BBQ or call: 815-286-9227.
&
Drink
Dabble
Twisted Stitchers meet every
Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until
noon at the Hinckley
Public Library. Anyone who
knits, crochets, or would like to
learn, is welcome to join us.
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 3
Hinckley Parks & Recreation
Walk-In Registration Programs:
RETURNING IN MARCH!
v Combined Taijifit/Yoga, Tuesdays, beginning March 17th, Community Bldg, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
v YOGA, Wednesdays, beginning March 18th, Community Bldg., 6:00-7:00 p.m.
v Adult Open Gym, Wednesdays, HBR H. S. Gym, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
v Family Gym, Wednesdays, HBR Elementary School, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
v 3rd-5th Grade Gym, Wednesdays, HBR Elementary School, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
(Last Night for Open Gym programs will be March 18th)
v ZUMBA with Betty, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Community Bldg., 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
v ZUMBA with Molly, Mondays, Community Bldg, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m
*NEW*
Saturdays beginning on March 7th, Community Bldg., 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR DANCE PROGRAMS - check program guide for fees and complete details
Tiny Dancer and Pre-Ballet classes are running in monthly 4 week sessions. Tiny Dancer is offered from 3:30-4:00 p.m.
and Pre-Ballet is offered from 4:15-5:00 p.m. The classes meet on Tuesdays at the Hinckley Community Building.
For complete information on the programs, check the guide posted on the village website. www.hinckleyil.com click/parks
or a hard copy of the guide is available at the Village Office and the Hinckley Library. Any questions call 815-739-1336 or
email parksandrec@hinckleyil.com.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER NEEDED
We currently have an opening for a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member. Members of the board are asked to
attend the bi-monthly meetings, help in developing programs and activities for village residents, and assist with planning
and running special events. If you are interested in further information contact Kris Ohnstad by email at: parksandrec@
hinckleyil.com or leave at message at 815-739-1336.
Historical Society News
Historical Society Annual
Dinner and Auction is
Saturday, April 25.
Hinckley-Big Rock H.S.
Tickets: $20
5:30 p.m. - Silent Auction begins
6:00 p.m. - Dinner served
Live Auction begins after dinner
You need not be a society member
to attend.
This event is the primary
fundraising event to support the
Hinckley Historical Society’s preservation and educational activities.
Please show your support by
purchasing a ticket for the
dinner, donating an item,
service, or gift card for the silent
or live auctions, or provide much
needed help in preparation for
the auction or set up for the day’s
activities. We really need
community support to continue
our efforts.
Don Austin will provide musical
entertainment. Joe Wegener will be
our auctioneer.
We have already received some
great items for the auctions. Your
support to help continue our
preservation activities is greatly
appreciated. Dinner Tickets are
sold at the Historical Society
Museum and by HHS members.
We are very excited to have Julie
Morsch catering the dinner this
year. Dinner will include: Fresh
Garden Salad, Pasta Salad, Rice
Pilaf, Roasted Pork Tenderloin,
Corn Relish, Challah Bread with
honey butter, Chocolate Truffle,
Dessert, Sweet Tea and Coffee.
For further information or to make
a donation, call Ken Bushnell at
815-286-7443. For more information, visit the museum located at
145 E. Lincoln (open Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or call
815-286-3319, 815-286-7358 or
815-286-7270.
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 4
HBR CUSD #429 Updates
Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School was buzzing on Friday,
February 13th. Although student dismissal was at 11:55 a.m.
for a scheduled school improvement day in which teachers
met and collaboratively worked on assessments, the early
dismissal was not the reason for the buzz. HBRMS had 27
visitors and from the moment the students walked into the
building, I heard them talking about the 4 sessions that they
would attend during the morning.
HBRMS staff planned for this day from the beginning of the
year when the idea of career exploration for the students
was first discussed. Staff worked tirelessly in securing a
wide range of presenters. These presenters were 27
professionals who gave of their time to meet with groups
of students to discuss the needed soft skills, education, and
other important factors needed for success. The students
knew the careers that would be discussed and put in their
requests. The staff had a tough task in front of them, but
were able to schedule the students into the sessions for
their careers of interest.
To learn more about this day and the impact on the
students, I encourage you to read the February 20th post
on our District blog, http://hbrcommunityblog.blogspot.
com/. The 7th grade newsletter class did a fantastic job
articulating the events of the day and the impact on their
personal perspective and future planning. As one student
said, “Overall, career day gave me a better understanding of
what it will take to achieve my goals.”
A big thanks to Lucas Allen (FACE Agriculture), GayLynn Ash
(IVVC Career Education), Tim Badal (Caterer/Pastor), Jodi
Binkley (Restaurant Owner), Bryan Blume (Sales), Joseph
Bohannon (Product Service Engineer), Sergeant Jim Burgh
(Law Enforcement), Dale Clark (Attorney), Megan Flannery
(Cosmetologist), Lyrka Lawler (Graphic Design), Vince Logan
(IVVC Law Enforcement), Dave Maroo (Banking), Shelby
Miller (NIU Athletics), Karla Jebens-Mills (Veterinarian), Lori
Nelson (Music Marketing), Dave Oeters (Small Business-Pest
Control), Whitney Pellham (NIU Athletics), Brad Sanderson
(Civil Engineer), Matt Stark (Athletic Trainer), Jared Thorp
(Paramedic/Fireman), Amy Van Landuyt (Nursing), Jeff
VerCautren (Golf Course Superintendent), Lisa Weissinger
(Flight Attendant), Sergeant Justin Wilson (Military), and
Don Witte (Teacher).
My hat goes off to the staff and presenters for working
together to bring this experience to our students. It has
been said that it takes a village to raise a child. The village
came together and had a lasting impact on the future of our
students.
Travis L. McGuire
Superintendent, Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429
Hinckley Lions Club News
Hinckley Lions Club
HOOPS AND HAMS RAFFLE
THURSDAY MARCH 19th, 2015
J& K’s HALF MOON,
120 W. Lincoln Hwy.
7:00 p.m. - ?
Giant TV raffle!
We appreciate your support.
Hinckley Lions wants to say a huge THANK YOU to all that
came out to our Annual Larry Hoffman Scholarship
Pancake Breakfast ton March 1st. We raised over $1,000
for the scholarship through everyone’s generous contributions. We also did vision screening on 105 individuals!
Five lucky people won $20 Gift Cards from the Batavia
Walmart Vision Center to use toward eyeglass purchases.
Also five lucky people won an eye exam voucher (valued
at $65.00) from the Batavia Vision Center. These gift cards
and vouchers are courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Geertz OD.
Dr. Geertz is a resident of Hinckley and a Lions member.
The Hinckley Lions Club thank her for her generosity. For
further information on Dr. Jennifer Geertz OD contact
Batavia Walmart Vision Center at 630-879-7349.
We also want to thank the Just For Kix dancers for
coming out and doing an amazing job. It was so
entertaining. Also we had the pleasure of hearing
Emily Clark, a senior at Hinckley Big Rock High School play
the piano!
Holly Hubert, Hinckley Lions Club and District Governor Chris Halsey,
Elburn Lions Club at Pancake Breakfast and Vision Screening.
If you are interested in knowing more about Hinckley Lions
Club our meetings are held at the JK Half Moon in downtown Hinckley, IL the 1st Thursday of each month. Come
check us out. Also do not forget to like us on Facebook.
For further information call President Lion Jerry Bahl at
815-600-4825.
6:30 PM - Board Meeting; 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 5
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Hinckley, IL 60520
PERMIT NO. 17
Hinckley Update
801 N. Sycamore Street
Hinckley, IL 60520
Read the Update online at
www.hinckleyupdate.com
Postal Customer
Hinckley, IL 60520
Remember to vote in
the April 7th election.
Join us for Fitness at First
Every Thursday at 8:30 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St. We use a variety of DVDs to
engage in fitness activities such as yoga, Pilates, walking, Zumba, and others. No need to register. Just show up.
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
You are invited to a Community Open House on
Wednesday, April 1st from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hinckley
Community Building. Come and meet the four citizens
running for the Village Board in the April 7th
election. There are currently three expiring terms.
The evening will begin with a meet and greet from 6 to
7 p.m., followed by a question and answer period from
7 to 8 p.m.
The citizens who are seeking office are Christine Clark,
Joe Diedrich, Nancy Nelson and Jeff Nier.
Refreshments will be served. Please join us.
We look forward to seeing you all. Thank you.
The Village of Hinckley is seeking a Parks
and Recreation Coordinator. The coordinator
is responsible for providing quality youth and
adult recreational activities as well as
community events for the village residents.
This part- time position average 650 hours
per year.
A degree in recreation or related field with
experience in recreational programming is
required.
Please call the Village Hall at 815-286-3836 for
further information or to obtain an application. Application deadline is March 30, 2015.
HINCKLEY UPDATE • MARCH, 2015 • PAGE 6