CCCH In The Media
[We apologize for any links that may have expired]
Reporter Progress - November 23, 2009
Family, friend hoping for bone marrow match for Westmont resident
By David Heitz
Westmont, IL - Cub Scout parents and members of the community came together last weekend to help a fellow scout mom fighting leukemia.
Cub Scout Pack 5, of Maercker School District 60 in Westmont, held a bone marrow donor drive Nov. 21 to benefit Westmont resident Christy Johnson, who is hospitalized receiving treatment for leukemia.
Johnson is the mother of Tiger Scout Colton Johnson, a member of Cub Pack 5.
The marrow drive was held at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills.
Dawn Price, organizer of the bone marrow drive, said they had 48 registered for the National Marrow Registry List during the event. It will take about six weeks to determine if any samples match Johnson, or anyone else on the list of those waiting for donors.
“It was a very positive event, and we had a lot of volunteers that came out,” Price said. “I’m proud of everyone who made this happen.”
Price said the purpose was to not only try to find a match for Johnson, but for other people who may need a marrow transplant.
“While the drive was held to find potential matches for Christy, our hope is that we can find a match for anyone who is in need,” Price said.
The process of donating is easy. Price said it is done by taking a DNA swab of the inside of the mouth, and the sample is tested through a lab.
If someone is found, and the donor agrees, cells are harvested through blood, rather than through the backbone, as it used to be done, said Johnson’s husband, David Maculef.
Johnson, 40, was not able to attend the drive, as she is in the University of Minnesota Hospital after receiving a stem cell transplant through a donated umbilical cord, said Maculef.
She underwent the procedure a couple weeks ago, and is now receiving treatment at the hospital, he said.
“It will take 100 days before we find out if her white blood cell count returns,” Maculef said. “At that time, they will do a bone biopsy to find out if it was successful.”
Reached at the hospital Friday Nov. 20, Maculef said his wife is conscious, and doctors have told him that she is doing as well as she can under the circumstances.
“Everything appears to be normal so far,” he said.
While the family may have to celebrate Christmas at the hospital campus, Maculef said the family is optimistic that Johnson could return home sometime toward the end of January.
Johnson was originally diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, and she and Maculef were married earlier this year. At the time, Johnson was in remission.
But the leukemia returned only a few days after their honeymoon in July, Maculef said.
While the family awaits the results of the biopsy, and to find out if any matches have been found, Maculef stressed the importance of birth mothers donating their umbilical cords for stem cell use.
“This is not embryonic stem cells taken from a fetus — these cells are taken from the umbilical cords themselves after the baby is born,” he said. “In this case, it could save Christy’s life.”
The Doings - November 5, 2009
Clarendon Hills Scouts plan bone marrow drive
By ROB SIEBERT
Sometimes, giving just a little bit of yourself can mean the world to someone else.
In the case of Christy Johnson, that saying has a very literal meaning. The Clarendon Hills resident and local speech therapy teacher is fighting her second bout with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that begins inside a person's bone marrow and kills white blood cells.
Though Johnson is about to undergo a stem cell treatment at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, she has friends rooting for her back home. Her son Colton and his friends in Cub Scout Pack 5 out of Maercker Elementary District 60 will host a bone marrow drive Nov. 21 at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills.
Volunteers who show up for the drive will have their cheeks swabbed to see if they are genetically eligible to donate bone marrow to Johnson.
Johnson's husband, David Matulef, said if a match is found, a simple blood draw will likely be the only subsequent procedure, as that is all doctors need to retrieve the necessary stem cells for treatment.
"They can just take it from the blood," Matulef said. "They don't usually even use the marrow anymore."
The event was organized by Johnson's friend and fellow Cub Scout mom Dawn Price of Clarendon Hills, who emphasized the selfless nature of donating bone marrow to someone in need.
"You literally save that person's life," Price said. "It's a wonderful thing."
Johnson was originally diagnosed with leukemia in January 2008. She underwent chemotherapy, and was told she had an 80 percent chance of staying in remission for the rest of her life.
Unfortunately, the cancer resurfaced this year. She and Matulef took an unplanned trip to Las Vegas to get married July 25. Days later she went to the hospital to undergo treatment.
Matulef said Johnson is being treated with stem cells being drawn from umbilical chord blood. Matulef said that is often not an option for treatment because many mothers don't think to ask to have their umbilical chords saved, but the medical center encourages such donations.
"If they don't ask, they just get thrown away," Matulef said.
Matulef said Johnson is thrilled the Cub Scouts are having a bone marrow drive in her honor, and is hopeful that a match can be found.
Potential bone marrow donors must be between age 18 and 60, and not have any lingering conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, heart disease or cancer.
The drive will take place from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the chapel at the church, 5750 Holmes Ave., Clarendon Hills. For more information, Price can be reached (630) 810-1397.
The Doings - October 29, 2009
Pumpkin Chase celebrates innocence of Halloween
by AMY DEIS
The Doings - October 8, 2009
Good News Digest
Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, in conjunction with G.O. Ministries, sponsored 153 children at a school in Santiago, Dominican Republic, through the G.O. Kids sponsorship ministry.
TribLocal - September 22, 2009
CCCH played host to Heath & Wellness Expo, Miss Illinois 2009
Hinsdale, Westmont and Woodridge Chambers of Commerce, Miss Illinois 2009 - Erin O'Connor and members of the CCCH staff cut the ribbon at the opening of the 2009 Health & Wellness Expo held at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills on Saturday, September 19th.
Cornerstone Newsletter - June 10, 2009
"A phenomenal year so far" in Clarendon Hills, Illinois
The Christian Church of Clarendon Hills (CCCH) was one of the first CDF-financed churches to open a new facility in 2009, and in the words of Senior Minister Matthew Rogers, "It's been a phenomenal year so far." Since the grand opening of the new worship center in January, average attendance has increased by 25%, and giving is up 12%. On Easter Sunday alone, the congregation celebrated as 55 new believers made decisions to follow Christ.
When the church's leaders first contacted CDF about the $5 million expansion project, CCCH was running four weekend worship services in its 180-seat sanctuary. The congregation continued to grow during construction, even when it relocated services to the elementary school next door. Today, the church's new parking lot, foyer and 721-seat worship center allow CCCH to hold just two Sunday morning services, though attendance now exceeds 600.
For Matthew Rogers, the added square-footage has been a blessing, and he is "very, very grateful to CDF," but he is most thankful for the impact the new facility has had on the ministry of the 52-year old church. At a recent baptism service, 16 people were immersed into Christ. "People's lives are getting changed," Rogers says, "And that's an awesome thing."
The Doings - April 30, 2009
Clarendon Hills church to host wedding fashion show
by AMY DEIS
Although wedding dresses, photo albums and a first dance will be featured, no one is actually getting married at this Clarendon Hills event.
The women's ministry at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills is celebrating women with a wedding themed brunch that includes a wedding dress fashion show.
"Everybody's a daughter of someone; you don't have to be married," said Clarendon Hills resident Julie Vander Linde, who helped plan the event. "All you have to do is be a daughter."
Because it is a community outreach event, women of all ages, including nonmembers, are invited to the All Daughter Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at the Willowbrook Holiday Inn, 7800 Kingery Highway.
The theme of the brunch is the idea that women are the brides of Christ. Speaker Dawn Collazo will talk about "He Alone is Sufficient" and of God's deep love for women.
The wedding dress fashion show will feature dresses from all ages modeled by the original owners or their daughters. Vander Linde said her daughter will be wearing her dress in the fashion show.
The women's ministry, now called the Women's Growing Connection, resurrected the All Daughters Brunch after a few years' hiatus.
"It's a really fun thing to do to celebrate women," Vander Linde said.
Women's Growing Connection also has Bible studies, retreats and monthly meetings for women to connect with other Christians.
The Doings - April 16, 2009
Along the street
Roberta Vondrak, a licensed clinical professional counselor, now has private practice counseling hours at Christian Church of Clarendon Hills. Vondrak has been in the counseling field since 1997 and has experience working in inpatient, residential and day program settings, as well as 10 years of experience in outpatient counseling. She worked for seven years with Meier Clinics in Wheaton and Chicago, and currently is at Heritage Counseling Center in Plainfield. She works primarily with adults and older adolescents dealing with mood and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, grief, abuse history, substance abuse and codependency issues, and marriage and parenting issues. Call Roberta Vondrak at (708) 305-7374 or e-mail her by clicking the link.
February 19, 2009
Illinois Senator Kirk Dillard and Illinois Representative Patti Bellock were in attendance on Saturday, February 7th at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills to celebrate completion of the new worship center.
The new 17,480-square foot worship center took two years to construct and seats 721 people.
Senior Minister Matthew Rogers asked church members and those attending the ceremony to "be the church everywhere we go."
Service times are Sunday mornings at 9 and 10:45 a.m. For more information, visit www.ccch.org.
The Doings - February 12, 2009
Worship center dedication ceremony held
February 12, 2009
By ROB SIEBERT
State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24th, and state Rep. Patricia Bellock, R-47th, were on hand Saturday as the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills held a dedication ceremony for its new worship center.
Both Hinsdale residents, Dillard and Bellock briefly spoke to the congregation during an evening that celebrated the completion of a worship center that took more than two years to create.
Dillard praised the congregation for constructing its new 17,480-square foot, 721-seat addition amidst harsh economic times.
"If you ever want to know how blessed you are, just know that you beat the recession," Dillard said.
During the ceremony, videos were shown which chronicled the worship center's construction process from start to finish. The church's history was also chronicled, dating back to when 14 people created it in 1957.
"Wouldn't those 14 people who started this church be proud of you today," Bellock said.
Highlighted amongst the construction process was that in October 2008, before carpet was installed, many families and church members wrote messages, prayers and scripture passages on the building's cement floor.
"Now, literally every time we are in this place, we stand on God's word and prayer," senior minister Matthew Rogers said.
The worship center officially opened to the public in December.
Though Rogers referred to the past two months as a "practice run" for the center, many church members already feel comfortable in their new setting.
"When you walk in, it's like you're walking into your home," Lyons resident Renee Jones said.
Rogers said that now is the time to bring new people into the congregation, and to expand the church's influence on the surrounding area in hopes of making a positive impact.
"Let's be the church everywhere we go, so that this community is transformed around us in our lifetime," Rogers said.
Dillard wished church members luck in their efforts to better their surroundings, as well as themselves. "May this place continue to let you grow," Dillard said.
Reveal (Willow Creek Association) - February 2009
REVEAL: "What Leaders are Saying."
The Restorer (Lincoln Christian College and Seminary: Annual Report) - January 2009
"Connecting with Others"
Matthew Rogers is featured on page 11.
The Doings - December 31, 2008
Clarendon Hills churches help members during recession
December 31, 2008
By ROB SIEBERT
The Rev. John Hildner, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, said during the Christmas season the church helped some of its own families buy gifts for their children, as they couldn't afford to buy gifts themselves.
"We don't have tons of money, but when we see that someone has a serious financial need, we try and help them with that," Hildner said.
In recent months, Hildner said some of his parishioners have either lost their jobs, or have had their hours greatly decreased.
To help ease the financial burden, Christ Lutheran has also been offering free public dinners and family movie nights as a way to help parishioners cut back on spending.
"It provides families with an opportunity for togetherness without digging into their pocketbooks," Hildner said.
Robert Locklear, minister of worship and music at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, said although their congregation hasn't seen a great deal of layoffs, there is a sense of stress about the future.
"A lot of people are worried that their jobs are in peril," Locklear said.
The church also offers financial assistance, or "once in a lifetime gifts" to worthy parishioners who won't take advantage of their generosity. They also connect people with organizations such as Public Action to Deliver Shelter or Hinsdale Community Service.
Locklear said some parishioners find it hard to reach out and ask for help, as it wounds their pride.
"We do find a little bit of embarrassment and shame, and we try and squelch that as much as possible," Locklear said.
The Rev. Bucky Kerr, head pastor at River of Life church, said the state of the economy is something the church has been mindful of for a long time, and Kerr's messages have reflected that.
"What we need to remember is that our place of true security is in the promise of God," Kerr said.
River of Life's members have shown tremendous generosity toward one another, Kerr said. One parishioner even took another family into her home as they searched for a new place to live.
"We've been teaching these biblical principles for years," Kerr said. "And now is the time to live it more than ever."
The Doings - December 24, 2008
Church resumes divorce recovery in January
December 24, 2008
By ROB SIEBERT
To say divorce stirs up a flurry of negative emotions is a gross understatement, whether it's anger, depression or anxiety.
All the more reasons for the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills to resume its DivorceCare recovery group in January. The group, which meets in 13-week increments three times a year, is dedicated to helping both men and women deal with the emotions surrounding their divorce.
"It's designed to help people understand what they're feeling, and develop coping strategies," said Bill Hale, a Bartlett resident who co-facilitates the group.
The group uses videos and workbook activities from DivorceCare, a North Carolina-based group that provides support groups with materials to help divorcees rebuild their lives.
Hale said each meeting begins with a 35-minute video about such divorce-related topics as achieving financial survival, helping children deal with the situation and developing new relationships.
The videos are meant to spark discussion, but participants are free to talk about other topics as well.
"We typically open discussions with reactions to the video, but things are wide open at that point," Hale said.
In the nine years the group has existed, it has offered council to about 300 people, Hale said. Participants' ages have ranged from late-20s to mid-80s.
Hale said a divorce can be compared to a death in the family, in that it involves a tremendous sense of loss. However, funeral services often offer a sense of closure, whereas the feelings associated with divorce can drag on for years, especially if children are involved.
"A divorce is something you have to deal with for the rest of your life," Hale said.
Meetings will be held Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, 5750 Holmes Ave. DivorceCare workbooks cost $12. Pre-registration is not required. Participants may start attending anytime during the 13-week period. On-site child care is available.
The Doings - December 8, 2008
Local church opens doors to new worship center
December 8, 2008
By ROB SIEBERT
After meeting at
"Did you ever imagine that this room would be this stunning and beautiful?" senior minister Matthew Rogers asked during one of the two services that morning.
The new worship center is a 17,480-square-foot addition to the church's main building and has about 721 seats. The church's original seating could only hold 180 people.
"It's a lot more professional," said worshipper Heather Mascarello, a publicist from Burr Ridge. "They've really taken a step up."
"We knew parking would be an issue,"
In spite of the new environment, worshippers said they felt comfortable in the new setting.
"They did an outstanding job," said worshipper and church usher Don Bast, a tax analyst from Burr Ridge. "The sound system is fantastic."
Terri Schmitt of
"It felt like home already," Schmitt said.
The Doings - November 5, 2008
Musician to speak on 'God-esteem' at overnight women's retreat
By ROB SIEBERT
About 30 women from the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills will get a self-esteem tuneup this weekend.
This Friday, the church's Women's Growing Connection group will hear Christian country musician Amanda Fessant speak at an overnight retreat at Camp LRCA in Crown Point, Ind.
Fessant will speak about "God-esteem," which is designed to help women see the love and acceptance they have inside through Jesus.
"The point of her program is that we should really develop our self-esteem from God," said Julie Vander Linde, deacon of women's ministries at the church.
Fessant, whose songs have received airplay across the country, frequently speaks to women's groups about God-esteem and the importance of women finding the true beauty they possess inside.
She was connected to the church through Darien resident Angie Brocato, who grew up with her in Paris, Ill.
"Our dads sang in a musical quartet together, and she's sort of taken off from that musical background," Brocato said.
Fessant is expected to perform during the retreat, which begins Friday and ends Saturday evening.
The women's group has a vague familiarity with Fessant's music, as it is often played at the start of their meetings, Vander Linde said.
She hopes the retreat will serve as a chance for group members to relax and be with one another in fellowship.
"We're all about following God and providing opportunities for women to connect with one another and grow," she said.
Women Growing Connection, which consists of roughly 80 women from numerous neighboring communities, meets at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, 5750 Holmes Ave., for Bible study every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Inside LCCS - October 20, 2008
Episode 021: Christine Scheidt
October 20, 2008
By Michael Gowin
In this episode of the Inside LCCS podcast, we meet third-year student Christine Scheidt, a children’s ministry major from the Chicago area. Listen as Christine discusses:
- The ways in which her church staff encouraged her to consider Lincoln
- Her experiences in the classroom
- Involvement with camp teams as a representative for LCC at Christ in Youth (CIY) conferences this past summer
- Her plans to finish her degree program a semester early
- Being involved in extracurricular activities on campus
- Her forthcoming internship
- Spiritual development activities on campus–chapel, FOCUS, SFG’s
- A significant chapel experience this year with Dr. Mark Mangano
- Week of E3 experiences in Boston and southern Illinois (Oil Belt Christian Camp)
The Doings - October 9, 2008
CCCH to host annual Great Pumpkin Chase
October 9, 2008
By ROB SIEBERT
It's not often you see pirates, superheroes and fairies together at a church gathering.
But that's exactly what visitors can expect at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills' fourth annual Great Pumpkin Chase Oct. 18.
"It's a fun family night," children's minister Missy Buche said. "And it's so inexpensive that the whole family can come."
The event will serve as an alternative to Halloween for families who want to spend a safe, fun evening together. Games like bean bag toss and ring toss will be available, as will face painting and crafts. A family meal also will be served.
Beth Cronenwett, preschool worship leader, said her family has attended the previous three pumpkin chases and that her children enjoyed it greatly.
"For every game you always get a prize, and that's a lot of fun for the kids," Cronenwett said.
The event welcomes nonscary costumes. Cronenwett said at a previous event, her daughter went dressed as an iPod.
"It's a blast," Cronenwett said. "It's very family oriented."
Buche said the event was created to promote family togetherness and ensure the safety of children, who can at times be put in danger during Halloween.
"It's just a good place to enjoy each other's company," Buche said.
The event begins at 5 p.m. at the church, 5750 Holmes Ave. Admission is $3 per person or $7 per family.
The Doings - September 10, 2008
Moms relax, relate and create with MOPS group
September 10, 2008
By ROB SIEBERT
Being a mother isn't easy.
The members of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will tell you that's an understatement.
MOPS is an international organization that provides support to mothers of children 5 years old or younger with chapters in communities across the country.
"A lot of times when a woman first has a baby she can feel isolated, because kids require so much care and attention," said Fran Shultis, promotions manager for the Clarendon Hills chapter of MOPS.
During the school year, MOPS in Clarendon Hills meets from 9 to 11 a.m. the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, 5750 Holmes Ave.
Shultis said MOPS offers members a much-deserved two-hour break from their children. Mothers can drop their children off at "MOPPETS" -- MOPS' designated nursery and day-care program, then have breakfast and talk with women going through similar experiences.
Hinsdale resident Julie Smith, a mother of three, said being a mom sometimes feels like being in the trenches. Talking with women in the same position helps.
"It's always nice that you've got that set meeting to look forward to every couple of weeks," Smith said.
Shultis said MOPS does arts and crafts to provide mothers with a creative outlet. Previous groups have created night-lights, recipe books and Christmas wreaths.
"We try and keep it practical and fun," Shultis said. "We want to make things that our moms will more than likely use."
MOPS also allows members to meet with "mentor moms" whose children have grown older and who can give advice to less-experienced mothers.
The group welcomes mothers regardless of age, race, religion or marital status, from any community. Shultis estimated that Clarendon Hills' MOPS has members from Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Westmont, Darien and other surrounding towns.
"It's a really nice, welcoming group of women," Smith said. "We really have a nice time talking."
The Doings - August 22, 2008
A short article about the Boundaries class we offer here at CCCH.
The Doings - August 6, 2008
A note of thanks from Maercker School District for CCCH's recent Life On Loan project at the Maercker Elementary School playground.
The Doings - July 24, 2008
An article about a CCCH member who recently starred in a Batman fan film.
Suburban Life - July 22, 2008
An article highlighting progress made in the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills Worship Center construction project
The Doings - July 11, 2008
A brief history of CCCH
The Doings - July 11, 2008
An article highlighting the progress made in the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills Worship Center construction project
The Doings - July 11, 2008
An article that tells the journey of Senior Minister Matthew Rogers from the farm fields of Emden, Illinois to the suburbs of Chicago.
Prayer Requests
Multimedia
RSS Feed
Site Map