Bunco Night – The Challenge Saturday, Feb 24

Posted on December 8, 2017 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Calling all churches and youth, fellowship and community groups! Join Region 2 for a night of winter blues-busting fun – support DuBois Center and a local food pantry! There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, so this year’s Bunco Night is joining forces with an effort to “Fill a Food Pantry.” Besides a lively game of Bunco, cool Silent Auction treasures and a 50-50 drawing, bring a food item and take on The Challenge! By February, the major “food” holidays will be distant memories and pantry shelves will need restocking. We can help and have a lot of fun – all at the same time.

The Challenge:

1. Bring a can or box of nutritious food to donate to a local food pantry. For each item you donate, you will receive one ticket for a special drawing – the more items donated, the more chances to win. The prize will be a fun basket of items appropriate for a variety of ages.

2. Recruit Bunco players from your local church or community group. The church/group with the most individuals who pay and play Bunco at the event will have the honor of selecting the food pantry to receive the night’s collection.

“Thank You” Christmas Party – Saturday, December 2nd – RSVP Today

Posted on November 17, 2017 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

This annual event is our opportunity to say THANK YOU! Thank you for your prayers and support; your gifts of time, talent and treasure; and your partnership in our shared mission and ministry at DuBois Center. Together we have touched countless lives over the past five decades with gifts of sacred space and God’s abundant love.

Volunteers, staff, supporters and friends are invited to enjoy a tasty dinner, unique entertainment and, of course, THE Christmas game. Social hour begins at 5 pm with dinner at 6 pm. Churches are encouraged to send representatives. Get all the details in your invitation.

Please RSVP to DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org by Fri, Nov 24.

Bunco Night – Saturday February 24

Posted on November 11, 2017 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Save the Date – All are invited to join Region 2 for an evening of fun and fellowship. Gather the family, some friends, your youth group; come in out of the cold and get energized! This fun, somewhat frenzied dice game is so easy to learn, anyone can play!

St. Paul UCC in Columbia will open its doors at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 24; the game will begin at 7 pm. The cost to play is $10 per person, but WAIT – there’s more. Also featured is a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction with a variety of fun items. Snacks and soda will be available for purchase. Funds raised go to support ministry at DuBois Center. Check out this flyer and share it with… everyone!

Advance tickets are available; details are included on the flyer.

“Thank You” Christmas Party Saturday, Dec 2 – Save the Date

Posted on November 8, 2017 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Please RSVP to DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org by Fri, Nov 24.

The Countdown for Fall Festival 2017 has begun!

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Believe it or not, the Outdoor Ministries Team has been working on the 41st annual Fall Festival for a while now. This traditional fundraiser will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 11 am – 5 pm this year.

We will continue to offer the established “favorites” in food and programming, but are seeking groups to operate food stands as well as musical performers. Also, volunteers are needed in the various areas. Previous crafters will be contacted soon – however, if you are a first-time crafter interested in being considered for a space in the craft area, please contact Susan Fuchs at SusanKFuchs@gmail.com.

The one major change this year is a new “Upscale Resale” Shop (each item valued at $10 or more) in the Fireside Area of Oak Lodge. Those who usually provide Silent Auction baskets, etc. are certainly welcomed to continue donating. However, each donation will be price marked for sale on that day before 4 pm. Due to requests for a larger seating area to accommodate the diners in Oak Lodge, we will set up more tables/chairs for them to eat. The remaining half of the Fireside Area will house the ‘Upscale Resale’ Shop to attract shoppers looking for the right item(s). We expect each donated item to be nice, clean, and easily carried. Suggested items for donations in the “Upscale Resale” Shop are: purses, suitcases, jewelry, coats, general décor, lamps, seasonal decorations (including wreaths, small trees), floral bouquets, kitchenware, etc. Donated items may be brought to DuBois Center, or pick-up arrangements may be made by contacting Norma Borgmann any time before September 29.

More information will be sent to the 79 ISC churches this summer in addition to periodic updates in future editions of the Weekly Connection and on this blog. The Outdoor Ministries Team hopes that you will include the DuBois Center’s Fall Festival on your calendars now for Oct 1.

If you have any questions or comments or need info, please feel free to contact Norma Borgmann, Fall Festival Coordinator, at nborgmann1658@charter.net or 618-533-1658 or 618-292-4617.

Quilts Needed for Fall Festival

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Beautiful quilts are an integral part of DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival. Each year, lovingly crafted treasures are donated for the quilt drawing. Our first quilt of the season has been donated and it’s beautiful! This charming star pattern quilt is twin-sized (66″ x 86″), hand-pieced and quilted. It was created and donated by Sarah Moore, a member at Bethel UCC in Cahokia. This is Sarah’s second Fall Festival quilt.

If you or your group would like to donate a quilt for this year’s drawing, contact Shirley at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ideally, the second quilt would be queen-sized. Thanks for your support!

CANCELED – Sunday Funday – April 30

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Update on 4/28/17: We are sad to announce that this Sunday Funday has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather. We apologize for any inconvenience, and hope to see you soon! If you were interested in camp orientation, please contact the office at 618.787.2202.

If you missed our first Sunday Funday this year, we have a second one coming up on April 30, 2017. If you or your potential future camper have never been to DuBois Center, Sunday Fundays are a great introduction. Visit the horses and ride one in the arena, cruise the lake in a pontoon boat, play a round of Ga-ga ball, roast marshmallows and tour the facilities – all for FREE! There are even orientations for perspective summer campers and their parents. See below for a schedule of events.

A yummy, reasonably-priced meal will be available – but optional. Meal costs are listed below. We’re planning to serve pork steaks with “think summer” picnic trimmings and a salad bar. A vegetarian alternative will be available as well. You are also welcome to bring a picnic instead or pick up something on the way. Meal reservations are due by noon on Monday, April 24 – that’s one week away!

View our 2017 Sunday Funday flyer to share and post.

Schedule:

Meal: Noon – 2 p.m.

Activities: 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Orientation: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

(Optional) Meal Costs:

Adults (ages 13+): $11.00

Children (ages 5 – 12): $6.50

Ages 4 and under: Free

Quilt Raffle for DuBois Center

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

On this Saturday, April 22, St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah will host their 38th Annual Quilt Show. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 200+ quilts will be displayed, and activities including Bed Turning and Quilting Demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Items for sale will include baby quilts, queen size quilts and hand crafted items.

There will also be a raffle prize drawing for a youth quilt with a “Secret Life of Pets” theme (pictured). All proceeds will be donated to DuBois Center. Raffle tickets will be available at the quilt show for $1 each or six for $5. Admission to the show is $3.00 and lunch and baked goods will be available.

For more information, contact Kay Ostrom at 618-556-8776 or ostromdk@charter.net. The church’s address is 55 West Church Street, Mascoutah, IL 62258.

Fathers and Sons Pack the House!

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

A total of 46 fathers, sons, grandfathers and mentors – hailing from 12 ISCUCC churches and beyond – made the trek to DuBois Center for our annual Father & Son Retreat on March 31 – April 2 of this year. Together, pairs and trios explored the creek and the bottoms, built a geodome, and dismantled the old docks from the swim area.

Some caught big fish, others lots of fish. Some hunted for dinosaur eggs; others used a bike pump to launch plastic bottles filled with water. The group also boated on the lake, constructed cool crafts, enjoyed a hay ride, made new friends, hiked the trails and explored on horseback rides. They also experienced campfires with singing, s’mores and quiet time for reflections.

And God was among us everywhere! Throughout the weekend, we explored Bible stories of the vine, the branches and bearing good fruit as positive role models, true friends and caring “neighbors.” After a weekend packed with activities, good food, service projects, and multiple rounds of 9-Square and Ga-ga, the group was challenged at our closing worship to “get out of the Ga-ga pit” and go into the world and produce more good fruit.

Interested in coming to camp as a Father-Son (Grandfather-Grandson, Uncle-Nephew, etc.) group? The Father & Son Retreat takes place each spring – stay tuned next winter to find out more! If you can’t wait that long, DuBois Center also offers a “Just You and Me” part-week camp for campers ages 5-7 on June 11 – 13 this summer. Check out the 2017 summer camp brochure or contact the office to learn more. If you’re a Mother-Daughter duo, we’ll have more information out soon about our Mother & Daughter Retreat this fall.

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Celebrate Earth Day at DuBois Center

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

April 22 is Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than with a Service Saturday at DuBois Center? Get outside with family and friends and help prepare this sacred space to welcome hundreds of campers and guests this spring and summer. Paint, prune, build, rake, clean, stack; there will be projects for volunteers of varied ages and abilities. If you or your group has a special skill, let us know ahead of time and we can plan a project for you!

We’ll gather between 8:30 am and 8:45 am, and finish up around 4 p.m. Lunch is provided. Because we try to plan projects based on the specialized skills our volunteers bring, please RSVP by Monday, April 17. To register, please use this form, call 618-787-2202, or email us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Supplies for general projects will be provided, but if you have specialized or professional tools/ equipment, please bring them along! See the Service Saturday flyer for more information.

Remember – if this date doesn’t work for you or your group, call the office to schedule your own work day (or even a work week or part-week!). Work days can also be scheduled as part of a larger retreat.

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