Thursday, July 01, 2010
From the Moderator
This month I would like to share both as moderator and as the pastor at First Church in Chicago. Though we are small in number, we are not small in mission. And summer gets quite busy.
Our largest ministry during the summer is the DOOR ministry—Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR covers six cities in the US). The motto is, See the face of God in the city. Youth groups from churches around the country come to work on mission projects such as soup kitchens, shelters, AIDS centers, elder care, (over 500 youth come through the church over a twelve week period), and during the evening listen to committed Chicagoans speak of their ministries. Speakers include the Men of Destiny (a gospel a cappella group of former homeless addicts), a hip hop poet, and someone formerly homeless now working with the Coalition to End Homelessness.
Additionally, through poetry and story-telling, our hip hop poet conducts a six week session on HIV/AIDS awareness in the sanctuary, with 14 to 18 year-old young women. Then, members from First Church, a Mennonite congregation that shares the building, and community members work our 20-year old church/community garden; a friend leads local public high school youth in a horticulture project. Later in August we will hold a week of Vacation Bible School.Tuesdays we hold a noon-hour biblical literacy class, and Wednesday evening we gather for a faith-issues class while a thriving AA group gathers in the basement. And, of course, we also worship Sunday mornings.
Life at First Church in the summer is busy—blessedly so. If you come through the city, we invite you to visit to see the face of God in the city.
Orlando Redekopp, Moderator
Pastor, First Church
Illinois-Wisconsin District
DE Ponderings
by Kevin Kessler, District Executive
Finding Sabbath time is often a challenge when carrying the responsibilities associated with two positions. In a conversation with colleagues and a seminary prof several weeks ago, I learned about some resources that might be helpful in developing my Sabbath time. One of those resources is a book authored by Wayne Muller entitled Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives. I’d love to be able to tell you that I now have a well developed rhythm of Sabbath. But I can’t…truthfully. However, I can tell you that I experience Sabbath when reading Muller’s book. Many times I like to see how quickly I can get through a book. I’m savoring this one.
Muller begins one of the chapters with a traditional tale about an old Hasidic rabbi who crosses the village square every morning on his way to the temple to pray. One morning, a large Cossack soldier, who happened to be in a vile mood, accosted him, saying, “Hey, Rebby, where are you going?”
And the rabbi said, “I don’t know.”
This infuriated the Cossack. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Every morning for twenty-five years you have crossed the village square and gone to the temple to pray. Don’t fool with me. Who are you, telling me you don’t know?”
He grabbed the old rabbi by the coat and dragged him off to jail. Just as he was about to push him into the cell, the rabbi turned to him, saying: “You see, I didn’t know.”
The point Muller makes with this story is that we make plans and strive to fulfill goals but get so caught up in what we are doing we miss out on the direction that may be better for us to take. Thus, stopping to rest occasionally helps us to think more clearly. Stopping eases the stress, sometimes the panic, of not being able to get things completed or accomplished because we are so focused on one way that we miss seeing or being engaged by another, more productive idea.
According to Muller, we don’t always have to “know.” Sometimes we don’t know. Resting relaxes our mind to be influenced by sources outside of ourselves. We come back to the task with direction and frequently solutions. Muller states, “Sometimes our greatest wisdom comes when we are not striving to discover anything at all.”
Muller tells the story of two quantum physicists who worked together. They would be in long, impassioned conversations working on a solution to a problem, looking at every conceivable angle, when one of them would say, “Wait, I think we have touched something very important here. Let’s not talk about it any more. Let’s wait for two weeks, and let it resolve itself.” Two weeks when the two got together again, the conversation would begin, and both knew an answer was achieved.
According to Muller, “Sabbath honors this quality of not knowing, an open receptivity of mind essential for allowing things to speak to us from where they are. If we take a day and rest, we cultivate Sabbath Mind. We let go of knowing what will happen next, and find the courage to wait for the teaching that has not yet emerged. The presumption of the Sabbath is that it is good, and that the wisdom, courage, and clarity we need are already embedded in creation. The solution is already alive in the problem. Our work is not always to push and strive and struggle. Sometimes we have only to be still…and we will know.”
I don’t advocate taking a “no planning” approach and never being aware of where we are going, but it does seem important to rest and listen and allow solutions and responses and answers to emerge naturally, organically. The will of God just may lead us to exciting and unexpected places beyond our present finite thinking. Rest is good!
Finding Sabbath time is often a challenge when carrying the responsibilities associated with two positions. In a conversation with colleagues and a seminary prof several weeks ago, I learned about some resources that might be helpful in developing my Sabbath time. One of those resources is a book authored by Wayne Muller entitled Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives. I’d love to be able to tell you that I now have a well developed rhythm of Sabbath. But I can’t…truthfully. However, I can tell you that I experience Sabbath when reading Muller’s book. Many times I like to see how quickly I can get through a book. I’m savoring this one.Muller begins one of the chapters with a traditional tale about an old Hasidic rabbi who crosses the village square every morning on his way to the temple to pray. One morning, a large Cossack soldier, who happened to be in a vile mood, accosted him, saying, “Hey, Rebby, where are you going?”
And the rabbi said, “I don’t know.”
This infuriated the Cossack. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Every morning for twenty-five years you have crossed the village square and gone to the temple to pray. Don’t fool with me. Who are you, telling me you don’t know?”
He grabbed the old rabbi by the coat and dragged him off to jail. Just as he was about to push him into the cell, the rabbi turned to him, saying: “You see, I didn’t know.”
The point Muller makes with this story is that we make plans and strive to fulfill goals but get so caught up in what we are doing we miss out on the direction that may be better for us to take. Thus, stopping to rest occasionally helps us to think more clearly. Stopping eases the stress, sometimes the panic, of not being able to get things completed or accomplished because we are so focused on one way that we miss seeing or being engaged by another, more productive idea.
According to Muller, we don’t always have to “know.” Sometimes we don’t know. Resting relaxes our mind to be influenced by sources outside of ourselves. We come back to the task with direction and frequently solutions. Muller states, “Sometimes our greatest wisdom comes when we are not striving to discover anything at all.”
Muller tells the story of two quantum physicists who worked together. They would be in long, impassioned conversations working on a solution to a problem, looking at every conceivable angle, when one of them would say, “Wait, I think we have touched something very important here. Let’s not talk about it any more. Let’s wait for two weeks, and let it resolve itself.” Two weeks when the two got together again, the conversation would begin, and both knew an answer was achieved.
According to Muller, “Sabbath honors this quality of not knowing, an open receptivity of mind essential for allowing things to speak to us from where they are. If we take a day and rest, we cultivate Sabbath Mind. We let go of knowing what will happen next, and find the courage to wait for the teaching that has not yet emerged. The presumption of the Sabbath is that it is good, and that the wisdom, courage, and clarity we need are already embedded in creation. The solution is already alive in the problem. Our work is not always to push and strive and struggle. Sometimes we have only to be still…and we will know.”
I don’t advocate taking a “no planning” approach and never being aware of where we are going, but it does seem important to rest and listen and allow solutions and responses and answers to emerge naturally, organically. The will of God just may lead us to exciting and unexpected places beyond our present finite thinking. Rest is good!
Still Room on Disaster Relief Trip
There is still room for any and all Pastors for our upcoming Disaster Relief Trip to Hammond, Indiana from Sunday afternoon, August 29th - Friday Night, September 3rd. The trip is now open as well to anyone else that would like to go. Please contact, Pastor Rick Koch @ ricbeckoch@mchsi.com or call 815-225-7812 or 815-499-3012 if you are interested or want more information. The help is needed.
Leadership Team meets at Mt. Morris
Chairman Anna Lee Hisey Pierson opened the meeting with Scripture from Matthew 9: 35-38. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” She reminded us that we are among the workers sent out to bring in the harvest.Mt. Morris hosted the District Leadership Team June 5th. Esther Fry represented the congregation with history from the West Branch and Silver Creek that significantly contributed to the establishment of Mt. Morris. One of the first Love Feasts at Mt. Morris was held in a barn on a farm south of town. When the barn was torn down a gavel was made from the timbers and passed down from Moderator to Moderator. At the present time no one seems to know where the gavel resides. Pastor Virginia Haney was out of town on a previous commitment.
The minutes of May 1 were approved and we moved on to the District Executive, Kevin Kessler, Report. Kevin is very busy meeting with churches seeking Pastors, meeting with the Visioning Team, attending the New Church Planting conference at Bethany, meeting with other District Executives in Dayton, Ohio, hosting an Illinois Conf. of Churches meeting in Peoria, and participating in a very successful Pot Luck sponsored by District Deacons.
Jim Lehman reported on the finances of the District which at the present time show us at 28% commitment with 33% of the year just past. We are meeting expenses. The subject of a Stewardship Letter outlining the accomplishments of the District Teams will be prepared for distribution throughout the District.
The Douglas Park Steering Committee reported that things are positive. Pastor Ware and the congregation have initiated a feeding and clothing program. The question of when the Glory to Glory would become a congregation, what happens to the NCDT support. The Steering Committee will explore alternatives when they next meet.
The next Leadership Team meeting will be held at Douglas Park on July 31st. That will also be a District Work Day at Douglas Park the same day.
Polo Church of the Brethren is the first to file property covenants with their deeds. Canton will file theirs shortly. Many Churches have the property covenants in their constitutions but have not officially filed with their respective counties. These covenants protect the integrity of the property of local Church of the Brethrens.
At 11:00 AM the New Church Development Team joined the Leadership Team for “Visioning Together.” The Scriptural reference for the joint group is John 15: 1-17, “I am the vine , you are the branches.” and “Love one another.”We spent the next hour sharing what these verses meant to the mandates given our two teams. The result of discussions ultimately came down to, “Shouldn’t these two teams not only be working together but become ONE team again.”
At this point we adjourned for a wonderful lunch prepared by the Mt. Morris Church.
The two teams reconvened after lunch and proceeded to discuss the pro’s and con’s of bringing the two teams under one roof and the requirements needed to do that. One of the problems with separate organizations is that the New Planted Churches do not feel that they are part of the community of Churches because they are not represented by the Leadership Team. NCDT has been doing a great job mentoring these churches but when do they become part of the greater District?
From this discussion came a motion that we establish a working team to prepare a proposal for combining the NCDT and LT. It was 2nd and passed. The group will be Anna lee, Lynda DeVore, Jim Lehman, Vernon Showalter, Dawn Blackmon and Kevin Kessler.
In closing Anna Lee said that we read about the Great Harvest and the Vine and vineyard. I had no idea where this meeting would go. The Holy Spirit certainly is moving within this meeting.
Kevin dismissed the combined meeting with prayer. After the meeting Vernon Showalter gave a tour of the Mt. Morris food pantry. Mt. Morris also has a community garden and distributes fresh vegetables in season through the food pantry.
Submitted by Gil Crosby, Secretary, Leadership Team.
District Workday
The IL/WI District Leadership Team has planned a workday at the Douglas Park Church of the Brethren on Saturday, July 31, 2010, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The invitation is open to everyone to participate in this district-wide event including persons with specific skill levels (electrical, carpentry, plumbing, etc.) as well as those with minimal skills. There will be something for everyone to do. The district’s tool trailer will be on-site. However, if you have paint brushes, yard and hand tools, and gloves, bring these items along with you.
This workday is in response to the ministry that is expanding at Douglas Park. Glory to Glory Ministries, the new church plant, and the Douglas Park congregation are mutually engaged in providing food and clothing to persons in the community. Other activities are happening on the premises as well. More people are attending worship services. With increased ministry opportunities developing and occurring, the need for a safe and improved facility is paramount. Your contributions to this workday project will be a benefit to the ministries at Douglas Park and to the surrounding community, also.
Come enjoy a day of working together in Christian love and fellowship!
(To do list: basement walls and floors repaired and painted; men’s restroom cleaned and painted; flooring put down in kitchen; cabinets cleaned inside and out and painted; yard raked; weeds pulled; flowers planted; grass seed sown; sanctuary floor sanded, stained, and varnished; and more)
Douglas Park Church of the Brethren
1605 S California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
630-207-9379
This workday is in response to the ministry that is expanding at Douglas Park. Glory to Glory Ministries, the new church plant, and the Douglas Park congregation are mutually engaged in providing food and clothing to persons in the community. Other activities are happening on the premises as well. More people are attending worship services. With increased ministry opportunities developing and occurring, the need for a safe and improved facility is paramount. Your contributions to this workday project will be a benefit to the ministries at Douglas Park and to the surrounding community, also.
Come enjoy a day of working together in Christian love and fellowship!
(To do list: basement walls and floors repaired and painted; men’s restroom cleaned and painted; flooring put down in kitchen; cabinets cleaned inside and out and painted; yard raked; weeds pulled; flowers planted; grass seed sown; sanctuary floor sanded, stained, and varnished; and more)
Douglas Park Church of the Brethren
1605 S California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
630-207-9379
We do NOT have a site for the 2011 District Conference.
No Church or group of Churches have volunteered to sponsor a District Conference. For 2010 Lanark, Cherry Grove and Yellow Creek have combined to host the conference. In 2012 Virden will be our host to coincide with their upcoming anniversary.
Please pray and consider being a host church or group to coordinate with the Program & Arrangements Committee for the 2011 District Conference.
Please pray and consider being a host church or group to coordinate with the Program & Arrangements Committee for the 2011 District Conference.
Good News to our Warming World
The Biblical Narrative and our Ecological Crisis
Jarrod McKenna
recovering consumer and peace-preaching eco-evangelist
Sunday, July 25
6:00 to 7:30PM
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren
783 W. Highland Avenue • Elgin, IL 60123 • 847-741-5124
McKenna is a nonviolence trainer and activist for social change and ecological justice. His work in Australia includes the award-winning EPYC (Empowering Peacemakers in Your Community), the Peace Tree Community (what some are calling an “Australian New Monastic Community”), and Together for Humanity (a multi-faith program challenging religious and racial prejudice through active service). He is a keynote speaker at the Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference in Colorado earlier in July.
Jarrod McKenna
recovering consumer and peace-preaching eco-evangelist
Sunday, July 25
6:00 to 7:30PM
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren
783 W. Highland Avenue • Elgin, IL 60123 • 847-741-5124
McKenna is a nonviolence trainer and activist for social change and ecological justice. His work in Australia includes the award-winning EPYC (Empowering Peacemakers in Your Community), the Peace Tree Community (what some are calling an “Australian New Monastic Community”), and Together for Humanity (a multi-faith program challenging religious and racial prejudice through active service). He is a keynote speaker at the Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference in Colorado earlier in July.“A new world is emerging,” said Martin Luther King Jr. Across Australia and internationally—be it with small grassroots environmental collectives or large “mega” churches, Buddhist retreats or Islamic colleges, orphans of war or Oxfam staff, school students or prison inmates—Jarrod McKenna has been seeking to inspire, equip, educate, and empower communities in the grace-filled practices of living into this “new world” by rediscovering the “Sermon on the Mount.” For more information about Jarrod McKenna, go to www.paceebene.org/user/8.Co-sponsored by Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice and ECCO (Elgin Climate Change Organization).
Churches are alerted to FCC ruling prohibiting use of wireless microphones in 700 MHz bandwidth
Church congregations are being alerted to a ruling from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibiting the use of wireless microphones in the 700 megahertz bandwidth. The prohibition goes into effect tomorrow, June 12.
An action taken by the FCC earlier this year will prohibit the use of all wireless receivers in the 700 MHz frequency range. The FCC has reassigned that frequency range to be used for public safety and emergency communications by groups such as police and fire departments.
“When these microphones were first designed, the frequencies they used were in between the frequencies that television stations used to broadcast television programs,” said a release from the FCC. “With the completion of the digital television (DTV) transition on June 12, 2009, television stations no longer use the frequencies between 698 and 806 MHz (the 700 MHz Band) for broadcast. These frequencies are now being used by public safety entities (such as police, fire and emergency services) and by commercial providers of wireless services (such as wireless broadband services).”
Examples of devices affected by the ruling include wireless microphones, wireless intercoms, wireless in-ear monitors, wireless audio instrument links, and wireless cueing equipment. Wired microphones and other devices with cords are not affected.
Churches and other organizations that use wireless microphones or other wireless receivers are encouraged to check their equipment to find out if it falls within the 700 MHz range. If so, the equipment must be either “rebanded” or reconfigured, or replaced by new equipment in a different frequency range.
At least one Brethren congregation has been taken off guard by this ruling. For example, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., only learned of it last week and has discovered that all six of its wireless microphones must be replaced at a cost of $3,500 according to Nevin Dulabaum, Brethren Benefit Trust president who also volunteers as sound coordinator for the congregation.
However, Highland Avenue also has learned that it may receive several hundred dollars of rebates for its replaced equipment. “In all that I have read, and with all I have spoken, there is no ability not to comply,” Dulabaum said. “These frequencies are going to be used by emergency traffic and simply cannot be used by others.”
After presenting a proposal to the church board, Dulabaum had the new equipment for his congregation ordered by Thursday morning this week, and expects delivery today. “We won't miss a Sunday without our wireless mikes,” he said. “Equipment vendors have known of this problem and are prepared to ship new units very quickly.”
A number of manufacturers are offering rebates for a limited time for organizations that must replace their wireless microphones. Churches may check with sales representatives of the companies they use to replace their microphones in order to learn more about the rebates.
For the FCC’s release about the new ruling, go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. The web page also features a link to a manufacturers’ equipment list.
From: Newsline Special Release, June 11, 2010 Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260.
An action taken by the FCC earlier this year will prohibit the use of all wireless receivers in the 700 MHz frequency range. The FCC has reassigned that frequency range to be used for public safety and emergency communications by groups such as police and fire departments.
“When these microphones were first designed, the frequencies they used were in between the frequencies that television stations used to broadcast television programs,” said a release from the FCC. “With the completion of the digital television (DTV) transition on June 12, 2009, television stations no longer use the frequencies between 698 and 806 MHz (the 700 MHz Band) for broadcast. These frequencies are now being used by public safety entities (such as police, fire and emergency services) and by commercial providers of wireless services (such as wireless broadband services).”
Examples of devices affected by the ruling include wireless microphones, wireless intercoms, wireless in-ear monitors, wireless audio instrument links, and wireless cueing equipment. Wired microphones and other devices with cords are not affected.
Churches and other organizations that use wireless microphones or other wireless receivers are encouraged to check their equipment to find out if it falls within the 700 MHz range. If so, the equipment must be either “rebanded” or reconfigured, or replaced by new equipment in a different frequency range.
At least one Brethren congregation has been taken off guard by this ruling. For example, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., only learned of it last week and has discovered that all six of its wireless microphones must be replaced at a cost of $3,500 according to Nevin Dulabaum, Brethren Benefit Trust president who also volunteers as sound coordinator for the congregation.
However, Highland Avenue also has learned that it may receive several hundred dollars of rebates for its replaced equipment. “In all that I have read, and with all I have spoken, there is no ability not to comply,” Dulabaum said. “These frequencies are going to be used by emergency traffic and simply cannot be used by others.”
After presenting a proposal to the church board, Dulabaum had the new equipment for his congregation ordered by Thursday morning this week, and expects delivery today. “We won't miss a Sunday without our wireless mikes,” he said. “Equipment vendors have known of this problem and are prepared to ship new units very quickly.”
A number of manufacturers are offering rebates for a limited time for organizations that must replace their wireless microphones. Churches may check with sales representatives of the companies they use to replace their microphones in order to learn more about the rebates.
For the FCC’s release about the new ruling, go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. The web page also features a link to a manufacturers’ equipment list.
From: Newsline Special Release, June 11, 2010 Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260.
2010 Calendar of events, meetings, etc
JULY
1 - CODE Summer Meeting (1-3)
3 - ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Pittsburgh (3-7)
10 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
11 - Elementary II Camp Emmaus (11-14)
16 – Women’s Camp Emmaus (16-18)
18 – Elementary III Camp Emmaus (18-23)
17 - National Youth Conference (17-22)
25 – Junior High Camp Emmaus (25-31)
31 - Ill. Wisc. Leadership Team – Douglas Park
31 - Work Day at Douglas Park
AUGUST
1 – Senior High Camp Emmaus (1-7)
14 - New Church Development Team – Decatur
14 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
28 - Program & Arrangements – Cherry Grove
28 - Gifts Discern. & Call Comm. – Cherry Grove
31 - Ill. Conf. of Churches LT - Bloomington
SEPTEMBER
3 - Family Camp – Camp Emmanuel (3-6)
3 – Family Camp – Camp Emmaus (3-6)
6 - Labor Day
11 - New Church Development Team – York Center
21 - International Day of Prayer for Peace
23 - Illinois Conference of Churches Annual Assembly – Springfield
25 - Ill.-Wisc. Leadership Team – Rock Community
OCTOBER
2 - Program & Arrangements – Cherry Grove
2 - Gifts Discern. & Call Comm. – Cherry Grove
3 - World Communion Sunday
9 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
14 - Men's Way of Christ Weekend (14-17)
16 - Mission & Ministry Board
16 - New Church Development Team – Virden
21 - Women's Way of Christ Weekend (21-24)
24 - Midwest Dist. Executives meet – Camp Mack (24-26)
NOVEMBER
1 - All Saints Day
2 - Election Day
5 - DISTRICT CONFERENCE, Yellow Creek (5-7)
7 - Daylight Saving Time Ends.
13 - Ministerial Leadership Dev. Team - Peoria
13 - Leaf Raking at Camp Emmaus
19 - Ill.–Wisc. Leadership Team – Camp Emmaus (19-20)
25 - Thanksgiving Day
28 - First Sunday of Advent
30 - Ill. Conference of Churches LT - Plainfield
DECEMBER
4 - New Church Development Team - Canton
4 - Cookie Camp Emmaus
25 - Christmas Day
31 - New Year’s Eve.
1 - CODE Summer Meeting (1-3)
3 - ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Pittsburgh (3-7)
10 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
11 - Elementary II Camp Emmaus (11-14)
16 – Women’s Camp Emmaus (16-18)
18 – Elementary III Camp Emmaus (18-23)
17 - National Youth Conference (17-22)
25 – Junior High Camp Emmaus (25-31)
31 - Ill. Wisc. Leadership Team – Douglas Park
31 - Work Day at Douglas Park
AUGUST
1 – Senior High Camp Emmaus (1-7)
14 - New Church Development Team – Decatur
14 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
28 - Program & Arrangements – Cherry Grove
28 - Gifts Discern. & Call Comm. – Cherry Grove
31 - Ill. Conf. of Churches LT - Bloomington
SEPTEMBER
3 - Family Camp – Camp Emmanuel (3-6)
3 – Family Camp – Camp Emmaus (3-6)
6 - Labor Day
11 - New Church Development Team – York Center
21 - International Day of Prayer for Peace
23 - Illinois Conference of Churches Annual Assembly – Springfield
25 - Ill.-Wisc. Leadership Team – Rock Community
OCTOBER
2 - Program & Arrangements – Cherry Grove
2 - Gifts Discern. & Call Comm. – Cherry Grove
3 - World Communion Sunday
9 - Ministerial Leadership Development Team
14 - Men's Way of Christ Weekend (14-17)
16 - Mission & Ministry Board
16 - New Church Development Team – Virden
21 - Women's Way of Christ Weekend (21-24)
24 - Midwest Dist. Executives meet – Camp Mack (24-26)
NOVEMBER
1 - All Saints Day
2 - Election Day
5 - DISTRICT CONFERENCE, Yellow Creek (5-7)
7 - Daylight Saving Time Ends.
13 - Ministerial Leadership Dev. Team - Peoria
13 - Leaf Raking at Camp Emmaus
19 - Ill.–Wisc. Leadership Team – Camp Emmaus (19-20)
25 - Thanksgiving Day
28 - First Sunday of Advent
30 - Ill. Conference of Churches LT - Plainfield
DECEMBER
4 - New Church Development Team - Canton
4 - Cookie Camp Emmaus
25 - Christmas Day
31 - New Year’s Eve.
