Monday, April 01, 2013
Give the Gift of Warmth
In 2012, Blankets+ contributions allowed CWS to quickly respond to the victims of Hurricane Sandy by supplying over 10,400 blankets. Disasters can occur in a split second without warning. Through a Blankets+ Sunday your congregation or group shows calamity victims they matter.
Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or any day is a good day to plan a Blankets+ offering. The CWS Illinois regional office thanks you for your interest and compassion and looks forward to working with you in Blankets+ ministry. Contact: Heather Willson at 888-297-2767 or hwillson@churchworldservice.org to order your Blankets+ offering supplies. Find out more at www.blanketsplus.org
Volunteers Needed for Disaster Relief
There is a need for volunteers during the week of April 14-20 in Holton Indiana. There we are building
eight new homes. Holton is in the southeast part of the state. You can come for just a day or two if that
is what you have to share, even a Saturday. If interested I ask you to call the site yourself and to make
those arrangements for yourself or your group. But also please let me know if you are going.
Volunteer Housing: Hopewell Baptist Church
2319 N County Road 850 W, Holton, IN 47023
Project Phone: Volunteer House, 410-596-7271; Project Leader, 410-596-9118
Email: BDMholton@gmail.com
Thank You, Rick Koch, District Disaster Coordinator
DE Ponderings by Kevin Kessler
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I say to you,
Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, so that
you may be children of your Father
in heaven...” Matthew 5:43-45a
(NRSV)
In a moment of reflection one morning, the thought came to me that rather than hating what is evil it would be better to share love with that which is evil, lavishing upon what is evil as much love as is humanly possible, and then some. Easy to do? Absolutely not. But isn’t it what Jesus calls us to do?
I recently read a quote that I thought was attributed to Mother Teresa, but as I studied it further, I couldn’t be sure the author of the article had the attribution correct. My questioning resulted in doing a search for quotes of Mother Teresa. It became quickly apparent that Mother Teresa understood Jesus’ instructions to love rather than hate. I’ll let her words speak for themselves by sharing some of her quotes. She says it so much better than I can, so I’ll cease with my thoughts and give the floor to Mother Teresa.
From Mother Teresa:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”I’ll close with this thought: I wonder what effect the ripples we create by throwing our rock of love into pools of hate will have on the world in which we live? Something to ponder. Something to do!
“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' rather he will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?”
“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty—it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Bus to NOAC at Lake Junaluska
Don and Patti Weirich
will be coordinating a
bus to the 2013 National
Older Adult Conference
(NOAC) this September.
Since the NOAC
registration brochure
was printed and mailed before the travel arrangements
were finalized, we want you to know that there
will be a bus for people from the Illinois-Wisconsin
District. Some will have to travel to the nearest stop
but they can avoid driving all the way to NOAC.
We will need at least 35 people to confirm their space on the bus which will travel from Mt. Morris, Illinois (need a commitment of 10 people there), stop at Timbercrest in North Manchester, and travel on to Dayton, Ohio, before heading to NOAC. The return trip will be in reverse order.
A note about additional stops for this bus: If there is interest they will stop in Elgin, IL, after Mt. Morris; and they do plan on a Middlebury, IN, stop before going on to Timbercrest. This provides lots of options that people can use to their advantage.
Contact Don and Patti Weirich for more information: theweirichs@frontier.com
phone: (574) 825-9185 (574) 825-9185 FREE
We will need at least 35 people to confirm their space on the bus which will travel from Mt. Morris, Illinois (need a commitment of 10 people there), stop at Timbercrest in North Manchester, and travel on to Dayton, Ohio, before heading to NOAC. The return trip will be in reverse order.
A note about additional stops for this bus: If there is interest they will stop in Elgin, IL, after Mt. Morris; and they do plan on a Middlebury, IN, stop before going on to Timbercrest. This provides lots of options that people can use to their advantage.
Contact Don and Patti Weirich for more information: theweirichs@frontier.com
phone: (574) 825-9185 (574) 825-9185 FREE
District Potluck - April 27
Deacon Training – David Doudt
Session 1Disaster Relief - Dutchtown COB
"Being Present - Listening in a Healing Way" - Part 1
What do I say or what should I do when someone is in need? Do I need to solve their problem or make them feel better? What am I expected to do? Come and learn how you can be a better listener and make a difference in someone's life.Session 2
"Being Present - Listening in a Healing Way" - Part 2
Good listening starts with the practice of listening to God. We will discuss and practice listening to God. Then we will use that practice to see how God uses us to show compassion to others. We'll learn common phrases not to say to people who are hospitalized or grieving. Then talk about how to pray for another person.Session 3
"Caring for the Caregiver"
More than anything, deacons are caregivers. But in your congregation are many other caregivers, professional and otherwise, who need encouragement and support as they carry out these roles. Many are likely part of the "sandwich generation" caring for aging parents as well as their own children. Hear thoughts on all aspects of caregiving - and perhaps how to care for yourself as a caregiver, too.
"Disaster Relief Work 101" "Dollars are Delightful, but Bodies are Better!"Multiculturalism - Dennis Webb
An opportunity for you to learn the basics about Disaster Relief Ministry, to hear stories from Veteran Disaster Relief workers from their past trips and to consider if God is calling you to this ministry."
"Multiculturalism - When a goat is both a pet and a dinner!"
This workshop will explore the challenges of the denomination in relation to Multiculturalism. It will also explore ways in which congregations can embrace multiculturalism.
It hopes to address the question that so many congregations ask, "If our church's membership is of one ethnic group / race, how are we ever going to embrace multiculturalism?" Come let's reason together about multiculturalism.District Revitalization Team
Work Day Planned at Pleasant Hill Village
Please call and let us know how many may be coming and confirm the week prior in case rain is predicted by calling 217-627-2181 ask for Kyle Hood, Maintenance or Terry Link, Chaplain or email us at pleasanthillvillage@royell.org
To all who have assisted in the past, a hearty Thank You for your dedication to serve. Pleasant Hill Village is a ministry of the ILL/WIS District of the Church of the Brethren. This is a good opportunity to be involved in serving some of the least among us.
2013 Camp Emmanuel Schedule
The mission of Camp Emmanuel is "Sharing God's Message and Love with
children of all ages through the beauty and wonder found in nature.
CAMP MANAGERS FOR 2013 ARE RANDY AND JO ELLEN DOYLE.
Camp Phone is 309-329-2291.
The Camp e-mail address is: campemmanuel.cob@gmail.com.
The website is: www.cob-net.org/campiemmanuel/
JUNE 7-9
WOMENS' CAMP
Friday, 4:00 p.m. — Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Director: Rosie Brandenburg (217-763-6039)
Email: samrosie@ctiwireless.com
Fee: $60 ($75 after May 24th)
JUNE 9-15
YOUTH CAMP (ages 14-18)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Dana McNeil (309-243-8726)
Email: pastordanaPpeoriabrethren.org
Fee $125 ($140 after May 31st)
JUNE 16-22
JUNIOR HIGH CAMP (ages 11-13)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Lynn Jones (217-627-2355)
Email. misslynnmo@vahoo.com
Fee $125 ($140 after June 3rd)
JUNE 23-29
JUNIOR CAMP (ages 8-10)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. —Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Sarah Fulk (217-454-6942)
Email: fulkner34Pvahoo.com
Fee $125 ($140 after June 10th)
JUNE 27-29
PRE-JUNIOR CAMP (ages 5-7)
Thursday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Stephanie Bettinger ( 217-855-6415)
Email: bettinger.stephanie@vahoo.com
Fee $60 ($75 after June 13th)
AUGUST 9-11
MENS' CAMP
Friday 4:00 p.m. — Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Director: Ray Knotts (309-692-0846)
Email: ravnkittv@gmail.com
Fee: $60 ($75 after July 26th)
AUGUST 30-SEPT. 2
FAMILY CAMP
Friday 6:00 p.m. — Monday 10:00 a.m.
Directors: Christine Hoecker, Angela Devaney and Cheryl Spence
Fee:
Adults $60 ($75 after August 16th)
Children 4-12 $40 ($55 after August 16th)
Maximum per family $155 ($215 after August 16th)
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR 2013 (Not all scheduled yet)
Spring Work Day — April 13th
Spring Work Week — April 14-20th
Mandatory CIT training — April 27th (9AM-Noon)
Fall Gospel/Song Fest — Family Camp Hosts
Fall Work Day/Camp Closing — October 19th
Each camp will be responsible for making a banner in conjunction with the Camp's 651 anniversary. Also, there will be special t-shirts for sale in addition to the items given out at each camp. So order sizes EARLY with your registration. Special t-shirt costs will be $12 unless it is a special size.
CAMP MANAGERS FOR 2013 ARE RANDY AND JO ELLEN DOYLE.
Camp Phone is 309-329-2291.
The Camp e-mail address is: campemmanuel.cob@gmail.com.
The website is: www.cob-net.org/campiemmanuel/
JUNE 7-9
WOMENS' CAMP
Friday, 4:00 p.m. — Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Director: Rosie Brandenburg (217-763-6039)
Email: samrosie@ctiwireless.com
Fee: $60 ($75 after May 24th)
JUNE 9-15
YOUTH CAMP (ages 14-18)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Dana McNeil (309-243-8726)
Email: pastordanaPpeoriabrethren.org
Fee $125 ($140 after May 31st)
JUNE 16-22
JUNIOR HIGH CAMP (ages 11-13)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Lynn Jones (217-627-2355)
Email. misslynnmo@vahoo.com
Fee $125 ($140 after June 3rd)
JUNE 23-29
JUNIOR CAMP (ages 8-10)
Sunday 5:00 p.m. —Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Sarah Fulk (217-454-6942)
Email: fulkner34Pvahoo.com
Fee $125 ($140 after June 10th)
JUNE 27-29
PRE-JUNIOR CAMP (ages 5-7)
Thursday 5:00 p.m. — Saturday 10:00 a.m.
Director: Stephanie Bettinger ( 217-855-6415)
Email: bettinger.stephanie@vahoo.com
Fee $60 ($75 after June 13th)
AUGUST 9-11
MENS' CAMP
Friday 4:00 p.m. — Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Director: Ray Knotts (309-692-0846)
Email: ravnkittv@gmail.com
Fee: $60 ($75 after July 26th)
AUGUST 30-SEPT. 2
FAMILY CAMP
Friday 6:00 p.m. — Monday 10:00 a.m.
Directors: Christine Hoecker, Angela Devaney and Cheryl Spence
Fee:
Adults $60 ($75 after August 16th)
Children 4-12 $40 ($55 after August 16th)
Maximum per family $155 ($215 after August 16th)
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR 2013 (Not all scheduled yet)
Spring Work Day — April 13th
Spring Work Week — April 14-20th
Mandatory CIT training — April 27th (9AM-Noon)
Fall Gospel/Song Fest — Family Camp Hosts
Fall Work Day/Camp Closing — October 19th
Each camp will be responsible for making a banner in conjunction with the Camp's 651 anniversary. Also, there will be special t-shirts for sale in addition to the items given out at each camp. So order sizes EARLY with your registration. Special t-shirt costs will be $12 unless it is a special size.
2013 Camp Emmaus Schedule
| May 24-27 | Memorial Day Family Camp Director: Sally Medearis | all ages Contact camp about rates |
| July 13-14 | Counselor-in-Training Event 7pm Fri - 2pm Sun Director: Jewel McNary | Finished grades 9-12 or older no fee |
| July 13-14 | Elementary I Camp 2pm Sat - 2pm Sun Director: Mallory McPherson | Finished grades 1 and 2 $60 per pair |
| July 16-19 | Elementary II Camp 4pm Tue - 2pm Fri Directors: Lisa Fike and Carol Fike | Finished grades 3 and 4 $130 |
| July 21-27 | Senior High Camp 4pm Sun - 2pm Sat Directors: Sara Garner and Aaron Gerdes | Finished grades 9 - 12 $250 |
| July 28-August 3 | Junior High Camp 4pm Sun - 2pm Sat Directors: Heidi Gerdes and Jim Miner | Finished grades 7 and 8 $250 |
| August 4-9 | Elementary III Camp 4pm Sun - 2pm Fri Directors: Elvira and Jim Lawdenski | Finished grades 5 and 6 $200 |
| August 9-11 | Women's Camp Director: Sally Medearis | 18 and older Contact Sally for details |
| August 30-September 2 | Labor Day Family Camp Director: Mark Royer | all ages Contact camp about rates |
| August 31 | Appreciation Dinner | RSVP to Camp |
| November 9 | Leaf Raking 8 a.m. - noon | all ages |
| Please register in a timely manner to receive important information from the Director before camp.
Registration Fees for 2013 (including your $25 deposit) are: EL I - $60; EL II - $130; EL III - $200; Jr./Sr. High - $250 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT If your registration form is postmarked by May 31, you will receive a $5 discount for Elementary I and II Camps and a $10 discount for Elementary III, Jr. High, and Sr. High Camps. Mail registration form (and $25 non-refundable deposit) to: Camp Emmaus | ||
Annual Conference 2013
You’re invited...
...To Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC
June 29 through July 3, 2013!
Find more information and register at www.brethren.org/ac
Volunteers Needed at Annual Conference
We need additional
volunteers to assist
with Early Childhood
Services at Annual
Conference this summer
in Charlotte. If you are
attending Conference
and would be able to
volunteer some of your
time for this, please
contact conference
assistant Jon Kobel at
jkobel@brethren.org,
or fill out the online
volunteer form at
www.brethren.org/ac/registration/volunteer.html.
Thank you for your help.
Jon Kobel, Conference Assistant
Thank you for your help.
Jon Kobel, Conference Assistant
Exploring Your Call
June 14 - 24, 2013
EYC invites rising juniors and seniors in high school to experience hands-on learning and exploration of where their lives' passions meet God's great purpose. This grant-funded program creates space for discernment and community building amidst the myriad of competing interests for Brethren youth. Registration is already open, so encourage youth in your congregation or district to apply for this amazing opportunity.
Opportunities for Honduras Work/Study Trips
Request workcamp information from Bill Hare, 815-73404268(fax) by 12/1/2013.
Request study trip information from York Center, habegger4@comcast.net by 7/1/2013
Silent and Live Auctions 2013 District Conference
Benefiting a variety of Ministries
This year we are doing things a bit differently. For the Silent Auction we are asking each Church to provide a basket of goodies with a theme, such as kitchen, movie night and so on. We are also asking for baked goods for the Silent Auction. For the Live Auction we are asking people to provide nice Arts and Crafts items, such as woodworking, paintings, maybe pottery. We would like to have a dozen or so items in the Live Auction. If you would like to provide an item, please let me know ahead of time what you are planning to bring.
For more information, please contact Rick Koch at 815-499-3012 or at revrick-dutchtown@jcwifi.com
Calendar of District Events
April
Child Abuse Prevention MonthMay
13 - Leadership Team Mtg @ Neighborhood Church
14-20 - Camp Emmanuel Spring Work Week
9-21 - Spring District Youth Retreat @ Rockford Community Church
22 - Earth Day
27 - District Potluck @ Peoria
27 - Camp Emmanuel CIT Workshop
Older Adult MonthJune
2 - National Day of Prayer
5 - National Youth Sunday
9 - Ascension Day
12 - Mother’s Day
19 - Pentecost
24-27 - Camp Emmaus Memorial Day Family Camp
25 - Young Adult Conference @ Camp Pine Lake, Eudora, Iowa
26 - Trinity Sunday
27 - Memorial Day
5 - World Environment DayJuly
8 - Leadership Team Meeting, Peoria
7-9 - Camp Emmanuel Women's Camp
9-15 - Camp Emmanuel Sr Hi Youth Camp
14-16 - National Jr Hi Conference, Elizabethtown, PA
16-22 - Camp Emmanuel Junior High Camp
21 - First Day of Summer
21-27 - Song and Story Fest, Camp Myrtlewood, Myrtle Point, Oregon
23-29 - Camp Emmanuel Junior Camp
27 - CODE Meeting, Charlotte, NC
27-29 - Camp Emmanuel Pre-Junior Camp
28 - Mission and Ministry Board, Charlotte, NC
29-July 3 - Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC
June 29-3 - Annual ConferenceAugust
4 - Independence Day
9 - Ramadan Begins
13-14 - Camp Emmaus Counselor-in-Training Event
13-14 - Camp Emmaus Elementary I Camp
16-19 - Camp Emmaus Elementary II Camp
21-27 - Camp Emmaus Senior High Camp
28 - Parent's Day
28-August 3 - Camp Emmaus Junior High Camp
July 28-3 - Camp Emmaus Junior High CampSeptember
4-9 - Camp Emmaus Elementary III Camp
9-11 - Camp Emmanuel Men's Camp
9-11 - Camp Emmaus Women's Camp
10 - Leadership Team Meeting, Pinecrest @ Mt. Morris
30-Sept 2 - Camp Emmanuel Family Camp
30-Sept 2 - Camp Emmaus Labor Day Family Camp
31 - Camp Emmaus Appreciation Dinner
2 - Labor DayOctober
2-6 - National Older Adult Conference @ Lake Junaluska, NC
8 - Grandparent's Day
13 - Yom Kippur
15 - Bethany Sunday
21 - International Day of Peace
22 - First Day of Autumn
Domestic Violence Awareness MonthNovember
6 - World Communion Sunday
12 - Leadership Team Meeting, Neighborhood
18-21 - Mission and Ministry Board, Elgin, IL
19 - Camp Emmanuel Fall Work Day/Camp Closing
24 - World Disarmament Day
24 - United Nations Day
27 - Reformation Sunday
31 - Halloween
1-2 - Ill.-Wisc. District Conference @ Mt. MorrisDecember
3 - National Junior High Sunday
3 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
9 - Camp Emmaus Leaf Raking
11 - Veteran's Day
15-16 - Leadership Team Retreat, Camp Emmaus, Mt. Morris, IL
24 - Christ the King Sunday
27 - Hanukkah Begins
28 - Thanksgiving
1 - First Sunday of Advent
1 - World Aids Day
21 - First day of Winter
25 - Christmas Day
31 - New Year's Eve
