CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS
Hurricane Creek (Smithboro, Ill.) is marking its 180th anniversary this year. Founded in 1843, it is the oldest still-existing congregation in the district. It moved to its current location in Pleasant Mound village in 1908. The congregation celebrated on Aug. 13 with a potluck fellowship meal and anniversary program. On Aug. 22, the Bond County Historical and Genealogical societies will conduct their annual rural church meeting at Hurricane Creek, with the public invited to come and share their memories. A potluck dinner will start the evening at 6 p.m. See more at https://wgel.com/news/2023/08/historical-society-honoring-hurricane-creek-church.
Naperville was privileged on July 16 to host Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) president Joel S. Billi and his wife, Salamatu Billi Joel. Delegation members from EYN also visited elsewhere in the district that morning. (Above, President Billi, center, and other EYN delegation members visit Bethany Theological Seminary in Indiana. Photo by Bethany Theological Seminary.)
Canton is holding its Aug. 20 service (9:30 a.m.) at Coal Creek Cemetery, the site of the congregation’s founding. The worship service will focus on the theme of “roots.” Canton continues to own and operate the historic cemetery.
Chris Crater (Chicago First) was named a recipient of this year’s The Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award! This award recognizes African American men in the community who have inspired others through excellence, vision, leadership, exceptional achievement, and the commitment to empowerment in multiple ways. Congratulations!
Mount Morris is enjoying an abundance of produce from its adjacent community garden, including watermelons, squash, beans, and tomatoes. Mission and Evangelism team leader Ed Weinberg coordinates the project. Some of the August bounty—about 320 pounds of produce in all—was shared with the Loaves and Fish food pantry located at the church.
Madtown Brethren, the district’s new church start in Madison, Wis., was officially welcomed as a Church of the Brethren project during Annual Conference in Cincinnati on July 5. CRDT chair Leonard Matheny and district executive Walt Wiltschek accepted a framed certificate on behalf of the Madison group.
Chicago First on June 18 held a Father’s Day/Juneteenth “Worship in the Garden,” enjoying the beautiful New Horizons Garden space next to the congregation’s building. Volunteers also work in the garden, which yields fresh produce, on most Wednesdays during the growing season.
Cherry Grove (Lanark, Ill.) will be offering a wiener roast with homemade ice cream Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. The congregation has also been gathering supplies for several area service organizations.
Lanark has been offering community movie nights this summer, with grant funds helping to cover the costs of the events. As many as 60-70 people have attended some of the gatherings, which have been held both in the church and in an outdoor space.
Polo in late July held a celebration of its Growing Project, which uses farmland to raise funds for those who are hungry. Started by Jim Schmidt and Bill Hare, the project has been running for about two decades. The Dixon and Highland Avenue congregations have also helped partner in the project over the years.
Freeport has been taking action to witness for gun violence prevention, with treasurer Linda Simler taking the lead in planning the efforts. On Sunday, June 4, members of the congregation wore orange to express solidarity for gun violence prevention and gathered outside the church to let the community know about their beliefs, according to pastor Christina Singh. “We as a church have taken a stand in our community, where we have been placed by God,” Singh said. “that we all need to do whatever it takes to stop this gun violence, which is wreaking havoc in most people’s lives.”
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren member Jim Lehman received this year’s Brethren Volunteer Service Partners in Service Award, presented during Annual Conference in Cincinnati. While Jim didn’t serve as a BVS volunteer himself, he has served BVS regularly over the years by taking part in think tanks, writing (including the recent book “A Year of Living Differently”), and filmmaking. Speaking at the BVS luncheon at Annual Conference, Jim said, “BVS is one of the best things the Church of the Brethren has ever done, in my opinion.” (Photo by Donna Parcell, Church of the Brethren News Services)
Jan Dietrich (Mount Morris) has resigned as recording secretary for the district Leadership Team. We are grateful for her years of service to the district!
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send those to the district office: andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com.
Naperville was privileged on July 16 to host Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) president Joel S. Billi and his wife, Salamatu Billi Joel. Delegation members from EYN also visited elsewhere in the district that morning. (Above, President Billi, center, and other EYN delegation members visit Bethany Theological Seminary in Indiana. Photo by Bethany Theological Seminary.)
Canton is holding its Aug. 20 service (9:30 a.m.) at Coal Creek Cemetery, the site of the congregation’s founding. The worship service will focus on the theme of “roots.” Canton continues to own and operate the historic cemetery.
Chris Crater (Chicago First) was named a recipient of this year’s The Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award! This award recognizes African American men in the community who have inspired others through excellence, vision, leadership, exceptional achievement, and the commitment to empowerment in multiple ways. Congratulations!
Mount Morris is enjoying an abundance of produce from its adjacent community garden, including watermelons, squash, beans, and tomatoes. Mission and Evangelism team leader Ed Weinberg coordinates the project. Some of the August bounty—about 320 pounds of produce in all—was shared with the Loaves and Fish food pantry located at the church.
Madtown Brethren, the district’s new church start in Madison, Wis., was officially welcomed as a Church of the Brethren project during Annual Conference in Cincinnati on July 5. CRDT chair Leonard Matheny and district executive Walt Wiltschek accepted a framed certificate on behalf of the Madison group.
Chicago First on June 18 held a Father’s Day/Juneteenth “Worship in the Garden,” enjoying the beautiful New Horizons Garden space next to the congregation’s building. Volunteers also work in the garden, which yields fresh produce, on most Wednesdays during the growing season.
Cherry Grove (Lanark, Ill.) will be offering a wiener roast with homemade ice cream Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. The congregation has also been gathering supplies for several area service organizations.
Lanark has been offering community movie nights this summer, with grant funds helping to cover the costs of the events. As many as 60-70 people have attended some of the gatherings, which have been held both in the church and in an outdoor space.
Polo in late July held a celebration of its Growing Project, which uses farmland to raise funds for those who are hungry. Started by Jim Schmidt and Bill Hare, the project has been running for about two decades. The Dixon and Highland Avenue congregations have also helped partner in the project over the years.
Freeport has been taking action to witness for gun violence prevention, with treasurer Linda Simler taking the lead in planning the efforts. On Sunday, June 4, members of the congregation wore orange to express solidarity for gun violence prevention and gathered outside the church to let the community know about their beliefs, according to pastor Christina Singh. “We as a church have taken a stand in our community, where we have been placed by God,” Singh said. “that we all need to do whatever it takes to stop this gun violence, which is wreaking havoc in most people’s lives.”
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren member Jim Lehman received this year’s Brethren Volunteer Service Partners in Service Award, presented during Annual Conference in Cincinnati. While Jim didn’t serve as a BVS volunteer himself, he has served BVS regularly over the years by taking part in think tanks, writing (including the recent book “A Year of Living Differently”), and filmmaking. Speaking at the BVS luncheon at Annual Conference, Jim said, “BVS is one of the best things the Church of the Brethren has ever done, in my opinion.” (Photo by Donna Parcell, Church of the Brethren News Services)
Jan Dietrich (Mount Morris) has resigned as recording secretary for the district Leadership Team. We are grateful for her years of service to the district!
Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send those to the district office: andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com.
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