CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS

Champaign gained a new member on Oct. 8 when it held a baptism services for one of its youth participants. Welcome to the Church of the Brethren family!

A group of more than a dozen Peoria First members recently volunteered at the local Midwest Food Bank to put labels on cans, completing about 6,000 cans in two hours. Peoria also continues to serve in Appalachia, with its next Mountain Mission trip coming up Nov. 9-12.

The Rock Community (Fairfield) congregation held a community garage sale and bake sale on Oct. 14. It is working to raise funds to put a new roof on its building.

Lanark was recently highlighted in the denomination’s Newsline for its series of family movie nights. The congregation received $1,600.80 from the Church of the Brethren Faith in Action grants for the endeavor. The church showed the “Chosen” series on Sunday evenings this past spring and invited the community for the movies and a time to fellowship and have discussion over snacks. The church planned a follow-up series on its lawn on Wednesday evenings in July and August, with Sunday morning messages based on the faith lessons in various family-friendly movies. Grant funds purchased a backyard theater kit, video license, movie fees, promotional materials, popcorn machine, and snacks.

Chicago First on Sept. 24 marked the Roca de Esperanza congregation’s final service in their building. The Spanish-speaking congregation had shared space there in recent years. They invited members and friends of Chicago First to join them for worship and gathering/meal the afternoon of the 24th, celebrating the partnership before Roca de Esperanza moved to Cicero, in the Fellowship Hall on September 24 at 2 pm after worship.

Girard has been working on renovations and upgrades to its basement space, which was damaged by flooding several years ago. Work so far has included painting the walls and applying waterproof masonry. A new drop ceiling, paneling in the stairwells, and some plumbing projects are on the agenda.

York Center (Lombard) has started a new “Kids Sunday” emphasis on the first Sunday of each month, with special involvement of children and youth in the worship service, and activities for younger children.

Members of Freeport took part in their community CROP Walk on Oct. 1, raising money for those dealing with hunger and poverty. The Freeport church served as a stopping place for walkers to get water or use the restroom.

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.