CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS

The district Leadership Team has called Kevin Kessler (Canton) to serve as the district’s representative on the Church of the Brethren Standing Committee, taking over the term that Katie Shaw Thompson (Highland Avenue) is vacating. Kevin will begin serving at this year’s Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C. We’re grateful for Kevin’s willingness to share his gifts in this way. District conference delegates will be asked to affirm Kevin’s call to this position for the remainder of the three-year term in November.

Dennis Webb (Naperville) has resigned his position on the district’s Church Revitalization and Development Team (CRDT) due to other commitments. Leadership Team is working on filling this vacancy for the remainder of the term. 

Freeport will hold its June 29 worship service at Camp Emmaus at 11:30 a.m., followed by a potluck picnic. Area Church of the Brethren members are welcome to attend. For questions, contact Wendy Boettner at peaceandjoy.1954@gmail.com. And on Sept. 7, Freeport is celebrating its 105th anniversary as a congregation. Worship and reminiscing will be at 10 a.m., followed by lunch. RSVP to 815-232-1938. 

Canton will hold special bicentennial services on June 22 and 29, held in conjunction with the city of Canton’s bicentennial celebration. Robin Henry, Ed Carper, and Kevin Kessler are providing leadership for the services. 

Chicago First is celebrating its centennial this year. The congregation will host a Juneteenth event with creative arts performance group Honey Pot in the church’s community garden on June 19, 1-6 p.m. Members of the congregation also visited Chicago’s new Public Housing Museum (pictured) on May 18. 

Springfield First is working on two major repair projects to its building: a roof replacement and a new floor in its fellowship hall. The district Leadership Team recently authorized a $2,500 Mission & Mortar Fund grant to assist with this work. 

Sarah Radcliff has begun serving as the part-time office coordinator for Highland Avenue (Elgin). Welcome, Sarah, to the new role! 

Mount Morris has accepted an offer for the purchase of its building from a church group based in Rochelle. Details are being worked out, with a possible closing date in late summer. Mount Morris plans to continue as a congregation in rented or smaller space, or perhaps to be able to continue using space in the church building for a time, but without the significant overhead expenses and needs of their current facility. The long-running Loaves & Fish food pantry is expected to be able to continue to operate out of the building. 

Peoria First provided a picnic for clients at the city’s Center for Prevention of Abuse on June 11. 

Yellow Creek (Pearl City) took its turn operating the community’s food pantry in May. The ministry is currently serving about 30 families. The congregation also maintains a clothes closet ministry in its former parsonage next to the church.

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford (Highland Avenue), the district’s representative to Ecumenism Metro Chicago (EMC), participated in a Pentecost Sunday event marking the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed on June 8 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago. As a follow-up to the event, EMC is asking member districts to consider endorsing statements related to the care of God’s creation.

Camp Mack (Milford, Ind.) will hold its centennial celebration on Aug. 10. Learn more at www.campmack.org/100.

Congregations are invited to apply for a Global Food Initiative (GFI) grant to support efforts to address domestic hunger and homelessness. In the past, GFI grants have supported congregation-based garden projects, soup kitchens, food pantries, and more. If you have an idea and would like to discuss it or apply for a grant, please contact GFI manager Jenn Hosler by email at jhosler@brethren.org. GFI grant application forms are provided on request, via email. 

Do you have congregational news: celebrations, milestones, “Jesus in the Neighborhood” stories or other things to share with our district family? Please send them to iwdde@outlook.com.