CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS

Mount Morris is settling into its new home at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove community building, located at the corner of S. McKendrie Ave. and Evergreen Lane. The spacious auditorium in the center of the building provides the setting for worship, while a café’ area hosts fellowship after worship and other rooms provide space for meetings, an office, Christian education, and other needs. Worship is held at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. The congregation still hopes to hold a service of celebration and farewell at the former building in conjunction with the Hispanic congregation that bought the property, but a date is still being finalized. Watch for more details. 

Canton had its annual wiener roast and bonfire at Bob Champlin’s Ranch on Oct. 12. A recent congregational newsletter article also highlighted Canton’s “Blessing Box,” which provides basic supplies and food to families in need. Ray Cleer built and installed the box after Jackie Davis sparked the initial idea, and a committee of Lori Beecham, Tammy Kessler, and Theresa Wilcoxen (pictured) works on keeping it stocked to serve the neighborhood. 

Highland Avenue (Elgin) held an all-church potluck picnic on Sept. 28 at Wing Park. The event was sponsored by the congregation’s Connections Team. … Members of the congregation also planned to take part in the Elgin CROP Hunger Walk on Oct. 19. 

Peoria First will do its annual fall Mountain Mission trip to the Henderson Settlement in Kentucky Nov. 13-16. In addition to delivering donations and assisting at the Henderson Settlement, the trip includes meals, a stop at the Berean Artisan Village Center and visit at Natural Bridge State Resort, and good worship and fellowship. For more information, contact Leonard Matheny at mathelw@gmail.com or 309-256-8846 or pastor Dana McNeil at pastordana@peoriabrethren.org or 309-682-3980. The congregation also recently raised over $1,200 to assist with a plumbing project in Henderson. 

About 10 members of the Mount Morris and Polo congregations took part in the Ogle County CROP Walk on Sept. 28 to raise funds for hunger. 

Freeport held its annual drive-thru pork chop meal on Sept. 28. 

Chicago First had a group gardening time in its New Horizons Garden, located just north of the church, this past Saturday, Oct. 11. The congregation also recently joined Supportive Communities Network. 

The Illinois Mennonite Heritage Center in Germantown/Metamora, Ill., will hold an event titled “Anabaptism Goes Global” on Oct. 18, beginning at 10 a.m. It will feature Elizabeth Miller, assistant professor of history in the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism at Goshen College in Indiana. A fellowship lunch will follow the presentation. 

Bill Hare recently shared an update on the Honduras Mission Project that he oversaw for many years, and is now being managed by volunteer Brad Long of Polo. With Brad’s help, about 50,000 pounds of rice and cornmeal was hauled by box truck loads to villages and families in need this year. About 3,600 families were served. Bill hopes to be able to have additional food supplies distributed in the months ahead. 

Nov. 30 is the deadline for applications for Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) grants to be funded with money available in 2025. Generated from the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., the BFIA funds outreach ministry projects that serve communities, strengthen congregations, and expand the reign of God. Such ministries will honor and continue the legacy of service that the center has epitomized while also addressing the dynamics of the present age. Grants of up to $5,000 per congregation or ministry project per year are awarded with a maximum of $15,000 allocated to any one ministry project over multiple years. Camps may apply for grants up to $2,500 every other year. Any United States Church of the Brethren congregation, fellowship, or project, and any Church of the Brethren camp may apply. Find out more at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.

Ecumenism Metro Chicago plans to hold a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ecumenical service on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church (6700 W. Diversey Ave.) in Chicago. The theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” from Eph. 4:4. 

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.