CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS

Canton held its annual wiener roast Oct. 11 at the Bob Champlin Farm.

Chicago First celebrated World Communion Sunday on Oct. 4 via a joint worship service with the other organizations and congregations that use its building, followed by a potluck meal.

Our prayers are with the Neighborhood congregation (Montgomery), which has been discerning the possibility of hosting a local community services facility that provides food pantry and warming shelter assistance, among other services. The plan has met significant community opposition, as the church is next to an elementary school. The congregation continues to discern next steps.

Peoria First will do its fall Mountain Mission trip to the Henderson Settlement in Kentucky Nov. 12-15. The congregation is also holding a trivia and fellowship night Oct. 17.

Our prayers are with the Yellow Creek congregation (Pearl City), whose main furnace went out earlier this month and required replacement.

The York Center congregation (Lombard) will celebrate its 75th anniversary this coming Sunday, Oct. 18 (Note there is no morning service at the church that day). An invitation and RSVP link can be found at https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/yccob75. A worship service will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a reception program at 3:15 and then a catered dinner. Pictures and mementos from past years have been collected, and the congregation has been sharing photos and memories from past directories as far back as 1970 in anticipation of the event.

Ecumenism Metro Chicago held a “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” ecumenical prayer service on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Buchanan Chapel in Chicago to mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The event concluded with a peace walk on Michigan Avenue, with closing prayer in the church courtyard. Highland Avenue pastor Krista Dutt represented the district, one of 14 participating faith communions. Ecumenism Metro Chicago’s next planned event is an observance for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 23.

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.