CONGREGATIONAL/LOCAL NEWS

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 held an all-church picnic and birthday celebration July 13 at the Canton Christian Church pavilion. It included a potluck meal, an artistic group activity focusing on the colors of God’s creation, and an abundance of birthday cupcakes. The congregation, one of the oldest in the district, is marking its 180th anniversary this year. It participated in the city of Canton’s bicentennial celebration June 20-29, holding special services June 22 and 29. Among the participants were Kevin and Tammy Kessler, pictured at left. 

Members of Peoria First volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House on July 24, preparing and serving a meal for families at the house. The congregation also recently received a check for more than $1,600 toward its Kentucky Mountain Mission Project through its partnership with the Peoria Heights Helping Hands Resale Shoppe. On Aug. 17, Peoria First will hold an outdoor worship and church picnic at Reader Park. 

Congratulations to Chuck and Jane Pomazal of Dixon, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party at the church on Aug. 9. … Lloyd and Marilyn Kirkwood (York Center) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in late June. 

Dixon will hold its all-church picnic this coming Sunday, Aug. 17. The congregation is also hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Aug. 18, 1-6 p.m. 

Chicago First—which is celebrating its centennial this year—this summer “re-planted” some redesigned peace poles in its New Horizons Garden adjacent to the church (pictured at right). The congregation had earlier gathered to make the new signs for the poles together. 

Mount Morris has accepted an offer for the purchase of its building from a church group based in Rochelle. Details are now being finalize and working toward a closing date in the coming weeks. The congregation plans to hold a service of celebration and farewell to the building, hopefully in September. Watch for more details. 

Mount Morris plans to continue as a congregation using space in the nearby Pinecrest Community Grove building, shifting there after the sale is completed and saving 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 current building. 

York Center (Lombard) held its annual outdoor worship service and all-church picnic on Aug. 10. A memorial service for former member Estella Horning will take place at the church on Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m., followed by a meal.

The Illinois Conference of Churches will offer a free Zoom seminar marking the 1,700th anniversary of the first Council of Nicaea on Sept. 14, 2-3 p.m. Panelists will look at the Nicene Creed and its liturgical, doctrinal, and ecumenical impacts, followed by discussion. To register, visit www.bit.ly/Nicaea1700.

Camp Mack (Milford, Ind.) held its centennial celebration on Aug. 10. See 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.