In a week with multiple winter storm warnings, our landscape has hosted snow, ice, high winds, and frigid temperatures. You could say we have been in the midst of a full-service winter. When I haven’t had to be out and about somewhere, I have found myself, sitting inside, pondering outside, and remembering over and over Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Stay warm and dry.

Jane Adeny Memorial School (JAMS)

Throughout January each year we collect the scholarship money for our current student. We have almost reached the finish line for our 2019 collection. Annual tuition is $800. So far this month we have collected $725. Help us gather in the remaining $75.  Please mark your gifts clearly for JAMS. Thank you. Keep Nelle in your prayers as she continues her music leadership at JAMS this winter and spring. She will be returning to the area later in the spring.

Thank you for the array of wine glasses that sparkled on the altar last Sunday. They formed a beautiful visual for the gospel story of the wedding at Cana.

February Intergenerational Confirmation Labyrinth Walk

Our February walk will be held on Sunday, February 3, 9 am, on the lower level of the church. Our journey text that day will be Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan with its provoking question: “And who is my neighbor?” This text is found in the tenth chapter of the gospel of Luke. Thank you to the Scott family for their list of neighbors that will be woven into our walk. Come and join others of all ages to support Lars in his confirmation program, Wisdom for the Journey. Everyone is welcome to join in February’s walk.

Mayfield Fellowship

Ann T., Wilma, and Martha have met to lay out the plans for this year’s Fellowship meetings. The Mayfield Fellowship is an open group for women and men in the congregation and others you might want to invite to attend. Our six meetings will be tied together around issues pertinent to youth and the ways we can become more aware of these issues and supportive of all that young people are facing now. Our first meeting will be held on Thursday, February 14, at the Somerset Farm clubhouse, beginning at noon. Speak to Ann T. if you need directions. Our meal will be a potluck.  What favorite winter dish might you bring?  Mark your calendars now with our 2019 dates: Thursday, February 14, Saturday, April 27 (our retreat day at McQueen Forest Preserve), Thursday, June 13, Thursday, August 8, Thursday, October 10, and Thursday, December 12. The complete schedule with all the information for each meeting will be available Sunday, February 3. It promises to be an exciting, informative, and enjoyable year together.

The DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project

It is in February that we fill a bookcase up front in the sanctuary with picture books for the DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project. We are the second oldest Bookcase Project in the country. Each year, on the first Saturday in May, 50 children from the Two Rivers Head Start Program in Sycamore receive a handmade wooden bookcase complete with their name engraved on the nameplate and a starter set of books. For many of these children, these will be the first books in their home. Your picture books, new and gently used, are welcome throughout the month. Books are dedicated early in March near the birthdays of both Dr. Seuss and Ezra Jack Keats.

This year’s Bookcase Banquet will be held on Thursday, February 21, 6 pm, at DeKalb High School. Tickets are $18. Mayfield has been well represented in the past at the banquet. Proceeds from the banquet provide the funds needed to purchase the wood for the 50 bookcases made annually. Please let Martha know if you are interested in going this year.

Transformation Through Rhythm

This year’s Transformation Through Rhythm concert will be held at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb, Sunday, February 24, at 2:00 pm. 100% of the concert proceeds will benefit Knysna Sedgefield Hospice, Knysna, South Africa. Jen has been the organizing energy at the center of this concert for a number of years. The musicians featured include:  DeKalb High School Percussion Ensemble, NIU Percussion Ensemble, and Harambee African Percussion Ensemble. Musicians in the various ensembles range in age from elementary school kids to high school and college students, to teachers and professors at DeKalb High School and NIU. Concerts in prior years have offered indescribably joyous afternoons. This is an opportunity for us to experience remarkable music and to extend vital support to a South African hospice program.

Mark Your Calendars – Spring Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, April 6

The spring pancake breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 6. Start letting people know and mark your calendars to help and/or attend. Thank you to Angie and Dawn for their breakfast leadership

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Your ongoing support of the Northern Illinois Food Bank is appreciated. Every $1 donated is converted into $8 of food. Your gifts may be placed in either the food bank box or the offering plate.

2019 Bulletins

Ten Sundays remain to be claimed for 2019 bulletins via the sign-up sheet in our Gathering Area. Bulletins are $7 a week. Let’s see if we can have a sponsor for every week this year.

Do you or someone you know need Mayfield sausage for winter cooking?