When I moved to St. Louis in the late 70’s, I was amazed that there were still roses at the Missouri Botanical Garden in November. I had never encountered November roses in upstate New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts where I had previously lived. Since then, on occasion, even much further north than St. Louis, I have seen a surprising late season rose. I came upon this one just after our record-breaking Halloween snow. It was a joyful moment as the weather forecasters were all reporting we would have a colder than usual first half of November.

November Worship

This Sunday worship will explore the relationship between our experiences of awe and our response of stewarding who we are and what we have.  Peggy will be leading our children through some awe-related activities at 9 am.

Our beautiful harvest/thanksgiving altar combines treasures from years past and some new additions. Over recent years this seasonal altar has been designed by Joyce, Ann T, and Theresa. Thank you all.

Labyrinth Walk – November 17

Our next intergenerational labyrinth walk will occur at 9 am on Sunday, November 17.  Come and join us whether you have walked before or not.

United Church of Christ Thank Offering

We are currently collecting gifts for the UCC Thank Offering. If you didn’t receive a Thank Offering bag in worship last Sunday, make sure to pick one up this week.  Between now and November 24, you can fill your bag with change, bills, or a check.  This is a noisy offering as we will toss our gifts into a loud metal pail on 11/24. The Thank Offering has its roots in the women’s groups of the Congregational Church in the 19th century. Whenever these groups met, women contributed a few cents (They were known as Cent Societies). Over time these collections funded both local congregations and bold mission efforts. According to the UCC, the modern day Thank Offering (also known as Strengthen The Church Offering) “helps the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities.”

Stewardship Mailing

Watch your mailbox next week for the annual stewardship mailing.

Looking Ahead to December

During Advent, December 1-24 this year, we will Dwell in Hope, and open a liturgical year that will focus on hope. The Mayfield Fellowship will have its December meeting on Thursday, December 12, noon, at Toma and Duane’s. Mark your calendars. Complete details will follow in an upcoming memo. Don’t forget that this meeting includes an ingathering of new or gently used board books for the Children’s Waiting Room at the county courthouse. Once again, we will also be providing seasonal hope to a number of families through our wrapping efforts with Toys for Tots. Information on this seasonal project will also be included in a future memo.

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is live inside that hope.  Not admire it from a
distance but live right in it under its roof.  (Barbara Kingsolver)

Throughout the Year

  • We have whole hog sausage available for sale at church. $5 per pound, bulk and patties.
  • We support the work of the Northern Illinois Food Bank in addressing the needs around hunger and food insecurity in thirteen northern Illinois counties. Food Bank gifts can be given in the food bank box or the offering plates.