Physically Distanced but Spiritually Connected
A Quiet Place

At the beginning of Sunday’s gospel, we read that Jesus went away to a quiet place.

Dear Mayfield,
Diana has recently shared with us that now is the time to come to the Waystation. She is right. The combination and quantity of blooms, colors, and pollinators are amazing.  For those of you who are in the area, remember that this is a place waiting for you where you can step away for a few minutes or longer from all that is pressing in on our lives and immerse yourself in wonder and beauty.  If you are further away, enjoy these pictures.

  • Bring lunch or a snack and be fed in several ways.
  • When you take a seat on one of our recycled plastic benches, you can connect with the wide community of people who joined us in the great plastic drive, making these benches possible.
  • Indulge in delight with the amazing hues of creation.
  • Listen for whatever invitations there are in your life right now to bloom.
  • Ask, even in these strenuous days, what openings there are for you to pollinate new life.
  • Be mindful of the soil beneath your feet, the consistent cycles of seeding, flourishing, and decomposing that have occurred right here.
  • Feel the cooling power of a prairie wind on your skin.
  • Let the field of growing beans on two sides bring forth prayers of gratitude for those who till the soil, feeding others around the globe.
  • See the evidence of a dream in action from first Waystation conversations in 2013 until 2020 with many hands participating.
  • Commit to being one who builds up habitats for the common good.
  • Count the different kinds of butterflies and moths you see as you visit.  Don’t worry if you don’t know all their names.
  • Pause to consider if there is anyone else you can tell about this outdoor sanctuary, available to all.
  • Leave a chalk talk message on the driveway in front of the parsonage garage for those who will visit after you.  Chalk is in the bin at the front door of the church.

For Our Prayer Lives as a Congregation

  • Prayers of concern for teachers and staff, administrators, school boards, parents, and students around the country and world as we try to figure out safe and effective ways to have learning underway this fall. We are especially mindful of the teachers, staff, and students of Jane Adeny Memorial School (JAMS) in Kenya and pray for their health and wellbeing.
  • Diana’s friend Kay whose mother is in rehab and whose father is also ill and Carolyn’s mother Virginia who is at DeKalb County Rehab.
  • Diana’s friend Rosie who is struggling with deep concern about friends who are not respecting COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
  • All the healthcare staff working on the difficult front lines of Covid-19.
  • Any who are in the pathways of hurricanes as this annual storm season is underway.
  • Sue as she continues her life without the companionship of her beloved TJ.
  • Sue’s dad Steve in his journey with cancer.
  • J.T.’s mother Betsy in her recovery at home as a broken hip mends.
  • We are thankful for all who have been weeding and mulching in the Monarch Waystation and for Wilma and Marlo who continue to plant and tend a lovely garden in the gravelly soil at the south end of the parking lot.
  • And finally thanks for the beauty of growth on the earth — flowers, vegetables, trees, and creatures, most notably the butterflies and other pollinators. They teach us, are there beside us, and share with us glory and awe for the artistry and magnificent movement of a creating God.

A Mission Request for Right Now
For the last eight years, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb has been a partner in the local effort to provide school supplies for students who need them. In this Covid-19 time, that need has grown.  On Saturday, August 8th, there will be a drive-up distribution of supplies packaged in backpacks at DeKalb High School. The cost per backpack with supplies is $11.  We can contribute to this effort in two ways as soon as possible and before August 8th. We can go on the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church website, press the Events tab and then the Back to School Bash tab to find the Donation Form button.  We can also send a donation directly to the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1201 Twombly Road, DeKalb, IL 60115. For donations mailed to New Hope, mark them clearly for the Back to School Bash. Thanks.

Worship Notes for This Weekend
Have your communion elements and a candle at hand for your worship time.
                                                                        Peace, Martha