The colors of high summer’s blooming are fading, and the Monarchs will be headed south in a few weeks.  But the beautiful evidence of a season of fruitfulness is still with us. How fortunate we have been to bear witness to it again.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

You can currently support the Northern Illinois Food Bank with financial gifts in the offering plate and food bank box and with jars of peanut butter. Peanut butter is a sought after item that food distribution sites never can keep on their shelves. Our peanut butter pile is growing. This peanut butter drive is being sponsored by the Deacons through the end of September. If you wonder about the effectiveness of our gifts, a recent report from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which partners with various programs of the DeKalb County Community Gardens and other area food pantries and feeding sites, documents that food insecurity has decreased in DeKalb County by about 6% since 2017. That is very good news!!!

Outdoor Worship – Sunday, September 8, 2019 – What Will You Bring to the Picnic?

A beloved tradition at Mayfield is our outdoor worship service on the second Sunday in September. The last few years the Monarch Waystation has provided a lovely site for the service. This year’s meal after worship will be slightly different.  We are taking a year off from grilling to enjoy a potluck picnic. You are asked to bring a main dish, a side dish, a salad, or a desert to share. In the kitchen both refrigeration and warming will be available for your dishes until we are ready to eat. Our new benches and church chairs will be in the Waystation for you to sit on.  Feel free to bring a favorite outdoor chair if you would like to. See you on September 8.

September Intergenerational Labyrinth Walks – September 15 and 29 – 9:00 am

“…to be in touch with where you feel pulled from home, from your deepest sense of self, we experience this again and again as a part of our human journey.” (Christine Valters Paintner)
Join us as we walk more deeply into our human journeys at 9:00 am on 9/15 and 9/29.  Come, no matter how young or old you are. New walkers are always welcome.

October Mayfield Fellowship Meeting

The October Mayfield Fellowship meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10 at Oakcrest. Ann Werhane will host us.  We will gather for lunch by noon.  The charge for lunch is $12. A program will be presented after lunch by staff from Hope Haven. We will receive an update on homelessness for youth and families in DeKalb County.A sign-up sheet for this gathering will be at church toward the end of September.

JAMS Fall Fundraiser – Friday night, October 11, 2019 – 6:00-9:00 pm – Faranda’s, 302 Grove Street, DeKalb – A TASTE OF KENYA

This event on the evening of the United Nations International Day of the Girl will include Kenyan food, music, a silent auction, a fair trade market, and a cash bar.  Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at dekalbcountytickets.com, 815.758.1225. All proceeds from the event will benefit Jane Adeny Memorial School. Several Mayfield people are closely involved in this fundraiser including Diana, head of the Friends of JAMS; Rob Stoll, who has created a beautiful quilt of African Ladies that will be a raffle item, and Jen, who will be responsible for some of the music. Raffle tickets for the quilt will be available in worship this Sunday and on upcoming Sundays. They are $10 each. The hope is the raffle will raise the equivalent of a four year scholarship for a future JAMS student. What a great goal! JAMS is a vital part of Mayfield’s mission that stretches from the township across the state, nation, and world. Thank you for the many expressions of Mayfield support for JAMS.

Fall Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, October 19 – 6:30 – 11:00 am

Mark your calendars. When the sign-up sheets are out later, indicate if you can help that day. Think about contributions you may have for attic treasures and what you could make for the bake table. All proceeds from attic treasures and the bake table are given through the Mayfield Fellowship in December to programs in DeKalb County.