There are two times in the church year that are known as ordinary time. This is time when we are not in the midst of a major liturgical celebration or getting ready for those celebrations. There is the shorter stretch of ordinary time in the winter from the Sunday after Epiphany through the Sunday before the beginning of Lent and the longer stretch of ordinary time in the summer and fall from the Sunday after Pentecost through the Sunday before the beginning of Advent. The winter season of ordinary time has a streak of light starting with Epiphany’s star all the way to the light-filled glory of Transfiguration Sunday. During winter’s ordinary time, a time of shorter days, we travel along various daily pathways. It is easy to lose sight of the light that always accompanies us and illumines our lives.
Winter Weather Note
At this point we are all watching the weather. Tomorrow morning the decision about whether church is canceled or not will be made by church council leadership between 7:00 and 7:30 am. Their decision will be communicated across the congregation both by email and by Facebook during that same time period. If you need to be out today, please be careful.
Annual Meeting
We were able to have our annual meeting in and around winter weather last Sunday. If you were not able to be there, make sure to pick up a copy of the annual report at church. Note to Church Council Members – Council meets Wed 1/22 at 6:30 pm.
Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk – Come and walk with us at 9 am tomorrow 1/19.
JAMS Notes
We have collected the $800 for Lina’s scholarship this year. Thank you for your generous support and consistent commitment to JAMS (Jane Adeny Memorial School).
Sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Area for liturgists, hospitality hosts, and bulletin sponsors. Bulletins are $7 per week. There are plenty of openings on each sheet. Sign-up soon!
DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project
This is the ninth year that 50 children from the Two Rivers Head Start program will receive a handmade bookcase with a nameplate and a starter set of books in May. For some of these children these will be the first books in their home. This is the seventh year that Mayfield has enthusiastically and generously participated in our area Bookcase Project. We will be collecting new and gently-used picture books in February. Each year there is a Literacy Banquet held at DeKalb High School cafeteria. Proceeds from this dinner fund the materials for the bookcases built here in DeKalb County for the project. The 2020 Literacy Banquet will be held on Thursday February 6 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $20. It would be great if we could fill a table. Let Martha know by Friday, January 24 if you would like to attend.
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. Keep an eye out for food bank trucks across the county delivering food. Food Bank gifts can be given in the food bank box or the offering plates.
The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is to live inside that hope. Not admire it from a
distance but live right in it under its roof. (Barbara Kingsolver)