There is quite a bit of famous public art in Chicago including works by Chagall, Miro, and Picasso. The work above is not famous but it seems so appropriate for this July 4th holiday time.  It is painted on the Melrose side of Nettelhorst School (Chicago Public Schools) in the East Lakeview neighborhood of the city. This is a holiday when we wisely ponder the many ways by which a broadly diverse group of us are better together than we are alone or only with those who appear to be just like us. It is also an apt expression for one of the central truths of the communion table in the Christian tradition.

The Gift of Many Voices

Worship in June 2019 featured a handful of voices in addition to Martha’s. One June 9, Lars touched many of us with his confirmation reflection. Tyler put together the service on June 16 with a rich reflection on the wisdom of music. Becky shared a story of life with her mom in her dementia journey as part of the message on June 23. And finally, Diana enriched the June 30th message with a beautiful story of courage, creativity, and justice passed from successive teachers to students in recent years. Thank you all.

A Summer Day in the Woods

And a good time was had by all last Saturday, June 29 at Russell Woods Forest Preserve. We ranged in age from Winnie up to Ann W, and Joyce and Roger with a number of the rest of us in between. We enjoyed one another’s company, a delicious meal, and rousing rounds of pollinator bingo. Thanks are especially extended to Dawn for organizing the meal and to Peggy for overseeing everything that needed to happen for us to have a welcoming space there and for creating pollinator bingo. It was clearly a winner.

Thank You for Your Generosity

Recently two checks were sent to The A. Jean Brugger Foundation (Mother’s Day Offering) for $445 and to Hearts to Art (Father’s Day Offering) for $440. So many wonderful women and men were remembered and honored as we gathered in these annual special offerings. Next week’s memo will contain information on our July mission outreach.

Cliffton Needs Lincoln Pennies

Cliffton is attending an international scouting event in mid-July and is collecting lots of 2019 Lincoln pennies. The young men at this event exchange small tokens of their home area. Lincoln pennies are certainly appropriate for Illinois. If you have any 2019 pennies, please bring them to church in the next few weeks. You can donate them or trade your 2019 pennies for pennies from other years in the penny jar in the Gathering Area.

Invitations from Members of the Congregation to All of Us

Kirkland Queen Contest:   The Queen Contest at the 71st consecutive Kirkland Lion’s Club Fourth of July celebration will be held on Wednesday night, July 3, 7 pm, at Franklin Township Park, 290 South Street. Emma Carlson is one of the queen candidates, and we are all invited to attend to support her.

Mitch Doty’s Graduation Party:  An Open House is scheduled at Mitch and Peggy’s Saturday, July 6 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. They live in Sycamore. Please RSVP by texting Peggy.

An Afternoon at the Farm:  Heather Heinrich and her family would love to have you come to their farm in Sycamore on Sunday afternoon, July 7, beginning at 3:00 pm. You are welcome to bring a dish to share if you would like, but it sounds like there is going to be plenty of food even if you don’t.  Heather and her three children first came to Mayfield with several sacks of plastic caps from the UCC church in Somonauk back in the winter of 2018. We are very glad they have become active in the congregation.

Looking Ahead – July Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk

Our July intergenerational labyrinth walk will be held on Sunday, July 21 at 9 am. Walkers of all ages are encouraged to join us.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Remember, our support of the Northern Illinois Food Bank is ongoing. Gifts can be given at any time by way of the offering plate or food bank box.

Regarding Plastic Caps

We have more than enough plastic caps to pass onto the UCC in Granville for their bench project. No more caps are needed at Mayfield. If anyone knows of another organization collecting caps, give us that information so we will have a new outlet for the caps we have grown used to saving.