New life abounds here and now. This week Peggy spotted a baby snapping turtle who crossed her path and also started counting monarch caterpillars in the milkweed patch at her home. All sorts of creatures are busy around us as new generations come into being.

Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday: This Sunday we will celebrate Lars confirmation on Pentecost. You won’t want to miss his confirmation reflection in worship. So many of you have shared the wisdom gathered along the way of his journey during the past year. One of the prominent symbols of Pentecost is fire. This is a day when you are encouraged to wear flame colors to church – red, yellow, and orange. The Deacons have planned a tasty refreshment time after worship.

An Invitation from the Farm Bureau – 1:45 pm – Friday, June 7, 2019 – free – public encouraged to attend – a showing of the movie Food Evolution – Rhodora gives it a strong thumbs up.

“Amongst all this conflict and confusion around food, how do we make the best decisions about how we feed ourselves? Watch the exciting documentary, Food Evolution, encouraging science-based decisions about our food. Afterwards, stay for a discussion with industry professionals.”

Mayfield Fellowship Meeting, June 13, noon, DeKalb County History Center. $20 will cover your lunch and your tour cost which includes the traveling Smithsonian exhibition, “Crossroads:  Change in Rural America.” The sign-up sheet and further information will be available in the Gathering Area Sunday. On the sheet, indicate if you are coming and what your sandwich choice is. If you have any questions, check in with Wilma about this program.

Our Father’s Day Offering – June 16, 2019

This year’s offering will benefit the Hearts to Art Camp.  In its 15th year, this interdisciplinary arts camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent serves the broad Chicago area. This year they are especially seeking funds to help cover the additional costs of making their snacks more nutritional. What costs the least does not often offer the best nutrition. Martha’s daughter Molly is currently the assistant director of the camp. A copy of the sheet for you to indicate the men you are remembering or honoring is attached to this email. $5 is requested for each name given.  Please return the names and your gifts to Martha by the end of the day on Wednesday, June 12, so a complete list of names can be prepared for the June 16th bulletin. Thank you.

June Council Meeting – Wednesday, June 19 – 6:30 pm

Soap Suds for the Monarchs

Our annual car wash to benefit the Monarch Waystation, staffed by our children and several adult helpers, will take place on Sunday, June 23. You will have the opportunity to leave after church with a clean vehicle and to give a free will gift for the maintenance of the Waystation. Thanks to Dawn and John for coordinating this event.

A Summer Day in the Woods – for members and friends of Mayfield will be held at Russell Woods, Saturday June 29. We will share a potluck meal at 1 pm in the nature center. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share as well your place setting (we will have mugs and glasses there). Meat, cold drinks, and coffee will be provided. You are welcome to come out to Russell Woods earlier in the day if you would like and to invite others to join us. And if you are going to canoe or kayak to the forest preserve, there is a place at Russell Woods where you can easily get out of the river. There is plenty of eating and conversation space in the nature center and lots for people of all ages to do inside the building and outside. On the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area, please indicate you are coming, how many are in your group, and what you will be bringing. Thank you to the Council for organizing this summer outdoor event.

Remember, we are saving plastic caps for the Granville UCC. Bring them to church in coming weeks. Becky will deliver them on our behalf to the Granville church.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Our continued support of the Northern Illinois Food Bank is crucial. Donations for the Northern Illinois Food Bank can be given by way of the offering plate or the food bank box. Don’t forget that the Food Bank is an active partner with DeKalb County Community Gardens.

Check out the Daily Chronicle story, “Riding the Wave” on the bulletin board.

It is all about the ukulele’s rise in popularity and the Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra under the direction of Jen.

Thank you to our many gardeners and lawn care people in the Waystation, the Gravel Garden, and all around the church. In spite of less than ideal spring weather, our land looks inviting, beautiful, and well cared for.