The seeds of the season are all around us, a quiet and generous abundance to provide for next year’s growth.

Unclouded Days – the DeKalb Festival Chorus and the Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra

This spirited performance will take place at the First Lutheran Church, 324 N. 3^rd Street, DeKalb at 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 16. Jen leads the Wild Blue Ukelele Orchestra and its players include Jen, Sophia, Carolyn, and others. There is no charge for the performance, but donations will be welcome.

Labyrinth Walk – Sunday, November 17 – 9 am

Our next intergenerational labyrinth walk will occur at 9 am this Sunday, November 17. Come walkers of all ages and walk again or for the first time.

United Church of Christ Thank Offering

We are currently collecting gifts for the UCC Thank Offering. This is a noisy offering as we will toss our gifts (change, bills, and checks) into a loud metal pail on 11/24. The Thank Offering has its roots in the women’s groups of the Congregational Church in the 19^th century. Whenever these groups met, women contributed a few cents (They were known as Cent Societies). Over time these collections funded both local congregations and bold mission efforts. According to the UCC, the modern day Thank Offering (also known as Strengthen The Church Offering) “helps the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities.”

Stewardship Mailing

Watch your mailbox this coming week for the annual stewardship mailing.

Looking Ahead to December

During Advent, December 1-24 this year, we will Dwell in Hope, and open a liturgical year that will focus on hope. Several features of the season will include:

• Toys for Tots: (1) We are again bringing in unwrapped gifts for adolescents: toiletry items, small electronics, hats and mittens, sports equipment, sports team clothing, games.  Please have those gifts to church by December 15.  (2) We will be making bags for our wrapping day after worship on December 1, 8, and 15. Your help will be appreciated.  (3)  Wrapping day at the Salvation Army will be Wednesday, December 18, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. See Dawn if you can help.
• The Mayfield Fellowship Meeting will be at Toma and Duane’s on Thursday, December 12. The meeting will begin at noon. You are invited to bring a dish for our holiday potluck and new or gently used board books for the Children’s Waiting Room at the courthouse. Meeting highlights will also include the Twelve Days of Christmas, decisions about 2019 gifts for agencies and programs in DeKalb County, and a holiday story. Use the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area to let us know you are coming.
• December Intergenerational Labyrinth Walks will be on December 8th and 22nd at 9:00 am. On the way to Bethlehem, come and walk this ancient prayer path with us.

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is live inside that hope.  Not admire it from a
distance but live right in it under its roof.  (Barbara Kingsolver)

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. Food Bank gifts can be given in the food bank box or the offering plates.