All around us the palette of fall is here. There are the yellows and golds of ripening fields of soybeans. Brilliant oranges abide in roadside piles of pumpkins. Leaf colors vary widely among bronze, purple, brown, gold, yellow, orange, and red. But there is no better showcase of the breadth of fall colors than the march of the mums, rich and diverse in hue. Enjoy it all!

Better Together

Our children’s fall unit on diversity, “Better Together” continues. Thank you to the gardening diversity of last week – the Scotts with their chaotic and provoking fall vegetables and Sue with her update on Walnut Grove and their horticultural and agricultural program with adults of many abilities and disabilities. Tomorrow, we begin on the labyrinth at 9:00 am. Always the labyrinth has a wide welcome for walkers of every age and experience. Come and join us.  In worship, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will drop in with a few words via her new book, Just Ask. After worship, Randy, by way of the film he made on the Penguin Project a few years back, will talk about what happened for him and his film students through the production of this film.  Film making, like gardening and storytelling is another artistic container for engagement with diversity. And don’t forget to watch how the art piece on diversity in the sanctuary changes and grows from week to week with the addition of new pieces from Roger and Becky.

Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk – 9 am – Sunday, September 29 – walkers of all ages who have walked before or not are welcome!

Peanut Butter Drive is Wrapping Up

As of last Sunday we had 98 jars of peanut butter. How far beyond 100 can we get by the time our drive ends on Sunday, October 6? Thank you to Cary for her delightful report on the best peanut butter deals at numerous markets from week to week. Our peanut butter will be delivered to the Northern Illinois Food Bank along with general financial contributions to the food bank through the food bank box or the offering plate.  Thanks for your support.

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. Please use the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area to indicate if you will be coming.

Also on Thursday, October 10 – National Walk To a Park Day

The Trust for Public Lands and AllTrails is encouraging us to walk to a park, or perhaps a trail, a forest preserve, a corner of our yard, open space in our neighborhood, or a beautiful country road, to relish in the outside on this day. How many different places might we walk on October 10?

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 and Nelle, who will be responsible for some of the music. Raffle tickets for the quilt will be available again this Sunday and will be sold through Friday, October 4. They are $10 each. It is hoped 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 – How You Can Help

• Mark your calendars to attend and invite friends and family members to join you.
• Get advance tickets to sell from Dawn or Angie. $8 for ages 10 and up; $4 for ages 4-9.  Tickets are available at church too.
• Indicate on the sign-up sheets when and how you can help.
• Bake for the Mayfield Fellowship’s Bake Table.
• Bring Attic Treasures for the Mayfield Fellowship. Proceeds from baked goods and treasures are given away to area projects in December.
• Remember that whole hog sausage, patties and bulk, is available for sale at Mayfield year round.
• Contribute to the processing costs for this fall’s hogs.

Mayfield will be 119 years old next month.  After worship on October 20, Becky and Theresa will serve an anniversary brunch.  Watch for your Anniversary Mailing in October.

Reminder – Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk – 9 am – tomorrow, Sunday, September 29 – walkers of all ages who have walked before or not are welcome!