Sunday, January 8 Epiphany and Healing Sunday
- 9:30am CCMC Hybrid Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- Speaker: Suzanne
- Music: Janice and her sister Rita
- 10:45am Sermon discussion
- 12:00pm Potluck
Thursday, January 12
- 7:00pm Bible Study with Shane (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
Sunday, January 15
- 9:30am NSMC Hybrid Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- 10:45am Sermon discussion
–From Anne
IMPORTANT: Retreat RSVP: I need to hear back from you all about retreat! If you are interested in joining on Zoom–if Zoom is available, or in coming in person to Camp Menno Haven, please let Anne know, by email or text as soon as possible!
(Note: we may opt for a Zoom-only retreat, or to not have a retreat at all if enough folks are not planning to be present in person. Time is short! Please indicate your preference when you respond. Thank you!)
Worship planning and leading workshop, Saturday, January 21, to be confirmed
Anne is offering a workshop for exploring worship planning and leading on Saturday, January 21, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, location to be determined, depending on interest. Expect it to include: 1) the elements of worship, 2) tending the “flow” of worship, 3) working with a theme, 4) resources, 5) cultivating a sense of presence and Presence. Please email or text Anne at 847-778-5173 if you are finding some interest!
January 2023 Calendar
January 8: Worship originating at CCMC at 9:30; Epiphany and Healing Sunday, Suzanne speaking, Janice and her sister, Rita, leading music, discussion and potluck to follow.
January 15: Worship originating at NSMC at the Civic Center, Anne or Shane speaking, discussion to follow
January 22: Worship originating at CCMC. Suzanne speaking, discussion to follow.
January 29: Fifth Sunday, worship and service: shared meal preparation for The Haven, a women’s and children’s shelter; service project to be confirmed.
Mennonite Church USA will host its annual Hope for the Future conference Feb. 3-5 in Atlanta. The conference welcomes MC USA-affiliated BIPOC leaders and young adults for a time of networking and mutual edification. Register by Jan. 18. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/hope-for-the-future
Area conference ministers from Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada gathered in San Francisco in early December for renewal, training and collaborative work around a new misconduct accountability and prevention guide. mennoniteusa.org/proposed-misconduct-policies
The topic of money is sensitive and complex. For this reason, church leaders often struggle with how to approach the topic within the church. Michael Danner, the associate executive director for Church Vitality in Mennonite Church USA, offers some insights into how to embrace regularly incorporating financial messages in the church, in his recent article in Leader magazine,” Christians and our money.” mennoniteusa.org/christians-and-our-money
–from Creation Justice Tips | United Methodist Church
What is Your Dream?
“I have a dream… .” Martin Luther King cast his vision for all to see and aspire to. He also worked to bring it about. What is your dream for creation? for justice? How will you work to bring about a healthy, equitable, and inclusive future for all of God’s kin-dom? Read God’s vision: Isaiah 65:17-25.
Imagine Saving the World
Imagine you live in a recreational vehicle (RV). Your water tank holds only 50 gallons. Every time you turn on the water, the noisy electric pump turns on too, sucking up your RV’s battery power. Would you keep the water running while you brush your teeth or rinse the dishes? Would you take long showers? Imagine saving the world.
MCC Thrifty 50 Challenge
Do you want to help our planet but aren’t sure where to start? MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) Thrift is celebrating their 50th anniversary by issuing 50 challenges to help us be more equipped to care for our planet. We’ll include one challenge each week for the next 50 weeks.
Week 31 | Kitchen challenge | Buying bulk items
Kitchen Tip of the Week
–from The Washington Post
Shop more frequently versus in bulk. This may be contrary to what most people do, but as someone who cooks for a living, I have found that shopping weekly for groceries leads to less food waste. Of course, depending on lifestyle and access to grocery stores, this isn’t necessarily possible for everyone. I buy groceries weekly and only buy what I need versus buying in bulk for the month.
(Compare this post with the MCC Thrifty 50 kitchen challenge.)