Sunday, April 23
- 9:30am CCMC Hybrid Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- Speaker: Suzanne
- 10:45am Christian Formation
Thursday, April 27
- 7:00pm Bible Study on Zoom (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
Sunday, April 30
- 9:30am Fifth Sunday Worship Service at both locations
- Speaker: Shane
- Service Project: Stretching, pinning, and knitting comforters for MCC at each location
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, May 6
- 7:30pm Coffee House at CCMC with the musical group “Not Done Yet”
Saturday, May 13
- 8:30am Combined CCMC & NSMC Women’s Breakfast at the Jelly Cafe, 795 W. Dundee Road, Palatine. There is outdoor seating and no RSVP is required.
Gerry has distributed a link to the Congregational Survey 2023 is a followup to our congregational meeting. It is designed to allow more feedback on collaboration with CCMC, worship formats, and Christian Formation. Please complete this 15-minute survey as soon as possible or by Sunday, April 30 at the latest.
If you did not receive the survey link, please contact Gerry or Anne.
Online registration is open for MennoCon23, Mennonite Church USA’s leading faith formation event, in Kansas City (Missouri) Convention Center, July 3-6, 2023. Registration is also open for the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit, July 7, and the Delegate Assembly, July 7-8. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/mennocon23-registration
As part of Mennonite Church USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join: Welcoming EveryBODY” initiative, Jon-Erik (J. E.) Misz, secretary of the Anabaptist Disability Network board of directors, shares about his awareness of the mental health crisis that continues to grow among youth and young adults. Read more of his thoughts here: mennoniteusa.org/telling-whole-story
As part of Mennonite Church USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join: Mass Incarceration” series, Conrad Moore, writes about his experience with the mass incarceration system as a mechanism to enforce the caste system of the U.S. Read more about his experience here: mennoniteusa.org/mass-incarceration-mechanism
Mennonite Church USA is seeking a Director of Archives and Records Management to oversee the accessioning, arrangement, description and preservation of permanent records for MC USA as well as collections of individuals or institutions closely associated with MC USA. Degree in history, archival studies, library science or related field and/or equivalent work experience preferred. View the job description here: mennoniteusa.org/archives-position
–from Creation Justice Ministries 52 Ways to Care for Creation
Ecological Resurrection
Every ecological success is a resurrection story! Find out which animals, plants, or ecosystems have been revived after environmental degradation. For example, the Monterey Bay in California has a wonderful “resurrection” story!
–from Creation Justice Tips | United Methodist Church
What You Do Matters
Never doubt that a few people can make a huge difference. From two people with a concern came the first Earth Day in 1970, which was in the United States. In 2023 over a billion people in 193 countries have caught the vision. What you do matters.
Invest in Renewal
“Invest in Our Planet” is the theme for 2023’s Earth Day. Invest your time, efforts, and resources in renewal of the earth. Change habits that harm; support the work of organizations and companies that are caring for creation and justice; speak truth to those in power; invite family, friends, and colleagues to invest in our planet too.
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.
Editor’s Note: This is a Valentine’s Day post. Keep the tip in mind for next Valentine’s Day.
Week 46 | Show some love to the planet
Roses are red
The ocean is blue
The earth would be better
With less CO2A romantic AND earth-friendly poem
With Valentine’s Day coming up, let’s make this an eco-friendly day. Here are a few ways to turn your celebration of love into an earth-friendly one:
- Eco-friendly cards: Purchase a plantable greeting card made from 100% recycled paper embedded with wildflower seeds. Zero waste and these punny greeting cards from The Good Tee are sure to put a smile on your loved one’s face. Or make your own card using craft supplies from your local MCC Thrift Shop.
- Purchase a potted plant instead of cut flowers: A potted plant lasts longer, helps filter air in your home, provides enjoyment, is economical and is kind to our planet!
- Purchase fair trade chocolates: Enjoying a fair trade box of sweets equals sustainability. How? Companies focused on producing products following fair trade guidelines means they focus on equality, food security, job standards and climate change reduction strategies. Want to learn more about fair trade? Watch Why does fair trade mean sustainable trade?
Kitchen Tip of the Week
–from The Washington Post
BYODB
Bring Your Own Doggy Bag. Yes, this can be a thing and is a thing! In your invite, ask your guests to bring their own baggy or container to take leftovers home. That minimizes the need for additional containers or single-use packaging.