Sunday, April 30
- 9:30am NSMC Fifth Sunday Worship Service
- Speaker: Shane
- Service Project: Stretching, pinning, and knitting comforters for MCC at each location
- Linda has pieced 5 comforters that both congregations will stretch and pin at both congregations. The work of many hands will speed the completion of these comforters. Kathryn will lead the process at CCMC; Linda and Karen N. will guide us at NSMC. We will not have Christian Formation but will work together instead. Shane and Suzanne will connect NSMC and CCMC on Zoom during that time using their phones.
Tuesday, May 2
- 7:00pm ARCC meeting (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- The topic for discussion will be the options available for electricity service through ComEd. Gerry will lead the discussion on ComEd hourly pricing, rebates and discounts offered, and the Clean Choice Energy program. We will also discuss how to reduce our summer A/C costs.
Thursday, May 4
- 7:00pm Bible Study on Zoom (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
Saturday, May 6
- 7:30pm Coffee House at CCMC with the musical group “Not Done Yet”
Sunday, May 7
- 9:30am NSMC Hybrid Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- Speaker: Anne
- Communion
- 10:45am Christian Formation: Lesson 7 in Living More With Less
- 12:00pm Potluck
LOOKING AHEAD
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 this Sunday, April 30 at the latest.
If you did not receive the survey link, please contact Gerry or Anne.
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
A spiritual practice can be as simple as praying with beads. Shirley Yoder Brubaker, a retired pastor and educator, and member of Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia uses the concept of the Catholic rosary as a form of Anabaptist prayer beads. Read more of her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/praying-with-beads
–from Creation Justice Ministries 52 Ways to Care for Creation
Earth Day Reflection
This earth day, take a moment to reflect on this proverb: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we have borrowed it from our children.”
–from Creation Justice Tips | United Methodist Church
Put Your Financial Resources to Work
Divest for the sake of our planet. Scrutinize where your financial resources are at work. Are they supporting fossil fuels? Are your go-to suppliers of goods and services doing harm through your purchases. Look for local to cut down emissions; look for Certified B Corp companies that give back to helping the planet. It’s your money—make it good!
Join the Petition for Clean Air
Stop the soot! For many people the air is visibly polluted—and harming their health. United Women in Faith are speaking out for earth and justice. Sign their petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the work to clear the air. Your voice counts for justice.
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 47 | Energy-saving tips for laundry
I have to admit that laundry is probably one of my favourite household chores to do. There’s something satisfying about hanging up freshly washed laundry or folding a load of warm, just-out-of-the-dryer towels.
For the last four weeks of our Thrifty 50 Challenge, we’re going to focus on making laundry more eco-friendly.
Here are some energy-saving tips that will help you save a bit of cash on your monthly utility bill and be kind to our planet:
- Dry without using your dryer: For smaller or delicate items, depending on where you live, set up a clothesline outside or drying rack inside to dry your clothes and reduce your dryer energy consumption. Your local MCC Thrift shop is a great place to look for these items.
- Clean your dryer lint trap: When you need to use your dryer for bulkier items like bedding and towels, make sure you clean your lint trap out. This will help your dryer run as efficiently as possible and help prevent fires from starting. Extra tip: Break out your vacuum and use your smallest attachment head to really get your lint trap clean.
- Wash clothes in cold water: Washing your clothes in cold water can help save money on your utility bill by reducing the amount of energy you use. Plus, cold water helps to prevent shrinking and fading, prolonging the life of your clothes. AND cold water can make your clothes less-wrinkly, saving you time from ironing.
Kitchen Tip of the Week
–from The Washington Post
Set up a DIY bar
Rather than purchasing several bottles or cans for drinks, set up a do-it-yourself cocktail/mocktail table. Lay out liquors, mixers and juices in large bottles/pitchers with accompanying mix-ins and bar equipment. That minimizes the recyclables at the end of your party and allows for guests to get creative with their drinks. I love including any leftover citrus rinds that I have from cooking to be muddled up into a favorite drink.