Sunday, November 12
- 9:30am CCMC Hybrid Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- 11:30am-1:30pm Viewing of documentary “Traces of the Trade” at First Presbyterian Church, Libertyville (see Google map)
Thursday, November 16
- 7:00pm Zoom Bible Study with Shane (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
Sunday, November 19
- 9:30am NSMC Worship at Munley home, 329 Dunbar Rd, Mundelein
- Please note: there will not be a worship service at the Civic Center
Mark your calendar! We are invited to an Advent Beer and Hymn Sing on Friday, December 1, 7:00-9:00pm. The address is 1528 W Farwell in Chicago (see Google map). Patty Peebles welcomes all harmonizing people or anyone who just likes to sing. It will be a fun evening of singing and refreshments. Bring a drink and a snack to share (beer, wine, kombucha, juice…whatever).
Our November 19 worship service will be at the Munley home, 329 Dunbar Road, in Mundelein. There will not be a worship service at the Civic Center.
From Richard Blackburn–
I’m inviting you to join us for a free webinar about “The Christmas Story in Art” that I’m leading, Wednesday, November 29 at 7:00 pm CST or Thursday, November 30, 1:00pm CST. Use this link to: Sign up for the webinar.
The story of God’s incarnation in Christ has inspired artists throughout the history of the church. The slide-illustrated webinar will reflect on images of “Christ’s Nativity,” “The Annunciation to the Shepherds,” and “The Adoration of the Shepherds” as represented in the great art of the past.
The emphasis will be to highlight how those artistic themes evolved, both in the Eastern Orthodox and Western churches. The presentation will illustrate how the Christmas story has been interpreted by artists from the Early Christian and Medieval eras, through the Renaissance and the Baroque period.
Join us for this artistically rich survey of how artists have expressed their faith as they depict the key episodes surrounding the birth of Jesus. The hope is that meditating on such images can enrich your own celebration of the coming of the Christ Child during this Advent Season.
Shelley Buller, executive assistant to the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, has announced her plans to retire at the end of 2023, after 46 years of dedicated service to the denomination. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/shelley-buller-retire
Open enrollment for 2024 for The Corinthian Plan begins Nov. 1, 2023. The Corinthian Plan is a self-funded, healthcare plan for Mennonite Church USA pastors and church workers. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/tcp
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster (Pennsylvania)worked with a local artist to create a public mural that represents their community’s history and diversity. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/beauty-of-earth
Joel Shenk, pastor of Toledo (Ohio) Mennonite Church, describes how he learned blacksmithing as part of his personal peace witness and how his conference and congregation have joined him in this work. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/peace-witness-anvil
–from Creation Justice Ministries 52 Ways to Care for Creation
Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, spend time learning about the indigenous history and the traditional ecological knowledge where you live. Begin your Thanksgiving meal with a land acknowledgment of gratitude.
–from Creation Justice Tips | United Methodist Church
Be an Advocate for Renewables
With the gain in wind, solar, and other renewables, the evidence is clear that stopping the fossil fuel industry is both possible and essential. Along with your individual actions, advocate for systems change. Add your voice to the public pressure and momentum needed now. Don’t delay.
Choose Aluminum Over Plastic
Choose aluminum cans over plastic bottles. Plastic can be successfully recycled just once or twice, and only 3–6% of plastic that makes it to the recycling bin is truly recycled. On the other hand, aluminum can be recycled infinitely—as long as you put the can into the recycle bin.
–from the Sierra Club
100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet
- Encourage political candidates who embrace carbon-emission reductions through personal, corporate, and government policy.
- Divest your savings from fossil fuels. Ask your financial managers about sustainable investing, or socially responsible investing. Morningstar provides information. I (Jane at Sierra Club) divested my inheritance in 2010; haven’t lost money yet.
–from Ecocation
50 Ways to Save the Planet
- Encourage your family and friends to conserve.
- Put pressure on politicians & vote green.