Christmas Black Light Puppet Show at First Norwood Mennonite Church

It’s that time of year… First Norwood Mennonite Church will host their annual Christmas Black Light Puppet Show. This year they have songs from the 50’s to the 80’s. Come and see the Christmas Story told by Granddad. Bring your winter coat because it just might snow inside! “Chomp” the flying shark just might make an appearance as well.

When: Saturday December 16
Where: First Norwood Mennonite Church
Time: 7:00pm
Freewill offering at the door
Bring your friends! This show is for everyone!

Refreshments at Intermission in the Fellowship Hall

Year-End Giving 2017

 

 As we enter this season of giving…

…please consider a gift to Illinois Mennonite Conference.

In 2017, Illinois Mennonite Conference supported Pastors and Congregations through;

  • Leading two Healthy Boundaries training events for credentialed pastors leaders.
  • Assisting congregations as they seek for pastoral leadership.
  • Supporting congregations as they journey through seasons of conflict.
  • Coaching pastors as they seek to lead their congregations into mission.
  • Teaching seminars on engaging your neighbors with the good news of Jesus.
  • Leading sixteen Pastor Peer gatherings across the state.
  • Connecting with 25 Congregations on Sunday morning to share the vision of IMC and support the missional vision of each congregation!
  • Connecting to over 65 pastors in various contexts.
  • Credentialing new pastors.
  • and more…

Through the work of lay leaders and staff, Illinois Mennonite Conference continues to support local Mennonite congregations in all aspects of their ministry!
There are two ways to make a tax-deductible contribution to IMC before the end of the year.
  • Make a check out to “Illinois Mennonite Conference” and mail to P O Box 3, Tremont, IL  61568
  • Donate online using the donate link below.
Donate Now

Please forward this email to others you believe may be interested in supporting IMC!

To discuss alternate ways to contribute financially to the ministry of IMC through planned giving, please email Brian Veeder.

Church Spotlight: Cazenovia Mennonite Church

The following is a snapshot of congregational life at Cazenovia Mennonite Church of Cazenovia, IL  provided by Susie Jauch. If you would like more information on news shared here, please contact the congregation directly. We’re sure they’d love to hear from you.

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Cazenovia Mennonite Church
We began our service on Oct. 1 by having communion.
This was World Communion Sunday so it was a good feeling to know that others in the world were also celebrating communion.

Women’s Fellowship was held on Oct. 2. This was the first meeting of the season so we organized activities we will be doing during the year.

October was Pastor Appreciation Month, but we celebrated it on Nov. 5. We enjoyed a potluck lunch after church. We had two bushel baskets, one for Dennis Kennell and one for Nelda Kennell. Each of us put a little something in each basket to show our appreciation for everything they have done for us over the year.

On September 25, the Mission Task Force distributed funds as follows: $1,000.00 to Menno Haven, $1,000.00 to Gospel for Asia, and $1,000.00 to Christian Farmers. In their October Meeting, they sent $1,000.00 to Nathan and Cydil Waggoner representing World Gospel Mission.

November is Mission Month. We are focusing on orphanages this year. On Nov. 5 Linda Schrock spoke of an orphanage in Mexico operated by Jeanie Fries.  We focused on Tanzania Nov. 12.

Seasons of Life
Deaths
Eldon Kennell, September 7

Menno Haven Winter Retreats

Who is excited for Winter Retreats? We are!!! We can’t wait to see you! 6 weeks until Young Adult Winter Retreat (January 5-7), 7 weeks until High School Winter Retreat (January 12-14) and 8 weeks until Junior High Winter Retreat (January 19-21).

Register by Wednesday Dec 20 (4 weeks from today!) to save $5/person.

For more information, registration forms or to register online, click here. http://www.mennohaven.com/winter-retreats1

Hungry World Farm Vision is Taking Root

by Cal Zehr

Brandie and Cal milled some organic corn to make some awesome tasting cornbread

The Hungry World Farm vision is taking root and we the volunteer leaders continue to need your help:
• To refine the vision.
• To take care of the Farm with clean up and upgrades.
• Funding.
• Special projects.

With funding:
The Plow Creek Farmers put together a good package of equipment for $21,325.00.
Plow Creek would like payment on December 1, if possible. (About half of the
$21,325 is promised to the Hungry World Farm, but because of the timing we will not
have those funds available by December 1.)
So we could possibly get a line of credit or loan from a bank.
Or can you help us with this next step?
• Individuals could offer loans or no interest loans.
• Donations could cover the equipment. (Send a check to HWF, PO Box 386, Tiskilwa, IL 61368, or donate through Paypal on our website, www.hungryworldfarm.com, or Facebook.)

For new Hungry World Farm projects, we need:
• Moldboard plowing about 4 or 5 acres this fall.
• 10 pallets.
• Site preparation for a greenhouse which includes plowing and leveling work as well as placing and setting foundation sleeves.
• Workers for a “barn raising” – in this case a greenhouse raising.
• Extending a buried water line.

Please let us know if you have ways to respond to some of these next steps as Hungry World Farm moves forward.

Great news – On November 14, the IRS approved the nonprofit/501c3 status! The letter arrived in Tiskilwa on November 20.

We are deeply appreciative of your interest and support!
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Cal Zehr, Dennis Zehr, Andy Krabill and Brandie Lanier
The Hungry World Farm Steering Committee – hungryworldfarm@gmail.com

P.S. The Steering Committee is working on the first fundraiser to ask for gifts. The title is “Seeds to Sow,” which will be communicated to Hungry World Farm Friends beginning on November 29. This fundraiser is for start up costs, the first farmer salary and expenditures to get the first growing season going.

Eric Potter Licensing Service at Metamora Mennonite Church

Metamora, IL – On Sunday, November 26, Metamora Mennonite Church celebrated Eric Potter’s licensing towards ordination. The licensing service was led by Conference Executive Minister, Michael Danner and Associate Pastor Jon Byler. Eric was licensed toward ordination on Aug. 31, 2017.

Calling leaders into ordained ministry is an important part of leadership development in the church. As a conference, we celebrate both Eric’s responsiveness to God’s call and Metamora Mennonite’s commitment to those entering into ordained ministry.

May God bless Eric and Metamora Mennonite as they journey together.

 

Debra Sutter is ordained at First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana

Debra Sutter was ordained on November 17, 2017

From left to right: Doug Roth (Chair of the Church Life Team of Illinois Mennonite Conference), Doug Luginbill, Debra Sutter and Deb’s husband Tom Sutter.

From left to right: Doug Luginbill, Michael Crosby, Debra Sutter, Jane Roeschley, Doug Roth.

From left to right: Jane Roeschley and Debra Sutter. (Jane Roeschley served as Deb’s mentor and preached the sermon entitled, “God’s Heart; A Hymn” based on Philippians 1:1-9 and John 15:9-17)

Laying on of hands.