Happenings
Saturday Soup Kettle
Each Saturday volunteers host a meal for those in need. Volunteers are always needed to serve during the meal, prepare food, clean up or coordinate materials in preparation for the day. If you are interested in volunteering, please email office@hacob.org.
One Earth, Once Chance: A Conversation for Care for Creation
We're looking forward to our special district creation care event next Saturday, April 27, at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin (783 W. Highland Ave.), and we hope you can join us! It will include a keynote address, mini-workshop breakout sessions, a book/resource table from Brethren Press, and light refreshments. In addition to the in-person event, a virtual option will also be available (SEE LINKS BELOW). The keynote and "Option 1" workshops will take place in the sanctuary and will be livestreamed via YouTube. The "Option 2" workshops will be held in the library or can be joined via Zoom. The event will run from 10am-12:15pm. There is no charge for this event, and all are welcome. Mark your calendars, and watch for additional updates!
David Radcliff of New Community Project (NCP) will be the keynote presenter, on the theme "One Earth, One Chance." NCP is a non-profit with Brethren connections that works primarily in the areas of environmental sustainability and social justice issues.
Join the keynote in person or virtually via YouTube livestream:
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Following the opening and David's keynote presentation from 10-11 a.m., several breakout sessions will be available, as follows:
11:10am-11:40am - Option 1: "Continuing the Conversation" Q & A with David and discussion of how to change course as our "planetary ship" heads for a collision with the bridge into a livable future.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via YouTube livestream (the stream will run continuously following the keynote):
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Option 2: "Eco-Discipleship and Compassion Fatigue" led by Randall Westfall (Camp Emmaus manager) and Jonathan Stauffer (Polo): We all have experienced compassion fatigue as it relates to our care for creation practices. In this session we’ll explore how Biblical kinship with Christ and Creation holds the key for reframing our understanding of the current environmental crisis.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via Zoom: Please contact the office for Zoom credentials.
11:45am-12:15pm - Option 1: "Growing a Green Team," with the Highland Avenue's own 'Green Team": How can your congregation respond to creation care issues and take meaningful action? Highland Avenue's 'Green Team' will share some of their ideas and the approaches they've been taking.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via YouTube livestream (the stream will run continuously following the keynote):
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren - YouTube.
Then click on “Live” and “Latest”
Option 2: "Eco-Blueprint Praxes for Healing" with Randall Westfall and Jonathan Stauffer: In this session, we’ll follow up from session 1 with deep creation connection practices that will move us deeper into the 4 stages of creation connection. Each of these regenerative practices/disciplines will restore us to our original design in God’s Eco-Blueprint and revive the spirit in the face of compassion fatigue.
Join this workshop in person or virtually via Zoom (the Zoom link will stay open from the first workshop, so you do not need to rejoin if already on): Please contact the office for Zoom credentials.
Coffee House
After many years of presenting some of the finest folk singers in the country, the Highland Avenue Coffeehouse on April 5 is featuring its own gifted musicians. This small church has a disproportionate number of talented singers and instrumentalists.
Jonathan Shively, singer, pianist, guitar player, and songwriter — a gifted and versatile musician who is also the church’s choir director — will sing many of his own compositions. Peg Lehman’s heartfelt songs will include covers as well as her own pieces and collaborations with Shively. Now retired, Lehman performed for more than 40 years at many different venues including Ravinia’s artist-in-residence programs, and several hundred schools.
Then there will be Nancy Miner who for more than 30 years accompanied the Highland Avenue choir and has played in countless services and accompanied many student soloists. Her choice of music, her light touch, and her precision on the keys have made her one of the congregation’s treasured assets.
PennyLou Walbridge will add her lovely flute to the evening’s music, and Walbridge and Miner will collaborate on several pieces. Matt Bohrer, Noelle Dulabaum-Bohrer, and their company of musicians will bring a country music flair. And the audience will sample the virtuosity of Ryan Kellerman on clarinet.
What a lineup! In the past, people have come to the Highland Avenue Coffeehouse to hear folk musicians from somewhere else. On Friday, April 5, people will get a taste of the musicians right here in our own backyard at 7 p.m.
The Highland Avenue Coffeehouse offers folk music, light refreshments, and friendly people. The programs are open to the community in the fellowship hall of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. There is no cover charge; donations are appreciated. For information, call (847) 741-5124 or go to www.hacob.org. —— James Lehman
Easter Sunday Worship
Join us for Easter Sunday Worship followed by Sunday School and then an Easter Egg hunt for children ages preschool through fifth grade. Our middle high and senior high youth will help hide the eggs! Bring your own basket and invite your family members to join us for this joyous celebration.
Maundy Thursday Love Feast
Join us for a traditional Love Feast meal and feetwashing to lead into Easter Weekend.
Lunch Bunch
Mark your calendar now for March 17 and plan to join the “Lunch Bunch” after Sunday School. Prior to COVID, the Connections Team would select a lower-cost restaurant for anyone who wished to would gather after Sunday School at that restaurant, order what they wanted and pay for their own meal. On March 17, we will sit together and socialize while we dine. We’ll announce the restaurant in a couple weeks.
Men’s Breakfast
This group meets at 8:00 am in the Fellowship Room. Bring Your Own Breakfast.
Women's Group - Gifted Hands and Sacred Stories (Copy)
All women are invited to meet at 6:30 pm in the Lounge for sharing and fellowship. If you are new and wish to join us, please email office@hacob.org to let us know you plan to attend so we can unlock the door for you.
Men’s Breakfast
This group meets at 8:00 am in the Fellowship Room. Bring Your Own Breakfast.
Women's Group - Gifted Hands and Sacred Stories
All women are invited to meet at 6:30 pm in the Lounge for sharing and fellowship. If you are new and wish to join us, please email office@hacob.org to let us know you plan to attend so we can unlock the door for you.