Oct. 19, 2009 issue
Sending, welcoming
Chicago Community Mennonite Church
By Mallory K. DigninWith lawn chairs and potluck dishes to share, our urban congregation trekked July 26 to Indiana Dunes State Park to spend time in the beauty of nature, an annual tradition.
The outdoor worship service allowed us to take in the wooded landscape, while the afternoon of fellowship and play gave us time to enjoy refreshing Lake Michigan, sandy landscapes and the warm weather for swimming, frisbee and conversation. At the end of the day we were physically tired but spiritually refreshed.
This summer was marked by sending and welcoming. We sent our pastor, Megan Ramer, on a three-month sabbatical on Aug. 9. While her presence and leadership will be missed, we will spend the time apart exploring different ways to rest and worship, both for Pastor Ramer and the congregation. We had the sorrow of parting with several other members of our community that day — Jon Zirkle and Erin McGuire, Jon Hood and Jeremy Key (to attend Bluffton University).
In the midst of our farewells, we had the joy of welcoming Shin Yee Tan to our community through baptism. Coming from a Buddhist home in Malaysia, the decision to be baptized into the Mennonite church was not an easy one for Shin Yee. She has always valued community and peacemaking, she said, which make the Mennonite church a good home for her. CCMC also welcomed Ross Bay, Megan Sohar and Jody Schmidt by membership transfer this summer.
Birth: Eleanor Verna, June 24, to Mark Frey and Sara Reschly.
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