Covenanting Together at LMC
Katharine Richert
On November 15, Lombard Mennonite Church will celebrate its 15th Covenant Sunday, a time to give thanks for our community and renew our commitment to following Jesus together.
Our annual covenant invites us to live out our faith through love, hope, justice, peace, and care for our neighbors. Covenanting doesn’t mean we always agree; it means choosing to walk together, grounded in shared values and mutual respect.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus modeled the importance of community. He called the twelve disciples, shared meals with them, and empowered them for ministry. The early church continued this pattern, demonstrating that following Jesus is not something we do alone.
As Sharon Ewert wrote in the November 2020 Vital Signs: “If we are, in fact, the body of Christ, then how we worship together, how we care for each other, how we serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world are all a part of being the church. To be that body together requires commitment from all of us to God and to a local visible community. This is the essence of our covenanting together.”
Covenant Sunday reminds us that being the church means continuing to choose one another as we seek to follow Jesus and live out our faith together.
In This Issue
Financial Update
Eric Nelessen
Hi friends. I want to start by thanking you all for your financial support of our church so far this year. Together we have raised almost $309,700 for LMC’s ministry and mission in 2026!
As of October 30, expenses exceed income by $8,450. We are slightly in the red, but not insurmountably so.
We still have around $97,000 in expenses to pay in 2026. To end our fiscal year in the black (income equal to or exceeding expenses), we would need to receive around $105,450 in General Fund contributions by December 31.
Many people make annual contributions, including qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from an IRA, in December at the end of the year. If this is your practice, would you prayerfully consider making your contribution a bit earlier than usual this year? This would be a great help to the church, allowing us to pay our bills and make our committed mission contributions in a timely manner.
As always, please let me know if you have any specific questions or if there is anything I can clarify for you. Thank you again for your generosity and support of LMC’s ministry and mission!
Project & Loss as of October 30, 2026
| General Fund Giving | $309,675 |
| Other Income | $11,063 |
| Total Revenue | $320,738 |
| Total Expenses | -$329,188 |
| Net Income | -$8,450 |
October Renovation Report
Jeremy Kropf
Work has slowed down for a few weeks as we addressed plan revisions in response to the Village review, but the project should be moving forward again soon. During this pause, we applied a durable new coating to the electrical and boiler rooms floors and the downstairs children’s bathroom. Earlier this week, we installed the replacement baseboard radiators. We have heat again and just in time.
The major remaining work before we can fully return to the classrooms includes drywall installation, painting, and carpeting. Our goal is to have the walls rebuilt and new carpet installed before the MYF and Venture Club lock ins in early December. Door replacements and trim updates will take a bit longer, but this work should not be disruptive.
I’m grateful to everyone who helped prepare for the two events over the weekend. This continues the ongoing effort to relocate classroom items to accommodate construction while allowing us to continue using the building.We may need to do this once or twice more—first for drywall work and again for carpeting.
What about the parking lot?
We have postponed parking lot reconstruction until spring. Planning for this work will resume once the education wing renovation is further along.
What about energy projects?
As part of our energy improvements, we are replacing three older exit doors with better-insulated units. We also plan to waterproof and insulate the education wing foundations when replacing the deteriorated drain tile. This work is complicated by the masonry columns along Madison Street, so we will need an engineering firm to take on the planning.
In 2027, likely after the parking lot is rebuilt, we expect to resume discussions about exterior insulation. Decisions in that area will guide how we upgrade sanctuary and classroom windows.
Mission Grant for Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center
Lyle Bohnert
Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center has now passed the 60-year mark. For more than six decades, Menno Haven has provided a place to share the good news of Jesus’ salvation and model Christian service and spiritual renewal.
Menno Haven began as a summer outreach ministry for youth. Since then, it has expanded to offer year-round programming for youth and adults. It also provides a set-aside place where people can experience God’s world in a camp and retreat setting. Summer youth camps remain the focus during June and July.
Menno Haven continues to explore and develop new camping programs. A Family Camp in late May offers families time to weave structured activities and free time into their camping experience. Families can include individuals, couples, and even neighbors, as well as parents with children.
Another newer program, Grand Camp, takes place in late July. It gives grandparents and grandchildren opportunities to create sacred memories, strengthen their bonds, and nurture faith in future generations. If you are a grandparent, consider adding this event to your “To Do” list for 2027!
Menno Haven’s Women’s Retreat weekend has grown in popularity over the past few years. This structured weekend features a guest worship leader, a Bible teacher, four teaching sessions, and special opportunities for women to connect and build friendships across the broader church.
Another highlight is Menno Haven’s Summer Staff Reunion, which took place over Labor Day weekend this year. The event welcomed former summer and year-round staff, including participants whose service dates back to the 1950s as well as those who served in the current decade. The weekend offered opportunities to relive memories and hear the latest camp updates.
Menno Haven continues to innovate. This summer, it added a Ministry Inquiry Program and welcomed international staff from Jamaica and Mexico to join the summer team.
Menno Haven was blessed with a dedicated 2026 summer staff who fostered a close-knit Christian community and served many others with care. Menno Haven’s leadership is grateful for the volunteer help and financial support it continues to receive from Lombard Mennonite Church. The leaders also invite us to pray for the Lord’s guidance as they develop ongoing programs.