COMMUNITY NEWS
HAPPY QUILTERS of ST. JOHN MASCOUTAH:
The winning ticket for the I SPY Quilt was drawn April 11, 2026 at the end of the Quilt Show. Julie Edwards from New Baden won the quilt. She bought the winning ticket when the Happy Quilters visited Zion UCC in New Baden. This was one of the first churches the Happy Quilters visited. There is a lesson here: next year buy your tickets early! The Happy Quilters appreciate your support of our mission to support DuBois Center. Total tickets sales were $1974.00. The quilt show was a great success, and the Happy Quilters will add to the ticket sales for a total donation of $2500.00 to DuBois. We thank the members of your congregation for generously purchasing tickets when we visited your church.
Quilt Tickets:
The Trenton Cemetery Association is having a quilt raffle. Tickets are 1 Ticket for $2.00, 3 Tickets for $5, and 8 Tickets for $10.00. The quilt is on display at Trenton Floral and you can contact Pehg Zeller if you with to purchase tickets. Drawing will be held on April 18th, 2026.
“Raise The Roost” Auction And Chicken Dinner:
Evangelical United Church of Christ (EvUCC) in Highland invites the community to join us for our annual Raise the Roost! Auction and Chicken Dinner on Saturday, April 18, from 5pm – 9pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Highland. This event combines great food, great fun, and great generosity to support EvUCC’s ministries and mission. Guests can purchase individual tickets or fill a table of 8.
Rummage Sale:
St. John UCC in Fairview Heights is having their Rummage Sale on April 18th from 8am-2pm. 10207 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, 62208
Garage Sale:
Evangelical UCC in Highland is having their Garage Sale on April 24th (5:30-7:30pm) and April 25th(8am-12pm). 2520 Poplar St, Highland, IL
Trivia Night:
Saturday, April 25th, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Marine UCC, 111 North Center Street is hosting their annual Trivia Night in support of the mission of Hoyleton Youth & Family Services. This event is always a wonderful time of connection, laughter, and community. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Price of admission is $15 per person with up to 8 people at a table. There will be prizes for first and second place teams. To register your team, call 618-887-4465 (if calling after hours, please leave your name and number of people attending). We would love to see you there!
SOLAR ARRAY DEDICATION AND CELEBRATION:
Zion UCC, Marion: Celebrating a Milestone in Environmental Stewardship on April 26th at 1pm. Their pastor, Rev. Holst says, “We are thrilled as a congregation to witness this project reach completion and see our kiosk display show our congregation the impact it is having on our energy consumption. Welcome to Green Energy. Today, we are at 50% capacity for our solar panels and already meeting 75% of our electricity needs. I cannot wait to see when the Earth rotates enough for us to get a full gift of direct sunlight. Grateful to all the folks who have been praying for us through this long process! We have arrived! We Care, We Share, We Serve.”
Drive Thru BBQ:
Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Concordia UCC, 7600 State Route 163, Belleville 62223. Pork steak plate $15 with 3 sides; Bratwurst plate $15 with 2 brats and 3 sides; a side of St. Louis Style ribs $25 with no sides. To pre-order ribs call Randy Huck at 618-791-1527. Sides: potato salad, slaw and baked beans. Extra sides available for $2 each. Extra bratwurst available for $5 each. Call 618-476-3377 for more information.
Community Music:
Sunday, May 3, at 2:00 PM at Evangelical UCC, 2520 Poplar Street, Highland. Join us for an afternoon of music from local churches!! A love offering will be collected to benefit Hamel Alhambra Ministerial Alliance and Highland Area Ministries. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
St. Jacob UCC Strawberry Festival:
Sunday, May 17th 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Township Park 139 W. Main St., St. Jacob, IL. There will be crafts, activities for all ages, live music, brats, pork burgers, hot dogs and sweet strawberries. Come join us!
ISC Weekly Connections:
The Illinois South Conference has a newsletter called Weekly Connection that you can subscribe to through email. You will receive UCC news and events on a church, conference, national and world-wide level. Go to https://iscucc.org/weekly-connection-registration/ to sign up.