🌱 Patch AM: Why a historic Champaign church is embracing Kwanzaa for the first time

Hi there, Champaign! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a historic Champaign church is embracing Kwanzaa for the first time
• What does a new interstellar comet reveal about our solar system?
• How far could Illinois go against Tennessee in Nashville?

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Very windy; much colder, with a high of 26 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 31, low: 26.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 37 and low of 18 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Historic Black Champaign church celebrates Kwanzaa for the first time (wcia.com) — Bethel AME Church, a historic Black congregation in Champaign, is celebrating Kwanzaa for the first time this week, inviting the community to explore its seven principles. Local organizer Dr. Stephanie Renae and Pastor Terrance L. Thomas emphasize that Kwanzaa complements, rather than replaces, Christmas while encouraging unity, faith, and a deeper sense of community among families.
   

• And then there were three (news-gazette.com) — A newly discovered interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, is helping astronomers compare our solar system with the wider galaxy, even though it poses no threat to Earth. If this sparks your curiosity, the Staerkel Planetarium and Champaign County Museums Network offer local ways to explore space science further.
   

• 2025 Music City Bowl Prediction: Tennessee vs Illinois (collegefootballnews.com) — Champaign football fans are being reminded that Nashville’s Music City Bowl is only about a five-hour drive away as Illinois prepares to face Tennessee on Tuesday evening. The preview breaks down how the Illini’s passing attack and quarterback Luke Altmyer match up against Tennessee’s leaky pass defense and fierce pass rush, ultimately predicting a tight, high-scoring Illinois win.
   

📸 Around Champaign

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Champaign

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday January 7

• Women Elevating Women Resource Group
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W. Kirby Ave. , Champaign
  8:30 am

📣 Champaign Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• Movie Matinee
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
  2:00 pm
• Free Sewing Day
  109 S Oak St , Villa Grove
  3:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Library Closed for New Year's
  Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph
• Library Closing
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
  1:00 pm
• BED BEFORE 10PM: DISCO DANCE
  Gallery Art Bar , 119 W Main St , Urbana
  7:00 pm
• 9:30 pm Comedian Paul Farahvar New Years Eve Show!
  Yellow & Co. , 1830 Patton Dr #2 , Mahomet
  9:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• Library Closed
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul

Monday January 5

• Winter Used Book Sale
  St. Joseph Township – Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph
  1:00 pm
• Basketball (Boys F)
  Rantoul Twp High School (Main Gym)
  5:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Home School Club
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
  10:00 am
• Basketball (Boys JV, V)
  Rantoul Twp High School (Main Gym)
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Champaign PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is the Champaign Park District conducting a survey?
  I’m wary of text messages from unknown numbers. I checked the CPD website and fb page and don’t see any announcements. Here’s the message: Hello, it… (Nextdoor Morrissey Park)
• Just a note of caution for those in the Clark Park area (we are on Charles between James and Russell): Christmas Eve we had someone get into one of our cars (apparently we forgot to lock it).
  Luckily there was nothing of value in there, but they left a mess emptying out the center console looking for something of value. This happened… (Nextdoor Clark Park)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Champaign. Apply here.
• Crown Equipment Corporation posted a job opening for Mechanic - Auto / Diesel / Forklift Technician in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.

🗞 Nearby News

Savoy

• Top of the Morning, Dec. 27, 2025 (news-gazette.com)
• 'Song Sung Blue' a rockin' tale of inspiration (news-gazette.com)

Urbana

• Firefighters team up with Santa, deliver gifts in Champaign Co. (wcia.com)
• Big 10: 2025 Person of the Year picks, Part 4 (news-gazette.com)
• The News-Gazette's 2025 All-Area Football Team: Meet the complete team (news-gazette.com)

Tolono

Ok Champaign! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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