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The Congregational Church No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. |
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News Letter
New Member Sunday, February 12 9:00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship with Reception of New Members Sunday School Nursery Care available 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time Youth Bell Choir
Mardi Gras Sunday, February 19 8:30 a.m. Christian Education Ministry Team 9:00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship, Chancel Choir & Jazz Combo No Sunday School - children welcome to service Nursery Care available 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time Youth Bell Choir Youth Programming Parent Meeting 1:00 p.m. Interfaith Hospitality Network guests arrive
Ash Wednesday, February 22 Worship at 7:30 p.m.
VISIONING OUR IDEA IN CHRIST At our congregational meeting on January 22, our church addressed several major concerns to keep our momentum moving forward. We approved: 1) The Revised By-Laws; 2) A Deficit Budget; 3) Hiring Two New Nursery Care Providers; and more. It went smoothly and I’m happy to say most everyone seemed informed and hopeful for our future. With the Annual Meeting behind us, the following Sunday began our congregation’s new visioning process called, “IDEA.” This is an acronym standing for: “’Identify’ and appreciate our congregation’s present strengths; ‘Dream’ of how we might build on these strengths; ‘Examine’ and prioritize action-possibilities for building on our strengths; and ‘Act’ on selected action-possibilities to create a stronger future.” I have no doubt that this church will, through the IDEA visioning process, support and encourage an even greater spirit in our community as it also defines who we are to our pastor candidates. In our combined efforts to discover, dream, examine and act on our strengths, The Congregational Church shall live into a place for the Spirit of Christ to be recognized and followed as God’s Will for all of us. And that, after all, is our mission. Blessings, Rev. Garth Schumacher
VISION PLANNING TEAM FORMING We still need two people who have joined The Congregational Church UCC in the past 3 years and another person younger than 45. The team will consist of 6 folks who’d like to plan and implement our visioning process called, IDEA (Identify, Dream, Examine, Act) for at least 8 months and roughly 10 meetings. Please call the office and speak with either Rev. Garth or Barry Hanke.
MARDI GRAS SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 19 This has become a real group effort that goes beyond musicians to bakers and decorators. Members will be hungry for King Cake and cookies (we have a new pecan cookie recipe that will fit in nicely - see me for details). Then the Narthex sparkles with masks and Mardi Gras colors - green, gold and purple. Decorating will take place Thursday or Friday (Feb. 16, 17) depending on schedules. If you can help, please contact Linda Thompson.
BANNER MAKING WORKSHOP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 @ 9:00 - NOON We will work in teams and need people to cut fabric, assemble banners and sew them. Come for all the time or just a part of it, everyone’s help will be welcome!! We will need: sewing machines, rotary cutters and cutting mats, quilting ruler to use with the cutting, scissors and pins. You don’t need everything -- just bring what you have! For more information, email Diana Hanke at scarflady.hanke@gmail.com
WE NEED YOUR FABRIC REMNANTS! The Lenten Worship Sub-committee needs pieces of fabric that are the width of a bolt (44 inches or greater) and at least 1 yard in length – the longer the better! We’re looking for solid fabrics only in the following colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Why not help us out as well as empty some space in your closets?! Please bring fabrics to church anytime and place them in the specially marked box in the Narthex. Thank you!
BOOK GROUP Book Group will meet on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The selection is In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd. All are welcome to join us.
CULTIVATING A VIBRANT FAITH - FAMILY LENTEN CLASSES Enjoy a meal and fellowship, reflect on the life of Christ and enrich your spiritual life during the Lenten Meal programs starting February 29. Over five weeks we will be trying out various spiritual practices to enhance your personal faith that the whole family can do together. Learn the Five Keys to a Vibrant Faith: February 29 Creating a Labyrinth (tools for meditation and prayer) March 7 Caring Conversations (having meaningful spiritual conversations) March 14 Devotions (your time with God) March 21 Service (caring for others) March 28 Rituals and Traditions (how we pass on our faith) Family Lenten Classes will be held on Wednesdays from February 29 – March 28 at 5:30–7:00 pm. Please sign up in the Narthex to attend and to help bring and serve food. We are suggesting soup, chili, bread and finger snacks and dessert. Please avoid food made with nuts or manufactured around nuts for the safety of those with severe allergies. Further questions should be directed to Rev. Laurie.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SR. HIGH PARENTS MEETING Following the service on Sunday, February 19, Laurie Crelly will be holding an informational meeting regarding the Youth programming for spring, summer and fundraising plans. Details about Conference Youth Event for High School, Service Days for Middle School, National Youth Event in July, and Camp for Middle School and High School will be discussed. Details regarding fundraisers being planned will also be outlined and discussed. All parents are encouraged to attend. We will meet in Fellowship Hall for approx. 30 minutes.
WINTER HIGH SCHOOL CONFERENCE YOUTH EVENT (CYE) “BULLYING AND YOUR FAITH” - MARCH 2-4, 2012 CYE will be held at Camp Koinonia in South Haven, MN with our keynote speaker Alison Feigh from the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. She will be addressing the growing concern of bullying among teens and how our faith impacts our approach to this issue. Cost is $75 per High School student ($85 if registering after February 14). Parents can register directly on line at www.uccmn.org/childrenandyouth. Please notify Rev. Laurie that your child in attending and for more details.
NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT (NYE) - JULY 9-14, 2012 PURDUE UNIVERSITY, LAFAYETTE, INDIANA We will be travelling with the Conference youth to attend this event. All youth ages 13-17 are invited to attend. Cost is $400 per person and we will be holding fundraisers to offset this cost. Please contact Rev. Laurie Crelly for details and how to register properly.
PASTORAL NOTES Prayers of blessing for their new life together are with Warren Bandel and Anjanette Rist who were married here on February 4. Prayers of comfort and God’s presence are with the family of Rick and Sue Stirn upon the death of Sue’s mother, Virginia Prussing, on January 28.
OFFERING REPORT ~ Steve Gusa, Financial Secretary
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Monthly calendar for February is enclosed, with the Sunday volunteer schedule on the reverse side.
LOOKING AHEAD TOWARD LENT: Mardi Gras Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 am Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 22 at 7:30 pm Lenten Classes Wednesdays, Feb. 29 – Mar. 28, 5:30-7:00 pm Palm Sunday Sunday, April 1 at 10:00 am Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 5 – time TBD Easter Sunday, April 8 – sunrise TBD and 10:00 am
REMINDER: In case of inclement weather, check for Worship Service closings on: á Channel 10 – television or www.kttc.com á Channel 6 – television or www.kaaltv.com á Call church voicemail and listen to the recorded greeting
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