Manchester Church of the Brethren
MEMO
December 25, 2011
Prayer Concerns
There are many ways in which are lives are connected. Honoring these connections is one of the ways we continue to form deeper relationships within this community of faith. In a spirit of prayer, please keep these spoken concerns in your hearts and minds in the coming days.
Within our faith community:
† We pray for the family of Fred Roop. Fred died Wednesday, December 21. The Memorial Service is Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 1:30 in the Timbercrest Chapel with visitation following the service in the Assembly Room.
† We pray for the family of Barbara Smith. Barbara died Thursday, December 22. The Memorial Service is Saturday, January 14. 2012 at 3:00 in the Timbercrest Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service at 2:00.
† We pray for the family of JoAnne Valentine. JoAnne died Sunday evening, December 25. The Memorial Service is Sunday, January 8, 2012 in the Timbercrest Chapel at 2:30 with visitation following the service in the Assembly Room.
† We pray for Lori Waas.
† For Ercell Lynn recovering in Timbercrest Healthcare following surgery on Monday, December 19 to repair a broken hip.
† We pray for those people who aren’t able to join us in worship due to their current health limitations including: Joann Butterbaugh, Margie Petry, Gene Snyder and Louise Miller.
† The new Deacons we lift in prayer include: Ernie Barr, Chris Beery, Darlene Bucher, Deb Manges, Jennifer Reichenbach, Jo Ann Schall, Becky Unger and David Waas.
† We pray for those who keep their concerns close to their hearts.
In the wider community:
† We pray for our sister church in El Salvador, Emmanuel Baptist. We pray for Emmanuel’s Deacon Board and church staff as they envision and plan for future ministries for 2012.
† And as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we pray for peace.
Holiday Office Hours
The Church Office will be closed on Monday, December 26 and open from 8 am until noon December 27, 28 and 29. The on-call pastor for December 25-28 will be Jim Chinworth (982-4881) From December 29 – 31, Pastor Karen will be on call (982-8420).
Weekly Calendar
The Family Life Center is open daily from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise.
Monday – Building closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday
4:00 pm Building in use
Tuesday, December 27 - open until noon
5:00 pm Weight Watchers – Room 220
7:30 pm Volleyball in FLC
Wednesday, December 28 – open until noon
Thursday, December 29 - open until noon
No Ecclesia Choir
Friday, December 30 – Building Closed
7:00 pm Indoor Soccer
Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve
FLC might be in use by Eichenauer Family
Sunday, January 1, New Year’s Day
9:30 am Worship. Epiphany. Elizabeth Struble Hedstrom preaching. Text: Luke 2:22-40. Special Music: Steve Cripe
10:30 am Fellowship Time
10:45 am Christian Education:
Bob Bowman discussion leader - ATC
No College Student meal
7:00 pm Room 213 in use
January Chili Supper
Start perfecting your favorite chili recipe for January's Fellowship Chili Supper, Wednesday, January 18, at 6:00. It's a contest with a panel of judges. Categories are Vegetarian, Classic, and Creative. Mark your calendars and save the date.
Middle School Youth: Looking Ahead
· January 9: Workcamp registration
· January 15: First sub/wrap sale to go toward workcamp.
· February 5: Souper Bowl of Caring
Senior High Youth: Looking Ahead
Sunday, January 8 - Pantry Delivery and then lunch at John and Ann Hartsoughs’.
Sub Sale set for January 15
The Junior High Youth are sponsoring their first sub sale of the year on Sunday, January 15. Order forms will be in the bulletin on January 1 and 8. You are also welcome to fill out the form online at our website. Cost this year is $10 which includes sub, chips, drink and cookies. Proceeds will help get the group to their summer workcamp experience. Subs will be ready following worship on the 15th.
Silent Auction 2012
The Senior High Youth are preparing for their next fundraiser: the silent auction. For this auction the youth are collecting items of value that will be displayed for bidding on three Sundays in January: the 15th, the 22nd, and the 29th. You can help by donating items of value or offering to share your talent. Items need to be delivered to the church in the week before January 15. If you are proposing a service, feel free to include a photograph with your description of the service. Items that receive no bids will be donated to the Thrift Shop. If you have questions, please contact Jan Fahs at fahsbrownplumbing@frontier.com or 982-6405 or Bonnie Shenefield at shennyfam@gmail.com or 982-4857
Needs continue at the Food Pantry
Our holiday “warm-overs” are getting used up and our bellies are content. We are comforted by aromas and loved ones. How easy it is to become complacent and forget that not everyone can have such experiences.
Our Food Pantry serves over 250 families a month from Wabash County. About 30 individuals participate in the Tuesday Community “Soup Suppers.” This time of year the Food Pantry runs short on ingredients for making chili soup (cans of kidney beans, canned tomatoes or tomato sauce, packages of spice-mix). They also need varieties of pasta, canned fruits, canned green beans, and breakfast cereals. The Food Pantry is especially grateful to be able to offer volunteer opportunities. For those of you who wish to give the gift of time and energy, please call Rowena Greer (982-2325) and schedule a time.
Please remember Sunday, January 8, is the day our Youth deliver items collected at our church to the Food Pantry.
Caring Opportunity
Many of you have been following with concern the situation that is unfolding for Lori Waas and her family. Several have asked for tangible ways to help. In consultation with the family, Susan Klingler has determined that Lori’s children could use help with the costs of hotels and so forth as they stay by their mother’s side for an extended period. If this is something you feel moved to do, please send contributions to Susan and she will forward them to the family. If there are others you know who would likely wish to respond to this opportunity to support the family, please forward this message to them as well.
Thank you, Susan Klingler (982-6326) sklingler@frontier.com
Congregational Christmas Greeting, continued…
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this Special Offering. We appreciate the anonymous gifts as well as the ones who called in to have their names put on the “tree.” Half of the funds collected will go towards the Early Learning Center. The other half will go towards our sister church, Emanuel Baptist.
Your
Staff
Brad Yoder
David & Becky Waas
//
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Day-long retreat on grief and transition
Pastor Kurt will facilitate a day-long retreat on grief and transition at Victory Noll in Huntington, drawing on his learnings from his Sabbatical. The date is Saturday, January 21, 9am-4pm. He will be assisted by Helen Beery, Karen Eberly and Jim Chinworth.
The time will include: large group presentation, small group conversation and personal reflection. Participants will have a chance to identify places where they are experiencing grief and transition and to discern a way into and through this personal work.
Cost for the day is $15 (checks are to be made out to the Manchester CoB) and includes meeting space, lunch, and beverages through the day. Registration is due on Sunday, January 15. Money can be either sent to the church or dropped off in the office to the attention of Jim Chinworth. The retreat is limited to 25 participants.
