CONNECTIONS with the
Manchester Church of the Brethren
February 2012
Joys and Concerns
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:
· We pray for those people who were not able to join us in worship due to their current health limitations including: Jane Cassell, Alice Frantz and Eunice Brightbill.
· Those deacons we lift in prayer include: Virginia Manges, Barbara McFadden, Bev Petry, Sharon Pittman, Jennifer Reichenbach and Jo Ann Schall.
· We pray for the family of Frank Miller. We recently received word that Frank died on November 29, 2011.
· Evelyn Barr at the death of her brother, Ivan Jones, on January 24. Services were in Illinois.
· Wanda Miller recovering at TImbercrest following foot surgery on Wednesday, January 25.
· Ercell Lynn hospitalized at Parkview.
· Cliff Kindy and his family at the death of his father, Dean Kindy, on Friday afternoon, January 27. Dean’s Memorial Service will be Sunday, February 12, at 2:00 p.m. at the Eel River Church of the Brethren.
· Prayers of support for Sarah Hall. Sarah’s grandfather, Gerald Kauffman, is in failing health and his family has been called to gather around him. Sarah is in El Salvador and cannot be with her family at this time.
· Barbara McFadden as she begins chemotherapy this week for ovarian cancer.
· And for all those who prefer to keep their concerns close to their hearts.
In the wider community:
· We continue our prayers for the people of Nigeria. Church of the Brethren mission worker, Carol Smith, recently communicated with her family by e-mail that there currently seems to be a decrease in the fighting within the country. Christians have been protecting the mosques during prayers and Muslims have been protecting the churches during worship. Elections have been postponed until February 4. However, there is a renewed sense of cooperation and hopefulness at this time.
· We pray for our sister church in El Salvador, Emmanuel Baptist. We pray for Cal Pipil and the youth house staff, that they may inspire and educate the young people to grow in faith and in community service.
· We pray for peace.
Staff Office Hours
The reception office is open Monday through Thursday, 8 to 12 and 1 to 5.
Pastor Kurt, Tuesday –> Friday
Pastor Karen, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday
Pastor Jim, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Laura Gable, Tuesday, Thursday
East Mailbox: Feel free to use the mailbox beside the staff entrance for after-hour business. Items for the next church newsletter need to be submitted the Thursday before it goes to print.
Snowbirds
Dennis & Rosemary Butler, 4721 Slash Pine Way West, Estero, Florida 33928. Cell: (239) 273-4430
Weekly Calendar
The Family Life Center is open from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise. This week the church office will be open from 8 to 12 noon, Monday through Thursday.
Tuesday, January 31
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
10:30 am Staff Meeting
Noon Women’s Bible Study
5:00 pm Yoga
5:00 pm Weight Watchers – Room 220
7:00 p.m. Circle of Trust
7:30 pm Volleyball
Wednesday, February 1
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
6:30 pm Education Commission
7:00 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 2 – Red Cross Blood Drive
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
12:00 pm Red Cross Blood Drive
2:00 pm Nurture Commission
5:00 pm Yoga
NO Ecclesia Choir Rehearsal
Friday, February 3 – Office Closed
Walkers please use West FLC door
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
5:30 pm Parents’ Night Out
8:00 pm Indoor Soccer
Saturday, February 4
2:00 pm Circle of Trust
Sunday, February 5 – Souper Bowl of Caring
9:30 am Worship. Fever, fainting and illness. Pastor Kurt. Text: Isaiah 40: 21-31; Mark 1: 29-39. Taizé Choir
10:30 am Fellowship Time. Pantry Sunday.
Blood Pressure Check
10:45 am Christian Education. Peace Patch
Camp Mack Kick-Off!
5:30 pm College Student Meal
7:00 pm Room 213 in use
Pastor On-Call Schedule for February
Feb. 5 - 11 – Pastor Kurt, 982-4233, cell 901-1851
Feb. 12 - 18 - Pastor Karen, 982-8420, cell 578-1247
February 19 - 25 – Pastor Kurt
February 26 – March 3 – Pastor Karen
Food-Fun-Friends
The next Food-Fun-Friends is coming up on Wednesday, February 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. We hope you’ll join us! Please contact Kim Reinoehl (982-1461 or kjreinoehl@manchester.edu) or fill out the February 5 bulletin RSVP to make your meal reservation. Pizza requests are welcome!
Fellowship Hosts:
We are grateful to the Fellowship Commission for providing Holy Hospitality between Worship and Sunday School for the month of February.
February Worship Themes
February 5 - Fever, fainting and illness. Pastor Kurt. Text: Isaiah 40: 21-31; Mark 1: 29-39. Taizé Choir
February 12 – Cleaning Up. Pastor Kurt.
Text: 2 Kings 5: 1-14; Mark 1: 40-45. Ecclesia Choir
February 19 – Transfiguration Sunday
The Whirlwind. Pastor Kurt. Text: 2 Kings 2: 1-12; Mark 9: 2-9. Ecclesia Choir, Youth Choir
New Policy for Facility Rentals
Currently, the Property Commission is reviewing and updating our facility rental rates, which have remained unchanged since 2000. Once the rental fee and Facility Use Agreement are received, a reservation will be confirmed on our church calendar. New rates will be forthcoming. Call Laura Gable (982-7523) on Tuesdays or Thursdays if you have questions.
Adult Christian Education
Questers meet in the Chapel.
February 5 & 12: Kate Eisenbise will present discussion on the topic Substitutionary Atonement.
February 19: Jo Ann Schall will put together a panel discussion on the Progressive Brethren Conference.
February 26: Dorotha Fry Mason will report on J.O. Wenger
Koinonia meets in the Conference Room. This month, Gordon & Darlene Bucher will continue exploration into The Thirteen Disciples and their Attributes.
Friends Class meets in Room 211
All Things Considered Class meets in Room 220
Jubilee Class meets in Room 301.
Youth Sponsors February Fellowship Meal
Please change the February fellowship meal to Wednesday Feb. 22, 6pm. It then coincides with Ash Wednesday, and that service will be at 7pm.
Calling All Campers!
Summer Camp “Kick Off” Sunday is this coming Sunday: February 5. This year’s theme, Finding the Secrets of the Kingdom, is based on the Parables of Jesus. Come, seek, and explore the parables of Jesus at camp this summer!
Camp Mack registration and fees are due to the church office by Thursday, March 8. If you are registering on-line, the church office still needs your assistance with the following:
* Church sponsors first-time campers 100%
* Church sponsors half the camper fee for returning campers
* Early registration discount: subtract $20 from fee and divide by two
* Include camper’s name, particular camp attending, date attending
Please contact Laura Gable at the church office (982-7523) with any questions concerning this process.
Spotlight on Stewardship
Dear God,
Receive our offerings in and for this place, grateful for its warmth, beauty, safety. Check by check; bill by bill; coin by coin; hand by hand; heart by heart. May our giving open up in us …
Awareness of those who need the light
Eyes to see those who are on the run
Courage to face into the brutalities of this world
Hands ready to welcome those who seek refuge
In the name of Jesus, the boy of Bethlehem;
the man of Galilee. Amen
(used in worship by Jim Chinworth in 2011)
New Library Book
In light of the work being done by the Food Resource Bank, a new book has been added to the church library. What the World Eats, photographed by Peter Menzel and written by Faith D’Aluisio, is a photo-essay attractive to children and informative for adults. Many thanks to the Education Commission for purchasing this book! The Library Committee
It's Leap Year...Fundango is Back!
Join us in the sanctuary on Sunday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. as we have our Leap Year Fundango. ..a night of skits, songs, monologues and just plain fun. You can look forward to another night of laughs and entertainment!
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Yoga is on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Narthex from 5pm to 6pm. For more information please contact Heather Mitchell at (214) 502-8035 or |
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Yoga Continues …
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Annual Souper Bowl of Caring
Look for the Junior High Youth at the doors of the sanctuary following worship on Sunday, February 5. We are taking part in the national Souper Bowl of Caring which raises funds for local food pantries. 100% of the proceeds collected after worship this Sunday will go to the Fellowship of Churches pantry on Front Street and will assist them in continuing the work of providing food assistance in our community.
February Fellowship meal Update
The February Fellowship Meal, sponsored by the senior high youth, will be on February 22, still at 6pm, followed by an Ash Wednesday service at 7pm. Come enjoy a soup and salad dinner and then begin Lent by participating in a service of ashes.
Silent Auction Thank you!!
To all who donated items and bid on them, thank you for your support of our Senior High Youth. These funds will help get us to El Salvador this summer. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We hope you had fun looking over all the options. Remember, if you bid on a service of some kind, please make the contact to set up a day and time. The silent auction raised nearly $2,500 for the Youth Special Projects Fund.
Senior High Youth
· February 5 - Pantry Delivery and lunch at Tom and Lennart's house.
· February 19 - Sing in worship
· February 22 - Fellowship meal (6pm) and Ash Wednesday service (7pm)
Junior High Youth
· February 5 - Souper Bowl of Caring
· February 10 - Mom's and Youth, 6pm - FLC
· February 26 - All church brunch at noon. Workcamp Fundraiser.
CONNECTIONS with our Community…
Volunteer Appreciation
The Fellowship of Churches set aside January to celebrate all those who make a difference in our community. We are grateful to those who serve Soup Suppers, work the Food Pantry, staff the Thrift Shop, REACH Office and Thursday’s Child, as well as those who organize the Angel Tree, Food Boxes, Thanksgiving Worship Service, Fun Fest Hymn Sing, Good Friday Worship and many other community building events.
CONNECTIONS with our District …
… and our Denomination:
Denominational Newsletter
Newsline cobnews@brethren.org is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. To subscribe, simply contact the editor at:
South/Central Indiana District
Phone: 260-982-8805; Fax: 260-982-7181
District Minister: bsollenberger@brethren.org
Office Email: scicob@kcaccess.com
District Website:www.scindcob.org
You are invited to Lincolnshire
Church of the Brethren
Saturday, February 11, Lincolnshire will host “A Taste of Chocolate” fundraiser for their Blue Jean Diner. The program includes a Silent Auction and Quilt Raffle. Tickets are available from the church office (260-456-1993). First showing is from 5 to 6:30 pm. The second showing is from 7 to 8:30 pm. Ticket prices are $9 for adults, $5 for children (age 4 to 10). Children age 3 and under have free admission.
Bethany Prayer Calendar
We covet your prayers for the more than 2,500 Bethany alumni and their contributions to the church over the past century.
Denominational Prayer Calendar
February 5: Take a moment to flip through your congregation's directory. Count how many people serve in the life and worship of your community. Pray for each one in the course of this week, asking for the wisdom and strength to be with them in their service.
February 12: As you are making plans to celebrate
Valentines’ Day, take a moment to reflect on all the people who have lovingly nurtured you. Consider how you might share the story of one of these loved ones with a friend.
February 19: Some of us will consider giving up something in this season of Lenten preparation. The
practice is not so much about self-sacrifice, but about fasting and reframing our attention to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Pray this week that your journey in Lent will reveal how you may tune toward God.
February 26: Adding another day each year brings with it a number of traditions. Take a minute to go
through your closets and count how many extras you have. How might you share your abundance with those around you?
Progressive Brethren Online
At the 2011 Progressive Brethren Gathering, a number of participants expressed the need for a safe online space where progressive Brethren could gather and connect with one another. As a result, a new Progressive Brethren eBoard has been created by a working group formed at the PBG and is now up and running!
The eBoard is an electronic bulletin board that is designed to be a place where progressive individuals and congregations can share ideas, learn about what other progressives and progressive congregations are doing, network, plan, and support one another. It is not intended to be a place for theological dialogue, as the VOS list is. Rather, the eBoard was specifically created by progressive Brethren for progressive Brethren. It is intended to fill a very specific need for communication and support within the progressive Brethren movement and is designed for those who consider themselves part of that movement.
While no place online is completely 'safe', we have built several safety measures into the eBoard for progressive Brethren individuals, pastors, and congregations. Membership is by application only. You will be asked to share a little bit about your theology, your reasons for wanting to join, and your congregational and district affiliations on the application. You will also be asked to agree to abide by an eBoard Covenant and Anti-Harassment Policy upon applying to join. The eBoard will be moderated to ensure that posters and posts are abiding by these agreements.
To learn more about the eBoard and to apply for membership, please visit:
http://www.progressivebrethren.org/Home/eboardmain.html
or contact Sharon at
webmaestra@progressivebrethren.org.
