March 12, 2008

Thank you to all who contributed to One Great Hour of Sharing. Your generosity brought in $1,955, our largest offering received to date for this ministry. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing carry God's message of love and hope to people in more than eighty countries! The United Church of Christ works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and healthcare, small business micro-credit, emergency relief and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. Your gifts also support and domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. In September 2006, fires burned acrossAbsarokee, Montana, bringing destruction and tears. The UCC Congregational Church in Absarokee remembers the day when the tears were replaced by joy. Many ranchers were left with very little. There were hundreds of miles of fence to replace and homes and barns to rebuild. The church was so excited to receive support from One Great Hour of Sharing and the office of National Disaster Ministries, in a grant that provided fence posts to the community. God is Still Speaking, even in Montana!

FAIR TRADE COFFEE

Equal exchange coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate bars are now available for sale from a display in the church office during regular church office hours (8:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.). In conjunction with Christ United Methodist Outreach and Missions Team and the United Methodist Women, the Christian Service board has teamed up to start this mission. We will be offering these items for sale after church on Sunday April 6 in the Fellowship Hall. Fair Trade coffee is being served during Coffee Fellowship so be sure and taste the delicious brew. Equal Exchange ensures fair wages for small producers worldwide. Please help us support this worth while effort to treat coffee growers fairly! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your UCC coffee committee members, Shannon Anderson or Susan Seery.

ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

By now, you should have received materials for our annual stewardship/enlistment campaign, including pledge cards that we are asking to be returned to the church by Easter Sunday, March 23^rd. Our 2008-2009 budget will be prepared based on your gifts. It is with your on-going support that we maintain and expand the programs that serve our congregation and community. Thank you, in advance, for your continued support and loyalty. So far, over two dozen pledge cards have been returned. Let's make this a prompt and painless process. Praise be to God!

NEW MOM'S GROUP FORMING

Laurie O'Leary, a member of Christ United Methodist, announced a new Mom's group starting up. They are meeting on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of each month, at the church. They gather at 9:00 A.M., start at 9:30 and meet until 11:30 A.M. If you know of (or are) a woman who might be interested in this group, or if you know of someone who might be able to provide childcare, please contact Laurie at 868-9293 or laurie@thequiltquarter.com

BERTSCHE FUND TO SUPPORT 2008 NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT

This national UCC event happens only once every 4 years, making it a must for teens to go. Costs for this trip to Knoxville, TN are planned for under $1,000. A bus trip is provided for July 21-30, with many exciting stops along the way. Bertsche scholarships are available for $500 towards the costs. There are only 49 spaces available for youth. Please call the church office if you are interested. A deposit of $250 and registration is due to the MNWC office by March 15^th to reserve a youth's spot on this trip. Registration forms are available in the office.

THE OTHER SIDE OF EASTER- A YOUNG ADULTS

RETREAT, MARCH 29 & 30

Are you 18-35ish??? Do you wish there was a place or time where young adults in your church or denomination could get together for fun and fellowship?!? Well now there is! Grab your friends or come by yourself for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and great discussion. The young adults retreat is Saturday March 29^th and Sunday March 30^th at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Billings, MT. The retreat will begin Saturday at 1:00 P.M. with a light lunch and end with a 10:00 A.M. worship service on Sunday. Cost is $10.00. Registration forms are available from the church and are due by Friday March 28^th. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Kim Harris at (406) 855-4317 or email kim.harris@campmimanagish.org

CAMP MIMANAGISH SUMMER JOB/CAMP INFORMATION

Visit www.campmimanagish.org for information and registration forms or call the church office.

ADULT SUMMER RETREATS

Camp Opening Work Weekend 2008: May 17^th -18^th. No charge. Register by May 10^th

Men's Retreat 2008: 6:00 P.M. May 30^th -June 1^st. $100/attendee. Register by May 23^rd

Seasoned Adults Retreat 2008: June 2^nd. $25/attendee. Register by May 28^th

Women's Retreat 2008: July 26^th -29^th. $120/attendee. Register by July 18^th.

KIDS CAMPS

3^rd - 4^th Grade: Friday, July 6-Tuesday, July 10

10^th-12^th Grade: Friday, July 6-Wednesday, July 11

7^th- 9^th Grade: Friday, July 13-Wednesday, July 18

5^th-6^th Grade: Friday, July 20-Wednesday, July 25

PAID CAMP STAFF POSITIONS

Camp Director: Salary, $7,500/the season

Cook: $600/week

Maintenance Worker: $6,000/the season

Camp Assistant 1: $400/week

Camp Assistant 2: $400/week