May 21, 2008

May 21, 2008

SUMMER WORSHIP BEGINS THIS SUNDAY

Summer worship begins this Sunday, May 25^th with joint worship at 9:30 A.M., followed by coffee fellowship at 10:30 A.M. Summer worship schedule continues through August 31^st. During this time, children will begin in worship each Sunday before being dismissed to Sunday Special. A worship schedule is enclosed. On UCC Sundays, we will provide the lay reader, greeters, ushers, acolytes, Sunday Special, nursery, coffee, cookies, juice and tellers. Loose offering over the summer will go into Joint Facilities. We look forward to beginning our summer with you this Sunday.

Rev. Jim Petersen's Bible Study will meet on Sunday, May 25 at 10:45 A.M. for Ch.13, part II. On Wednesday, May 28 Bible Study will meet at 11:00 A.M. for Ch. 14 in your study guide God With Us (27:57-28:20) and will conclude with a luncheon at 12:00 P.M.

Children will begin in worship this Sunday at 9:30 A.M. and then go to Sunday School for the last rotation of Woman with the Alabaster Jar. Summer Specials with Christ United Methodist begin on June 1^st at 9:30 A.M. Teachers are needed for 6/22, 7/27, 8/17 and 8/24. It's safer and more fun to do it with someone! Nursery attendants are needed for 6/1, 6/22, 7/20, 7/27, 8/17 and 8/24. Please call Bonnie Warren at 453-4316 or Erica LaTray at 452-2153 if you can help. Please remember to register your children for VBS. Maybe you are willing to help? Please let us know if you would like to. We can find places for older children to assist, too. Thank you again to all who taught Sunday School this past year. If you were not able to get your thank you card last Sunday, please stop by the office. There is a yummy treat connected to it for you special people!

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

We have completed our study of the women in the New Testament and will meet on Thursday, May 29^th at 6:15 P.M. in the parlor to choose our next book and discuss the possibility of other programs through the summer. This is a great time for women in the church to join us for wonderful discussions and fellowship.

"CAM/RA is now history, and we can look back with deep satisfaction for a wonderful event. This would not have been possible without the extraordinary volunteerism of First Congregational UCC folk, starting with your pastor (Adam!), your resident snake (and now our past Moderator, Ray Young), and the many other members who served on the planning committee and did a range of duties from registration, to hosting, to provision of hot drinks and tasty snacks, etc. The list of names is too long for me to risk detailing without leaving someone out, but all who volunteered know who they are and I want to personally (and on behalf of the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference) thank each and every person!"

"A great big thank you to all who helped with the registration table for the joint United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ CAM/RA two weeks ago: Brandi & Laura Barber, Harry & Connie Brauer, Patty Cetto, Diane Gelernter, Sharon Kiffe, Don LaBar, Sharon Oakland, Jan Robitaille, Carol Shipley, Susan Thomas and Nancy Zadick. We were so blessed to have you!"

It was announced at the Conference Annual Meeting that there are 10 slots still available for this potentially life-changing experience July 21-30. Cost is $1,000. The Bertsche Memorial Fund will support � of that ($500).

If you have or know of a college graduate in our church family, please call the office and let us know their name, school, and what their degree is in so we can recognize them in the newsletter!

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

Thank you to the 60+ members for attending last Sunday's Annual Meeting and to the Fellowship Board for providing sloppy joes. Church reports were received and Treasurer Brad Talcott reported an estimated year end surplus. Consequently, it was MSP'd (motioned, seconded, passed) to give 50% of that overage to the Conference with heavy discussion centering around Camp Mimanagish and Conference ministries. The 2008-2009 proposed budget passed as amended. We have a balanced budget of expenditures and revenue. Willy Heupel gave a report of the Columbarium Committee with a consensus to proceed with this project. Moderator Janet Koostra adjourned the meeting. Stan Meyer convened the Annual Meeting of the Memorial Fund Corporation receiving reports from the president and treasurer and conducting the election of board members before adjourning. Annual reports are available in the literature rack in the narthex. Pick up your bright yellow copy today.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with maintaining the grounds this summer. If you are interested in weeding, planting or lawn care (we have a riding mower!), please call the church office.

NOMINATING REPORT

A big thank you goes to the newly elected who will serve on the following boards: Patty Cetto - Member At Large; Kim Fagenstrom, Brian Hopkins and Aaron Rudio - Business Affairs; Syneva Heupel, Heather Lucero, Lisa Machuga and Melissa VanSickle - Christian Ed; Phyllis Chalfon, Sue Turton and Nancy Zadick - Christian Service; Laura Barber, Denise Jackson and Richard McDowell - Church Growth; Lacey Spencer and Barb Walters - Fellowship; Sharon Oakland, Arlene O'Day and Susan Thomas - Worship; Russ Davis - Joint Facilities; Dennis Dell and Jeff Winter - Memorial Fund.

Openings still remain on the Christian Ed Board, Church Growth Board, Fellowship Board, Visitation Committee and Youth Representative. Please call Janet Koostra at 727-8443 or the church office if interested in serving on any of these ministries.