July 30, 2008

July 30, 2008

SUMMER MEETINGS

Please note the following meetings scheduled for August:

August 17- Christian Education Board, 10:30 A.M.

August 18- Joint Facilities Committee, 12:00 P.M.

August 18- Church Growth Board, 6:30 P.M.

August 25- All Other Boards, 6:15 P.M.

August 25- Church Council, 7:30 P.M.

You asked for it and we're working on it! The NEW church directory is being edited with the intention of distributing them on Homecoming Sunday, September 7^th. If there are any updates to your household information, please call or email the office to let us know of address changes, phone numbers, emails, cell phone numbers, etc. Also, if there is any information you do NOT wish to be published, please let us know. Thank you for your cooperation!

"LUNCH BUNCH" Series at the Great Falls Public Library Aug. 7

Scott Brauer, son of Harry & Connie Brauer, is home from China for a few weeks and will be giving a program at the Great Falls Public Library on Thursday, August 7^th from 12:00-1:00 P.M. in the Cordingly Room in the basement. Scott is a freelance photographer and has some wonderful pictures to share during his presentation.

A NOTE FROM WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

The women's Bible study will pick up again the first part of September, using 100 Wisdom Stories From Around the World by Margaret Silf, as our guide. If you are interested in purchasing the book* and/or taking part in our study, please call June Rovero at 899-6851. *Books need to be ordered by the second week of August.

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CHURCH

Join us for the next "Movie Night" on Monday, August 18 at 6:30 P.M. in the sanctuary. Come casual, bring a friend, and enjoy fellowship.

ADAM & EVE

If you missed the previous presentations of Bruce Cusker's edited "The Diaries of Adam & Eve", this will be the Wednesday evening worship service at Central Christian Church, 1025 Central Ave., 7 P.M., on August 20. You are invited to attend and support the presentation by Revs. Jim and Kama, Ray Young, and Cindy Addison.

Help get the UCC's ads back on TV and air Steeples to a national audience! Together we can tell the story of the United Church of Christ.   Between now and September 1st, we need to raise $350,000. We need you, your church, family and friends to show the abundant spirit that is the United Church of Christ. We need 1,000 UCC members and supporters to give just $50 by week's end in order to meet our goal of $50,000 per week. You know the ad. The one with the little girl playing the Steeple game? "Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door and see all the people." We plan to bring this message of unity, welcome and hope to millions of people this fall. Make checks payable to United Church of Christ with All The People Fund in the memo area and mail to:          All The People Fund
                        Financial Services
                        United Church of Christ
                        700 Prospect Ave., E
                        Cleveland, OH 44115-1100

Just back from Knoxville, TN, where they lived the life at the National Youth Event, are Spencer Hopkins, Max Johnson, Calvin Kosmerl, and JJ Petersen. Thank you for keeping our youth in your thoughts and prayers for a safe journey and safe return. A special thank you to the Bertsche Memorial Fund for providing $500 scholarships towards the cost of the trip.

THANK YOU JOINT FACILITIES, ET AL

The Joint Facilities Committee has been hard at work this summer seeing their projects to fruition. Thank you, Russ Davis, for refinishing the front narthex doors. What a difference! Thank you Nick Cetto, Bill Collins, Bob Dillard, and Skip Rovero for replacing the front bench with its peeled paint to one with treks. Go on, have a seat! And while you are sitting there, you can admire the flower garden. Thank you Shirley Davis for pulling those weeds and Patsy Vargo for your continuing watering. Thank you also to our CUMC folks Dick Blossom and Bob Dillard and our UCC folks Jim Balzer, Nick Cetto, Bill Collins and youth Zach Agamenoni and Josh Tierney for keeping our lawns mowed!

SUMMER CAMP REPORT

Though off to a rocky start, Camp Mimanagish did go through and we would like to thank our campers and counselors for participating this summer: In the 5-6 grade camp we had Taryn Kosmerl and Trevin Thompson. In the 7-9 grade camp Alex Dea, Alex Johnson, Darian Kiels, Zoie Koostra, Jonah Kosmerl, Micah Kosmerl and Sam Shearin were there with Christine Brauer counseling both camps (thanks Christine!). Tera Ryan joined the Young Adults Camp. The following campers and counselors were rarin' to go when their camps were regrettably cancelled: 3-4 grade campers were Molly Koostra, Josh Meyer, Kessa Rigali, Cole Staigmiller, Shawn Stainsby, and Annie Townsend. Counselors for this group included Janet Koostra, Jim Petersen, Katrina Petersen and Bonnie Warren. Senior High campers were Shafer Higgins, Spencer Hopkins, Max Johnson, Calvin Kosmerl, JJ Petersen, and Jon Woods. We thank the Bertsche Memorial Fund for providing half the registration costs and look forward to a successful camp next year!

SALVATION ARMY SOFTBALL LEAGUE COMES TO AN END

Thank you our softball players who faithfully took to the field for the Salvation Army's Softball league: Kevin, Laura, Mike, and Brandi Barber and Brian and Sandor Hopkins. Thank you to CUMC's Bobby Lauver for being team coach. Summer fun was had by all!

Dear Colleague:

Congratulations! Your congregation can be proud in receiving a certificate recognizing you as a Covenant Keeper church in the United Church of Christ. Strong support for Our Church's Wider Mission makes us who we are: a church that actively welcomes everyone and takes courageous stands on controversial issues- and all the while tends to the traditional mandates of the Gospel to spread the Good News, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless. That's who we've always been- a church that believes God is still speaking! And thanks to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), that's who we are today. Without OCWM, we could not gather the great strengths of our congregations or make our voice heard in the public arena. We would not have missionaries in over 70 countries worldwide. We could not help small, struggling, or new churches with support for pastors or buildings. There would be no UCC resources: for worship, stewardship or leadership. And without OCWM, there would be NO United Church of Christ presence at all in parts of the United States. All of this takes financial support. The Covenant Keeper program emphasizes the value of standards of giving while respecting that congregations have different capacities and all should know that their contributions count. Thank you for your good work in support of the United Church of Christ- and in setting an example for others that they, too, might "run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

Sincerely Yours,

John H. Thomas, General Minister and President

Randy Hyvonen, Conference Minister

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS/GOOD NEWS SCHEDULE

Summer office hours are Monday-Thursday,

8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M. and Friday, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

The next Good News will be mailed on August 20^th .

Rev. Jim Petersen will be out of the office Aug. 1-13

Holly Garcia will be on vacation Aug. 1-11