2/17/10

February 17, 2010

GOING ON A "JOURNEY"

The Invitation to a Journey Coordinating Team met over the weekend for its initial training with Bill & Connie Robey. Bill is a retired minister with the Disciples of Christ and for the past seven years he and his wife Connie have served as "coaches" for the Journey of Transformation process, working with Disciples of Christ, UCC, and Presbyterian churches inWashington. The Team elected to meet weekly on Thursday evenings in preparation of guiding the church through this process. They will begin with a Bible Study amongst themselves to then be shared with the Congregation. Stay tuned--- the "Journey" has...begun!

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

Children begin in Sunday School on February 21 for the last rotation of Ezekiel. Thanks to Kenny Staigmiller and his guitar, we now know the song of Ezekiel, "Dem Dry Bones."

Classes will be in the following rooms:

Pre School Room 5 Cathy & Annie Petersen

Grades K-1 Room 3 Kenny Staigmiller

Grades 2-3 Room 2 Barbara Walters

Grades 4-5 Room 4 Syneva Heupel

Middle School Room 7 Zach Nelson

There are more cans to recycle that will be added to the total so far of $37.65! This money is used to help support Christhoper Mongeopa, our Global Ministries child who lives in the Philippines.

Nursery help is needed on February 28. Please call the church if you would like to be that special person.

A quote from Rev. Jim's Ode To St. Valentine sermon last Sunday: "A new commandment I give to you,' Jesus says to his disciples. 'Love one another. As I have love you, so must you love one another.' These are among Jesus' last words. Love. Not because we feel like it. Not because we have this powerful attraction, or personal incentive, or even because the other person is deserving of it. Love because it is a commandment. It is a biblical order. It is the Judeo-Christian 'way.' "

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

A big thank you to the Nube Ensemble from the Twin Cities; Nicolas, Renato, Mario, and Eliezer for their concert presentation last Saturday night and for providing us their special talents of Latino music and instruments during worship on Sunday. They, in turn, would like to thank us for providing hospitality. The Christian Service Board housed them for three nights at Townhouse Inns (paid for from Community Partners funds- please continue to use your Albertson's card). Several meals were provided thanks to our Journey Coordinating Team and Drs. Don & Patsy Joyner. The Fellowship Board hosted a fine reception following the concert on Saturday. And thank you to all who attended. The concert raised $391 for Haiti, bringing our total relief aid to $2,141.

REV. JIM'S BIBLE STUDY will meet on Sunday, February 21 at 9:30 A.M. for Chapter 9 in your study guide, Antioch and Jerusalem. Wednesday's group will meet on February 24 at 12:00 P.M. for Chapter 10 in your study guide, Barnabus and Paul.

Each February, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center commemorates Black History month by inviting a special presenter to speak in theater. This year's presentation is a poetry reading by Professor Frank X. Walker of the University of Kentucky. Professor Walker is a poet, educator, and community activist. He has developed art groups for students in the southeast and has written two books of poetry on the life and times of York, William Clark's slave. Although works of fiction, Professor Walker's poems are based on solid historic research and bring voice to York and his life. Walker's material is most suited for high school students and adults. This special presentation is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 P.M., in the Interpretive Center Theater. There will be an informal reception and book signing following the poetry reading.

FROM YOUR PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

The Personnel Committee is charged with the responsibility of overseeing personnel matters for employees of the church, except the minister. The duties include evaluating employees and mediating personnel issues, as well as, recommending the hiring of new employees. The committee is a sounding board for both the employees and the congregation. Members of the committee are:

Jerry Butcher, Vice Moderator

Aaron Rudio, Business Affairs Board

Zach Nelson, Christian Ed Board

Sharon Oakland, Worship Board

Lonnie Anderson, Joint Facilities

Church members and employees are encouraged to provide personnel comments, either positive or negative, to the Personnel Committee Members. Employee evaluations are being scheduled for the near future.

PASTYS ON SALE NOW

Tickets are on sale for the annual St. Patrick's Day Pasty Dinner, March 17, from 5:30-7:00 P.M., hosted by Christ United Methodist Men's Group. Tickets are $6.00 per person for the dinner and $5.00 each for take home pastys. Tickets are available on Sundays, in between worship services, and will continue to be sold until Sunday, March 14.

Due to illness, conflicts, and weather the Council meeting was postponed from last Monday to February 22, at 6:30 P.M.