Thoughts from Kim, July 2008

Anniversaries provide a great opportunity to celebrate our past, whilst looking to our future.  Our forebears laid a foundation of Christian witness through devotion to God and service to others that is nothing short of remarkable.  Their legacy will be celebrated during the weekend of July 11-13, as we herald our 200^th year as a church family.  Our history tells a story of faith, courage, conflicts forgiven and healed, and a constant commitment to ministry modeled after the life of Christ - faith in action!

In response to our desire to be faithful to this legacy, your Session and Boards of Benevolence and Trustees are diligently and creatively looking at our ministry, asking:  How can we -

1.  Strengthen our Christian witness and church family life here at the United Church of Warsaw (Session)

2.  Continue our mission of outreach to those in need (Benevolence)

3.  Be faithful stewards of our resources by managing expenses, maintaining and responsibly managing our buildings, and inviting all to generously support the church (Trustees)

One reason this church has thrived for 200 years is its ability to adapt to the changing circumstances of life.  This is a lesson that will serve us well as we look to our future. The challenges of life in 2008 and beyond require new ways of being a church - new approaches to ministry and stewardship.  Fortunately, our church has a rich history of creativity, adaptability, and willingness to embrace new opportunities and challenges so that the love, compassion and mercy of God can be shared with others.

There is so much to celebrate - such exciting challenges and opportunities ahead of us.  We are truly blessed!  May we continue to be a blessing to others, as we walk boldly into the future.

With Love and Prayers

Kim

KEEP READING, TO SEE THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY

United Church of Warsaw

“200 Year Anniversary Celebration” 1808-2008

July 11, 12, 13, 2008

Friday July 11^th: Open House at the United Church of Warsaw 1 PM - 4PM. Stop in and enjoy refreshments and a tour of the buildings.

Saturday July 12^th:  Community Celebration for the 200 Year Anniversary of the United Church of Warsaw.  Doors open at 6:00 PM.  Childcare will be provided for the entire evening.

Vesper Service starts at 6:30 PM in the South Church (Miller Chapel).  The historic Johnson Pipe Organ (1892) played by guest organist David W. Mislin

Guest Speakers in the North Church Sanctuary at 7:30 PM

Architectural History of the United Church of Warsaw presented by James Yarrington

The Abolitionist Movement as related to the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches presented by Harvey Granite 

Race and Religion in America presented by Rev. Geoffrey Black, NY Conference Minister (UCC)

Dessert Reception after presentations (approximately 8:15 PM).

Sunday July 13^th 10:00 AM Worship Celebration   Guest Preacher the Rev. Geoffrey Black, NY Conference Minister (UCC), Guest Organist David W. Mislin

A Family Picnic will immediately following Sunday Service, on the front lawn at the United Church of Warsaw.  Please bring a dish to pass.                                                                                                                        

  Thoughts from Kim, June 2008

It is hard to believe that we have now been working together as a ministry team for a year.  Time passed so quickly!  It seems like only yesterday Bill and I were packing up our belongings and getting ready for the big move from Scotland.  Now I am getting ready to spend Memorial Weekend planting a small garden.  Many things have happened for me, personally, during this past year - some good, some quite painful.  As a church family, we have had similar experiences of joys and sorrows.  “Peaks and valleys” are the nature of life; facing them together makes all the difference.

Again and again I hear many of you telling me that you pray, hope and dream that our church family here in Warsaw can be as strong and as healthy as possible.  The love and commitment expressed for our church is inspiring!  The people who study healthy, growing churches tell us that one of the most important components in a strategy to strengthen a church, is to have annual reviews/evaluations of the ministry, to see where we have been, what we are currently doing, and deciding where we go from here, by the grace of God. 

June will be our Annual Ministry Review month.  There are many different ways to approach an Annual Ministry Review, such as having small discussion focus groups, or inviting representatives of the congregation to discuss their experiences in the church, or making available detailed surveys for people to complete.  This year we will approach the review with a detailed survey.

The survey has three parts.  Section 1 invites people to reflect on the ministry of the church as a whole - it is the “big picture” section of the survey.  Section 2 provides current board and committee members with an opportunity to reflect on their ministry in the church (this section is only filled out by current board and committee members).  Section 3 invites reflection on the Pastor’s ministry within the church family.  By inviting comment in all three areas of ministry, we have the best opportunity to gather helpful data that can assist us in planning responsible goals for our ministry in the coming years.

Members of Session, Trustees and Benevolence will receive a copy of the survey at the Tri-Board meeting on June 1st.  For those who are unable to attend that meeting, copies will be mailed to them.  Any member of the congregation can also participate in filling out the survey.  Copies will be available in the East Room on Sunday mornings for the first two weeks in June, or you can have them mailed to you by contacting the church office.

Two important details to note:  You must put your name on the form.  We will not read any anonymous forms (or John/Jane Doe forms).  Also, the deadline for completing the form is June 20^th.  Any forms received after that date will not be read.

Taking the time to reflect on our shared ministry will give the Spirit yet another opportunity to inspire us with the vision and resources to take our next steps together.  I invite you to enter into the process prayerfully - seeking God’s guidance and wisdom as we discern, together, God’s call for our church family here in Warsaw.

With love and prayers,

Kim

Thoughts from Kim… May 2008

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother…and in your mother…and…now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1: 5When the Apostle Paul wrote these words to a young pastor named Timothy, he was teaching future generations an important lesson about how the Christian life is shared. Timothy learned to love God because of the example of faith set by the important women in his life - as his grandma lived her faith, his mother’s life was changed and she, too, embraced the Christian life. Timothy learned about loving Christ by watching his mother. He didn’t read about it in a book, and there were no movies or DVDs to instruct and inspire…he watched the Gospel lived out in the lives of the people who loved him. He was transformed by their example.We often remember this scripture passage around Mother’s Day as a testimony to the transformational love that mothers and grandmothers bring to their families. But I suggest this passage has an even greater application - it applies to all of us.Most of us learned about Christ’s love not because of what we read or heard, but because of the way another Christian loved and welcomed us. We learn more by the example of others than by their words. If you speak with people new to the church, they will often tell of how it was a personal contact that made all the difference. You can hear a similar theme expressed when you talk with people who have left the church - usually it is because of an unpleasant encounter they’ve had with a member of the church that did not reflect the love and compassion of Christ. What we do speaks volumes about what we believe.

For this reason we must always pay attention to the example we are setting - people are watching! They look to the church to see what we believe - not so much by what we say, but by how we live our lives. When our words and actions do not match, people are turned off and walk away, and the church is labeled a haven for hypocrites. When what we say and how we behave is a match, lives are transformed by Christ’s love, compassion and mercy.

How do we bring Christ into the world? By living Christ’s example, and allowing the love and light of Christ to shine through our actions as well as our words. Circumstances provide ample opportunity to

practice this, be it on Sunday morning, through special circumstances (like reaching out to all the youth who come for youth group), or within our neighborhood, workplace, or family. It has been my experience that every challenge faced by a church also provides the chance to practice embodying Christ’s love, and when we miss the opportunity, the Spirit provides us with another chance to “get it right” - the lesson is presented over and over again until we master it.

Lois allowed Christ’s light to shine through her, and because of this, her daughter Eunice came to believe in the God who loved her and mercifully cared for her. Eunice lived that faith, and passed it on to her son Timothy one of the great pastors of the church. Timothy passed the light of Christ to countless more Christians.

What are we passing on by our example? Are we bringing more of the light of Christ into the world by how we live our lives, or are we inviting people to turn away because of our hypocrisy?

Once a church begins to “walk the talk”, the church begins to grow. Churches that fail to reflect Christ’s love stagnate. This principle is as basic as gravity, and, in my experience, always holds true.Spring is the time for new beginnings, and a good time for spiritual house-cleaning. If we find that we are not allowing the light of Christ to shine through us, either as individuals, or as a church, there is no better time to address this than now!

With love and prayers for our ministry together,

Kim

April 2008

Thoughts from Kim…

Happy Easter! What a joy it is to emerge from the cocoon of Lent and winter into the light and life of Easter and spring. Christ is risen! New life and new beginnings are all around us - new opportunities and new possibilities abound.

How blessed we are to be children of the God who brings life from death and makes all things new. We are indeed an Easter people - people of the resurrection. This is our identity, and our calling. We are called to work with God to bring the blessing of new life into this world.

It is humbling to realize that much of how God works in the world is through God’s family - us! As much as we are blessed, so are we called to be a blessing to others. Just as we are loved, so are we called to love others - as we are forgiven, we are called to forgive others. God’s abundance of love and mercy is meant to flow through us to others - as individuals, and collectively as the church. We are not called to build dams within our soul or church to hold or hoard God’s abundance - it is meant to pass through us to others. The truly amazing thing is that the more we let go and allow God’s grace to flow through us, the more grace abounds! The more we share love and joy, compassion and mercy, the more there is!

Sadly, we do not always act as channels of God’s love and peace, and instead channel anger, bitterness, envy, judgment, and any number of poisons that wound others, and ourselves.

Or are we channels of something dark and destructive - something poisonous?

In this blessed season of Easter, we must ask these questions not only as individuals, but also as the church. This is the season of new life and new possibilities. May we allow ourselves to be channels of God’s abundant love and grace, and embrace the work God has given us to do here in Warsaw.

It is indeed time to get to work, for the Christian life is a bit like being a gardener. During the winter, when you cannot work the ground, you plan and dream about what you will do in the spring. Once spring arrives, it is time to get out and get to work. The same is true for us - let the work of being channels of God’s love begin! The harder we work now, the greater will be the harvest!

With love, Kim

Minister’s Time Away

Pastor Kim takes Friday and Saturday as her days off each week, unless there is an emergency or important church activity scheduled for those days. In case of an emergency, please call her at the Manse: 786-5687. Pastor Kim will take some vacation time from Friday, March 28th though Sunday, April 6th, returning to work the afternoon of Monday, April 7th.

Greetings From Starburst:

Today, as I write this article, we have just concluded our Easter program. What a joy it is to hear 40 little voices singing and speaking together; laughing and adlibbing, and just having fun.

If you’ve walked through the connection lately you have seen the creative talents of these same little performers. Both of these talents give us reminders of new life - especially at this time of year - like the new life that Jesus talks about in Romans 6:5. We send a very special “thank you” to Mr. Jim Carter, for an impromptu lesson on bats-using the real thing! Thanks, Mr. Carter!

April brings us studies on plants, frogs, recycling and bubbles, to name a few. And, we anticipate more time on the outdoor playground! So, enjoy the April showers as we look forward to reaping their benefits.

Happy Spring! Larene

April Birthdays & Anniversaries

1 Ian Smith 16 Ashley Duell

3 Jeff Rase Chris Titus

4 John Sheer Eleanor Van Tyne

Christopher Miller Matthew Humphrey

5 Donna Humphrey 18 Grace Leslie Kunze

Jonathan Martin Litz 19 Sandy Corey

6 Nancy Maguire 22 Mark McGrath

LeAnne Pickard Alexander Schafer

Thelma Wood Mikayla Sue Bush

7 Phyllis Drennen* 23 Christopher Durfee

Ian Holley Meghan Duell

Ryan James KayLee Cunningham

8 Jeff Thomas 27 Jennifer Rase

10 Linda Thomas 28 Barb Meyer

11 Alan Durfee Lyne Messina

12 Irma Hurst 29 Bob Bleyle

13 Brian Arnold 30 David Mager

Amy McWilliams Johna Titus

14 Bea Lombard Kelsey Greene

Maurice Martin

Shawn Wiseman

15 Melanie Perkins

Anniversaries

7 Judy & Donald Plowe - 1956

9 Jane & William Heubusch - 1960

12 Dorothy & Maurice Martin - 1975

25 Betty & Gary Burley - 1981

April Food Pantry Report

In February, we had 96 families, consisting of 131 adults, 79 children and 24 seniors for a total of 234 people. There were 14 new families.

            We had donations from the following:

Dorotthy Keenan  

Bill & Diane Santora

United Methodist Church

Immanuel Methodist Church

St. Michael’s Church

Our congregation

WCS-French Club

   NYS Police Troop A

   Warsaw Public Library

Donations of Cash:

$20.00              Anonymous

$ 30.00             Gale & Sherry Cousins

$ 20.00             Anonymous

$ 25.00             Full Gospel Church

There were many other donations of food left in the connection from anonymous donors.
We also want to thank Mark Sundt for pick-up and delivery of food from Save-A-Lot.          

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Neeley

Worship During the Easter Season

Please join us for these important times for worship and spiritual growth.

Sunday, March 30th: The Second Sunday of Easter

 John 20: 19-31- Faithful Doubting  Rev. Bill Heller, preaching

Sunday, April 6^th The Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24: 13-35- Road to Emmaus  Communion/ Food Pantry Sunday  Rev. Charles Williman, Celebrant

Sunday, April 13^th: The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Psalm 23- Life Abundant

Sunday, April 20^th The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Environmental Sunday  Mr. Steve Meyer, Worship Leader

Sunday, April 27^th: The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Family Sunday 1 Peter 3:8-18- Living as Christians

Milestones in our Church Family

Deaths:

Please remember in your prayers the Kirish family, who recently lost Dennis’ mother and Debbie’s father. Also remember the Corey Family, upon the death of Bill’s sister Donna Dougherty on March 17^th.

May the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Community/Church Announcements

• Crossroads House a comfort home for the dying, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year. On Saturday April 12^th, “A Celebration of Life” Dinner Dance will be held at the Holiday Inn, Park Rd, Batavia. 5PM Cocktails, 6PM dinner, 7PM Program and Dancing, featuring the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are $30.00. Call Linda at 948-9675 by April 5^th for reservations.
• Women of Faith conference “Infinite Grace” will be held in Rochester at the Blue Cross Arena on Friday, June 6 from 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The cost per person is $55. Transportation can be arranged. Please see George Ann Carter as soon as possible if you are interested. Last year a number of us went and had an amazing day.
• “Where Did I park My Car?” Mental Aerobics for Everyone! Everyone of all ages is invited to learn ways to keep their mind sharp and fit, no matter what their age. Highly respected adult educator Barbara Bruce will be presenting a two-part class on Mental Aerobics, Saturday, April 12 and 19, from 9:30-11:30 am at Henrietta UCC, 1400 Lehigh Station Rd. in Henrietta. Suggested donation is $5.00 per session. Please call by April 17^th to make your reservation at 334-0030. For more information, call Judy Hawk at 533-1681 after April 5^th.

Spring Into Health Fair May 3^rd, from 11-3 at the Eagle Memorial Post #1720 in Bliss. Free Colorectal screening, Mammograms, Diabetes Risk Assessments, Disaster Preparedness information. Glucose and cholesterol screening available for a $5.00 charge. Presented by the Wyoming Co. Cancer Prevention Partnership and the Wyoming Co. Dept. of Health.

Changes in Leadership

During the past month we have experienced several changes within the ministry team. Addie Silbert, our Administrative Assistant, had left to take a full-time position in Buffalo. She brought a great deal of energy, creativity and organization to the position, and we wish her well in her new endeavor. Julia Rockwood, a librarian and lay preacher within the Methodist church, has stepped in as our Interim Office Manager. Her capable and prayerful presence will allow us to take our time and decide exactly what we want to do with the office position.

Sandy Corey, our beloved Treasurer, resigned due to family circumstances. We are indebted to Sandy for her faithful and exemplary service, and keep her and her family in our prayers. Sandy will continue her involvement with the finances of the church by assuming the position of Financial Secretary, assisted by Mike Murdie, who is currently our Assistant Financial Secretary. Stepping into the position of Interim Treasurer is Bob Cummins, Jr. Bob brings a wealth of experience to the position, and we are blessed to have him joining the ministry team.

After faithfully shepherding the youth ministry program, Kathy Humphrey has stepped down due to family circumstances. We are most thankful to Kathy for her commitment to the youth of our community, and appreciate all she has done to keep the program going. Pastor Kim will temporarily assume leadership of the youth ministry program until the church decides how it will proceed with youth ministry. A team of advisors assists her, with Hugh Ten Hagen assuming a greatly appreciated leadership role.

Please continue to keep our leadership team in your prayers as we all endeavor to serve faithfully here at UC Warsaw.

A phrase that has become part of our cultural landscape is: “you are channeling (insert person’s name). It is usually not meant as a compliment (like when I’m having a tirade about something and my son suggests that I am channeling a particular deceased family member who was known for being angry and judgmental)! The phrase often makes us laugh, but it belies a more serious reality - what do we channel? Are we bringing God’s love and peace, compassion and mercy into the world? Is the world a more just place because of what we do and say?February 2008

Today is a beautiful day. The snow is falling (no wind to speak of), and the snowflakes are the big, fluffy variety - it is a picture postcard day…unless you are trying to drive in the ice and slush, or needing to shovel the zillions of these beautiful flakes. My view of the snowstorm from the warmth of the Manse study is delightful, and I can comfortably take time to appreciate the beauty of today. A change of circumstances (like trying to drive to Buffalo in this weather) might significantly alter my opinion of the storm outside this window.

A change in circumstances can indeed invite a change in perspective!

There is a saying in Scotland - “a change is as good as a rest.” It reminds us that doing something differently - changing something - can leave us feeling rested, revitalized, and give us a whole different perspective on life. Sometimes a little “shake-up” can make all the difference - a positive difference.

Lent is the season for just such a shake-up. We began the year in Advent with the anticipation of the birth of the Christ, and then celebrated God’s gift of love at Christmas. The Christmas season led into Epiphany - a time to discover the many way God is revealed to us. Now deep in the darkness of winter, we find ourselves in Lent. Lent is one of the oldest seasons in the Christian calendar, and has always been a time to prepare for the joy and wonder of Easter! It is the winter that leads into spring - a time to prepare for new life and rebirth. For Christians, it is a time to prepare to experience a spiritual spring, with the rebirth and rejuvenation of our spirits.

Throughout history, people have approached Lent in many different ways. Most try to attend worship faithfully throughout the six weeks of this season. Many make the effort to attend special opportunities for

prayer and learning. Some use the time to seriously take stock of their relationship with God and others, and see if a change of direction (the true meaning of repentance) is required. There is also the popular “giving up something for Lent” (fasting) - usually something that you love and need to learn to enjoy in moderation, or something you know is not good for you. I have watched people “fast” from things like gossip, worry, over-use of credit cards or drugs/alcohol, with each person finding what is uniquely their weakest link, and working to come to terms with it.

Some, take a different approach - instead of giving something up for Lent, they take on something new. Perhaps it is a new good habit that they want to get “bedded in” during these 40 days, like service to those in need, care for one’s health, developing a more regular prayer life - there are as many different approaches as there are people!

The key is this: Do something different that will help you to be more in touch with God. Shake things up a bit - get a different perspective! Use these forty days constructively and creatively to open yourself to the God that loves you more than you can imagine. In doing this, you will be preparing yourself to move through the darkness of winter into the beauty and joy of spring - the Resurrection!

In the words of this ancient call to the Christian Church:

“Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great

devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it

became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season

of penitence and fasting…I invite you, therefore in the name of the

Church, to the observance of a holy Lent…”

Be open to the amazing possibilities that await you this Lent!

With love and prayers,

Kim

Minister’s Days Away

Pastor Kim takes Friday and Saturday as her days off each week, unless there is an emergency or important church activity scheduled for those days. In case of an emergency, please call her at the manse: 786-5687.

Music at U.C.W.

• The Choir will sing on Feb 3^rd-rehearsal at 9:15
• The Ensemble will sing Feb 10^th-rehearsal at 9:15

The Choir will sing on Feb 17^th-rehearsal at 9:15

Lenten Study Series

Thursdays beginning February 7^th

7 pm in the East Room

“Wrestling With Angels”

This six- week series tackles the tough, real-life questions that can lead to a deeper understanding of God. Each DVD episode features ordinary people sharing their experiences of struggling with these questions, with reflection and commentary by well-respected contemporary Christian authors and speakers. We will view the DVD segment for the day and then have a time for discussion.

The six topics are as follows:

“How do I know what to do?”

Discern God’s will in confusing times (Tony Campolo)

“Why Me?”

If You are so good, why are things so awful? (Phillip Yancey)

“Why don’t my prayers get answered?”

(Richard Foster)

“How do I forgive and get on with my life?”

(Lewis Smedes)

“How can I question and still believe?”

(Madeline L’engle)

“Why is loving so hard?”

(J. Keith Miller)

You will find no clichés or easy answers in this series-just the opportunity to honestly engage these six important questions in an atmosphere of respect, compassion, and support. Please join us for this excellent Lenten study series.

Worship In February & March:

Please join us for these important times for worship and

spiritual growth

Wednesday, February 6^th: 7 pm Ash Wednesday Service

Sunday, February 10^th: The First Sunday in Lent

Matthew 4: 1-11

(Ordination of Elders)

Sunday, February 17^th: The Second Sunday in Lent

John 3: 1-17

Sunday, February 24^th: The Third Sunday in Lent

John 4: 5-42

(Family Sunday)

Sunday, March 2^nd: The Fourth Sunday in Lent

John 9: 1-41

(Communion/Food Pantry Sunday)

Sunday, March 9^th: The Fifth Sunday in Lent

John 11: 1-45

Sunday, March 16^th: The Sixth Sunday in Lent

Matthew 21: 1-11

(Palm Sunday)

Thursday, March 20^th: Maundy Thursday

Simple Dinner (6 pm)

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Service of Tenebrae

Friday, March 21^st: 7 pm Good Friday

John 18: 28-19: 42

Greetings From Starburst:

January’s warm spell was a welcome sight for our students.

We enjoyed walks and some long overdue fun on the outdoor playground. The dinosaur stew and the Triceratops sippers (don’t they sound yummy?!) were big hits with our preschoolers, as they enjoyed one of their favorite stories, Saturday Night At The Dinosaur Stomp. The four year olds delighted the three year olds with their version of “Penguins Are My Favorite Sort of Frog”, and the three year olds entertained the four year olds with “A Dinosaur Inside”.

February brings the fun of Valentine’s Day, mug shots taken by our friends at the Warsaw Police department, a look at dental health and our monthly Fruit of the Spirit -Love.

We’ve also begun enrolling students for the fall!

Happy February!

Larene

Board Of Benevolence News Update:

Updates:

• Following Christmas, a total of $1,030 was sent to Heifer International. The UCW donated a Knitting Basket (2 sheep, 2 llamas) in honor of The Reverend Kim Cran. We also purchased 2 New Beginning Baskets ( lamb), 2 Flocks of Hope Ichicks, duckling, goslings), and 2 Promise Baskets (geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits). Thank you for your support of this wonderful mission!

• Kudos to Mary Carlson, Barb Meyers, Mary and Jeff Rase, for spending 4 hours on MLK Day cleaning, organizing, and inventorying the kitchen! They accomplished a great deal, and we thank them for sharing their organizational skills and cleaning abilities with us. More still needs to be accomplished in the kitchen, however, so other volunteers are welcome. Please call George Carter (786-2169) if you can donate some time and elbow grease.
• To anyone using the kitchen:

1. If you use something from the kitchen, please put it back where you got it. If you leave something in the kitchen, put it where other similar items are located.

2. Please label whatever food item you leave in the kitchen, so we know who is responsible for that item. For example, Starburst labels with a star or its name.

Please clean up after yourself, which includes taking out the trash.

• Hearts for Honduras:

In lieu of a general congregational collection in February, the Board of Benevolence donated $500. Anyone still wishing to donate to this UCC NY/Help Mission, which will take place the last 2 weeks of February, please contact George Carter. A third schoolroom is expected to be built for the mountain villages, along with other projects.

Coming Events:

• February 10, 2008: Pot-Luck Brunch following worship:

Besides bringing a dish to share, please bring your own tableware. Beverages will be provided. Because our kitchen is in need of many basic supplies, we ask that you sign up for, and bring a kitchen shower item from a list, which we will post in the East Room. (These items include towels, tongs, sharp knives, sauce pans, electric knife, glasses, etc. Jeff Rase is checking the Internet to find a supplier for our lost spoons, too.) If you prefer, money donations will be accepted to help us restock the kitchen. As all the board and session members will be attending the Tri-Board Meeting immediately following the Pot-Luck, we will need volunteers from the congregation to take responsibility for the clean-up after the Brunch.

• Friday, March 14: Lenten Fish Fry

The Board of Benevolence will be asking for donations of pies, along with people willing to work. Tickets will be available for $8 or $5.50 for a half portion.

Church Meetings:

• 65^th Annual Meeting –The 65^th Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Congregation of the United Church of Warsaw will take place on Sunday February 3rd immediately following worship. This is the rescheduled meeting date from Sunday, January 20^th.

• First Tri-Board Meeting, February 10^th, immediately following the Pot-Luck Brunch.

In order to encourage better understanding and communication within the leadership of the church, we will have our first Tri-Board Meeting of 2008 on Sunday, February 10^th. This meeting will take the place of the normally scheduled Board/Session meetings in February. We will gather immediately following worship. The schedule for the afternoon is as follows:

At 11:45 we will meet in the East Room for the following:

Potluck Brunch (please bring a dish to share)

Worship and Orientation

Benevolence

Trustees

Session

Goal Setting for 2008

Communion

Dismissal, with the Mizpah Benediction

Please plan to join us for this important new beginning.

The “snow-date” for the meeting is Sunday, Feb 24^th, immediately following worship.

• The 200th Anniversary Committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room.

Youth Ministry Updates:

Youth Group Meets

Sunday Nights from 6:30-7:30

Come join us, bring a friend!

• The Youth Group continues to meet each Sunday for fellowship, inspiration, and opportunities for service. Attendance ranges between 20-30, depending on the night. Volunteer advisors are working together to see that the youth have the best possible experience here at the church. Discussions about the focus and future of the youth ministry program are ongoing, but the commitment to provide the best possible experience for our youth is clearly present.
• Upcoming events are being e-mailed to the youth and advisors weekly. If you would like to receive e-mail or a mailing of the upcoming events, please contact Addie in the church office (786-3868), or send a quick e-mail to ucwarsaw@frontiernet.net.
• Mrs. Saxton is starting a youth singing group, and is looking for volunteers. If you would like to sing, please let the church office know.

• The next scheduled meeting is February 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.- Come and bring a friend!

Community/Church Announcements:

• Every last Thursday of each month, a game social is held for all to come in the East Room at 1:00 p.m.
• Please join us for our Round & Square Dances on the first Friday of each month from 8-11 p.m. in the East Room! Our next one will be February 1^st!
• The Session, through its Commemorative Garden Committee, is responsible for all policies and decisions regarding the use of the Garden. Unfortunately because of maintenance necessities, no memorials may be left in the lawn. However temporary memorials are allowed. Please contact Jim Carter for more information (786-2169).

A note to the Congregation:

• Dear church family: Our family feels so blessed to have had such a wonderful mother and grandmother. We miss her very much but know she walks with the Lord. Our thanks to you for the loving support and prayers. The reception, following the funeral service, was a time to share memories with family and friends. The Deacons prepared a delicious meal and we are very grateful. Special thanks to Rev. Kim for her spiritual guidance during a most difficult time.

~Fondly, the family of Mary Spohr, Betty James, Mary Kibler and Larry Spohr Warsaw Food Pantry Report

In December we had 114 households consisting of 171 adults, 176 children and 26 seniors for a total of 323 people. There were 13 new clients.

We had donations from the following:

Our congregation

United Methodist Church

Immanuel Methodist Church

St. Michael’s Church

Titus Fruit Farm- 8 bu. Apples

Marquarts - 6 turkeys

Wyoming Co. V ets Club

Cornell Coop. Extension

Russell & Ann Judkins

WCS-student council-261 items

Warsaw Elementary teachers donated a large amount of childrens books

Donations of Cash:

$20.00 anonymous

$100.00 Randolph & Susan Sitarek

$200.00 Douglas & Valerie Case

$30.00 Virginia Warren

$100.00 anonymous

$262.29 Cropwalk

$25.00 Full Gospel Church

$50.00 Ralph & Eleanor VanTyne

$100.00 Genesee Orthopaedics

$500.00 Elizabeth Parmelee

$100.00 United Methodist Mission Circle

$25.00 Ruth Durfee

$100.00 Radiology staff Wyo. Co. Comm. Hosp

$50.00 Fred & Loretta Heller

$50.00 Pearl Kososki

$100.00 WCS Elementary staff

We provided hams and turkeys for 49 families for a total of 176 people. They also received potatoes, apples and oranges. We are truly thankful for all the many thoughtful people that gave so generously.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Neeley

February Birthdays & Anniversaries

21^st -Gordon & Jacquie Stephens-1986

24^th-Frank & Carolyn Miller-1990

29^th- Jay & Lisa (Conger) Tangeman-1992

1^st- Gale Cousins, Gary Cousins, Ralph Van Tyne

2^nd Natalie Humphrey

4^th- Bill Corey, Clayton Cousins

5^th- Margery Arnold, Steve Meyer

6^th- Kelsey Rase, Darlene Vosburg, Makenna Kathryn Jarnot

7^th- Rollin Burley

9^th-Jane Heubusch, Brian Neeley

10^th-Taylor Blanchura

11^2h-Cynthia (Fisher) Flint

12^th-Chelsey Clark, Hans Kunze

13^th- Brian Litz, Tom Maimone, Jr.

14^th-Valerie Duell

16^th-Joanna (Corey) Craigmile, Scott Fisher, Craig Tiede

17^th-Mary Cousins, Justin Psihos

18^th Dick Gardner

19^th-Dennis Kirish

20^th-Eric Baker, Tyler Stroud

21^st-Andy LaWall, Kari Litz, Bethany Litz

23^rd-Susanne Grove, Forrest Mager

24^th- Richard Neeley, Emily Sundt, Haley Tangeman, Savannah Kate Cummins

26^th-Valorie Hulme, Suzenne Miller

27^th-Justin Britton, Tammy Hume, Tammy Pickard

Milestones In Our Church Family

Deaths: Edith M. Lane (died on December 30^th, 2007)

May the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.

Thoughts from Kim… April 2008

Happy Easter! What a joy it is to emerge from the cocoon of Lent and winter into the light and life of Easter and spring. Christ is risen! New life and new beginnings are all around us - new opportunities and new possibilities abound.

How blessed we are to be children of the God who brings life from death and makes all things new. We are indeed an Easter people - people of the resurrection. This is our identity, and our calling. We are called to work with God to bring the blessing of new life into this world.

It is humbling to realize that much of how God works in the world is through God’s family - us! As much as we are blessed, so are we called to be a blessing to others. Just as we are loved, so are we called to love others - as we are forgiven, we are called to forgive others. God’s abundance of love and mercy is meant to flow through us to others - as individuals, and collectively as the church. We are not called to build dams within our soul or church to hold or hoard God’s abundance - it is meant to pass through us to others. The truly amazing thing is that the more we let go and allow God’s grace to flow through us, the more grace abounds! The more we share love and joy, compassion and mercy, the more there is!

Sadly, we do not always act as channels of God’s love and peace, and instead channel anger, bitterness, envy, judgment, and any number of poisons that wound others, and ourselves.

A phrase that has become part of our cultural landscape is: “you are channeling (insert person’s name). It is usually not meant as a compliment (like when I’m having a tirade about something and my son suggests that I am channeling a particular deceased family member who was known for being angry and judgmental)! The phrase often makes us laugh, but it belies a more serious reality - what do we channel? Are we bringing God’s love and peace, compassion and mercy into the world? Is the world a more just place because of what we do and say?

Or are we channels of something dark and destructive - something poisonous?

In this blessed season of Easter, we must ask these questions not only as individuals, but also as the church. This is the season of new life and new possibilities. May we allow ourselves to be channels of God’s abundant love and grace, and embrace the work God has given us to do here in Warsaw.

It is indeed time to get to work, for the Christian life is a bit like being a gardener. During the winter, when you cannot work the ground, you plan and dream about what you will do in the spring. Once spring arrives, it is time to get out and get to work. The same is true for us - let the work of being channels of God’s love begin! The harder we work now, the greater will be the harvest!

With love, Kim