January Newsletter
January 1st, 2008 at 10:01 am (Newsletter)
Thoughts From Kim…
January 2008
I said to the man that stood at the Gate of the Year,
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown,” -
and he said “Go out into the darkness, and put your
hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you
better than light, and safer than a known way.”
- Minnie Louise Hoskins
This quote often comes to mind as I stand at the threshold of a New Year – a new beginning filled with fresh opportunities and challenges. If you are anything like me, you like to approach new things with as much security as possible – a light is the minimal amount of security I want before I venture into the dark unknown! Maps, compasses, guidebooks, forecasts – anything that can help me to predict what is waiting for me is greatly appreciated. It is also, more often than not, the beginning of a false sense of security.
Sometimes you just have to walk into the unknown without all those illusions of security, and hold only to God’s hand.
This is easier said than done (I know), but it is an amazing way to move forward. By leaving behind the baggage of agendas, expectations, and the trappings of control and security, we open ourselves to the wondrous possibilities that await us with God as both our guide, and creator of a universe filled with limitless opportunities. Also, with the baggage behind us, we can travel lighter, and faster, and with greater agility. Giving up control and walking into the darkness of the unknown can be frightening (ok, terrifying). But if we trust that God does indeed love us as tenderly as a loving parent does with their precious child, then we can, with confidence, place our hand into the hand of God, and walk into this New Year relying on God grace, mercy, and steadfast love.
None of us knows what the future holds – we can plan, and anticipate, but ultimately the only moment we are sure of is the moment in which we now draw breath. We can respond to this reality by trying to over-control and micro-manage, or we can relax and step, with God, into
this New Year, and allow God to unfold all manner of possibilities and opportunities.
May we all find the faith and courage to place our hand in the hand that is truly more secure than all the light and road maps we can create, and may we venture into the unknown guided by the light and love of Christ.
A very Blessed and Happy New Year to all,
With love,
Kim
With heartfelt thanks…
Thank you for your kindness, compassion and prayerful support during Dad’s difficult journey through sickness, hospice care, and finally to life eternal. Your sensitivity and compassion during this most difficult time has been greatly appreciated. Also, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity during Christmastide. Every gift and expression of kindness is deeply appreciated.
With love,
Kim, Bill and David
Pastor’s Study Group – “Discovering the Bible”
January 3rd and 17th – 7 PM
Join Pastor Kim as we use the acclaimed video series “Discovering the Bible” as an excellent introduction to understanding Scripture and Bible Study. All are welcome.
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.
Milestones In Our Church Family
Deaths:
Our prayerful sympathy is extended to the families of
William Mislin- December 21st, (father of Kim Cran)
John Feust- December 23rd(father of Deborah Kirish)
Mary Spohr -December 23rd (mother of Betty James)
“May the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
Treasurer’s Stewardship Update
To date, we have received 44 pledges for a total of $60,640.00. The breakdown per week is as follows:
Number of Pledges: Dollar Range:
5 0-$10
15 $11-$20
13 $21-$30
4 $31-$40
2 $41-$50
3 $51-$60
2 $61 and up
Pledge cards are still available in the church office if you would like one. Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of the United Church of Warsaw.
January Birthdays & Anniversaries
18th-Harry & Barbara Litz-1969
31st-Rudolf & Adele Kunze-1953
1st- Patrick Carney, Morgan Lee Henderson
2nd Barbara Litz, Eric Daniel
3rd- Fran Bottone, Rosemarie Schoff, Al Weiser
5th- Sue Bottone, Robert Edward Lee IV
7th- Tracy Ferguson
9th-Bernard Colter
10th-Kim Humphrey, Sarah Lynn Greene, Sierra Greene
112h-DeWayne Wilcox
12th-Harold Litz, Patricia Durfee
14th-Joseph Fisher
15th-Katelyn Arnold
16th-Gregorina Cooper, Melissa Holley
17th-Ryan Humphrey, Jessica Kusina, Gordon Stephens
18th Darryl Decker
19th-Laura (Fridley) Donnelly, Jason Litz
20th-Joseph Fridley, Hanna Rose Tangeman
21st-Sue Gardner
22nd-David Hanlon
23rd-Royce Fisher, Richard Humphrey, Dorothy Martin
25th-Lindsy Gillen
26th-Jordon Stephens
27th-Matthew McWilliams
28th Judy Plowe
29th Kathy Humphrey
31st Edwin Fisher, Ty Heineman, Deborah Kirish, Kathleen McGrath
Sewing Circle News:
Oil and clean your machine, sharpen you rotary blades, gather your notions! It’s time to cut fabric and assemble the quilt tops. We have two projects for this year and every able person is invited to join us in our endeavor of love, comfort, and coziness.
First, our supply of children’s quilts is exhausted, so feel free to help yourself to some fabric from the magic suitcase and get started on cutting, sewing, and assembling these cuddly comfort quilts. We have a waiting list of recipients
Second, through a generous donation from Margaret Gardner we will be making lap quilt tops for our injured service men and women. The beauty of these quilts are the fact that we only have to make the tops and send them to an organization that will quilt them on their machines and get them delivered to the service men and women.
So-please come to the first “cutting” party of the year, Sunday January 13th 2008, at 1pm. (Weather date: January 20th). Please bring your rotary cutter, rulers, cutting mat, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and determination to cut up a lot of fabrics!!! Cindy Welch from Journey Quilt Company in Nunda, NY has cut her prices to the bone for this project, so the donated money will go to the extreme end in purchasing the fabric for the service men and women quilts. When the cutting is finished we will pack the fabric into kits to take home along with the instructions for assembling.
If you have always wanted to learn how to make a quilt, or if you are a seasoned veteran to the process, please join us in our mission to provide a little bit of home and comfort to our service members.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 786-8456 (h) or 786-3342 (o).
See you on the 13th of January at 1 pm.
Sandy Corey
Warsaw Food Pantry Report
The month of November was very busy with a total of 135 households consisting of 214 adults, 152 children and 35 seniors for a total of 401 people. This is the most we have ever had in one month. There were 20 new families. We also gave out 21 turkeys, 10 $10.00 Save-A-Lot gift certificates and bags of food to 31 families for a total of 151 people.
We had the following donations:
Full Gospel Church- $25.00
Warsaw Area Clergy- $110.00
Randy Sitarek- apples
Dorothy Keenan- food
Cub Scout Pack 32- food
Lori Zehler- food
Gal Pals- food
Warsaw Moose Club- food
Starburst Students- food
U.C.W. congregation-food
St. Michael’s Church-food
WCS-Elementary Student Council-food
Ruth Rohs- Turkey
Bill & Diane Santora & Carmen-food
Fred & Loretta Heller- $50.00
Elizabeth Parmelee- $200.00
United Methodist Church-food
Immanuel Methodist Church-food
There were other items left anonymously in connection.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Neeley
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 6 and 20, depending on the night, and volunteer advisors are working together to see that the youth have the best possible experience here at their 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.
- January 20th-Roller Skating & Dinner in Buffalo
- January 27th- Youth ministry Sunday with contemporary worship
- 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 January 13th, at 6:30 p.m.- Come and bring a friend!
Community/Church Announcements:
- Christmas time is such a beautiful season even though it goes too quickly. Our church looked so lovely that it doesn’t seem possible it’s already time to un-decorate! We will be having a church workday on Saturday January 5, 2008 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Come join us for fellowship as we work together!
- “To have missed the caroling, I might be glad. To have missed the cookies, I might have been sad! I’m enjoying the cookies while I eat, one everyday for a week.” Thank you Cookie Makers!
-Hope Rase
- Family Service in January – A Youth Ministry Celebration
Sunday January 27th-The focus of our family service in January will be youth ministry, and will include contemporary music and worship. Worship leaders will include Andrew and Addie Silbert, and musicians from Houghton College. Please invite all the young people you know to join us for this celebration of God’s love and grace. How blessed we are to have so many young people seeking community with our church family!
Presbytery Commissioner -Our church is in need of a Commissioner to attend the Presbytery meetings (5 scheduled meetings each year plus extra meetings as scheduled). If one person is unable to do this, we could have a small team of commissioners who share the responsibility. If you are interested in this type of ministry, please speak with Jim Carter (786-2169).
Board Of Benevolence News Update:
Updates:
Look at what we were able to do together!
Ø $500 was contributed to our blanket fund, which means 100 blankets will be distributed around the world to people in distress because of the generosity of the United Church of Warsaw!
Ø The free-will offering for our Thanksgiving provided $388.28 for the campership fund.
Ø Because the weather did not cooperate for our brunch on December 2, we earned less than $100. The profit from the brunch will be put towards purchasing the kitchen hood. Cooks Bob Blake, Bill Cran, Steve Meyers and Steve Perkins prepared a delicious buffet, while many others provided the baked goods, set up the dining room, waited tables and cleaned up. Jim Carter gets the “bitter end” award, although Bob Blake gets “the early riser, you need to go home award.” Thank you!!
Cookies and Caroling: Dozens of cutout Christmas cookies were baked and decorated by adults and members of the youth group. Thanks to Bob Blake, Betty James, Deb Baker and Hugh TenHagen for their supervision and hard work and to the young people who decorated pieces of art! About 15 members of the congregation surprised 21 shut-ins and others, along with the Cloisters, East Side, and SNF at the hospital with beautiful Christmas hymns and songs as platters of yummy cookies were delivered to them. Thank you to all who made cookies, helped pack them, drove and sang! From the stories told upon the carolers
Ø return for hot cocoa and cookies, everyone benefited from spreading Christmas cheer!
- Thank you to everyone who provided books, hats and gloves or mittens for the Head Start children and siblings during the White Gift service. $129.00 was donated for Benevolence distribution, and $746.00 has been collected thus far for Heifer International. If you want to contribute to either of these collections, please bring your donation to the office.
- Benevolence sent monetary Christmas gifts to Cloisters, Community Action, Crossroads, East Side, Kirkhaven (Rochester Presbyterian), SNF, and the Teresa House. Money was also donated to StarBurst and to the Furnace Fund.
- Success!! The Furnace Fund now contains $1,995.00!
- Two very brave members of our congregation-Mary Rase and Barb Meyer- have volunteered to help clean and inventory the kitchen in January. A few more hardy souls are needed before we set the date. Any takers? Call George Ann Carter (786-2169) to volunteer.
Coming Events:
February 10: Hearts for Honduras Collection: Jim Carter’s sister, Judy Toner, who reported to us about this mission project (part of the UCC) last year leaves for Honduras the last 2 weeks in February. She will take the money we collect for many on-going projects.
Church Meetings:
- 65th Annual Meeting – Sunday January 20th - following worship-The 65th Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Congregation of the United Church of Warsaw will take place on Sunday, January 20th immediately following worship. Please have all necessary Annual Reports submitted to the church office no later than Friday, January 11th.
Music at U.C.W.
- The Chancel Hand-bell Choir will be practicing on January 6, 13, and 27th from 11:30-12:30 in the sanctuary.
- There will be a Worship and Memorial Committee meeting on January 14th at 7:00 p.m.
Greetings From Starburst:
December was such a fun month at preschool. We anxiously prepared for Christmas, decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols at the Cloisters, Wal-Mart and Tops market, and trying to think of others before ourselves. This month we settle into the quietness of winter by learning about dinosaurs (maybe not so quiet!), penguins, and Epiphany. So if the winter gets a little too quiet for you – come pay a visit to Starburst…
Happy January!
Larene
Worship in January:
Sunday January 6th: Festival of Epiphany
Communion/Food Pantry Sunday
Matthew 2: 1-12
Sunday January 13th: The Baptism of Christ
Crossroads Sunday
Matthew 3: 13-17
Sunday January 20th: The Second Sunday After Epiphany
Ecumenical Sunday
John 1: 29-42
Annual Meeting to follow worship
Sunday January 27th: The Third Sunday After Epiphany
Family Service/Youth Ministry Sunday
Contemporary Worship
Matthew 4: 12-23
The Results Are In!
When asked the following questions, your responses were as follows:
The United Church of Warsaw will celebrate its 200th year on Sunday July 13th, 2008. Lynn Saxton and Suzenne Miller are working on a celebration of this momentous event.
1. Would you be willing to serve on a committee to plan and implement the celebration?
Yes: 20 No: 4
2. Are there family mementos such as photographs, old programs, directories etc. of historical significance to the church that you would be willing to loan for the celebration?
Yes: 4 No: 8
3. Would you be willing to share your written or oral memories of the church to be included in the celebration?
Yes: 8 No: 3
4. Would you be willing to be part of a creative “Ken Burns” style church documentary?
Yes:4 No: 3
Comments:
” Please start the committee planning in January.”
” I would like to see a picture/ history book for a fund raiser. I think there are pictures in the church.”
The Results are In!
When asked the following questions, you replied:
1. I would like to receive the church newsletter:
Quarterly: Once per month: 40 Twice per month: 3
2. Instead of receiving a paper newsletter, I would rather read the newsletter on the church website:
Yes: 3 No: 40
3. Regarding the announcements made during the church service, please check all the responses that you agree with:
- The announcements are an important part of building community in our church family, and should take as long as they take: 23
- The announcements are an important part of building community in our church family, but currently take up too much worship time. They can be contained by doing one/some of the following: 18
- All announcements must be written down and read by the liturgist, not given by individuals: 4
- Announcements can be given by a variety of individuals who come forward and are seated in the chancel prior to the start of worship, and have a specific time limit for the announcement: 19
- The announcement time is moved to 5 minutes prior to worship starting: 6
- The announcement time is moved to the end of the service: 3
4. It is important to me that worship service finishes within 60 minutes:
Yes: 8 No: 34
5.We plan to make a new church photo directory in 2008. The best time for the photographs to be taken is:
Winter-we get a better deal: 26 Spring-better weather: 13