THE EPISTLE
Volume 14 Issue 1
40 DAYS OF DRIPS:
Lenten Project Announced
Do you hear the dripping?
Water is essential for life –
both human and eternal.
Our faith is awash with the
imagery of water. Before the
world had shape and form, we
acknowledge God’s Spirit
moved over the waters. Drip,
drip. God washed the earth
with the waters of the flood.
God led the Israelites through
the Red Sea waters from slav-
JANUARY 22, 2009
ery to freedom. Drip, drip.
During baptisms, we speak of
our Lord, Jesus Christ, who
was nurtured in the water of
Mary’s womb, baptized in
the River Jordan, became
Living Water to the Samarian
woman, washed the feet of
the disciples and sent them
forth to baptize all the na-
tions. Drip, drip, drip,
drip… Continued on p.2
Continued from p.1

Drip, drip, drip…

Water, so often taken for granted, yet so critical to
our very existence. We bathe in it. We cook with it.
Join A Small Group
We have five small groups meeting at various
We drink it to survive. We don’t even think about it.
times and on various days. Please check the roll-
Drip, drip, drip…
ing bulletin board in Fellowship Hall to see
You are invited to join us, as we embark on our
which day and time works best for you. Our
Lenten journey 2009 beginning Sunday, February 1.
small groups will meet weekly for the six weeks
The theme, this year, is Forty Days of Drips. The
of Lent (Feb. 25 – Apr. 5). These study and dis-
goal of this Lenten program is three-fold: First, it is
cussion groups will use the curriculum, The Je-
designed to help us find and draw closer to Jesus, the
sus I Never Knew, based on book (with the same
“living water,” through our six-week small group
title) by Philip Yancey, editor of Christianity
study. Second, we hope to provide clean, safe drink-
Today magazine. Each class will include view-
ing water to our brothers and sisters in South Sudan
ing a 15 minute video and group discussion.
and to brighten up a soup kitchen here in Rochester.
Participants’ guides will be available for $8 at
Finally, we hope that participating in this study and
the first small group meetings (or you can pur-
outreach effort will deepen the sense of community,
chase one from Kelly Weidman).
fellowship and unity within our church family.

Help Make a REAL Difference :Give the Gift of Clean Water

During the six weeks of Lent, our church family will work to provide the most basic of
human needs – clean drinking water – for up to 3,000 people in South Sudan. Currently, vil-
lagers (mainly women and children) walk hours each day to collect unsanitary drinking wa-
ter, which they and their families rely upon for their very survival. Ironically, drinking the
contaminated water results in pain, sickness and often death for these destitute people.
Water for Sudan is a Rochester-based not-for-profit organization founded by Salva Dut,
once a “walking boy of Sudan” who fled the war-torn country as a child. Water for Sudan
drills wells for clean, potable water for communities throughout the southern part of Sudan
in Africa. One well may serve up to 3,000 people.
Once a well is drilled, the community springs to life. Women and children no longer need to
walk miles to collect one bucket of water. They are able to attend school or do work to en-
hance their livelihood. Life expectancies increase. Women experience healthier pregnan-
cies. Schools and marketplaces are built, as the community becomes stable and more se-
cure.
Our goal is to raise the $8,000 required to drill a well. We plan to hold one or two major
community fund-raisers toward which all of our members may participate (versus having
each small group hold their own fund-raiser). Watch for more details regarding these fund-
raisers.
Continued on p.3
Drip, drip, drip…
Brighten A Soup Kitchen
Closer to home, our church members will
have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves
and provide “sweat” versus financial equity.
First Congregational church member Ted Av-
gerinos will lead a team of interested workers
in painting and refinishing the gymnasium
floor at the Salem Nutrition Center. The cost
of supplies has already been covered.
All we need is your muscle to brighten this
soup kitchen, which provides a hot meal to
over 300 guests each week.
Most of the work will take place Feb. 23-27
and March 16 –20th. If you are interested in
helping with the labor, contact Ted Avgerinos
directly (number below) or sign up for a shift
in Fellowship Hall.
Dripping Kicks Off
February 1
OnSunday, February 1, everyone is invited to
learn more about 40 Days of Drips and our as-
sociated mission projects during a delicious
brunch held for all church members in Fellow-
ship Hall following the worship service. We
A Valentine Invitation to the
“Seniors” in Our Church
The youth group of First Congregational UCC
would like to cordially invite all First Church
“seniors” to a special Valentine’s Day Luncheon
on Sunday, Feb. 8 following adult education class
at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. It
is our joy to wish you a “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Please let us know if you can attend by signing up
on the rolling bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
Boy Scout Sunday–
FEBRUARY 8
Our regular church service on Sunday
February 8th will recognize the partner-
ship between our church and Boy Scout
Troop 207.
Scouts, leaders, and scout parents will
be in attendance to help celebrate the 99th
anniversary of the founding of the Boy
Scouts of America.

will have speakers from both Water for Sudan and the Salem Nutrition Center share their missions
with us.
Join Us!
C’mon! Let’s do something real. Something meaningful. Something that shows our praise and
gratitude for the Living Water. Are you with us? Let’s turn on the tap and let the water flow!
Questions?
Contact: :Pastor Cedarleaf 223-0224
KellyWeidman: 223-8978 Karen Hamill 425-1958
Jim Franzen 223-8074 Bill Harris 223-5617
Ted Avgerinos 388-1355
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Many of us are still clearing up after Christmas. We take down the tree, pack away the decora-
tions, vacuum up the needles and generally get the house back to normal. This is often a time to
go through things and toss out what we no longer need or want and try and make things more
manageable. I’ve got a lot of things running around in my mind and so I thought I would “clean
them out” by sharing them with you, as we begin this year of our Lord, 2009.

Anniversary year: Our congregation marks our 185th anniversary this year. In was in Decem-
ber of 1824 that a few folks got together at the Perrin home to form this church. We were the
first church organized in the town of Perinton and we have been on this same sight for most of
those years, at least since the first building in 1833. During the year we will celebrate in a num-
ber of ways. We want to use this anniversary year not only as a way to pat ourselves on the
back for hanging on for so long, but to make it clear that we are a part of this community now
as we have always been and that we are here to carry out our faith in word and in deed.

I will also mark the 40th anniversary of ordination into the Christian ministry and my 25th anni-
versary as your pastor. There are a lot of things to remember, but there is also a lot ahead of us
as the people of God in this place.

Mainline Muddle: Sometimes I get tired of all the depressing articles about the death of the
mainline church. If you read them all, you get depressed. We’re too liberal, or too staid in our
ways, or too boring, or not definitive enough in our answers; we don’t know what we believe,
or for that matter, if we believe in anything. Let me tell you that I haven’t given up. Our
Wednesday morning Bible study group is reading Dr. Tim Johnson’s Finding God in the Ques-
tions. This well known physician and minister undertook the writing of this book to, in his
words, “cleanse my beliefs to reveal their bedrock: to rediscover what I really do believe and
then decide honestly what it means for how I live the rest of my life.” This is the kind of thing
that we mainline folks do well as we sit around the table and deal honestly with our doubts and
fears. This doesn’t mean that we don’t believe anything, only that we realize that life is more
complicated than we may think it is. The strength of a church like ours is that we make clear in
Scripture and creed, in the spoken word, in liturgy and song what we do believe, but we are
willing to entertain doubt because we believe it may well strengthen our faith. Our God is a
God who is the author of all truth.
Continued on p.6
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE (cont)

Reaching out: Once again (check the special pages relating to our Lenten mission project) we are
reaching out in mission during this season of Lent. As we gather in our small groups to talk about
The Jesus I Never Knew, and as we seek to raise money for a well in Sudan, we seek to live out
our faith. Do you know someone who is looking for a church home, invite them to try us out? Do
you know someone who has been burned by his or her church experiences; invite them to try us
out.

Transformation time? When you read this, Barack Obama will be the President of the United
States. Whether you voted for him or not, there is no doubt that this is an historic time in the his-
tory of our nation. We are living also in a scary time; a time when a lot of people have put a lot of
expectations on the shoulders of this new President. All of us need to pray for our new President,
as we pray for all our Presidents, whether we voted for them or not. Yet we also need to remem-
ber, as Christians, that Barack Obama is not our Savior, and he I’m sure knows that. The God we
worship, and whom we have seen in the face of Jesus Christ is the God who has the whole world
in his hands, and who longs for his children to live in peace one with another. As followers of Je-
sus Christ we seek what some have called “proximate justice”. It is only God who can bring forth
full justice, and peace, even as we seek and pray for his kingdom to come on earth as it is in
heaven.

I’m looking forward to the challenges of this coming year with thanksgiving for all or you and
with faith in the God who was and is and is to come.

Your pastor,
John

Our Christian sympathy is extended to Our condolences are extended to Marjorie

Chuck, Karen and Amy Hamill on the death Takasawa on the death of her brother, John
of Chuck’s mother, Mary Hamill on Decem- Droste. He died January 12, 2009 in
ber 25, 2008. A service was held for her in Naperville, Illinois.
Chicago on December 27, 2008.
 WORSHIP DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

“Why we worship as we do?”

Routine is a wonderful thing. Most of us like routine in our lives. It focuses us and puts a
sense of order in a sometimes-disorderly world. On the other hand routine can allows us not to
focus on things that may be important. Week in and week out we attend worship and move
through the liturgy. There is a comfort to this, but sometimes we don’t remember why we do
things the way we do, we just do them.

In recent Elders meetings we have talked about the frequency of communion. Should we
celebrate the Sacrament more than monthly? This conversation got us thinking about worship in
general and we decided it might be helpful to schedule a series of sermons on the general topic
why we worship as we do.

This will be a three-week series beginning on February 1 and continuing through February
15. The specific topics are as follows:

February 1: “The Innermost Sanctuary of the Whole Christian Worship”

(On the Eucharist)

February 8: “Calendars, Feasts, Fasts, Lectionaries and Drama”

February 15: What’s so Reformed about Reformed Worship?”

Since these are “teaching sermons”, we will follow the old Puritan tradition and have an op-
portunity for questions following the sermon. If you have any questions that you would specifi-
cally like to include in this series, send an e-mail to me at jnc4@choiceonemail.com.

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY February 22, 2009

Transfiguration Sunday marks the end of the season of Epiphany. On the Sunday nearest Janu-
ary 6, the feast of the Epiphany, we celebrated the coming of the magi to the infant Jesus, which
marks the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentile world.
Continued on p.7
 WORSHIP DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY (cont)
“The Sundays after Epiphany began with Jesus’ baptism and end with three disciples’ vision
of his transfiguration. In Mark’s story of Jesus’ baptism, apparently only Jesus sees the Spirit
descending and hears the words from heaven. But now Jesus’ three closest friends hear the
same words naming him, God’s beloved son. As believers, Paul writes, we are enabled to see
the God-light in Jesus’ face, because the same God who created light in the first place has shone
in our hearts to give us that vision. The light of God’s glory in Jesus has enlightened us through
baptism and shines in us also for others to see.”
-Sundays and Seasons

2 Kings 2:1-12
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

“This Little Light of Mine?”

ASH WEDNESDAY February 25, 2009

Meager Meal and Holy Communion

6:30 PM

The season of Lent, forty days not including Sundays, is a time of fasting and repentance as we
begin our journey to Easter. It is a time of taking stock, of focusing on those things that are
really important and not worrying about those things that may be less important.

In many Christian traditions ashes are used on this day. They suggest our human mortality and
frailty. Ashes are placed on the forehead with the sign of the cross and the pastor says:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Here is an invitation to see
each day as a new beginning, “in which we are washed in God’s mercy and forgiveness. With
the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter
feast to come.”
-Sundays and Seasons
 MISSION TRIP UPDATE
The Mission Trip participants would like to
thank everyone for attending the spaghetti din- THANKS SO MUCH!
ner and silent auction fund-raiser. Special Thanks so much for the outpouring of
thanks to all the silent auction donors. love expressed through your many cards,
Each Reach work camper pays $500 out of
prayers and kind words. Your warmth
his or her own pocket to participate in the Reach
Work Camp Mission Trip. There is no cost to
and support was a much needed comfort
the church. The cost can be lessened for each during the difficult period of Chuck’s
individual by working at the spaghetti dinner mother’s illness and death.
and Canal Days parking and by selling the With love and gratitude,
Rochester coupon books. Fundraisers such as The Hamill Family
coffee sales and collecting returnable cans and
bottles are used for miscellaneous group ex-
penses.
This year the work camp is in Hurricane, THANK YOU!!
West Virginia . Our youth will join hundreds
Dear church family:
of other teens from all over the country to work
side by side repairing deteriorating homes. In
Once again you all have been more than gener-
addition, a part of each work day is spent read-
ous this Christmas. We thank you for your finan-
ing scripture, praying and talking about their
cial generosity, and even more for your generos-
personal relations with Christ. Each one comes
ity of spirit over the past years. Each of you has
to serve those in need and each one leaves a lit-
made contributions of heart, mind and spirit to
tle closer to the One who called them.
our work together as God’s people here in Fair-
port. The Cedarleaf family has been fortunate to
THANKS! live and work among such thoughtful folks.
To all who donated food, money and/or helped
deliver Christmas Baskets for our church we say As we move into a new year, the 185th of our
“Thank You!” congregation, and our 25th, here, we look forward
This year eight families will have had a brighter to continuing our work together for Christ and his
Christmas because you cared enough to help. Church.
Janis Harper Don Eaton
Harriet Breckenridge With love and blessings,

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Jean and John

Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home
Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home
Geraldine Stearns, Crest Manor
A Note of Embarrassment, Frustration, Apology, and THANKS!
In October Bill and I used “The Epistle” to thank all those who attended and helped out with the
Service of Celebration for our son Sean. This time we are using it to explain why many of you
haven’t received a “thank you” note from us and to ask you all to help us share the explanation
with others.

A few days after Sean was killed, two of his friends and colleagues in the Adams County, CO,
District Attorney’s office set up the Sean May Memorial Fund at their local branch of Wells
Fargo Bank to serve as a financial resource for his wife and then unborn son (Oliver Sean was
born in November). Both of Sean’s friends are in their early to mid 30’s and had never before
experienced the death of one of their close friends, but they knew they “needed to do something
to help.” They set up the Fund with bank personnel so that others also would have an immediate
way of helping those Sean left behind. It was a lovely gesture, and they are to be commended.
However...

As weeks passed, we began to realize from comments made by friends and family members that
the bank wasn’t sending acknowledgements to donors (although some mentioned that cancelled
checks had been returned). And more importantly to us, neither Corin nor we were receiving a
list of contributors so that we could write personal notes of thanks. Talk about EMBARRASS-
MENT!

We have contacted the bank repeatedly in writing and have most recently learned that, when
Sean’s friends set up the account, no arrangements had been made to either acknowledge re-
ceipt of funds from those who contributed nor to notify the family. They further explained that
the bank had received such a huge onslaught of donations from all over the country, are a very
small branch, and, therefore, weren’t and aren’t equipped for such a huge task. Talk about
FRUSTRATION! (We are still trying to get them to compile a list, but...)

Keeping the above in mind, for those of you who honored Sean (and us) by contributing to his
Memorial Fund, we offer a huge APOLOGY for not personally expressing our THANKS to all
of you individually. Those of you who know us, know we truly are embarrassed and frustrated
to the core with this and are attempting to resolve it. Meanwhile, we remain so sincerely grate-
ful for your past and continued love and support.
God’s Blessings,
Pat and Bill May
 2008 PLEDGE
STATEMENTS
The 2008 pledge statements will be
available for pick up in Fellowship Hall
starting January 27, 2009. If you are
unable to come in and pick it up, please
call or email the church office and it
will be mailed to you.
THANKS TO THE
WHOLE COMMUNITY
As the 2008 Coordinator of the Perinton
Lay Clergy Council Christmas Food Basket
Project, I want to thank our congregation for
their generous support in this event.
Due to the efforts of all the participating
churches in Perinton and also the Perinton
Settlers Club, we were able to provide a fes-
tive holiday meal for 192 people.
A big thank also to First Church representa-
tives: Harriet Breckenridge, Janis Harper and
Lois Evans for their expert organization and
loyal cooperation.
Muriel Gabbey
MORNING CIRCLE
Morning Circle will meet on February 10
at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. Doug Jones
will present slides taken in Australia. All
are welcome to attend.
FLOWER CHART
The flower chart for 2009 is now posted
on the moving bulletin board. Please con-
sider donating flowers for the altar for the
coming year.
EVENING CIRCLE
The Evening Circle will meet on February
9, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Snow
Room. The program for the evening will
be a book review by Holly Wolf. Holly
has been treating us with reviews for
many years and she always picks interest-
ing books. Please come join us this eve-
ning. Questions----contact Judy Baxter or
Beverly Gray.

Thank you, to all at First Church. It is a comforting feeling to know that so many
are praying for you. It is this coming together in faith that makes First Church so welcoming
and open to others. The many cards that I received brightened each day; some with a special
note, but all filled with love. I hope to be back to church before this is printed, but if I don't see
you for whatever reason know that I am doing well. The doctor is pleased with my recovery
thus far and has given me more exercises. The Lord has blessed me in many ways and one is
that I am a part of such a wonderful congregation.

Peace be with each of you.

Glenn Harris
 Adult Education
What’s Coming Up in Adult Education

February 1 – Lenten Kick-Off Brunch To Feature Water for

Sudan and Salem Nutrition Center Speakers
On Sunday, Feb. 1, our traditional Christian education classes will be re-
placed with a church-wide brunch in Fellowship Hall to officially kick off
our 2009 Lenten project. Speakers from the Rochester-based organization
Water for Sudan and the city soup kitchen Salem Nutrition Center will speak
to us about the work of their organizations.

Please join us!

February 8 – Meeting Abraham Again For the First Time

We learned about him in Sunday School as children, but how much do we
really know about “Father Abraham?” Come, meet him again during this
live interview with the old man himself. You might just learn something
new!
These classes/events will be held during Christian Education time following
the worship service.

Mid-Week Daytime Class!

Finding God in the Questions

Come join our study and discussion group as we read and discuss the book, “Finding God in
the Questions” by Dr. Timothy Johnson. In this remarkable book, Dr. Timothy Johnson, medi-
cal editor for ABC News, discloses his deeply personal journey of faith. With the author, we
will investigate the plausibility of God’s existence and explore the significance of the person of
Jesus. Classes are held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – noon in the Snow Room. There will be
a $10 fee per book. Join us. Drop-ins welcome!

NOTE: There will be NO adult ed. classes on Feb. 15 or 22 due to Feb. break.
Classes will resume on Mar.1.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM FEBRUARY 19, 2009

 Family News
Children’s Chapel Students
Sharing Their Love with
Senior Valentine Luncheon
Guests
During January, our Children’s Chapel stu-
dents have been learning about the importance
of trusting God. They’ve focused on the Bi-
ble passage from Isaiah 30:21, which says,
“Whether you turn to the right or to the
left, your ears will hear a voice behind you,
saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” After
their short chapel service, the students have
been very busy making place cards and table
decorations to share their love with the
“seniors” who attend the youth group’s Senior
Valentine Luncheon on February 8.
Attend Family
Movie Night!
February. 6!
Don’t miss our ever-popular family
movie night on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7
p.m. featuring the recently released
hit, “Madagascar 2!” The movie
will be shown in Upper Fellowship
Hall. Snacks included. Guests may
wear PJs and bring pillows and sleep-
ing bags, if desired! Sign up in Fel-
lowship Hall (or call the church office
223-0224).

Preschoolers & Elementary

Students: Learning About ****ATTENTION****
Christ’s Life and Ministry -NO CHURCH SCHOOL-
During the month of February, our students
FEBRUARY 1.
in the rotation program will complete their
All are invited to attend the Lenten Kick-
study on the life of Christ. They’ll learn
Off Brunch immediately following worship
about his baptism, and his ministry as an
in Fellowship Hall.
adult.

****THERE IS NO CHURCH SCHOOL ON

FEB. 15 OR 22 DUE TO FEB. BREAK.****
 JYF/SYF NEWS
Junior & Senior High Classes to Host
“Senior” Valentine Lunch: Feb. 8

During Christian education time on Feb. 8, the Junior and Senior High classes
will be preparing for the Senior Valentine Lunch to be held from 11:30 – 1 p.m.
on that day. Sign up to help on the Youth Group bulletin board in Fellowship
Hall!

JYF & SYF Girls:
REVOLVE TOUR Is Here --
Feb. 27 & 28
Plan to meet in the church parking lot
at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27! We’ll
give you your tickets and car pool to the
Blue Cross Arena for this fabulous teen
girl event! The program runs from 7 – 9
p.m. on Friday and 9 – 4 p.m. on Satur-
day. If you haven’t yet paid for your
tickets, please do so ASAP! Make
checks payable to: First Congregational
UCC (and put “Revolve Tour” on memo
line). Cost is: $47 and includes lunch.
JYF & SYF Boys: It’s A Guy
Thing – Feb. 27 & 28
Boys in Grades 6 - 12! This event is for you!
Come to this awesome weekend just for the
guys! The focus will be on leadership (what are
your responsibilities in the world), influences
(how should you respond to the stuff in the
world), and transitions (here’s some help in navi-
gating the times from Jr. High to Sr. High, and
Sr. High to College. Small group discussions
will be split by age level. Presentation and dis-
cussion will be age appropriate.
It’s A Guy Thing will be held at St. John of
Rochester church on Fri., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. –
Sat., Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person.
The event includes speakers, snacks, movies,
music, garbage plates, games and small group
discussions. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or call
the church office (223-0224).

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM

FEBRUARY 19, 2009
 Annual Church Financial Meeting Correction
The Board of Trustees would like to clarify two statements made during the
church’s Annual Financial Meeting. The first statement dealt with the perform-
ance of the Endowment Fund, and although accurate, it was misleading. The mar-
ket value of the Endowment Fund as of December 31, 2008 was $379,095.68.
This is a 37% decrease in market value from the $600,964.24 as of December 31,
2007. Instead of communicating true market value, we communicated the amount
recorded on the balance sheet which is equivalent to the fund’s contributions and
dividends earned or $439,791.35. The practice of reporting contributions and divi-
dends paid instead of true market value has been an accepted practice for more
than 10 years. To ensure an accurate and transparent understanding of Church fi-
nances we are reviewing this reporting practice now and will inform the congrega-
tion if any change is made.

The second clarification is associated with the Budget Line item “Previous
Years Giving”. We informed the congregation that this line item is actual surplus
net revenue from the previous year’s budget carried forward into the coming year.
The correct statement should have been “Previous Years Giving are funds pledged
from the previous year, but not collected in the year pledged”. To clarify further,
any and all surplus net revenue realized from 2008 are placed into reserves
(checking) and not counted as revenue in the coming year.

The Board of Trustees regrets the above errors and we will work to ensure these
errors are not repeated.

Sincerely,
Ed McGrattan

Submitted by Board of Trustees,

Concurred by Jim Dudley, Church Treasurer

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM FEBRUARY 19, 2009

 Social Entrepreneurship/Green Vendor Marketplace
November 20 & 21, 2009
How many times have you heard: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a
man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”? This ideal is the core of the growing Social En-
trepreneurship movement. Social Entrepreneurs are business owners who place fair trade
practices as a cornerstone of their business strategy. These businesses may provide pathways
for developing countries to get products to market, or within our local community helping dis-
abled or unemployed, poor or displaced individuals find meaningful work and improve their
lives. There are numerous examples of these organizations in Rochester: Kingdom Ventures,
One World Goods, Healthy Sister’s Soup & Bean Works, ABVI-Goodwill and more. Addition-
ally the marketplace will also celebrate businesses who provide positive examples of environ-
mental and resource conservation. Purchasing from these organizations supports our belief
that as Christians we are to care for the Earth and be thankful for our many blessings.

In November as we all start thinking
about Thanksgiving and the upcoming
gift giving season, our church will pro-
vide an opportunity for people to give a
double gift: once as individuals purchase
a gift for a loved one, and once as their
purchase helps a needy individual or
community progress towards independ-
ence or support environmentally con-
scious practices.
How can you help?
Help us name the event! Send us your
ideas for a clever and simple name that
will convey the greater purpose of our
marketplace to others in our community.
Help us find vendors! If you are aware of
a vendor that might be appropriate for
our marketplace, please let us know. We
are actively looking for at least twenty
vendors.
Please send event name, vendor or other
event suggestions to Crista Deniz
(denizca@frontiernet.net) or Sondra
Franzen (sondraf@frontiernet.net). Event
names suggestions should be submitted by
February 28, 2009 for consideration.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Learn more about Partners in Caring, a volunteer program that provides non-
medical care giving to older adults in their homes. Develop friendships while
performing light housekeeping, yard work, meal preparation, reassurance phone
calls, reading, or errands. Give back to the community one neighbor at a
time. Great way to start the New Year. Call 244-8400 x177 for more informa-
tion.