ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 26, 2006

IF YOU ARE interested in donating money for memorial flowers for a loved one or special occasion, please call the Flower Committee. A list of members will be posted on the kiosk in the Great Room, or speak to Mary Seney or Becky Senecal.

FAMILY LENTEN PROGRAM- Church School children and their families are invited to a Family Lenten Program which will be held on Ash Wednesday, March 1st.
The program will be from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Great Room. Together we will sculpt small Lenten Prayer Bowls, learn a simple prayer movement, and end with fellowship, song and pizza. Please look for more details posted on the kiosk in the Great Room. R.S.V.P. Ellie Donahue 974-1786 or bnatural@earthlink.net.

HEIFER PROJECT COIN COLLECTION! Now is a great time to unload all those unsightly coins that are collecting dust on your dresser tops, desks and counters! On Sunday, March 5th the church school will be celebrating HEIFER DAY! The lectionery reading for that first Sunday of Lent will be the story of Noah and God's promise - a great day to learn more about our promise to help our neighbors in need through the gift of animals! The church school children will be learning more about HPI and more specifically how a goat might help a family in another country. The Nowak family will teach us all about raising goats, and will lead us in goat milk fudge making! We would like to collect as many coins (dollars and checks too!) as possible by March 5th so that we can raise enough money to buy 8 goats. ($120.00 x 8 = $960.00!) We are almost halfway and we can reach our goal with your help! PLEASE BRING IN YOUR COINS! The church school will be hosting coffee hour (try a taste of goat's milk!) and the Junior Choir will be singing Noah's Boat Song! All families will want to attend that day ---you will want to meet DANDY, the Nowak's Nigerian Dwarf goat!

SILVER LAKE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN! All church school children and youth (those entering 4th grade in the fall through high school) are encouraged to experience a UCC 2006 Outdoor Ministry Program this summer. You may now register online at http://silverlake.ctucc.org/ (click on "Register"), or pick up a form in the Great Room. See the kiosk in the Great Room for more details or talk to Ellie Donahue.

ON FRIDAY, FEB. 17 a landslide in the southern Philippine province of Leyte buried some 500 houses and an elementary school where around 246 students were believed to have been in class.
The confirmed death toll stands today at 93, with some 1,000 others missing and feared dead.
The United Church of Christ has responded with an initial gift of $5,000 which was sent to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), to assist with needs as identified by the General Secretary, Bishop Elmer Bolocon.
One Great Hour of Sharing funds help us respond to this disaster and many others but the toll of recent disasters is staggering. Our commitment to take a special offering for disaster response on the first Sunday of each month will help supplement the very generous contributions we give to OGHS each year. For more information on the United Church of Christ’s response to recent disasters and long term recovery efforts visit www.ucc.org. I would also be happy to answer any questions as well.
Cecile Gilson

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
TODAY:
9:15 a.m. Confirmation field trip
11:30 a.m. Youth Bells
MONDAY
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 a.m. Sr. Bells
TUESDAY
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m. PCT
7:00 pm. Deacons
THURSDAY
7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir
SUNDAY
7:00 p.m. Youth Council & Leaders - EWCC

SHARE DEADLINE - Sunday, Feb. 26!!!