Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Jan. 23

FIRE AND ICE -- All youth in grades 7-12 are invited to our sledding party this afternoon. We’ll build a bonfire for hot cocoa and have some fun sliding down the big hill behind the Hebert’s house on Prospect St. BYOS (that’s “Bring Your Own Sled.”) We will meet at the East Woodstock Church at 1:00 and ride up to the Hebert’s. Speak to Debby Kirk if you would like a ride over after the annual meeting and luncheon today.

SOUPER BOWL RETURNS ON FEBRUARY 6. It started as a response to prayer at a Youth Group meeting in 1990: “Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl Football game, help us to be mindful of those who are without even a bowl of soup to eat.” Since then, the Souper Bowl of Caring has grown to include over 14,000 churches and has generated more than $70 million to help the hungry. Our Senior High Youth Group will be participating in this national event for the 10th straight year. It’s easy—just put a dollar (or more!) in one of the soup kettles that are placed at church on February 6. Our gifts will be sent to the Daily Bread Food Pantry in Putnam to help hungry families in Northeastern, CT.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL ITALIAN DINNER! Our Youth Group will be serving a delicious meal on Saturday, February 26 here at the Hill Church. Tickets go on sale this week so see one or our youth group members, Charlie Bottieri, or call the church office at 860-928-7405 to get your tickets. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children up to age 12.

NIGHTWATCH: Please keep our Confirmands in your prayers next weekend. The group will be attending the Nightwatch Program at the Cathedral of St John the Divine.

PROGRESSIVE DINNER: Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to Host our Progressive Dinner on March 12th. We had an overwhelming response. Look for a sign up table to participate in the dinner starting Feb 6th.

WOMEN’S SUNDAY: This year, WOMEN’S SUNDAY will be celebrated on Sunday, February 6. Our guest preacher will be The Rev. DaVita McCallister, Conference Minister for Youth & Young Adults for the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. Day will stay for an exciting Second Hour so plan to join us for her thought provoking comments/insights on the subject of this National UCC Celebration of Women: RESTORING BEAUTY!

THIS MORNING’S CHURCH SCHOOL
PreK/Kinder/Grades 1 & 2 –– Ginny Viteri –– Art Rotation Grades 3/4/5 ––Jennifer John –– Cooking Rotation Grades 6/7/8 –– Ellie Donahue - Science Rotation Rotation Assistant –– Ellen Boylan

BREAD MAKING NEXT SUNDAY –– The church school will wrap up the Loaves and Fishes rotation by making bread for the February 6th intergenerational communion service.

SILVER LAKE Summer Camp Sign-Ups Begin! The brochures are in! Please visit the kiosk or see Mrs. Donahue to find out information about the program. We will also be talking about it in church school each week. The program is open to youth in fourth grade through high school. Many, many campers from our church have experienced these camps in the past. Will your turn be this summer? We hope so! They are life-changing! Scholarship money is available.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today:
11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting and Luncheon
1:00 p.m. Youth Group Fire and Ice event (meet at EW)
Monday
7:30 p.m. Bell Choir
7:30 p.m. AA
Tuesday
3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
7:30 p.m. Giv2 Planning Team
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir
Friday
2:00 p.m. Confirmation Class to NYC
5:00 p.m. Daisy Scouts