Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 20

8TH ANNUAL ITALIAN DINNER! Our Youth Group will be serving a delicious meal on Saturday, February 26 at the Hill Church beginning at 5:30 PM. Tickets are available from Charlie Bottieri, and from youth group members. Invite some friends and reserve a table—this is a great way to introduce newcomers to our church! You may also call the Hill Church office at 860-928-7405 to make your reservation. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children up to age 12.


THIS MORNING’S CHURCH SCHOOL
Pre-K – Games – Brittany LaFleur Grades K/1/2 – Cooking – Maria Sangiolo Grades 3/4/5 – Art – Joan Fortin Grades 6/7/8 – Storytelling – Jennifer John

HARRY POTTER LOCK-IN - Twenty three church school children in grades 5-8, were “Locked-In” to the church for 13 hours this past Friday night for copious amounts of fun and fellowship! Our theme focused on the strong bond of friendship between the main characters of the Harry Potter book series. In our “Defense Against The Dark Arts” class we delved into anti-bullying and conflict resolution.
We dabbled in potion making, wand making and a rousing game of Quidditch! We dined in the Great Hall for late night beef stew and shepherd’s pie prepared by Tracy Knust. Tracy also greeted us in the morning with porridge, sausages and tea! Midnight worship in the sanctuary took us on a guided meditation up the changing staircases to an encounter with God who dispelled each of our personal fears and in turn filled us with peace. There was little sleep, but it left generous amounts of time for faith building and strengthening the bonds of friendship.
Please take some time to walk through the building and visit our Hogwarts room décor.
The Great Room was our Great Hall for the sorting ceremony as well as dining. It also included Honeydukes Candy Shop. The library became the Gryffindor Common Room. Our downstairs classrooms were transformed into Olivanders Wandshop and the Defense For The Dark Arts Room. Games were held in the large downstairs area. Potion making began inside and moved outdoors for dazzling illumination under the late night sky.
I wish to express my utmost appreciation to the following Lock-In Ministry Team for their creative brainstorming and wonderful collaboration putting this very successful event together: Jennifer, Rob, Emily, Robbie and Elijah John, Kate Donahue, Tracy Knust, Caroline Chute, Andy Perry, Bobby Donahue, Maria Sangiolo, Sienna and Barry Jessurun, Ginny Miller, Ginny Viteri and Charlie Bottieri. This team has created wonderful lifelong and faith-filled memories for our youth. Blessings! Ellie Donahue


SOUPER BOWL UPDATE—we are now up to $485.60 in our collection for the Daily Bread Pantry in Putnam. The soup kettle remains in the church office today for those who would still like to make a contribution. Note: Please make checks payable to “Senior High Youth Group” so we can send one check to Daily Bread. Thank you for your support!

BOSTON URBAN OUTREACH TRIP is planned for March 4-6. All senior high youth and adults who would like to put faith in action doing service work at downtown soup kitchens should turn in trip deposits today. Registration forms are posted by Debby’s office or available online at www.hillhurch.org

“DIVE IN” TO SERVICE at the Special Olympics Swim Meet. Sorry, we won’t be swimming this time, but you can help a special athlete have a wonderful competitive experience. Giv2 Northeast invites all youth in grades 7-12 to join us at the Windham High School Pool on Saturday, March 12. Pick up a registration form from Andy Perry or Debby Kirk today! We are looking for a few adults who can drive so let us know if you would like to help out.

NEW WOMEN’S GROUP FORMING: A thirteen week group for women will be starting on Wednesday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m. We will be studying the book “What Happens When Women Pray.” See Beth Foote if you have any questions, or call her at 860-928-3314.

WANTED: ONE “TECHIE”! As I explore the things needing the attention of the church publicist, it is becoming woefully apparent to me that my limited knowledge of technical stuff is slowing me/us down:( I am looking for someone with an advanced working knowledge of computers, video cameras, projection and anything else that would help get me/US into the latest century! Work would be on a needs basis. Could you volunteer some time to the church? If so contact Susan Waldron, 860-923-2887 or swaldron01@snet.net

PROGRESSIVE DINNER: Sign up taking place now for the Fellowship/Progressive Dinner on March 12. We are inviting Confirmands and older youth to join us. There is a table in the Harrison Hall to sign up and pay the $10 per person cost. Please see one of the Deacons with questions.


THE SHARE deadline will be tomorrow!! Last time, it took 8 days after we mailed SHARE for them to arrive in Woodstock mailboxes. Further destinations took even longer. We would like to get them in the mail earlier, so we are asking that you please respect this deadline. Especially with Lent and Easter approaching, it is important that everyone get their copy of SHARE before the events in the beginning of the month occur. Thank you for your understanding.

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Cemetery Association will be held on Saturday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m. here at the church.


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
11:15 a.m. Confirmation Class and Rev.Mike meet in library
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
Tuesday
1:30 p.m. Bread Baking for Italian Dinner
3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
Friday
10:00 a.m. Bread Baking for Italian dinner
Saturday
5:30 - 7:00 Italian Dinner
Next Sunday
11:15 a.m. Confirmation Class