Announcements for the Week of Oct. 9, 2011

BREAKFAST PLANNED: The Deacons are hosting an informal breakfast at the church Sunday, October 23rd, from 8:00 until 9:30, as an opportunity for church members to get to know one another better in a relaxed atmosphere. We encourage other groups in the church to follow on with similar events, to build a caring community together.

OUR DEACONS’ FUND is supported primarily by the offering at our Christmas Eve Service, and is intended to help members of our greater church family in times of need because of medical, unemployment, family crisis, educational or other emergency. Help with losses owing to recent extreme weather would also be appropriate. Recommendations for consideration of a gift should be made to Cheryl, Leslie or Mike and will be kept confidential.

HELP "FILL THE ARK" this morning by supporting Heifer International:
-The Junior Youth Group has Gourmet Dog Treats for sale as well as some Animal Sugar Cookies. Stop by and visit the Heifer Display. Take home a snack for you and your best friend!
-The Sunday School has several copies of Beatrice's Goat for sale at a discounted price. Beatrice's Goat exemplifies what Heifer International is all about. When her family's fat, sleek new goat arrives in her poor Ugandan village, little Beatrice hugs her close and whispers, "Mama says you are our lucky gift...." And indeed it is true. Soon the goat bears two kids and provides enough milk to both feed the family and sell for profit. Until the goat arrived, life was very hard for Beatrice and her five brothers and sisters. The family could not afford to send the children to school, and it was difficult to make ends meet. Magically this one small animal, one of 12 given the village, opens up a new world of health and prosperity. Before the year is out, Beatrice happily realizes her dream of becoming a school girl and her delighted family moves into a sturdy new house. This book would make a lovely gift. It is for "children" of all ages.

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP NEWS: The Youth made $167.00 in "faith" donations for baked goods during the Fall Rummage Sale/Bake Sale! A special thank you to everyone who baked such scrumptious goodies. It was a very successful sale!

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED FOR FALL AND WINTER! Please sign up on the poster in Harrison Hall if you can help out! See Debbi Farquhar or Lib Putnam if you have any questions. There are also opportunities for other ways to participate; such as greeters, ushers, and lay readers for anyone interested in helping out in these important roles.

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL is November 19th! The GENERAL STORE is looking for donations. Whether you knit mittens or hats, can veggies or jams or have fun creating a gift basket for us, all is welcome! No time to make something for us?? We also accept “new” items, candles, books, children’s toys etc. Please contact Karen Cloutier at 860 428-4799 or kcloutier65@gmail.com / Lynn Singleton at 860 963-7229 or evalynnsingleton@yahoo.com .
A Gift Basket or Wine Trio or a Gift Certificate from your place of business would be more than welcome for the PENNY SOCIAL. Call Diane Peterson 860-928-7880 and tell her about the “good item” you have in mind for the PENNY SOCIAL.

The SILENT AUCTION is also looking for items. Please call Barbara Wright to let her know what you would like to donate.

THE WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP meeting for October will be a road trip to the Masonic Facility in Charlton, MA on Wednesday, October 12. Women are encouraged to call Ruth Stevenson at 860-928-7822 to sign up. Carpooling is encouraged! We will be leaving the church at 10:30. After a tour of the facility, there will be time to visit with our friends, Ann, Margot & Ruth who moved there last year. Then we will all enjoy lunch together? Should be a fun time, but we need to let them know how many women will be having lunch. Deb Kirk will offer grace.

Save the date for the next SENIOR CAFÉ. Our youth group will be serving at meal at the East Woodstock Congregational Church at 11:30 am on Friday, November 11. All senior citizens in the community are invited. Admission is one canned food item for the Daily Bread Food Pantry. Please RSVP to Heidi Tucker at 860-928-7449 by November 8.