Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 19, 2012

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL WELCOME to Boy Scout Troop 27, who have been sponsored by our church for over thirty years. It is a joy to have them here with us this morning to honor this long tradition.

CHURCH NOTES

THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE is hosting a Soup and Discussion Hour immediately after worship service next Sunday, Feb. 26. While enjoying delicious soups, we will be exploring ways to close the gap between the budget and our anticipated expenses. Everyone is encouraged to join us.

REV. MIKE would like to start meeting with the scheduled Deacon Leader briefly each Sunday before the service. Please see him if you have any questions about this.

The 9th Annual SYG ITALIAN DINNER is set for Saturday, February 25. Invite a friend and plan to join us for a delicious meal. Dinner will be served continuously from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Hill Church and takeout is available at 5 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds benefit the 2012 budget for both East Woodstock and the Hill Church. Speak to Charlie Bottieri or one of the students to purchase your tickets today.
DIVE IN to service with Giv2 at the Special Olympics Swim Meet on Saturday, March 10. All youth in grades 7-12 and adults are invited to assist as ‘‘buddies’’ for the athletes. We will meet at the East Woodstock Church at 7:30 am (and stop at the Ivy Glenn Memorial in Eastford at 7:45 am) and carpool to Windham High School. Help provide a memorable experience for a special athlete! All participants must be preregistered by February 19 (today). Please see Andy Perry for details or pick up a form at Deb’s office.
COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp dates are set for July 23-27, 2012 and forms are posted outside Deb’’s office door. CIT/Counselor applications are also available. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. Register before March 31 and receive an Early Bird Discount!

DEADLINES: SHARE deadline for the March issue is Wednesday, Feb. 22! Also, Ellen’s Jury Duty was postponed until Friday, Feb. 24 so if she is needed there, she will not be in the office that day. Please have materials for the Sunday bulletin in by Wednesday so bulletins can be printed on Thursday this week. Thank you!


Last Sunday, the children began “Man Beside the Pool” rotation and are learning about “God at Work”, “Healing Powers”, and “Sabbath Day”. Our rotation will cease just for this week as we celebrate the commencement of Lent. We have a special day planned this Sunday for the children to build their own garden. We will resume our rotation next week.

Ginny Viteri, our mission coordinator, introduced the children to their new mission for the next several weeks. We will be collecting various health goods to assist a local shelter. There is a memo that went home with the children as well as postings around the church as to what products to bring each week. We are encouraging parental support - asking the children to do something extra each week to help pay for the good they are to bring in. Parents, please have your child bring the good downstairs as they leave for Sunday School. At our gathering time before classes, we want to recognize the children for their efforts, and we hope to instill a purpose and understanding of our mission.

The nursery will be open and available to all. Our volunteer this week is Donna Dufresne. Thank you to all of our volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated!

Parents, if you haven’t signed a release form for the use of your children’s picture on our website and facebook page, please do so. We are not “tagging” any children but would like to use photos!

CALLING ALL PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH - please “like” our facebook page. We are keeping it updated and would like to use this social media as a source of communicating as well as networking and encouraging new members to join our wonderful program.