MIDDLETON COMMUNITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 645 Schewe Road Middleton WI 53562 PHONE: 608/831-4694 E-MAIL mccucc@middletonucc.org WEBSITE: www.middletonucc.org Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID MADISON WI 53714

PERMIT NO. 4006

Middleton Community Church

Vision Statement

As a faithful church, we will provide opportunities for growth in our witness to the grace and love of God

through worship, fellowship, education, and outreach.

Middleton Community UCC 645 Schewe Road, Middleton, WI 53562

(2 miles west of the Beltline, at the corner of Old Sauk and Schewe Roads)

9:30 am Worship Service & Very Cool Sunday School

Nursery Care Available

Handicapped-Accessible

How to reach Jim Iliff

Church office: 831-4694 Cell Phone: 215-8924 Email: mccpastor@middletonucc.org

Staff

Pastor ....................................................... James Iliff Director of Music ............................Bob Mirshak Faith Formation Director ................ Laura Crow Children’s Choir Director ........................................ Mindy Nelson-Bergman Piano ............................................. Barbara Brown Secretary ........................................... Esther Edgar Custodian .......................................... Irvin Dennis Office Hours: Monday—Thursday 8:00 a.m. to noon (Closed Fridays )

A Word from Pastor Jim

1

January Worship

2

Recycle the Warmth

3

Inquirer’s Class 3

Leadership Advance

4

CanStruction 2013

4

Rainbow Scarf 5

Reading Program

5

Tuesday Group 6

Men’s Group 6

Coffee & Conversation

6

Faith Formation Opportunity

7

MCC Playgroup 7

VCSS 8

Confirmation 8

Sanctuary Set-Up Team

9

Coffee & Cookies 9

God Loves Art 10

Cancellation Policy

11

In This Issue:

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y U C C T h e C o m m u n i c a t o r J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

From the Pastor

“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah

43:18-19)

“Imagine the Possibilities.” Does that ring a bell for you? It was the theme of our 2011 capital campaign, based on the above scripture passage from Isaiah. “Imagine what might be possible for this church if it was freed from its debt burden.” Well, you came through in fine fashion, making pledges totaling near $1.5 million, allowing us to retire most of our debt over five years and freeing up financial re-sources for ministry and mission.

But even back in 2010, when we came up with the theme, we were thinking beyond the capital campaign. We were thinking of this church’s future in a much broader way. We were thinking about fulfilling the vision that this congregation had over a decade ago: a vision of grow and vitality, a vision of outreach and mission. The new building was only one part of that vision. And, as difficult as it was to build the building and figure out how to pay for it, that might have been the easiest part of this process!

Unlike many churches, we’ve been blessed with growth. But with that blessing comes responsibility. How can we be a true church home to growing numbers of people while preserving the central character that drew them in the first place? What will worship, and fellowship, and mission, and faith development look like as we move into the future. In 2012, we began to expand the conversation through the “Five Practices” book and discussions. In 2013, we hope to move beyond conversa-tion to implementation of some of the ideas, hopes, and dreams expressed in those sessions.

“Imagine the Possibilities” will be the theme for our worship in January and early February. We will look at these areas of hospitality, worship, faith development, and service and how we can expand and enrich our church’s ministry in these areas.

On a personal note, I’d like to thank this church for the good wishes, Christmas

cards, and gifts I received during December. I am truly blessed to be your pastor. I hope you had the most joyous of Christmases and will have the happiest of New Years!

See you in church!

Annual Meeting Sunday, January 27, following morning worship

During this meeting will receive the Annual Report, elect church leaders for unfilled slots, review 2012 finances, approve the 2013 budget, and address other areas of need or concern. Please plan on attending! Childcare will be provided.

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 2

Office Hours

Office hours are 8:00 am to noon, Monday through Thursday. The church office is closed on Friday. The office will also be closed on Tuesday, Jan-uary 1st.

Sunday Worship

9:30 am

Nursery care available

Refreshments and fellowship after worship.

Be Our Friend!

MCC now has a Face-book page! If you’re a Face-book user, add our site to your list of friends. Search for “Middleton Community United Church of Christ.”

Worship in January

Sunday, January 6 Epiphany Genesis 12:1-4; Matthew 2:1-12 “Ready, Set, Go!” On this Epiphany Sunday, we remember the journey of the Magi to give homage to the infant Jesus. Laura Crow will offer a reflection on how God calls us to join this sacred and often baffling journey of faith.

Sunday, January 13 1st Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 43:1-7; Mark 10:46-52 “With the Greatest of Hope” What do we hope for? Where do we want to be? What kind of church are we now? What kind of church do we want to be in the future? How can we get there? On this Sunday, Pastor Jim will talk about hope and its importance for us as individuals and as a church.

Sunday, January 20 2nd Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 49:8-13; Luke 19:1-10 “Welcome Home” “Welcome home.” No words feel quite as good as those. What does it mean to be where you belong? In what ways does the church provide a home for peo-ple? How can we be more welcoming to people?

Sunday, January 27

3rd Sunday After Epiphany Psalm 84; Luke 18:9-14 “How Lovely” Worship stands at the center of our identity as Christians, one way we “love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength.” What about our worship is most meaningful and helpful? How can we enrich and expand our worship to include more elements and more people?

P a g e 1 1 M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h

Winter weather can be unpredictable. A sudden snowstorm can force a last-minute change of

plans. This is true at the church as well. Last winter, we were forced to cancel Sunday School and worship because of a blizzard. It may be nec-essary this winter as well!

When such events occur, the fol-lowing policy determines who makes the decision to cancel and how that decision is communicated:

1. The Moderator, Moderator Elect, and Pastor will consult with one an-other if it appears necessary to cancel worship or other activities and are empowered to make the decision if, in their judgment, the situation war-rants cancellation.

2. Following the decision to cancel Sunday morning events, the follow-ing people will be contacted: a. Faith Formation Director b. Music Director c. Children’s Choir Director d. Accompanist e. Custodian f. Person/group in charge of coffee hour g. Hospitality Team h. Confirmation teachers i. Chairs of church boards

j. Any others with Sunday morning responsibilities 3. Each of these persons will con-tact others, as appropriate (Music Di-rector—Choir; Faith Formation Direc-tor—VCSS teachers, Confirmation teachers—Confirmation class, etc.) 4. For all other cancelled events, the appropriate person(s) or group will be consulted and/or contacted. 5. Notices of cancellation will be posted in the following places:

a. the church telephone voice-mail system (831-4694)

b. the church website (www.middletonucc.org) c. WISC-TV (www.channel3000.com) d. WMTV-TV (www.nbc15.com) e. WIBA-AM (www.wiba.com)

6. Emails to MCC members and friends for whom we have email ad-dresses, if possible. 7. Members and friends may call

Pastor Jim Iliff (215-8924) to check on the status of worship services and other events.

Keep this policy in mind before ven-turing out for a church event during bad weather.

Cancellation Policy

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 1 0

What are you thankful for? How have you been blessed?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

How does giving bring you joy? How are you able to be a blessing to others? ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Answer the above questions and place this sheet in the offering plate on Sunday morning or in the box

on the welcome table. You may also email your responses to mccucc@middletonucc.org

You Have to See This!!

A small subcommittee of the the Board of Membership and Fellowship began working last May to remake our website and Facebook pages. They’re ready for you to check out and provide your feedback. Our web address is

www.middletonucc.org. And search for “Middleton Community UCC” on Fa-cebook—be sure to like us! Send your feedback to jdneuman@tds.net .

“God Loves Art” is an ultra-cool hands-on experience for kids of all ages! This event will be co-hosted by First Congregational UCC in Madison and Middleton Community Church on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 1-3 pm at FCUCC. We are currently seeking artists, craftspeople, teachers, etc. willing to put together and staff a hands-on display. Modeled off a similar event featuring different science disciplines,

this event aims to show how art helps us express our faith. It is a chance for those inside and outside the church to meet, learn, and ask questions! If you are interested in being an exhibitor, or want more information, please contact Laura Crow. THANK YOU!

God LOVES Art!

P a g e 3 M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h

To Boards, Committees, and

Ministries: Annual Reports are due

in the office by January 2!

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y Church has a new email ad-dress, and members of the church staff have church email addresses as well! Please use these email ad-dresses for staff. The old email addresses will be phased out in the coming months.

Office: mccucc

@middletonucc.org

Jim Iliff: mccpastor

@middletonucc.org

Laura Crow: mccfaithformation

@middletonucc.org

Bob Mirshak: mccchoir

@middletonucc.org

Barbara Brown: mccpiano

@middletonucc.org

Mindy Bergman: mccyouthchoir

@middletonucc.org

New Church Email Addresses!

New Members/Inquirers’ Class Coming in February

In February, we will be holding a series of gatherings for people who want to become members of MCC or just want to know more about it. (This is a change from the previously-announced schedule) These inquir-ers’ classes will be held on Sundays following morning worship and will

provide information about the church and ways you can become more ac-tive participants.

If you’d like to take part, or if you just want to know more about it, con-tact Pastor Jim (831-4694 or mccpas-tor@middletonucc.org).

Recycle the Warmth

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will soon conduct the Madison area’s 21st Annual Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive, and our church is set to take part. Committed to help-ing our neighbors in need, St. Vincent de Paul offers aid without regard to the religion, race, or ethnic background of those the Society assists. This annual drive allows St. Vincent de Paul to provide blankets, sheets, and other bedding without charge to Dane County people in need throughout the year. Your help is needed to recycle the warmth and make this assistance possible. The blanket drive will take place Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25-27. One way to participate in the drive

will be by donating new or gently used blankets and bedding at any of the four Shopko stores in the Madison area. Shopko will make a good-quality blanket availa-ble for the drive at an attrac-tive sale price.

The “Big Box” will be delivered to Fellowship Hall so MCC members and their families can fill it with new and gently used blankets, comforters, sheets, pillowcases, and sleeping bags. Consider a donation and help make our “Big Box” overflow with warmth and love. Your generosity will be greatly ap-preciated. Thanks in advance for helping our neighbors in need through this year’s Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive.

January Anniversaries

Mark & Karil

Walther 01/05

John Zumbrunnen &

Amy Gangl 01/14

Kevin & Michele

Statz 01/17

Andy & Carol

Phelps

01/19

Irvin & Mary Dennis 01/26

Happy Anniversary!

Did we miss yours? Call the church office and

let us know.

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 4

Help Collate the FebruaryNewsletter

We need your help on Thursday, January 24,

at 9:00AM to collate & fold the

February Communicator for mailing.

If you can help, please use the Pink Sheet to sign up

or call the church office at 831-4694.

It is time to start planning for CANSTRUCTION 2013! If you are interested in helping, please attend an information meeting on Sunday, January 13 at 1:45am, following worship.

CANSTRUCTION is an important fundraising competition for Middle-ton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Last year, MCC created a very impres-sive “Statue of Liberty on Lake Men-dota” made entirely of cans of food, and rolls of toilet paper!

We are looking for two co-captains and an engineering advisor to lead the selection of a design, food donations, and the actual build-ing of the structure. Start thinking now of creative ideas and designs of WHAT to build!

The CANSTRUCTION event is Thursday, May 2 at KEVA Sports Cen-ter in Middleton.

Contact Laura at 831-4694, 616-2325 or crows@chorus.net for info.

CANSTRUCTION 2013

Mark your Calendars! Middleton Community United Church of Christ

will host the annual LEADERSHIP ADVANCE for new and returning leaders

on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 9:00 am to Noon .

This retreat is designed to orient new and returning members of all Boards, Committees, Staff and Council. Highlights will include new growth initiatives, ongoing mission networking, strategies for sustainability and encouragement for the ongoing mission of discipleship at MCC. Resources will be prepared and time will be given for each Board to host a mini-meeting to get the year started.

With great thanks for your willingness to serve Middleton Community Unit-ed Church of Christ in the coming year; we encourage you to save this morn-ing. It will be a time of fellowship, networking and seeking to answer God's call faithfully. With your help, the coming year will truly be one to celebrate.

Coffee, juice, snacks and hospitality will be available at 8:30 am.

Gail O'Neal, Barb Snell, &Pastor Jim Iliff

Leadership Advance!

P a g e 9 M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h

Coffee & Cookies Hosting

Thanks to everyone who has already volun-teered for this im-

portant ministry; please consider taking part as well! Your help is needed to provide an important part of our church’s minis-

try of fellowship: Coffee & Cookies hour! Light snacks and refreshments create a welcoming environment for our members and guests. Please check the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour table for available dates for January and February.

The new Coffee Brewing System is here! Plumbing and electrical work was completed in December. We’ll begin brew-ing coffee with it soon.

If you haven’t already made a contribution to help pay for the unit, it’s not too late! Checks can be made out to: MCC. Write “New Coffee Brewing Fund” in the memo section of your check.

If you have questions, contact Barb Falk, Christine Odell, or Jim Newman, members of our Board of Membership and Fellowship.

Coffee Lovers!

Sanctuary Set-Up Team

The Sanctuary Set-Up Team is a new opportunity for our congrega-tion and friends to participate in an important ministry of the church. Three or four times a year, chairs and risers are moved in order to accom-modate special programs.

The primary times are:

1. The week preceding Good Friday: All the chairs are moved for the Good Friday vigil, and replaced for Easter Sunday. This includes setting up Fellowship Hall.

2. Summer seating.

3. Sunday before Bible School (August): Chairs are removed for children’s activities and replaced for Sunday services at the end of the week

4. Changes for Christmas activities, including the pageant.

Please indicate your willingness to join in this endeavor by checking Sanctuary Set-Up Team on the pink sheet in the Sunday program.

The first scheduled “move” is De-cember 12

th. We need your help!

Upcoming Youth Group Dates

Mark your calendars:

January 13—6:00pm

HS Youth Group: Movie Night and Lock-In

Planning

January 20—6:00pm

MS Youth Group: Fleece Blankets for “Share the

Warmth”

February 1-2

HS Lock-In

Questions? Contact Laura Crow 831-4694 or mccfaithformation

@middletonucc.org.

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 8

Our 2012-2013 Confirmation year with nine confirmands continuing their year-long focus on the Bible and the connections between its story and our stories. In addition to class-room time, there will be mission pro-jects, time spent with mentors, and other special events.

Confirmation at MCC is a two-year process for students grade 9 and old-er which seeps to prepare our young adults to take on for themselves the promises made on their behalf at baptism—or, if they have not been baptized yet, to make those promises themselves at their baptism. We hope that each confirmand will use this

opportunity to examine the Christian faith and grow in understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Je-sus.

The confirmands have been meet-ing with mentors, building friend-ships with adult members of our con-gregation and providing an oppor-tunity to talk with someone about their faith.

Please keep our confirmands in your prayers: Amelia Crow, Lindsay Gall, Tessa Hellenbrand, Hayden Johnston, Ellen Opitz, Katya Statz, Emily Walther, Ali Weber, and Adam Yeazel.

Confirmation at MCC

Don’t forget the First Sunday of the month is

FOOD PANTRY

SUNDAY!

Here is Middleton Outreach Ministry’s

Food Pantry Top 5 List 1. Cereal

2. Pasta

3. Spaghetti sauce

4. Jelly

5. Macaroni and

Cheese

Visit www.mompop.org for more information.

Very Cool Sunday School resumes January 13th with a new set of “Who’s Who?” as we explore the characters and stories of the New Testament. Visitors and friends are always welcome to join our pro-grams at any time. Why not extend an invitation to a neighbor or class-

mate? Also beginning in January, our VCSS student offering will support MCC’s Jamaica Mission Trip. Please contact Laura Crow at 616-2325 or crows@chorus.net. if you have any questions.

Very Cool Sunday School News

BRAVO! BRA-VO! What a wonderful job by

our drama cast, Sunday School clas-ses, MCC Singers, and musicians! Did you know we had so many talented people in our congregation?

Thank you! Thank you! To all who contributed to our pageant—students, musicians, actors, teachers, shepherds, parents, builders, tailors, painters, costumers, and helpers all! It was a marvelous day and a spec-tacular telling of a timeless story!

Christmas Pageant Thank You!

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 5

Happy Birthday!

John Rahman

Barbara Brown

Judy Rahman

Bernice Cook

Lawrence Landgraf

Sherrill Giessler

Nick Breitbach

Lynn Burke

Haywood Gilliam

Dan Uminski

Mike Falk

Jerry Edgar, Jr.

Geri Cupery

Mindy Bergman

Daniel Roach

June Meier

Randall Crow

Craig Lorfeld

Thomas Rahman

Kristin Friel

John Zumbrunnen

Caitlyn O’Neal

Jamie Menz

Chelsea Bergman

Benjamin Percy

Maxwell Elmer

Beckett Paulsen

Did we miss yours? Call the church office

and let us know.

The United Church of Christ is asking for our help to create over 3000 scarves for Gen-eral Synod 2013 in

Long Beach, CA to raise awareness and provide a colorful witness of our desire to eliminate violence in our communities.

This has become so popular that we will continue hosting knitting workshops from 6-8 pm on the sec-

ond Thursday of every month until May 2013. This month we are meet-ing Thursday, January 10th. Drop in as your schedule allows.

Bring knitting needles and yarn if you have them. Share if you don’t! No experience necessary—just come and learn, knit a scarf, and join the crusade against violence in all its forms. For more info on the Scarf Project visit: www.facebook.com/thescarfproject.

Rainbow Scarf Project

We have been having a wonderful time sharing the gift of a story with Bhutanese children—and their par-ents! Would you like to join our band of merry readers? We meet on January, 21, the third Monday of the month, at the Good-man Library from 6:30– 7:30pm. We will pull books ahead of time, so all that is needed is your voice and kind-ness.

The gift of a story is our joy and delight to give. Children have ranged in age from six months to twelve years. If you would like to be included in the pool of readers, please contact Mary Ann Drapcho (443-7030 or madrap-cho@charter.net) or sign up on the Missions and Stewardship table.

Bhutanese Reading Program Continues

M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h P a g e 6

Dates to Remember:

January 6—Confirmation resumes; No VCSS

January 13—VCSS Resumes

January 13—CANSTRUCTION 2013 information meeting

January 13—HS Youth Group: Movie Night

January 20—MS Youth Group: Blankets

February 1-2 —HS Youth Lock-In

February 3—Souper Bowl of Caring

• February 12—Mardi Gras Celebration & Pancake Supper

February 13—Ash Wednesday

• March 9—God Loves Art @ FCUCC

• April 21—Confirmation Sunday

• May 19—Youth Sunday

Tuesday Study Group

Come meet with the Tues-day Study Group in the Her-itage Room, from 9:30am until 11:00am. Beginning in January, we will read and discuss "Take This Bread", by author Sara Miles Our service project this year is to support the Badger Honor Flights to Washing-ton, D.C., for veterans. Near-ly 500 Wisconsin World War II veter-ans have flown to Washington since the area's inaugural Honor Flight in April 2010. Donations are wel-come. The group will not meet the week

of New Year's. We will gather again starting on Jan. 8th at 9:30am to 11:00am at the church, when Pastor Jim will make a presentation of his travels to England this past summer. Merry Christmas to every-one and a Happy New Year 2013! Contact Rose Ann Sprang

(831-6486) or Carrie Doersch (238-2386) with any questions. In case of inclement weather, please call the church office (831-4694) after 8:30 am on Tuesday mornings.

TUDY

UPPORT

ERVICE

Men’s Group Meets January 12

The Men’s Group will be meeting

on Saturday, January 12, at 8:00 am. Tom Kurtz will lead a discussion on the Parable of the Talents. What does the parable tell us? Do we get the God we expect? We will use one

of Pastor Jim’s sermons from last year to get us thinking about this subject. Copies of the sermon are available in the Faith Formation table in Fellow-ship Hall.

This group is open to anyone who would like to attend. Food and re-

Two Chances to “Help, Thanks, Wow”

Beginning in Janu-ary, MCC will offer two opportunities to read and discuss “Help, Thanks, Wow,” a new

book on prayer by Anne Lamott, Coffee & Conversation will meet on Wednesday mornings January 2, 16, and February 6 from 8:00-9:00am at TNT Coffee & Café, on Old Sauk &

High Point Roads, Madison. Tuesday Night Fellowship will meet Tuesdays evenings January 15, 22, 29. Join us for soup at 6:00pm. Book discussion begins at 6:30pm. For more information, contact Laura Crow or Jim Il i ff at mccucc@middletonucc.org or 831-4694.

P a g e 7 M i d d l e t o n C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h

Daily Bible Reading Guide

For January

1 .............. Colossians 1:1-23 2 .......... Colossians 1:24-2:5 3 .............. Colossians 2:6-19 4 ........ Colossians 2:20-3:17 5 .............. Colossians 4:2-18 6 ................ Matthew 2:1-12 7 .............. Matthew 2:13-23 8 .........................Luke 3:1-22 9 ....................Luke 4:1-15 10 ................. Luke 4:16-30 11 ................... Luke 4:31-44 12 ....................Luke 5:1-16 13 ................. Luke 5:17-39 14 ......................Luke 6:1-19 15 ................... Luke 6:2—49 16 ......................Luke 7:1-17 17 ................... Luke 7:18-35 18 .................. Luke 7:36-8:3 19 ................... Luke 8:19-39 20 .................. John 17:1-26 21 ................... Luke 8:40-56 22 ..................... Luke 9:1-17 23 ................... Luke 9:18-36 24 ................... Luke 9:37-62 25 ...................... Acts 9:1-25 26 .................... Acts 9:26-43 27 .................... Acts 10:1-23 28 ................. Acts 10:24-48 29 ................. Luke 20:1-18 30 ...............Luke 20:19-44 31 ........... Luke 20:45-21:4

For these daily readings sent right to your email box, go to

www.americanbible.org, click on “Bible Resources,” then “Daily Bible Reading.”

Daily devotionals are also available at www.ucc.org.

Do you have a toddler, or do you know some-one who does? MCC Playgroup meets on Mondays from 10:00am-

11:30am at Middleton Community Church. (645 Schewe Rd. Middleton). There is plenty of room for free play and socialization. PLUS, each week has a theme that includes a sto-ry and craft beginning around 10:45am. Children may also continue free play during craft time, if desired. ALL parents with children ages 0-5 years are welcome!

1/7 — Snow Painting 1/14— Clothes Pin Airplanes 1/21— Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream” handprint craft 1/28— Ground Hog Day activity & c craft

Please spread the word to your

friends and family with young chil-dren both within and outside the church. If you have questions, contact Tricia Reed (tritty1@gmail.com or 608-577-8096).

MCC Play and Learn Group

Faith formation is a life-long jour-ney. In recent years the Board of Christian Education has focused on how MCC can support adult faith for-mation in new ways. To help us gath-er information and expand our vision, the Board has established a study leave time for Laura Crow, our Direc-tor of Faith Formation. The purpose of this time is to allow the Director of Faith Formation to focus on a particu-lar topic away from her normal daily tasks, to expand her knowledge base, and to explore new approaches to faith formation. This year Laura will be devoting the month of February to a study leave. The focus of this year’s study leave will be on retreat ministry and mission trips—learning the practical aspects of how to effectively organize these experiences and creating a vi-sion of how we can help adults (both MCC members and others in the com-munity) to grow in their faith by offer-ing more of these experiences at MCC. During the study leave time, Laura will spend one week on a mis-

sion trip with another Wisconsin UCC congregation and the remaining time in research and networking to help us to develop a vision for what we might offer at MCC in the future. The Board of Christian Education is very excited about this opportunity to develop new programs to support adult faith formation. We hope that you will take a moment in January to wish Laura well in this new venture and will keep her in your prayers while she is focused on this project in February. In Laura's absence, mem-bers of the Board of Christian Educa-tion and other volunteers will ensure continuity of all our ongoing pro-grams. If you have questions during this time, please contact Lisa Opitz or Karil Walther. In Faith, The Board of Christian Education Pat Foersterling Tom Odell Keith Johnston Lisa Opitz Gayle Love Karil Walther

A New Year—A New Opportunity