GOT BLEACH?  The Necessary Pantry needs our help.  Approximately 125 bottles of bleach are required each month to meet the needs of those that rely on the pantry for supplements.  Many of us are blessed to have a different cleaner for every part of the house.  People utilizing the pantry often need to stretch a single bottle of bleach for laundry, household cleaning and other uses.  An empty bottle of bleach has been placed in the narthex.  As you are able, please fill the bottle with any loose change or bills.  Donations will be used at the end of the month to purchase bleach for the pantry.               

GO TEAM GO! 

• Show support for your favorite team by wearing team attire to worship on Sunday, March 14. 
• Stay for a chili cook-off/carry-in meal after Sunday School.  Votes for the best chili will be cast with money.  The monetary donations will be used to purchase bleach for the Necessary Pantry.  Be sure to bring enough money to make sure your favorite chili wins while supporting a worthy cause! 
• Take a seat to view “Tony Dungy on Winning with Quiet Strength”.  Movie topics include: “Stay focused on God during life’s struggles and disappointments,” “Live life with a sense of purpose and significance,” “Toss materialism aside and enjoy the simple things,” “Focus on gratitude, love, and joy,” “Be salt and light to the world,” “Move forward and persevere.”    

Friday, March 19^th = FAMILY GAME NIGHT  

Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a night of food and games.  The meal will be provided.  Please bring a game to play. 

Join us on Sunday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. for a Singspiration

Financial Secretary Monthly Report

FEBRUARY

General Fund received this month     $7,232.25

General Fund received to date          $16,915.32

General Fund budgeted to date          $16,168.32

Blankets                                                $740.00

Blankets Memorial Barb Betz               $20.00

Community Food Pantry                       $29.00

Helping Hand Fund                               $245.00    

Health Kits                                             $40.00                      

Brethren Disaster Response/Haiti        $600.00

Youth Spaghetti Dinner                         $526.00

FEBRUARY CHURCH BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

* The Church Board voted to give $50 a month from the Ministries Fund to the Necessary 

Pantry until the end of the year.

* Women’s Fellowship will be purchasing 3 lightweight 8’ tables for use in the basement.

* The Youth are registered for NYC.  Galen & Sandy Holderread, Ben & Josh Bolen, Stormy Risner, and Maggie Shoue will travel by train.  Abbie McBride will be travelling by bus with the group from Crest Manor.

Young Adult Conference is May 29-31, 2010 at Camp Blue Diamond, Petersburg, PA.  Cost:  $90 prior to April 20, $115 after April 20.  Scholarship information:  At your request they will send a letter to our congregation asking us to provide a $50 scholarship.  You must register by April 20.  This conference is for young adults ages 18-35.  Activities will include:  worship with sermons from Matt McKimmy and several other Church of the Brethren young adults; meeting new people; workshops; coffeehouse; music; campfire; recreation.  The theme is “Community” Romans 12:4-8.  (Due to their facilities, staff and nature of the conference schedule, they cannot extend an invitation to children of any age).

Annual Conference, July 3-7, 2010 – Taking Jesus Seriously

This year A.C. is in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.  There is a CD available for those who do not have internet access with all the information on housing and events.  See Pastor Carol if you would like to borrow the CD.  Print off what you need.  Since it’s not so far away this year, some may want to try to attend.  They are now taking reservations for housing.  If you have internet access check out the website at http://www.cobannualconference.org .

Upcoming Workshops:

1.    The following seminar is being offered by the district: “Stepping into the Jordan…Crossing Boundaries” – March 20, 2010 – Goshen City CoB – 9 AM – noon; Leadership by Duane Grady. This seminar will help you build new connections in the communities where you live and worship by following the model of Jesus to reach new souls.  Content will include: Knowing Your Community; Knowing God’s Story; Knowing Our Faith Story; New Territory and Opportunities: Seeking God’s Help and Developing Courage; Outreach Opportunities that are Engaging, Life Giving, and reflect Anabaptist Beliefs; and more.  Seminar offers .3 CEU.   Refreshments will be served.  Cost: 1 person $10 – 2nd, 3rd, and 4th persons $5/each – each additional person – Free (maximum cost per congregation - $25).   Registration forms have been sent. Please contact Ann McNerney, Resource Coordinator, if you have any questions.

2.    "Green Ministries" - March 8, 2010 - 9am-1pm - Ft. Wayne, IN  - This Seminar is about taking environmentally friendly steps as a congregation such as cost saving energy efficient practice, starting a recycling effort, making your worship facility more eco-friendly, and more.  Cost: $15/person; $10/person for groups of 3+.  Fees include lunch and a copy of the book "EcoFaith" by Charlene Hosenfield.  For more information, contact Ann McNerney, District Resource Coordinator, at 574-773-3149 or ann@nidcob.org or register online at www.centerforcongregations.org.

3.       "Essentials of Church Finance (Part 1)" - March 11, 2010 - 9am - 4pm - St. John, IN - Led by Vonna Laue.  This Seminar will cover the essentials of church accounting practices, planning and budgeting, internal controls and risk management, and financial planning.  Part 2 of this Seminar will be offered in the spring.  Cost: $30/person; $25/person for groups of 3+.  Fee includes lunch and a copy of Laue's book "Essential Guide to Church Finance".  For more information, contact Ann McNerney, District Resource Coordinator, at 574-773-3149 or ann@nidcob.org or register online at www.centerforcongregations.org.

Elsewhere in Haiti, work keeps going - taken from Tapestry

While Brethren involvement in the earthquake-stricken regions of Haiti focuses on critical response needs, Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) is continuing its ongoing recovery work elsewhere in the country.

BDM has been working over the past year at rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes and flooding that hammered the northern part of the island in 2008. “There are still people living in terrible conditions” in that area, said Jeff Boshart, who has been coordinating the Brethren work there. A new $60,000 grant from the denomination’s Emergency Disaster Fund was recently issued for that effort. Through the end of January, nearly 80 homes had been built or rebuilt in several communities, assisted by two Brethren workcamps. Numerous food shipments have been delivered to schools and other programs, along with medical supplies. Another $20,000 has enabled micro-loan opportunities in the town of Gonaives.

The new grant will allow six more homes to be rebuilt in Gonaives, plus private bathing areas for homes that have been rebuilt previously. In all, more than $500,000 has now been given for work in the region. The Emergency Disaster Fund has been busy elsewhere, too, recently sending $15,000 to aid southern Sudan, $30,000 for flood recovery work in northern Indiana, and another $60,000 for long-term post-Hurricane Katrina recovery work in Louisiana.

HOW TO HELP

• Information on the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund is at www.brethren.org/HaitiDonations.

• A special “Prayers for Haiti” web page has been created for church members, congregations, and others concerned about the people of Haiti to express prayers following the earthquake: www.brethren.org/HaitiPrayers

• Donations of relief supplies also are needed. For instructions to make the hygiene kits or school kits, visit

www.churchworldservice.org/kits.

Family of the Week Highlighted

In case you haven’t noticed, we are highlighting a family of the week. We are focusing on ways to uplift each family through whatever means God leads you be it through cards, prayers, phone calls, emails, or anything else creative that you might have in mind. Use the mailboxes in the library or send it through the mail. It’s nice to know that your church family is praying for you through that particular week.

CAMP MACK NEWS

DON’T MISS THE MARCH 20 DISCOUNT DATE REGISTERING SUMMER CAMPERS! The $20 discount offered for many camps ends March 20. After that date campers will be accepted for the full fee.

A volunteer is urgently needed to chair the Camp Mack Festival Silent Auction Committee. Call Phyllis at Camp for information or to suggest someone.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! All available adults are invited to help prepare camp for summer at the Volunteer Work Camps: March 22-24 and April 19-21. Saturday work days for prairie restoration are scheduled March 20 and April 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call the Camp at 574-658-4831 to volunteer. No charge.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:

• Summer Team Leaders Training March 6
• Spring Quilting Retreat April 15-18
• Pastors’ Sabbath April 27-28

Mothers, daughters and grandmothers, too, are invited to the MOTHER DAUGHTER WEEKEND, April 10-11, 9a.m. Saturday to 1p.m. Sunday.  This year’s theme is “What a Gem!”  Build your relationships upon the “rock” of Jesus.  $135 for mother and daughter pair; $60 each for additional person.

Brethren in Mission around the world 

In Nigeria, Haiti, and many other places, we “go into all the world” to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and serve brothers and sisters in need.  Over the next 6 months a place where the Church of the Brethren serves will be highlighted.  

      Brazil

The Church of the Brethren in Brazil (Igreja da Irmandade-Brasil) is relatively young and emerging in character. It seeks to live out a holistic gospel that reflects the full teachings of Jesus with emphasis on love of God and neighbor. As a result, the congregations usually engage in some type of service to their community. This message is countercultural in Brazil and sets the church apart from many other denominations.

The work in Brazil is led by Marcos and Suely Inhauser, graduates of Bethany Theological Seminary, who had a passion to take their new-found denomination back to their homeland.

Marcos characterizes the Brazilian church as “Anabaptist in theology with a Brazilian spicy flavoring.” A strong sense of community has emerged as people engage each other’s lives and also reflect on God’s Word together.

Regular training events for pastors and lay leaders have been important for nurturing community and to strength and clarify Brethren identity and values. Additionally, the church holds an annual conference to enact business and worship together.

This ministry is funded by contributions to the Emerging Global Mission Fund.