Hobby Horse Preschool By-Laws
After notation of a spacing error in the opening quote from Proverbs and some clarifying discussion regarding the Finance Team’s role in overseeing the Hobby Horse budget, Jane Langol made a motion that the new Hobby Horse Preschool Team By-Laws be approved as submitted.  Don Canfield seconded.  Motion carried.
Stewardship/2012 Budget
Mark thanked Gil Brucken for his January 22 pulpit announcement.  Kelly reported that $4,260 in additional funds were pledged in the week following, coming from two additional pledges and two previously-submitted pledges being increased.  Gil will do another pulpit talk on January 29.  In addition to the pulpit and  bulletin announcements, Gil noted that letters have gone out to non-pledgers and a reminder will be posted on Facebook.  Dave Weber reminded Council that pledging is a responsibility of membership set forth in the Constitution.
Kelly Charnley walked Council through a worksheet comparing 2011 (budget & actual) to 2012 budget figures.  Pledges to date, including the just-added amount noted above, still leave us approximately $45,000 below budget.  Factoring in an additional $22,740 in hoped-for pledged income still leaves a projected net loss of approximately $23,266.  Ron noted that we generally run around  6% under budget.  This knowledge coupled with the fact that our reserve is currently at a healthy 19% means we will likely navigate through this.  However, in a worst case scenario, if no additional pledged income were to come in at this point, use of reserve funds to make up this difference would drop reserve funds to 10%, which would leave us dangerously below our stated 15% reserve goal.  In addition to continuing efforts to get more pledges in, Kelly reminded all teams to watch expenditures early in 2012 till the hoped-for catch-up in income occurs.
Jane updated Council on our new custodians, husband & wife team Jerry and Deborah Thompson,  sharing one position, who started 1-17-12.  The position calls for 20 hours per week (5 days X 4 hrs), paid at a rate of $15 per hour.  Approximate annual cost will be $16,000.  While there are probationary benchmarks ahead at 30, 60 and 90 days, the arrangement seems to be working well so far.  Mark’s Cleaning Service, employed over the last 18 months, will be phased out in the coming month.  Coming back to the budget discussion, it was stressed that the new staff custodians will not significantly add to the church’s overall expenses, compared to expenditures to Mark’s and Derrel Larsen in these last 18 months.
Also relating to the budget discussion, Mark noted that a new keyboard player/band leader is needed for the Gathering service and that the idea of making this a paid position is being explored.  Miki Saito who has volunteered in this capacity most recently has taken a music director position at another church.  A job description now being developed will be reviewed with the Gathering Team on February 4 and will then be passed to the Staffing Team.  Bath UCC was suggested as a source for possible contacts.  Pastor Neal expressed his belief that a skilled musician in this capacity will pay for him or herself, adding that it is a bit remarkable that the Gathering service has endured this long without any paid music leadership.  Generally speaking, Neal observed that the Gathering service seems to be on a smoother road with new energy evident in recent weeks.
Gil proposed that Council delay on formally approving the 2012 budget for another week, in hopes that members can yet be motivated to help reduce the projected deficit.   Dave Edinger suggested that we endorse the 2012 budget as it stands currently and then continue work to reduce the deficit.  Neal remarked that every church budget needs a faith component and added this positive note: pledged income has risen 20% in the last three years compared to 10% in the previous ten years.  Carl Skorepa made a motion that we postpone an approval vote on the 2012 budget till February 2, at which time a vote will taken via email.  Gil seconded the motion.   Motion carried.
Addendum: Mark reported that the revised 2012 operating budget with figures updated by Kelly to reflect additional/increased pledges received through February 2, 2012 (nearly  $11,000 in additional pledged income) was unanimously approved by Council in a vote taken via email and tallied February 3, 2012.
Open Council & Team Positions
Neal noted that all Teams are working on filling roster vacancies created by those whose terms end with the Annual Meeting.  Mark observed that this is Jane’s last Council meeting in the Immediate Past Moderator role and Dan Hunter’s last Council meeting as Clerk.  (In December, Dan announced his intention to resign from the Clerk position, to be effective at the conclusion of the upcoming Annual Meeting.).  Mark thanked both Jane and Dan for their service in these roles.  Individuals to fill the Moderator Elect and Clerk positions are now being sought.  Neal added that Nick North plans to step down as Worship Team liaison.  Gil expressed interest in staying on Council, but switching from Stewardship liaison to another position—perhaps Worship or Caring liaison.  The busiest time of year for Stewardship coincides with his busiest time of the year at work.

Annual Meeting Preparation
Kelly wanted to make sure that Council recognizes Cindy Korecky’s efforts in navigating through some headaches in setting up and making improvements upon the Annual Report.  Mark also thanked Kelly for her contributions to the Annual Report.  It was noted that the roster pages listing the various Leadership Team positions will be a separate handout and not part of the bound Annual Report this year.  Further, it was noted that the absence of a report from the Justice & Witness Team is not an oversight.  Team Leader Rick Legenza elected not to submit a report in light of the Team’s inactivity in the past year.
February Leadership Retreat
Neal announced a new date for this event: Saturday, February 25 at Western Reserve Masonic Community (WRMC).  The guest speaker will be Jim Oates, the Ohio Conference’s Church Vitality Coach.  Neal expects that Jim will lead our group to reflect upon how we create a unified vision and how we define our calling and our mission.  Like last year, lunch will be served by WRMC staff, with a free-will offering to defray costs.  To arrange scheduling so that the next Council meeting falls after this retreat event, it was agreed that the next Council will be moved from February 23 (our regular 4th Thursday) to March 1.  With this move, Council will likely meet twice in March, on the 1st and on the 22nd.
Brief Team Reports (Resource/Additional)
Finance: Ron announced that the Finance Team has approved a change in the church’s property and liability insurance to Cincinnati Insurance Company, a move that will save $1,200 in this new year.  Also, Finance has given the Property & Grounds Team approval for a $26,000 expenditure for stained glass window repairs in the choir room and chapel.
Property & Grounds: Dave Edinger noted that recently-completed repairs to the refrigerator/ freezer should keep it going for another year.  Dave added that P & G is working with First Energy on an energy survey with the goal of reducing costs.  Dave also asked Council members to note the exterior church lighting now in place, both for security reasons and to better showcase the church building to the community.
Staffing: Beyond the update on the custodian position noted earlier, Jane had no further Staffing Team report.  While she had the floor, Jane suggested that the church might want to consider ways in which it could participate in an antique show on the square that Main Street Medina is in the early stages of planning for Sunday, June 24.  Might the church gain exposure from doing something with food or music for such an event?  Would we consider opening the building and making presentations about the church’s history?  Jane will watch for additional details.
Endowment: Jane reviewed plans for the February 12 Founders’ Day service.  The theme will be “The Patchwork of Our Lives,” emphasizing not only the Endowment Fund, but also our connectedness and getting to know one another better.  In lieu of a sermon, seven speakers will offer personal reflections.  Children will distribute carnations, cake will be served at coffee hour, and the quilt raffle will be promoted.  (The actual drawing will take place in March.)

Brief Team Reports (Purpose)
Evangelism: Don Canfield reported on an idea to have a team push decorated shopping carts in the Fourth of July parade to collect canned goods from parade watchers.  A church Neal served in Illinois had great fun and gathered a significant amount of food donations doing this.  This activity would be publicized in the newspapers and through other churches and would have the potential to grow into a visible, mission-oriented tradition.  We have an initial OK from the City of Medina.  Details to come.
Discipleship & Education: Mariah reported that D & E has recruited its next group of Team members and FISH teachers.   VBS planning is now underway.  The January 15 Game Night drew 40 participants.  A Confirmation Class trip to Temple Israel, followed by a lock-in back at our church the same evening, is set for January 27.  Plans are being set for this year’s youth group mission trips: middle school youth to the Hiram Farm in nearby Hiram, Ohio (June 1-3); senior high youth to Heifer International’s Overlook Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts (July 23-29).  Both will be service/learning experiences.  A March 11 Youth Sunday service will be followed by a dessert auction/basket raffle fundraiser.  Looking ahead, Mariah forsees some youth group  leadership transitions as some of the current advisors may step down at the end of this year.
Worship: Neal noted that a hymn sing is slated for the 8:15 and 10:30 services on February 5, Annual Meeting Sunday.  Ash Wednesday (February 22) will be at First Christian.  Our church will host the Maundy Thursday service on April 5.  A five-week Wednesday night Lenten series will begin February 29.  These Wednesday sessions, each beginning at 6:45, will feature dessert and a choice of three programs: “Families Set Free” (a series on the pressures of overachievement, sponsored by the D & E Team), “The Cow in the Parking Lot” (sponsored by the Reconciliation Team), and “The Jesus I Never Knew” (a Bible study).

Mission: Beth Hari and Pastor Neal reported that responses to Mission: 1 letters were received from Senator Sherrod Brown and Congressman Jim Renacci.        Beth shared with Council an idea for a possible new mission outreach upon which Jim Phillips, Dan Marty, Dave Weber, and she have been brainstorming.  Inspired by a recent occasion when Jim and Dan repaired the entrance steps at a home near the church, this group envisions our church becoming a force for good in the neighborhood, moving out into the surrounding blocks and helping those who need help with necessary household repairs and improvements.  This would be an expression of our church’s interest in hands-on mission, not just in Costa Rica or Biloxi or Cleveland, but right here.  It is thought that such an effort could  be funded with a Mission Team commitment of $2,000 to $3,000.  Guidelines would be developed regarding homeowner eligibility, legal and insurance concerns, and the like.  A project manager would be appointed.  Referrals could be sought through Community Services Center, Councilman (and church member) Bill Lamb, and perhaps other sources.  Beth noted that this idea will be discussed at the next Mission Team meeting and stressed, if the Team is receptive, that things will be taken one step at a time and that projects will start small.  Another thought emerging from this discussion is the idea of someday promoting a community garden.  Mark and other Council members expressed support for the further exploration of these ideas.    Beth also noted that the Mission Team released a $1,400 gift to the Zion UCC in Tremont whose food outreach our church members support by volunteering.  $500 will pay the debt Zion owes to an area foodbank, $500 will establish a credit at the same food bank, and $400 was given for other needs.  This help was gratefully received.  At Mark’s suggestion, Beth will write an article about this gift and our ongoing relationshiop with Zion for future inclusion in a Still Speaking newsletter.
Justice & Witness: At the end of its fledgling first year, Dave Weber expressed hope that J & W will develop a sense of direction and some Team goals in the new year.

Pastors’ Reports
Pastor Mariah: Mariah expressed an interest in trying to encourage the prayer requests that come from the congregation during services to be broader than concerns about those facing medical challenges.  While those are important, she would also like to see our thinking extend to other areas, such as prayers for particular ministries of the church.
Pastor Neal: Neal noted that the Costa Rica group will depart February 12 (nine from Medina, six from Chicago).  Neal added that this year’s group will be challenged by working on two houses in a more rural area.  Neal thanked the Mission Team for its financial support and clarified that the scholarship funds raised by the November 12 dinner and music event (approximately $1,200) will be used next year, rather than this year, due to timing.
Neal announced that a new group, for those with recently-emptied nests, spearheaded by Judy and John Gorsek, will meet for the first time on February 2.
Neal also noted that new members will be received on February 12.  Six attended the January 22 new member class; the second class is scheduled for February 5.

Important Dates
Sunday, February 5: Hymn Sing Service and Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 12: Founders’ Day, Costa Rica departure
Wednesday, February 22: Ash Wednesday Service @ FCC
Saturday, February 25: Leadership Team Retreat (WRMC)
Wednesday, February 29: Five-week Lenten series begins
Thursday, April 5: Maundy Thursday
Sunday, April 8: Easter
Friday, April 27 thru Sunday, April 29: Possible date for Men’s Retreat

Closing
Mariah led the Council in closing prayer and Mark adjourned the meeting.
Next Council meeting: Thursday, March 1, 2012

Respectfully recorded and submitted, 

Dan Hunter, Clerk

Worship Highlights: 8:15 am & 10:30 am

“The Time for Proclaiming Is Now”

Mark 1:29-39

(A series from the opening of Mark “The Time Is Now”) – Rev. Neal Sadler

 9:00 am – Dave Sinclair – “No Charade-God Sincerely Loves Us”

Flowers: on the altar are given by John & Joan Walschon in memory of Joan’s parents, Dr. & Mrs. Charles Mackenbach.

January 29, 2012 thru February 5, 2012

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sun           BLANKET SUNDAY

            8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

           10:30 am   Worship

            3:15 pm   Elementary Youth

                           at All Fired Up

            5:00 pm   Youth Group

            6:15 pm   Senior High Parents Work Camp Meeting Mon                

Tues     7:00 pm   Gathering Band

Wed     7:15 am   Chapel Prayer Time

           10:30 am   Quilters

            2:00 pm   Bible Study @ Tollafield’s

            6:30 pm   Bell Choir

            8:00 pm   Worship Team

Thurs    9:15 am   Women’s Bible Study

Fri                     

Sat       7:00 am   Men’s Bible Study

            8:00 am   Men’s Fellowship

            9:00 am   Gathering Band

           11:00 am   Gathering Leadership Team

Sun         “SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY

            8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

           10:30 am   Worship

           11:30 am   3rd Grade Bible Class

          11:30 am   ANNUAL MEETING

            2:00 pm   JMM @ MR Village

            3:00 pm   New Member Class

            3:30 pm   Confirmation Meeting

            5:00 pm   Youth Group

SAVE THE DATE!!!

ALL TEAM LEADERS, STAFF AND CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL RETREAT

 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 – 9 am-2 pm

 at Western Reserve Masonic Community

Our guest speaker will be Jim Oates, who is in charge of Church Vitality with the Ohio Conference, UCC.

Please plan to attend the Annual Meeting scheduled for

FEBRUARY 5, 2012 @ 11:30 AM 

***ANNUAL REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO PICK UP

TODAY IN THE EAST ROOM

AMISH QUILT RAFFLE

The Endowment Fund is sponsoring an Amish Queen-size Quilt Raffle to support the growth of the Fund for the future of our church.  Tickets are $1.00 each.  The drawing will be held on March 4, 2012, and the winner need not be present to win.  This beautiful quilt, available for viewing in the East Room, was made by the women of the Amish community of Cory, NY, The name of the pattern is LONE STAR, and it measures 102” X 110”. Please support this worthy effort to continue the future life of our church.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

Would you like to become a member of our church family? Join us for our new member classes.

We have changed the structure for the classes. The second class will be held on February 5 from 3-5:00 pm. New members will join the church on February 12.

Meet us in the East Room at 3:00 pm.

COFFEE HOUR

        We hope you enjoy sharing a little coffee and a snack and some good fellowship and conversation after worship. We are looking for people to help with the 10:30 coffee hour.

        If you are interested in hosting or helping with a coffee hour after the 10:30 am worship service, please contact Ruth Gifford or Lorna Lindsley. They will be happy to find a Sunday for you to help! They are listed in the church directory, or can call the church office and we will put you in contact with them.

ELEMENTARY YOUTH GET 

ALL FIRED UP 

        Today the Elementary Youth Group will embark on a field trip to All Fired Up pottery studio on the Square. Please meet at the church at 3:15 pm. We will walk there together as a group, then return to the church for dinner. Youth may be picked up from the church after dinner at 5:45 pm.

        Please bring $5 per person plus a signed permission slip. Our pottery pieces will be available to take home at our Celebration of Talent on Sunday, March 18. Questions? See Kelly DeSario, Maureen Walker, or Pastor Mariah.

Blanket+ Sunday

        Today we are celebrating Church World Service’s Blanket+ Sunday. Once again, over 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. are responding to the call to be good neighbors to those in need here at home and around the world. For over 60 years Church World Service’s has helped by providing:

Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster

Tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields

Wells for families living in drought prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens

Literacy training and microcredit for women struggling to realize their potential.

        Contributions to Blankets+ help families recover from disasters and that are struggling against poverty. Your dollars stretch a very long way to help families in dire need so please be generous in your support for Blankets +.

        Thank you!

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH ICE SKATING DAY 

    Calling all sixth through eighth graders! Lace up your skates and join us for an afternoon on the ice. On Sunday February 12, Middle School Youth will meet at 1:00 pm at Hoover Arena Ice Land in Strongsville. Our skating time ends at 2:30 pm.

    Please bring a signed permission slip (siblings can be included on the same sheet) plus $6 each for admission and skate rental. Friends are welcome! We hope you will join us for this time of sharing Christian friendship and fun on the ice. If you need a permission slip, or if you have questions, email Mariah at youthpastor@uccmedina.org or see Beth Starling or Kevin Swantek.

Calling all High School Youth and Parents

      Come join us in breaking the winter chill by planning our sizzling summer mission trip to Overlook Farm in Massachusetts!

      All high school youth and parents are encouraged to come to an informational mission trip meeting at the church on Sunday January 29. Youth are welcome to come for dinner at 5:00 and our youth meeting at 5:30 pm. Parents are invited to come for the meeting at 6:15 to 7:15 pm. Please bring your questions and concerns, your energy and your enthusiasm!

      *This trip involves working on a New England farm, learning about world hunger, spending one night in a Global Village, and becoming equipped to help overcome hunger here in Medina.

      *The dates of the trip are Monday July 23 –Sunday July 29, 2012.

      If you might be interested in this trip but you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Stacie Yates, Mariah Marlin-Warfield, or Kelly & Josh Olin (330) 725-4559 ex. 33 or youthpastor@uccmedina.org

Sunday, February 5

The Fourth and Fifth Grades class will once again be sponsoring the “Souper” Bowl Sunday on Sunday, February 5.

On this day they are asking everyone to please bring in $1 and a can of soup. All money and soup collected will be given to Community Services to help people in our community.

Thank you for supporting our youth with this very important mission.

VALENTINE’S DAY CHILDREN’S CELEBRATION & BABYSITTING NIGHT

Looking for a babysitter this

Valentine’s Day?

Looking for a way to help our high school youth raise money for our summer mission trip?

WELL, LOOK NO FURTHER!

On Tuesday February 14, children ages 3-12 are invited to the church for an informal celebration of Valentine’s Day led by our high school youth. Children may arrive anytime after 6:00 pm, and we will wrap up at 8:30 pm. Snacks will be available, but please make sure children eat dinner before you come. Cost is by donation.

In order to help us prepare, please sign up outside Fellowship Hall or in the East Room. Questions? See Pastor Mariah.

MEDITATION                                                 Carl Skorepa

“You want me to do, what?”

     When Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt and they were thirsty, so Moses cried out to the Lord asking what to do. . . .“ and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water, You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beast drink. So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He commanded him; . .Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly. . ” (Numbers 20: 7-11).

      You can imagine that Moses was thinking; “you want me to, what?”

      When Joshua was told to circle the walls of Jericho for seven days and then blow trumpets to knock down the walls you can speculate what Joshua wanted to say; “you want me to do, what?”

      When Jesus told His disciples to sell all their possession they probably thought, “you want me to do, what?”

             These and other requests certainly seem absurd from our perspective. Yet perhaps recently you heard God’s calling and it seems as absurd as talking to a rock to get water and you are thinking; “you want me to, what?”

      Remember “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).  If, the Lord is calling you to do something absurd, follow Paul’s example:

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

The deadline for submission of articles for NEXT Sunday’s Messenger is this Sunday at 11:30am

Submit articles to: athena42@mac.com Or: messenger@uccmedina.org

The 2012 budget was approved with a total of $65,716.24.  Kelly noted this total most likely will change as pledges are received.

The next special offering will be Blanket Sunday on January 29, 2012 and then One Great Hour of Sharing on March 18, 2012. The Team will provide a “Mission Moment” during announcements for a Sunday in February and will be Coffee Hour host for the three services on February 26, 2012.  The Mission Team will provide desserts for one of the Lenten Dessert Meetings.

Jim Phillips, Dan Marty, Beth Hari & Dave Weber will meet to discuss the implementation of the local mission project that was discussed in December.
The Team approved a donation of $1,000 to the Cleveland Food Bank for Zion UCC’s Saturday evening meals as well as a donation to the church of $400.

Pastor Neal reported that 15 are attending the Costa Rica trip including 9 from our church and 6 from Chicago.  It was also announced that the Youth trip this summer will be to Overlook Farm in Massachusetts which is part of the Heifer International program.  Pastor Mariah would appreciate help with a fundraising dinner on April 29, 2012.

Brie Evan and Jim Phillips have served their terms on the Team and will not be returning.  The Team is seeking new members.

The Mission Team will meet on February 19th @ 11:30 AM in the Library.

As of January 12, 2012, the budget deficit for 2012 was $50,000, and the predicted budget deficit in 2012 is in the range of $40,000 to $23,000.   The range depends on the uncertainty of additional pledges.  Gil Brucken will address the congregation regarding this deficit.
At the request of the Property and Grounds, the Finance Team approved the spending of approximately $26,000 for the restoration of the four stained glass windows in the Chapel and Choir Room.  Approximately $20,000 of this capital expenditure is either in the capital fund or has been pledged for 2012.   The additional $6000 will be requested from the congregation in 2012.  Whitney Stained Glass Co. will perform the restoration.

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

at 11:30 am

immediately following the

10:30 am worship service!

Mark 1:21-28

“The Time for Teaching Is Now”

 (A series from the opening of Mark

“The Time Is Now”)  - Rev. Neal Sadler

9:00 am – “Games People Play” Series

“Pieces & Parts” – Wendy Swantek

Flowers: on the altar are given to welcome our newest staff members / custodian team, Jerry & Deborah Thompson. If you see them, say “Hello”!

January 22, 2012 thru January 29, 2012

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sun      8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

           10:30 am   Worship

                 2:00 pm    JMM Medina Meadows Sing-a-ling

            3:00 pm   New Member Class Begins

            3:30 pm   3rd Grade Bible Class

            7:00 pm   JMM @ WRMC

Mon      1:00 pm   Bannermakers

            7:30 pm   Costa Rica Meeting

Tues     7:15 pm   Chain Breaking Faith

            7:00 pm   Gathering Band

Wed     7:15 am   Chapel Prayer Time

            9:15 am   Hobby Horse Team Meeting

           10:30 am   Quilters

            2:00 pm   Bible Study @ Tollafield’s

            6:30 pm   Bell Choir

Thurs    9:15 am   Women’s Bible Study

            7:00 pm   Congregational Council

Fri    CONFIRMATION – TEMPLE ISRAEL

& LOCK-IN

Sat                       LOCK-IN ENDS

            7:00 am   Men’s Bible Study

            8:00 am   Men’s Fellowship

            9:00 am   Gathering Band

Sun           BLANKET SUNDAY

            8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

           10:30 am   Worship

            3:15 pm   Elementary Youth

                           at All Fired Up

            5:00 pm   Youth Group

SAVE THE DATE!!!

TEAM LEADERS RETREAT

 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25^TH 9am-2pm

 at Western Reserve Masonic Community

Our guest speaker will be Jim Oates, who is in charge of Church Vitality with the Ohio Conference, UCC.

Please plan to attend the Annual Meeting scheduled for

FEBRUARY 5, 2012 @ 11:30 AM 

BILOXI NEEDS YOU!

   C’mon Ya’ll! There’s much work to be done for the folks around Biloxi and with our UCC Team at Back Bay Mission. We missed last spring due to several “make all the connections” problems, but this coming spring is lined up and ready to go! We can use all the help we can get! Don’t worry if you are not a pro painter, carpenter, electrician, or whatever. We have lots of work that needs to be accomplished and all any of it takes is a willing “Servant’s Heart!”

   We will stay at Seashore Methodist Assembly right on the Gulf beaches with room and meals included the week of March 31 to April 7, 2012. Yes, we will be home for Easter!

   So, contact Dave Weber as soon as you can for details: 330-725-8545 or radweb70@zoominternet.net

   PS – Yes “unfortunately,” we will just have to take a day touring New Orleans and sampling some of that yummy Southern fare!!! 

THE ENDOWMENT TEAM ASKS FOR:

A HEART FOR GIVING… SO OUR CHURCH KEEPS LIVING

The Patchwork of Our Lives

The members of this church family are in many ways like a warm, patchwork quilt.  We are all different, but we are joined or “patched together” to form a lovely entity that is larger than each individual patch.  We make a great Christian design of believers!  The Endowment Fund serves to promote this faith quilt.

Did you know that there are many ways that you can contribute to the Endowment Fund of our Church?  A true way to honor a family member’s love is to give a cash donation to the Endowment Fund to honor their birthday, anniversary, retirement, etc.

Cash Donation gifts may be made by cash or check made payable to the UCC-Congregational.  Please mark Endowment Fund on the memo line.  This is a lasting gift that assures that the love you share in your family can be reflected in the love we share for the future of our church.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

   Would you like to become a member of our church family? Join us for our new member classes that begin today, January 22^nd.

   We have changed the structure for the classes. The first class will be held on January 22^nd and the second class will be held on February 5^th and both classes will be from 3-5:00 pm. New members will join the church on February 12^th.

   Meet us in the East Room at 3:00 pm.

COFFEE HOUR

    We hope you enjoy sharing a little coffee and a snack and some good fellowship and conversation after worship. We are looking for people to help with the 10:30 coffee hour.

    If you are interested in hosting or helping with a coffee hour after the 10:30 am worship service, please contact Ruth Gifford or Lorna Lindsley. They will be happy to find a Sunday for you to help! They are listed in the church directory, or can call the church office and we will put you in contact with them.

ELEMENTARY YOUTH GET 

ALL FIRED UP 

On Sunday January 29 the Elementary Youth Group will embark on a field trip to All Fired Up pottery studio on the Square. Please meet at the church at 3:15 pm. We will walk there together as a group, then return to the church for dinner. Youth may be picked up from the church after dinner at 5:45 pm.

Please bring $5 per person plus a signed permission slip. Our pottery pieces will be available to take home at our Celebration of Talent on Sunday, March 18. Questions? See Kelly DeSario, Maureen Walker, or Pastor Mariah.

***ANNUAL REPORTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO PICK UP ON

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

HOBBY HORSE PRESCHOOL 

Registration 2012-2013

      Hobby Horse Preschool is our church owned preschool that provides an age-appropriate, child-centered education in a loving Christian environment. We seek to foster the development of the whole child by facilitating growth—socially, physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.

      Registration for the 2012-2013 school year begins on Friday, January 20. Families who are members of UCC Medina or associated with our church have the opportunity to register prior to January 20. If you are interested in a tour of our school or in registering a child please contact our Director of Preschool, Vicki Marty at 330-722-1445.

      We look forward to welcoming new families to the nurturing and fun learning environment that we offer at Hobby Horse Preschool. For more information read about us at: www.hobbyhorsepreschool.org.

Chain-Breaking Faith –

Winter Meeting

      Ever wonder how our church can help those affected by the criminal justice system?

      Interested in finding out more about the ministry Both Sides of Prison: Do You Have Chain-Breaking Faith?

      Join us for our winter meeting in the East Room on Tuesday, January 24, at 7:15 pm. We will: bring together our vision for the direction of this group; share ideas for upcoming events; and enjoy fellowship and prayer.

      All are welcome! Bring your curiosity, your concerns, and your creativity! Questions? See Jeannine Murray or Mariah Marlin-Warfield.

Blanket+ Sunday

      Church World Service’s Blanket+ Sunday will be January 29. Once again, over 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. are responding to the call to be good neighbors to those in need here at home and around the world. For over 60 years Church World Service’s has helped by providing:

• Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster
• Tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields
• Wells for families living in drought prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens
• Literacy training and microcredit for women struggling to realize their potential.

      Contributions to Blankets+ help families recover from disasters and that are struggling against poverty. Your dollars stretch a very long way to help families in dire need so please be generous in your support for Blankets +.

      Thank you!

2012 MOLL LECTURES

Featuring: Dr. Belden C. Lane

      Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. Theme for the lectures will be “The Power of Place: How Nature Engages the Soul”

Where: Baldwin-Wallace College

Wednesday, February 15

7:30 pm – Lindsay-Crossman Chapel

56 Seminary Street, Berea, OH

Thursday, February 16

10:00 am – Lindsay-Crossman Chapel

56 Seminary Street, Berea, OH

Thursday February 16

2:00 pm – Strosacker College Union

Sandstone 3

120 East Grand Street, Berea, OH

GIFT CARD ORDERS

  Plan ahead now for Valentine’s Day, Birthday’s or other Special Occasions and place your Gift Card order soon.

  Please see the Yellow Retailer List on the table near Fellowship Hall or visit www.glscrip.com and click on the Retailer List on the left side to view or print your own list. Complete a Green Order Form, also available on the table near fellowship hall and return to Kelly or Stacie with payment.

  The next order will be processed on Monday, January 23rd at 10:00 am.

QUILTER’S DELIGHT—

One of the most delightful small ministries of our church is the Quilters Group.  Every Wednesday morning, a cluster of women-friends equipped with needles, scissors and lots of energy gather to quilt.  Using one of the downstairs room, Sharon Domchick, Ginny Hall, Lois Tampson, Edie Larsen, Jean Soper and Carolee Rafn meet to sew, chatter, design, laugh, select colors of thread and enjoy the serenity that quilting provides to any seamstress.  The talented women bring years of experience with fabric and thread, yet a beginner is welcomed with smiles and encouragement.  Talented hands make the work go quickly, although it takes almost a calendar year to complete one quilt.  The group has decided to donate the proceeds of their needlework to various initiatives throughout the church such as MUSIC UNDER THE STARS and youth efforts.  They have been especially generous to the Endowment Fund.  Quilts are accepted from church members and friends from within the community.  This is a loving and open group of sewing friends who welcome any new person to join them—don’t worry, they will teach you how to make fine stitches!  See you there!

Calling all High School Youth and Parents

       Come join us in breaking the winter chill by planning our sizzling summer mission trip to Overlook Farm in Massachusetts!

All high school youth and parents are encouraged to come to an informational mission trip meeting at the church on Sunday January 29^th.  Youth are welcome to come for dinner at 5:00 and our youth meeting at 5:30 pm . Parents are invited to come for the meeting at 6:15-7:15 pm. Please bring your questions and concerns, your energy and your enthusiasm!

      *This trip involves working on a New England farm, learning about world hunger, spending one night in a Global Village, and becoming equipped to help overcome                     hunger here in Medina.

      *The dates of the trip are Monday July 23 –Sunday July 29, 2012.

      If you might be interested in this trip but you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Stacie Yates, Mariah Marlin-Warfield, or Kelly & Josh Olin (330) 725-4559 ex. 33 or youthpastor@uccmedina.org

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

We are very close to winding up our annual Stewardship campaign.  To date, we have pledges totaling $398,928.31, a 2.3% increase when comparing amounts on pledge cards returned this year over amounts on cards returned last year, a great effort!  Even better, amounts allocated towards the Operating, Mission and Capital budgets all increased over last year.  God is good!  However, we’re still short on our campaign by about $25,000 as we have not heard from 24 families who pledged last year, but have not turned in cards yet for this year.  To ensure that a balanced, fully funded budget is presented to the congregation at our annual meeting on 2/5, we need all cards turned in this week to accurately finalize expected revenues. 

We deeply appreciate everyone’s support this year!

MEDITATION                                                 Carl Skorepa

    The short prefix “re” according to the dictionary means: “return to a previous condition or position” or “repetition of a previous position.” Over the years I have gradually become aware that God’s character and relationship with us involves many “re” attributes. For example:

Redeem (“to set free; to rescue; to ransom”) Psalm 49:15: “But as for me, God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for he will receive me.”

Reconciled (“to settle or resolve a dispute”) II Corinthians 5:19: “namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Release: (“to free, unfasten, or let go of”) Revelation 1:5: “To Him (Christ) who loves us, released us from our sins by His blood.”

Renew: (“to make new, to replenish, to start over”) Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

Restore: (“to put someone back to normal position”) Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

    As we travel through our life journey with Christ we need to realize that God’s patience towards us involves many repetitions, reminders, and repeats that draw us back to a proper relationship with Christ.

  Some additional inspiration from God’s word: Psalm 51:10; Galatians 6:9; Romans 12:12; and James 1:12.

The deadline for submission of articles for NEXT Sunday’s Messenger is this Sunday at 11:30am

Submit articles to: athena42@mac.com Or: messenger@uccmedina.org

Members of the team spent some time discussing possible candidates for team membership for the 2012 year.  Several names were suggested and these people will be contacted regarding serving.  Syd Benson gave a complete review of the services of the Circle of Caring and then the team discussed the possibility of launching a new project for the coming year.

It was decided the Lenten Dinners will be changed to Lenten Desserts followed by Lenten workshops/study groups which will be sponsored by other teams.  Elly Aberegg and Nancy Montgomery volunteered to set up a schedule for providing and serving the desserts.  The first Lenten Dessert night will be Wednesday, Feb 29th.

Respectively submitted
Jan Holt

The bulk of the meeting was spent working on financial issues.  It was decided that the balance in the youth mission fund be moved into the work camp fund for 2012.  The team approved donations of $500 to the Diane Plumlee Memorial Account, $750 to a Hobby Horse Preschool Scholarship, $500 to the Medina and Summit Counties Battered Women’s Shelter, $1,000 to SARA, $1,000 to the Feeding Medina County Initiative, and $1,000 to Operation HOMES.  The Team approved moving any balance in the Local Mission fund to the Special Ministries fund.

The 2012 budget was discussed and will be finalized and approved during the January meeting.

Jim Phillips reported that a local mission project of repairing steps had been accomplished at a cost of $170.  He and Dan Marty saw that this was done and pictures are available.  The pictures and a story should be placed on the website.  Beth Hari will try to plan a meeting with Dave Weber, Jim Phillips, and Dan Marty  to discuss implementing this type of mission for our church on an ongoing basis.  She will then present a plan to Council for approval.

The Mission Team will meet on January 15th @ 11:30 AM in the Library.

Worship Highlights: 8:15 am & 10:30 am

I Kings 19: 9-13, Mark 1: 4-12

“When God Goes Quiet”

Rev. Mariah Marlin-Warfield

9:00 am – “Games People Play” – New Series

“Truth or Dare” – Vicki Marty

January 8, 2012 thru January 15, 2012  

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sun      8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

           10:30 am   Confirmation make-up class

           10:30 am   Worship

           10:30 am   JMM @ Emeritus @ the Inn

            3:30 pm   3^rd Grade Bible Class Begins

            3:30 pm   Confirmation Class

            5:30 pm   High School Youth Group

                           @ Panera’s

Mon                

Tues     8:00 am   Men’s Fellowship @ Marie’s

            9:00 am   Women’s Breakfast Group

                           @ Eat-n-Park

            7:00 pm   Book Club

            7:00 pm   Gathering Band           

Wed     7:15 am   Chapel Prayer Time

           10:30 am   Quilters

            2:00 pm   Bible Study @ Tollafield’s

            6:30 pm   Bell Choir

            7:00 pm   Caring Team

Thurs    9:15 am   Women’s Bible Study

            7:00 pm   Finance Team                                           

Fri        7:00 pm   “Conviction” – Movie Night

Sat       7:00 am   Men’s Bible Study

            8:00 am   Men’s Fellowship

            9:00 am   Gathering Band 

            10:00 am  Women’s Ministry Gathering

            4:00 pm   Zion UCC- Serve a Meal

Sun       8:15 am   Chapel Worship

            9:00 am   Gathering Worship

            9:00 am   Choir Rehearsal

            10:30 am    Worship

            11:45 am       Mission Team        

            2:00 pm   JMM @ County Home

            2:00 pm   JMM @ Medina Meadows

            3:30 pm   3^rd Grade Bible Class

            4:00 pm   MLK Service @ Holy Martyr’s

            6:00 pm   Youth/Family Game Night

Flowers: on the altar are given with “Thanks and Appreciation” for the Property and Grounds Team and Derrel Larsen for their time and commitment in serving our church throughout the year, and in the absence of a Custodian. Thank you to Bob Montgomery, Bruce Bauer, Dave Edinger, Dick Christy and Derrel for your hard work and dedication. 

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

MONDAY, JANUARY 16^TH

IN OBSERVANCE OF

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

 Join us on Sunday, January 15^th at 4:00 pm 

 for a community prayer service  sponsored by the Medina Ministerial Association honoring

Martin Luther King, Jr.

at Holy Martyrs Church

3100 South Weymouth Rd.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

 Help us save on postage… please pick up your requested 2012 Offering Envelopes!  They are on the table in the East Room.  If you see someone on a regular basis and notice they have envelopes sitting there, pick them up and take them to them! They will appreciate it.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

     Would you like to become a member of our church family? Join us for our new member classes that will begin on January 22^nd.

     We have changed the structure for the classes. The first class will be held on January 22^nd and the second class will be held on February 5^th and both classes will be from 3-5:00 pm.  New members will join the church on February 12^th.

     Please contact the church office at 330-725-4559 no later than January 18^th if you are interested.

TIME TO GIVE? VOLUNTEER AT CHURCH

     At the suggestion of the office staff, The Staffing Team is searching for an intern-trainee within the church family who would be qualified to assist with various secretarial and bookkeeping tasks as well as special mailings. This person would be cross-trained to assist when folks in the office are absent. This position would be above and beyond the tasks our wonderful volunteers already handle.

    Can this person be you? If so, please contact the church office at 725-4559 to alert them to your interest. This is a great way to give of your talents to the church.

“Conviction” Movie Night and Discussion

 Friday January 13^th

 Can you imagine what you would do if your brother were wrongfully convicted of murder? This is what happens to Betty Anne Waters whose story is told through the 2010 film Conviction. On Friday January 13^th at 7:00, the group Both Sides of Prison, Do You Have Chain Breaking Faith? will show the movie and facilitate a conversation afterwards. Please come in out of the cold and join us as we share the story together. Also, please consider bringing a snack to share. All adults are welcome; teenagers are welcome with their parents’ permission. Questions? Contact Jeannine Murray or Pastor Mariah.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

The Women’s Book Group will meet 7 pm on Tues., Jan. 10 to discuss Stealing Buddah’s Dinner by Bich Mihn Nguyen. All are welcome. Questions? Call Stephanie Manhoff at 723-1883.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

 Feeling the dreary cold of winter? Come inside where it’s warm and join us for Family Game Night on Sunday January 15^th from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in Fellowship Hall. We will share pizza, board games, and cheerful fellowship. Please feel free to bring your favorite board game and your friends. All are welcome! Questions? See Pastor Mariah.

GIFT CARD ORDERS

Plan ahead now for Valentine’s Day, Birthday’s or other Special Occasions and place your Gift Card order soon.  Please see the Yellow Retailer List on the table near Fellowship Hall or visit www.glscrip.com and click on the Retailer List on the left side to view or print your own list.  Complete a Green Order Form, also available on the table near fellowship hall and return to Kelly or Stacie with payment.  The next order will be processed on Monday, January 23^rd at 10:00 am.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!!

Please plan to attend the Annual Meeting scheduled for

FEBRUARY 5, 2012 @ 11:30 AM 

BILOXI NEEDS YOU!

     C’mon Ya’ll! There’s much work to be done for the folks around Biloxi and with our UCC Team at Back Bay Mission. We missed last spring due to several “make all the connections” problems, but this coming spring is lined up and ready to go! We can use all the help we can get! Don’t worry if you are not a pro painter, carpenter, electrician, or whatever. We have lots of work that needs to be accomplished and all any of it takes is a willing “Servant’s Heart!”

     We will stay at Seashore Methodist Assembly right on the Gulf beaches with room and meals included the week of March 31 to April 7, 2012. Yes, we will be home for Easter!

     So, contact Dave Weber as soon as you can for details: 330-725-8545 or radweb70@zoominternet.net

      PS – Yes “unfortunately,” we will just have to take a day touring New Orleans and sampling some of that yummy Southern fare!!! 

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

• To insure the deductibility of your church contributions, please do not file your 2011 income tax return until you have received a written report of your contribution from the church.  Some contributions may not be tax deductible. Statements will be mailed by January 31, 2012.

FLOWER CHART

    The 2012 Flower Chart is now hanging on the bulletin board

in the East Room hallway. Please sign up to sponsor the Altar Flowers. This is a wonderful way to honor or remember someone, or to celebrate a special occasion.

    Please fill in your name and write “church” or “self” to let us know if you would like the church to order the flowers for you or if you will be ordering them yourself. Also, please indicate if you would like to claim them after the service.

The cost of the flowers through the church office is $22.50. The chart fills up fast, so don’t delay!

HOBBY HORSE PRESCHOOL 

Registration 2012-2013

 Hobby Horse Preschool is our church owned preschool that provides an age-appropriate, child-centered education in a loving Christian environment.  We seek to foster the development of the whole child by facilitating growth—socially, physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.  

Registration for the 2012-2013 school year begins on Friday, January 20.  Families who are members of UCC Medina or associated with our church have the opportunity to register prior to January 20.  If you are interested in a tour of our school or in registering a child please contact our Director of Preschool, Vicki Marty at 330-722-1445.

We look forward to welcoming new families to the nurturing and fun learning environment that we offer at Hobby Horse Preschool.  For more information about our curriculum and class offerings you can read about us at www.hobbyhorsepreschool.org.

FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

 The Endowment Committee will sponsor a tribute to the founders of the UCC Medina Church on February 12, 2012.  More details will be shared later, but the Committee would like to tell you about the Endowment Fund.

The Endowment Fund was established in 1995 as a long-range investment fund to receive contributions for the future mission of this church.  Decisions regarding the assets in the Endowment Fund are made by a five-member committee. The Fund is professionally managed by the United Church Foundation in New York.

It is hoped that the assets of the Fund will ensure the continuation of the life of our church on the square.

MEDITATION              Carl Skorepa

 Teaching technical theatre at college is a privilege and blessing from God in my life. As I start a new term I will be teaching students to operate a radial arm saw, a chop saw, and the ever dangerous table saw. I start my lesson on these power tools by showing them my ten fingers and asking them to show me their ten fingers. I jokingly add: “You will fail this course if you finish with less than ten fingers.”

            After putting on safety goggles and ear protection, I explain the numerous steps involved in operating these saws. Safety components are woven into the various steps. Inevitably, prior to actually operating the saws someone shares how they are scared. My response is: “Good!!! Because after working in technical theater full time for 15 years I still fear these tools. Once you become too comfortable and lose your fear you greatly increase your chances of getting hurt.”

             “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” (Proverbs 9:10). Having a healthy fear of the Lord, like a healthy fear of saws, will protect us and gain us wisdom. In our walk with Christ we often become too comfortable with our faith and lose our fear of the Lord. These “comfortable” periods cause us to relying on own wisdom and strength thus increasing our chances of getting hurt. “Lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight,” (Proverbs 3:5).

            Here are some verses from God’s word that give us a healthy fear of the Lord as we saw through life:

Psalm 2:11; Psalm 5:7; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:16; and Hebrews 12:28-29.

The deadline for submission of articles for NEXT Sunday’s Messenger is this Sunday at 11:30am

Submit articles to: athena42@mac.com Or: messenger@uccmedina.org

Registration 2012-2013

Hobby Horse Preschool is our church owned preschool that provides an age-appropriate, child-centered education in a loving Christian environment.  We seek to foster the development of the whole child by facilitating growth—socially, physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.  

Registration for the 2012-2013 school year begins on Friday, January 20.  Families who are members of UCC Medina or associated with our church have the opportunity to register prior to January 20.  If you are interested in a tour of our school or in registering a child please contact our Director of Preschool, Vicki Marty at 330-722-1445.

We look forward to welcoming new families to the nurturing and fun learning environment that we offer at Hobby Horse Preschool.  For more information about our curriculum and class offerings you can read about us at www.hobbyhorsepreschool.org.