Loading...He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. Psalm 23:3
Last weekend, I accompanied Ethan and Sophia to the Diocesan Jr. High Retreat. About 25 youth from various churches in the Diocese attended. The retreat was held at Camp Mt. Luther outside of Mifflinburg. It was Ethan and Sophia's first retreat.
I was so excited to take our youth to the retreat. Retreats and youth events were a huge part of my life and definitely shaped my life. Retreats definitely revive our souls, because we are pulled out of our daily routines into a new experience with others. Out of this time, we are often guided in the right pathways for our lives.
The Jr. High retreat used a theme based upon the books of Dr. Seuss. Being who you are, caring for others, seeing the dignity in all were major discussions. The youth were in 3 small groups and discussion was led by senior high youth. There were crafts and games and lots of singing. And lots of laughing.
While I didn't participate in all of the activities, the retreat, and watching all of the youth certainly revived my soul.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday is Godly Play.
Rebecca is away this week caring for her daughter and plans to return on Friday, March 31. For pastoral needs, please contact Shannon Burns at 801-8899.
Next week we commission members of the Altar Guild and the Flower Arrangers.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. Through April 2, we continue our discussion on forgiveness, using The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. This Sunday Susan Rice and Bill Rohm lead the discussion.
Next week, Rebecca leads: Part Three, Chapter 10: A World of Forgiveness
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast – Wed., April 12 & 26, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
The Choir will practice Wednesdays at 10:15am.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service. There will be no Taize’ services March 28 or April 11.
Tuesday, April 11 service will be held at St. Stephen in Thompsontown.
We are creating our Lenten altar of food for the Perry County Food Bank. Bring your donations and put them up by the altar each Sunday.
This Sunday we take an additional offering for our Building Fund. The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
All who have been baptized by water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are welcome to receive communion. You may receive bread only or bread and wine. You may receive the wine by common cup or by dipping your wafer into the chalice. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please come forward and cross your arms across your chest.
Flowers for Easter, April 16. Donations for Easter flowers will be taken through April 9. If you have an envelope, you can use for the donation, including marking if they are “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone. There are also envelopes at the back of the church.
The Newport Ministerium Weekly Lenten series for 2017 Giving Out Instead of Giving Up Wednesdays through April 5, Incarnation United Church of Christ, 47 N. 4th Street, Newport, from 5:30-7:00pm. A soup supper begins at 5:30, with an informal service beginning at 6:15pm.
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets Thursday, March 30. Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg training on child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, elder assault and human trafficking, April 20, 8am – 4pm, Family Life Center, Newport. Cost is $25. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Register by April 12 by calling Emily O’Haren, 717-238-7273 ext. 3994 or email eoharen@ywcahbg.org.
Tickets are now available for the Race for Reading to benefit Perry County Literacy Council, Saturday, May 6, Little Buffalo State Park, 5pm. Dinner tickets are $35. A pre-race Mint Julep Party in memory of Susan Connell will be held at the home of Todd Saner at 4pm. Tickets for the pre-race party are $50.00. There are also supporting levels for the event from $25 through $2,000. Send your ticket request with check payable to Perry County Literacy Council, PO Box 37, Newport, PA 17074.
Food Bank Donations are needed! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange. See the cart in the parish hall. We are now a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A price list and basket are available to pay for the items you choose to buy. Also, be sure to write down what you’ve purchased to help us maintain our inventory. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
Join Hands Items of the Month – Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.), Diapers (all sizes with emphasis on 4, 5, 6), Toiletries (shampoo, soap, conditioner, tooth paste, etc.)
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries! See Gail Shull or Pat Szabo to purchase cards in various amounts to use at Giant, Mutzabaugh's, or Weis Stores. 5% of the cost of each card stays with the church and is used for outreach and mission projects.
