"The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within."  - William C. Bryant
   With less than thirty days, February is the shortest month of the year and it is the only month to be affected by leap year. (This year, February has 29 days.) Beyond this common knowledge, many are unaware February is the only month of the year that can pass without having a single full moon. The last time that occurred was in 1999. Don't hold your breath because February won't be without a full moon for two more years. There's another fact about February that is yet more unique: if you examine last year's calendar closely, you will discover February 2015 had four full, seven-day weeks. This is an occurrence that happens just once every six years, followed by two consecutive, eleven-year terms. Previous occurrences were in 2009, (six years prior to 2015) in 1998, (eleven years prior to 2009) and in 1987. (eleven years prior to 1998) This 6-11-11 series has repeated itself since the year 1900, when leap year was skipped entirely. This pattern will not change until the next leap year adjustment is made, in 2100.
   If not already noted, you may wish to enter the following events and observances on your home calendar: Ground Hog's Day, Super Bowl Sunday, the Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, President's Day. Washington's Birthday, and the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. That certainly doesn't leave much time for naps...                          - Chief Runamuck

Yoga "Feeling Fit" 

Thursdays, at 10:30 am. Drop in class meets for 45 minutes and is open to men and women. All levels are welcome; $5 per session.
 
Game Day

Come play a friendly game of euchre, bridge or dominoes every Wednesday. Call Bill Jambeau for the schedule of groups. All adults welcome.  
 
Dementia Educational Series II

York Connection and the Inter-Faith Council encourage all adults to attend this series being offered through the Downriver Vicariate. Each presentation is free; a spiral-bound information booklet containing information covered during the presentation is available for a donation of $5. For further information, consult the brochure available at the Crossroads. 
    Session 6: The Importance of Reaching Out: Using Music, Touch and Spirituality 
- Touch is the first sense we develop and the last we lose; 
- Hearing is the second sense and personal music can reach people in advanced stages of dementia; 
- Spirituality (in many forms) is a fundamental part of every human being.    
Saturday, February 13, 2016
9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
      Hosted by: Our Lady of the Angels
      6442 Pelham Road, Taylor 48180
Contact: Marie Gdowski
(313) 381-3000  marieg@loacc.org

  

  

   The "Bottoms Up" Diaper Bank is off to a great start!  As of January 24th, we have collected 9,345 (not including diapers mailed directly to Fish & Loaves). A "bundling party" occurs the first Monday of each month. It is fun, doesn't take too long, and you will smell "baby fresh" when you are done.

The pictures show us repacking diapers into bundles of 60 as recommended by the National Diaper Bank for distribution to qualified, low-income families with babies and toddlers. This bundle will provide sufficient diapers so parents are able to take their children to daycare, so they can go to work and provide for their families. Karen Salomone, the manager at Fish & Loaves, said that they give out more than 1,000 diapers a week, so the need is great!
   The fourth Sunday of each month is the official Diaper Bank collection day, but diapers can be dropped off anytime by the "Bottoms Up" sign.  Don't feel like lugging diapers to church? They can be mailed to the following address: Fish & Loaves, 25670 Northline Rd., Taylor, MI 48180.  Checks can also be made out to GIPC with a notation to "Bottoms Up".  
   If you would like to make a monthly donation, Amazon will "subscribe" you to a monthly order if you wish (at about half the regular price). http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss You may choose a monthly, every two months, or whatever fits your budget. Just order, subscribe, and have them sent to Fish and Loaves. 
   A container for diaper coupons is  located at the Cross Roads. Please feel free to donate diaper coupons or take one to save money on a purchase you plan to make.
   Fish and Loaves, our local food pantry is delighted with the diapers. Please watch for upcoming articles in the News Herald and the Trenton Trib. Thanks for supporting this diaper ministry!

  

   Mark your calendars for GIPC's Annual Meeting Souptacular and Potluck at 5:00 pm. on February 21st. A very special thanks goes to our Folders Group! Melva Barstow, John Myrand, Nancy Repp and Sheila Shelton help us with the final touch of collating & stapling the Annual Report, copies of which will be available by February 21st. More importantly, this group meets at GIPC every Friday to fold our Bulletins for Sunday Worship.
   This year's Winner!!! for submitting their annual report FIRST goes to Carl Krohn of Communications Commission. Thank you Carl, and Communications Commission for all that you DO for GIPC.                               - Lea Kohler