Mittens, Hats, Gloves and Ccarves Tree

The Mittens, Hats, Gloves and Scarves tree will be up in church until December 16th. Please donate to help others.

Summer Mission Trip: Domestic

We are in the initial stages of reserving space for a Mission Team to go to New York to provide relief and rebuilding from the ravages of Hurricane Sandy. The Tentative dates are July 13-21. We will serve at The Site July 13-21 but need the extra days for travel. If you are interested in joining The Team, the next meeting is Monday, Dec 17th at 6:30 p.m. We will need to make our reservation immediately and a deposit for each participant will be due within a month. Contact Pastor Mary Ann for more information.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Shawls have been lovingly knit and crocheted and are available at the church. If you have a friend or relative who is ill, having surgery, has suffered a loss or is in crisis, please stop in the church office to pick one up. If you would like to be a part of this ministry to knit or crochet a shawl, we welcome your help. Yarn is available at the church. We also continue to ask for yarn donations. The inexpensive Red Heart yarn at Wal-Mart is what we use. We meet quarterly to inspire each other and share the joys of this ministry. Call Karen Stein at 262-203-5260, for more information.

Material Needed for Quilters

Wanted - Any old, clean, used sheets and unused cotton fabric, thread and money for supplies.  Please contact Bea Sutton.

Christmas Baskets

Christmas Baskets are prepared for those who are homebound, ill, or over 80 years old. We welcome gifts of cookies and wrapped candy. Please bring items to church by Monday, December 10th. Thanks!

Cookie Ministry

Our Cookie Ministry meets on Tuesday, December 11th at 9 a.m.  We are inviting new people to our incredible Cookie Ministry Team. There's something for everyone in this ministry of sheer grace and encouragement. If you can bake cookies but can't make our gatherings, just drop off cookies at the church the night before. If you don't bake, come help us arrange cookies on plates and package them. If you enjoy delivering the cookies, come help with that. In other words, you are needed to help this ministry grow and thrive. Just bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share.  All are welcome! Please contact Rhonda Ganansky at 248-5266 or [email protected] if you have questions.

Card Ministry

Our Card Ministry will gather on Thursday, December 20th at 6:30 p.m. at church. This fabulous group creates greeting cards to encourage folks who are ill, hospitalized, or grieving.  All are welcome - and there is no cost to participate!   Thank you to each "card creator" as you give of your time and talents!  Thanks, too, to the special angel who writes the encouraging words! 

A Day In Time Inc, Adult Memory Care Program

A Day In Time Inc, Adult Memory Care Program is looking for caring volunteers to help with lunch and snack preparation, share a hobby, chat with the participants, and assist in our fun activities. Volunteers will receive free Alzheimer's and activity training. People18 years or older are encouraged to apply. The program runs from 9:30a.m.-3:30p.m, MWF, and volunteers can spend a half/full day at the program or volunteer on a monthly basis. Call: Cindy Lester, Executive Director 262-210-9783 for questions, or visit our website to find out more www.adayintime.org.

Side By Side Screening

Side By Side screening is the 3rd Tuesday of each month, December 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational UCC Church, 715 Wisconsin Street, Lake Geneva.  Funds are available for rental assistance, utilities and prescription medicines.  Applicants must reside in the Lake Geneva School District.  Bring a copy of the bill you need help paying.

Side By Side Christmas Ornament Fundraiser

The Christmas Ornament Fundraiser is an annual event to benefit Side by Side. This year's ornament was made by women workers of India. Your contributions help not only the people in need in another country, who created the ornament, but also people in our local community. Through sharing our resource information and providing financial assistance, we try to 'walk side by side' with those in need, to help them in their struggle. Your support of our fundraisers allows us to help others in our community. For information, feel free to contact Steve or Judy Guy @ [email protected] or at 262-245-8898.

Men's Shelter for Homeless

Health Newsletter 

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided that light from the darkness. And God called the light Day..." Genesis 1:3

In this month's health newsletter, Parish Nurse, Karen Stein, addresses Seasonal Affective Disorder. For more information or to see the whole article, please check out Karen's newsletter at www.immanuellakegeneva.org and click on "December Health Newsletter". Copies are available at church.

Quilts for High School Graduates

We are praying for a team of quilters to create and sew quilts for our high school graduates.  There are at least 17 students graduating next June, so we need a significant number of quilters in order to continue this vital ministry!  The quilters will meet on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM, in the basement of the church.  If you prefer to make an entire quilt for a student at home, please contact coordinator, Sara Wahlstedt, at 262 249-0391 to arrange for picking up material and or patterns.

Baptismal Quilts

Carol Morem and Jackie Kuehl are making quilts for the newly baptized at home.  If you want to help make baptismal quilts, join other quilters on Wednesdays at 9 AM.  If you prefer to also sew at home, Carol or Jackie will be happy to make up packets of material and patterns for those who want them.  Call Jackie at 262 203-5296, or Carol at 262 325-5119 for more information. 

Open Arms Free Clinic

The brand new Open Arms Free Clinic is a multi-faith community based effort with 60 volunteers.  The need is great, since 1 in 7 people of Walworth County lacks health insurance.  Badger Care Plus Core is at full capacity, with over 60,000 on its waiting list.  Roughly 10.3% of Walworth County's population lives below the federal poverty threshold. 
The clinic will open Dec. 9 in Elkhorn, across from the high school at 797 E. Geneva St.  It will be open two days per week, with eligibility screening on Wed. from 2-7 PM, and Thursday for patients from 2-7 PM.  The clinic's goal is providing free primary medical care, education, a medical home, and prescriptions to residents or those who work in Walworth County without health insurance after eligibility screening.  Many donations are needed to ensure the Clinic's sustainability.  Call 262 245-1975 for more information.

Open Arms Free Clinic Fundraiser 

An Open Arms Free Clinic Fundraiser will take place on Monday, December 3rd at The Pizza Ranch from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Here is an opportunity to help the Open Arms Free Clinic with your donations and have a great meal, too. They will serve pizza, chicken, veggies and dessert. The clinic will get a portion of the profits and all the tips from their work.

Alanon Meetings - Monday at 6:30 PM. - in Junker Lounge just off the kitchen in the basement.

AA Meetings - Sundays at 3:45 PM; Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00 PM. - in Junker Lounge just off the kitchen in the basement.

SAA 12 Step Meetings - SAA  meets on Saturdays at 6:00 PM.  All meetings are held in the Junker Lounge. 

Coupons for Servicemen and Women

Servicemen can use all coupons (except restaurant and store specific).  Coupons are good for 6 months past the expiration date.  If possible, please cut them out before you bring them in.  Thank you from Mary Rose Long and the American Legion Auxiliary.

WC Food Pantry

The WC Food Pantry is open Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, on the corner of Highway H North and Hwy. NN. The first Sunday of the month, WC requests large bottles of laundry detergent that they will break down into smaller containers and large containers of dish soap.  Donations can be placed in the pink box by the office.

The Lake Geneva Food Pantry

The Lake Geneva Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 - 11:30 AM at First Congregational Church, 715 Wisconsin Street.  Recommended  Shopping List for the Pantry:  Canned Soup, Macaroni and Cheese, Breakfast Cereal, Canned Vegetables, Crackers, Flour , Sugar, Juice, Canned Fruit, Stuffing Mix, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Dinners, Boxed Dinners, Laundry Detergent, Bath Soap, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Toilet Paper.

Christmas Gifts that Make a Difference:

Every year about this time, we begin to ponder and stress over what kind of gift to give those we dearly love for Christmas.  God gave us the gift of life in our birth, and then the gift of eternal life by sending his Son, born in a manger, - our Savior Jesus Christ.  So it makes sense to us that choosing life-sustaining gifts for others in this holy season - is an opportunity to reflect that love of the Christ child in our Christmas giving.

We want to list several options - both locally and internationally, as you ponder your own Christmas list this year. 
  
Local Immanuel Families:

If you would like to assist an individual or family within our congregation with their basic needs for Christmas - we welcome your contributions.  Options will include providing:  gas gift cards, grocery gift cards, Walmart, Target, or Kohl's gift cards.  If you prefer to have us purchase the cards that are needed, please make your check out to "Immanuel Christmas Families."  If you know of families or individuals within the church who would be blessed by a Christmas gift, please let us know.  All information will be held in confidence.  
 
Families in our Community:

Angel Tree:  Children with an Incarcerated Parent

The Angel Tree Ministry provides Christmas gifts to children with a parent in prison. There are angels on a Christmas Tree, listing the particular needs of a child. Take one or several requests, and be an angel to a child you will probably never meet.

ELCA Good Gifts

The ELCA Good Gifts Catalogue lists dozens of amazing gift options.  Each one changes at least three lives:  the life of the person helped by your gift, the life of your friend or loved one, and your own.  There are 3 ways to give:  Online:  www.elca.org/goodgifts; Phone:  800 638-3522; Mail:  ELCA, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.  We will have a number of "Good Gifts Catalogues" in the Overflow Area for your perusal.  Here is a sampling of the kinds of gifts you could give in honor of someone you love.

10 Baby Chicks:  $10 

Ten little chicks make a big difference!  When they're just months old, the chicks lay eggs, making nutritious meals for families who are hungry.  The many extra eggs often allow a family to start a small business by selling them.

Duck:  $20

Large, protein rich duck eggs are nutritious meals!  A duck is the best natural pesticide available!  It eats the bugs and weeds that harm farmer's corps, while fertilizing the field at the same time!

Goat:  $50

Goats survive hot temperatures, rocky terrain or drought.  It makes them especially valuable for families in hot, dry climates where it's tough to raise other animals.  Fresh milk can be used for cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products to eat or sell.  As goats multiply, families often share the offspring with neighbors in need, helping lift entire communities out of hunger and poverty. 

(Margaret in Kenya:  "My goat has given birth to 12 kids.  With so many goats to sell, I can pay for my children to go to school.  I can even afford to hire someone to help me work the farm!"

Fish:  $250

How about pooling your financial resources as an extended family - to give a community fish farm!  The village will eat for a lifetime!  The project begins with a pond, fish food, training, and a few fast-growing fish like tilapia.  Very quickly, the pond teems with enough fish to regularly provide healthy meals for families in the community.

6 Water Jugs:  $12

Large, durable water jugs are the primary way people transport water in remote areas of Africa and Asia.  We've seen them in Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.  A woman or child in sub-Saharan Africa will walk an average of 3.7 miles every day to fetch clean water.  A set of water jugs ensures a minimal number of trips to the well for drinking, cooking and washing.

Christmas Water Well:  $2500

What if our congregation chose to combine our contributions to provide a life sustaining fresh water well for an entire community for Christmas?  Helping a community construct and maintain a water well opens up access to clean, safe drinking water for 500 families!  They are healthier, stronger, and sanitation improves.   More than a billion people worldwide lack access to clean water.  Water-borne illnesses from the lack of clean water cause significant illness and death throughout the world.    

If you want one of your Christmas gifts this year to impact 500 families - make your check out to Immanuel, and mark it "Christmas well."