Stewardship 2013 - Serve Boldly

Thanks very much to so many of you who have already submitted your Time and Talent forms and your Pledge cards.   Your submissions are helping to build our 2013 programs both within Abiding Presence and beyond our doors through our combined efforts to Serve Boldly. 

 

If you have not yet submitted your forms, it is not too late, and we still need you.  We each have our own unique gifts from God, and our work in serving God will not be complete without you and your gifts.  If you no longer have your Stewardship packet, extra forms are available at church. Thank you again for your generosity!

 

Wednesday Night Dinner Help Needed on January 16

We need assistance with cooking our Wednesday Gathering dinner on Wednesday, January 16, as two of our dinner cooks will be gone that evening.  If you can help, please contact Kathi Schultz in the church office.  She will be happy to discuss what will need to be done, and help plan a menu based on what you feel comfortable cooking.  We will need a minimum of two people to assist with dinner that evening.

 

2013 Senior High Youth Mission Trip

We're planning ahead and have already set the dates for our 2013 Sr. High mission trip. We'll be headed to rural Bluefield, WV, for a week of home repair, July 7-13, 2013. The cost will be $550 per person for the week, which will include all meals except for dinner one night.   Registration forms available on the Sr. High Youth bulletin board.

 

Senior High Youth...Listen Up!  Some of you have attended the Youth Quake in the past, but if not, here is your chance.  You have now reached the age that you can attend the Youth Zone.  This is a great event held in Virginia Beach March 1-3, 2013, aimed at senior high youth.  The theme this year is "Thrive", based on Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  If you have enjoyed a Youth Quake in the past, loved the National Youth Gathering, or wished you had gone to one in the past, and are looking for a fun way to deepen your faith, this just may be the answer.  You will have the chance to experience great bands, singers, speakers, workshops with topics that relate to your life, devotions, a talent show, games, and much more.  It is held right on the beach and is a great way to enrich your relationships with each other and enjoy the same kind of fun we have had so far this year.  The registration forms are on the Senior High Youth bulletin board.  Pick one up and fill it out!  Please feel free to contact Pastor Keseley or Vicar Welke with any questions.

 

 

Noisy Offering for December (Dec. 15th and 16th)

Noisy Offering for the month of December will be designated to ELCA Disaster Relief - Sandy.  In the aftermath of Sandy there has been at least 16 ELCA congregations damaged along the East Coast as well as numerous families left without or with damaged homes.  As the days, weeks, months, and years continue ELCA Disaster Relief will be in those areas impacted by the storm providing help and support to those in need.  Remember your change the weekend of December 15th and 16th so we can make some noise during worship.

 

A Message from Bishop Hanson

We, as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, stand with all those who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy-and we will stay until the work is done.  Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we have already responded and provided hope in the Caribbean and in areas of the United States with food, water, and shelter.  But your support is still needed.  Your gift, designated for "Hurricane Sandy,' will be used entirely-100 percent-to provide relief to areas most impacted.  Your donation now will help address basic needs of families and individuals; build and reconstruct homes, communities and congregations; coordinate volunteer efforts from people across the country and support case managers working directly with those who have lost everything.  During this season of Advent, may your continued support be a light for all those rebuilding their lives in Hurricane Sandy's wake.  Thank you!

 

(For those wishing to donate, ELCA Disaster Response donation forms  can be found on the credenza near the

nursery and checks may be placed in the offering plate.)

 

Carpenter Shelter Meal-Sunday, December 30

We will be delivering a meal to residents of the Carpenter Shelter on Sunday, December 30.  Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex if you can assist with either cooking or serving the meal that evening.

 

Eleanor Kennedy Homeless Shelter Fellowship and Games Night - Special Holidays Visit, Sunday, December 16

Join us on Sunday, December 16 from 6:00-7:30 PM for a special night of Bingo and Christmas festivities with the folks at Eleanor Kennedy.  You can help in many ways: setting up and cleaning up at the shelter; helping with the Bingo games; donating a Christmas snack or dessert; or donating a gift card ($5 or $10 to local restaurants).  Please contact Jen Burkman at jenburkman@yahoo.com if you can help.

 

Lutheran World Relief Quilt Campaign Update-13 for 2013

Tied in faith. Sent in hope. Wrapped in love!

13 for 2013 is on its way.  We had our first meeting and discovered that we have the makings of several quilts.  Some of us took fabric home to start making the quilt tops.  Others took fabric home to start cutting squares.  In addition, at their fall lock-in, the confirmation kids cut squares to be put together in a quilt which they will tie at their spring lock-in. 

 

On Friday, January 25, we will have our first meeting in 2013.  We also hope to have a meeting on Saturday the 26th for folks who can't make a weekday meeting.  At these meetings we will be starting to assemble quilts and also hope to have a few quilt tops ready for tying.

 

Between now and then, we will welcome any left over fabric you would like to donate.  Just bring it to the church office or give it to Lynne Imre or Kathryn Ives.

 

If you want to start a quilt on your own, please remember that Lutheran World Relief mission quilts are simple.  Tops and bottoms can be made of whole pieces of fabric or any type of patchwork of smaller squares.  They must be 60" by 80" and made of washable fabrics with no holes or stains.   They should be tied with crochet or similar cord or machine quilted.  (Fabrics may not contain religious, patriotic or military symbols.  No camouflage pattern.)  If you just want to make a 60" by 80" top and bring it to us, we will be sure it receives batting and a back and is tied.

 

Don't forget, if you can't participate in making a quilt, you can still get involved by donating to help purchase batting and backing for the quilts.  Money is also needed to pay for shipping the quilts to the places where they are needed.  

 

Lynne Imre and Kathryn Ives are contact people for your questions about the project.

  

Children's Weekend Meal Program 

We will deliver weekend meals for 65 children on Thursday, January 10. Please see the list below for items needed by January 9.  There are pictures of the items on the bulletin board in the narthex if you are uncertain of what is requested.  Donations my be left in the bin in the narthex.  Thank you so much for your generosity. Please contact Sharon Downs at sharon@abidingpresence.net or Clare Maaseide at clare@northernlight.com, f you have any questions.

 

Due by Jan. 9

65 Fruit cups

50 Cans of Spaghettios or Raviolis

65 Individual cereals

65 Teddy Grahams packets

22  bottle of Pampa brand jelly  (Found at Dollar Store and Shoppers Food on Old Keene Mill) 

  2  Boxes Carnation chocolate instant

      Breakfast drinks

41 Individual packages of cookies

13-16oz-Jars of Peanut butter (any name brand)

6- individual packages of fruit snacks

 

Weekend Meal Program Service Opportunity

We are looking for scout troops and students who need service hours to help with collecting food and/or packing the weekend food packets.  Packing for one delivery only takes about 20 minutes for a group of 10 people.  We deliver 130 packets every 2 weeks.  We are also looking for people with vans to deliver the packets.  It takes about an hour to load and deliver.

 

Current ECHO Needs

Currently, ECHO needs canned meats, powdered milk, canned fruit, vegetable oil, bandaids, deodorant, ans adult or children's over-the-counter pain medicines. We would love to have donations of new or gently used men's medium and small sweatpants and sweatshirts and, queen size bedding.

ECHO volunteers assemble "children's enrichment bags" for the children of families who come to us for clothing.  The items in these bags are meant to entertain and educate.  You can assist in this worthy project by donating new or used educational games and toys, blocks, dolls, action figures, and books for children under 14.

 

All donations may be brought to ECHO at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, on weekdays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, or on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 7:00 and 9:00.  Note that when weather causes schools to be closed, ECHO will be closed as well.

 

Meal Ministry

AP is starting a new meal ministry similar to the cookie brigade. Members of the meal ministry team will be assigned a week. Pastor will identify a family in the congregation who could use a meal delivered. It you would be willing to prepare and deliver a meal approximately 3-4 times a year, please contact Susan McClean.

 

Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke

Are You 50 or Better? Please join us for the next Lunch N' Life sponsored by the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke on Thursday, January 17, 2013, (12:00-2:00 p.m.) at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. Program presenter will be the AARP President, Mr. Robert Romasco, discussing current issues affecting the lives of Americans over the age of 50.  For reservations, call Faye Quesenberry (703) 620-0161 or Bea Stephenson (703) 273-5730, by January 10th. The cost is $10.00; checks payable to SCFB. If transportation is needed, call the SCFB office (703) 323-4788. See www.scfbva.org.