Announcements

As we move deeper into the political process, the US apostles have issued a letter titled BRINGING CIVILITY INTO OUR POLITICAL PROCESS, encouraging us to think about ways of bringing civility into the process. Please take time to read it. We know we will not all agree on the direction we want our country to go, but the ways we interact with each other will be a significant testimony of how we follow the Christ.

CHILDREN MAY NOT play in the nursery, unless there is an adult supervising them, who has completed the Children and Youth Worker Registration training and have been accepted as such. We look forward to being able to offer this training in the near future for anyone who wants to help in this way. Please contact Mary Rae or one of our Pastors, if you need to participate in our training session.

Please see Kelly Heaviland to update your contact information for an updated directory that will be available on CD (for those with computers) or print (for those without computer access).

Our school partners at Korte need men's and women's clothes appropriate for interviews. They will be helping folks with resume writing, interview practicing, and then holding a job fair. Please contact Mary Kay for more information.

Beginning February 5, we will be COLLECTING ALUMINUM DRINK CANS of all kinds and sizes. Please crush them! We will designate a place at Open Arms for the collection site. This will be a fundraiser to help with our children's activities, the children and youth camps, and our general needs at Open Arms. Designated persons will take them to a recycling center that will pay to receive them! Thank you for helping us be "green!"

Ash Wednesday service will be February 22, 6:30 p.m. here at the church. Please join us for this wonderful worship.

Oscar Watch Party! It's time for the Annual Oscar Watch Party and the whole congregation is invited! Anyone and everyone are encouraged to attend. Please bring canned goods or diapers for our food pantry. The Oscars will be on Sunday, February 26, starting at 6 p.m. central time. We will still have our red carpet, snacks, a theme, and maybe even portraits taken. We can always use more help, so let Paula Strange or Nici Brownlee know if you would like to lend a hand. See you on the Red Carpet!

Biker rally is April 28! There will be booths, activities, games, ending with a coffee-house service and blessing. Watch for more details.

Our VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be June 8-9, 22-23, and finish up June 24. We will use the same theme of being "GREEN" and planting seeds in the community garden and some to take home. We are looking for fish bowls that can be used for terrariums. Please contact Rich LaGrece, Pam Olender, or Mary Rae Bayless, if you find any we can use. We are also looking for a fish tank. Sounds like fun? Join the leaders this summer to make this experience exciting for our kids! Details coming soon!

Cleaning the church: Thanks to Carol Sage for helping to clean the church the past few weeks. Church cleaning is Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome--the more the merrier (and quicker)!

Volunteer opportunity with Korte: Anyone who would like to volunteer to help individual students with homework, become reading buddies, or help with the Chess Club during the afternoons--contact Mary Kay Speaks. Homework help and reading buddies will be for approximately 30 minutes each time. The Chess Club volunteer won't be responsible for teaching chess but will be available to assist the instructor and encourage the students. You don't have to know how to play to volunteer. The Chess Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Can you help Open Arms with a gift-in-kind? We are looking for donations of paper towels, eco-friendly toilet cleaner, Folex carpet spot remover, coffee cups, 5 oz paper cups for water, coffee (preferably free trade), cappuccino, tea, sugar, small paper plates, creamer, paper plates for potlucks, plastic silverware, plastic ziplock bags, liquid hand soap refill, and Clorox wipes. Turn in your receipts with your name and we'll credit you for your gift-in-kind. Your donations will help keep congregational expenses down for the next year.

Our school partner, Korte Elementary, needs 20 one-inch 3-ring binders, (any color), used pants and new underwear (kids sizes 6x-16) and all kinds of craft supplies. Their librarian is now also the technology director, and the need volunteers to help shelve books in the library. See Mary Kay Speaks if you can help.

Fall Sunday School Classes for children and youth began Sunday, August 21, at 9:30 a.m. Cindy McDonald will continue to teach the preschool class of 3-5 year olds. Niki Robison, Nici Brownless and Cheyenne Lewis will teach the primary class (grades 1-3). Louise Binger and Tracy Stamey will teach the junior class of 4th-7th-graders. Dave McDonald and Rich LaGrece will work with a team for the 8th-12th grade class. Other helpers will be Rosa Cloyd, Pam Olender, and Paula Strange. Please contact Mary Rae Bayless if you are interested in teaching this class or working with a team to teach them.

Offering envelopes for kids are on the kids' table in the back. If you want to put your offering on one of these envelopes, be sure to write your name on it and check where you want your money to be used. If you want to give an offering on a regular basis, you can have your envelopes sent to your home.

OUR NURSERY needs you! We are looking for persons who are willing to be on a schedule to assist our younger members in the nursery. There is a schedule available and you are encouraged to help every 6-8 weeks.  Please contact Mary Rae at 836-1312 or mbayless100@comcast.net if you have questions.

JUST FOR KIDS! For your child's comfort and for yours, the quiet activities available for using during worship services are on the north wall next to the office door. Feel free to assist your child/children in choosing something of interest to bring to where you are sitting. Other choices may be made later in the service as their interest changes. Please see Faith Bayne if you have suggestions for additions to this area.

Do you know someone who is sick, hospitalized, or has lost a loved one? Let Kelly Garrett-Heaviland or Linda Davenport know so we can send those in need a card from the congregation.

Korte Elementary: Bring your spare change to load up the umbrella!

Daily Prayer for Peace - We worship in the shadow of the Temple, and every day at 1:00 p.m. there is a short service in the Temple focused on peace. We've been asked if there is anyone in the congregation who would be willing to coordinate one Sunday a month. If so, please contact Pam Robison via email or at 816-833-1000, ext. 2324 or Janné Grover via email or at 816-833-1000, ext. 2428.

Help with sewing? We are searching for anyone interested in making pillows for new children and babies who come to Open Arms. It involves mainly straight stitching, embroidery or satin stitch for the heart, stuffing with filling, and closing the stuffing hole.

Another ongoing sewing project is sewing small banners for children who are baptized to give to them after they are confirmed. This is also all straight stitching. Contact Mary Rae at 836-1312 if you are interested in helping.

United Nations Peace Plaza: Our congregation is responsible for caring for the UN Peace Plaza across the street. If you would like to help, contact Rich LaGrece for details.