Thursday, September 4, 2008

Upcoming Events and Items of Interest:

Coming this week:
Little Lambs Church Daycare begins this Sabbath: A new ministry has been established that will provide a place for your preschooler to play while you enjoy the second service. You will drop off your child in the cradle roll room and be given a pager to keep during the service. Try us out this Sabbath.

September 6, 2008 is Investiture Sabbath. Please welcome Pastor Mike Stevenson, our Ohio Conference Youth & Pathfinder Director who will be here to facilitate a special Investiture service.

Baby Shower planned for Julie (Abbott) Hume on Sunday September 7 at 2:00pm in the Garden Room. Julie and Jeff are expecting a girl, Hailey at the end of September. They are registered at Babies ‘R’ Us.

Please pray for the son-in-law of member Sheri Norman, Bill Himes. Bill is being deployed to Iraq and leaves behind wife Shanan and children.

Coming in the weeks ahead:
Deacon and Deaconness team meeting – Join us for potluck on Sabbath, September 13, where we will conduct our yearly meeting on church operations. Since we don’t meet often, it’s important to have all of you there. We promise to feed you and your families well!!

Strategic Planning committee meeting – We are currently asking members to participate on a committee that takes a look at the direction of the church and examine ways of getting there. If you would like to be considered for this committee, please submit your request to Laura in the church office. If you have already accepted an invitation to participate, the first meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 8 at 7:00pm.

Outdoor Church at Sharon Wood Metro Park – Mark your calendar for September 27 when Pastor Bob and friends will present a delightful service in the beautiful setting of Sharon Woods Park. Of course it wouldn’t be an Adventist event without a potluck, so plan to bring your favorite casserole to share.

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Sarah Opini & Martin Urban, Sunday, September 14 at 2:00pm in the afternoon at the Worthington SDA Church. Reception to follow in the fellowship hall.

August/September - Singles Activities
 Sept. 7th Sunday - 9:00-3:00 Singles Group Garage SALE
 Sept. 12th Friday - 6:30 2nd Friday Night DINNER
 Sept. 27 Saturday - 11:00 Sharon Woods Metro Park (Church/Picnic)

If you get a call from one of our intelligent, adorable WAA students, please consider purchasing new or renewing old magazine subscriptions through them. This fundraiser will begin mid October.

14th Annual Central Ohio Senior Job Fair. Come for this one day, free event at Columbus State Community College on Friday, Sept. 12 from 8:30am to 1:00pm. Meet over 50 prospective employers and attend free workshops on resume writing, interviewing skill, computer skills and many others. For more info, contact Employment for Seniors at 614-863-1219 or e-mail info@employseniors.org.

A Members Mission
Hello Church Family! My name is Monya Peck, a fellow WAC member and one of the worship leaders in the Praise Band. I am so excited to be asking your help with a special project. Several months ago I met a man Don and his son Austin. Noticing immediately that the boy was disabled, I listened while Don explained to me that Austin has been diagnosed with the extremely rare Pollitt Syndrome.

Austin is 15 years old, but resembles a boy of 8. He is legally blind in one eye and close to blind in the other. He wears hearing aids. Socially, he conducts himself as 5 year-old would. He has delayed mental and physical retardation. Despite all this, he is one of the warmest children I’ve met.

After several years of attempting to find someone else with Pollitt Syndrome, (it is sooo very rare) Austin’s parents finally located James Henlan, a boy less fortunate than Austin who resides in a public health facility in England. At 22 years, he is older than Austin but the similarities are striking.

Austin’s parents have tried many ways to finance a trip to England for Austin and James to meet. In no way do they have the funds; since they are heavily in debt from Austin’s various treatments over the years. As I listened to their story, I couldn’t help thinking that practically everyone I know has been blessed beyond need. I’d like your help in trying to raise $5000 to send Austin and his parents to England.

You may hear more about this project in the coming weeks as I plan to follow up this flyer with a letter to all church members. I will also be organizing various fund-raising efforts. If you feel compelled to contribute, there are several ways to do it. I have set up a custodial account at Chase bank in Austin’s name. You may directly deposit, mail into the bank, or hand Laura Hanley a check made out to Austin Hopkins with account number 2910587373 in the memo line.

If you have more questions about Austin, please email me at monyapeck@hotmail.com. If you want to know more about James Henlan, type “Pollitt, Who Will Love This Boy” in the Yahoo (not Google or other) search bar. There was a local article written about him in Birmingham, UK.

I can’t say thank you enough in advance. Monya Peck
See reverse for a picture of me and Austin.

The Spotlight's on You!
Congratulations to several couples who are celebrating special wedding anniversaries: Marge & Harvey Kinkead are at anniversary number 50 and Carolyn & Jim Sowards have reached their 47th!!!