ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2012
Following service, please plan to attend.
Don’t forget to bring your dishes, cutlery etc. and a dessert or salad to share. Beef on a bun will be supplied by the church
Freewill offering to defray costs

There are too many people to mention individually so I would like to thank everyone who contributed many hours of their time to make this auction such a success. Special thanks to Don Wood, Dave Johnston and the Fix-it Club for all the hours they spent on set up.
Thanks again, Gord Markle

March Break Day Camp
“Let’s Be Creative”
Are there children in your congregation that would enjoy coming to Five Oaks this March Break? The theme for this year’s day camp is “Let’s Be Creative!” Each day, March 12-14, from 8:30-4:30, campers will explore their creativity in games, sports, crafts and drama activities. This will be an excellent opportunity for these children (ages 5-12) to meet new friends, have tons of fun and use their imagination. $30/day. For more information, see our website, www.fiveoaks.on.ca

NOTICE TO CONGREGATION:
On January 1, 2012 new government regulations came into effect regarding people with disabilities. All church members must be aware of new rulings and abide by them.
Therefore, we are requesting the congregation stay for luncheon on January 29th to view a video regarding this matter.
Please attend!

On December 19, 2011 the southern and central regions of the Philippines were hit by one of the worst tropical storms in years. More than 650 people were killed and more than 911 are missing, many of them women and children. Tropical Storm Washi came swiftly like a thief in the night and tore down houses, swept away sleeping residents, and drowned hundreds.
The United Church immediately released $50,000 from its Emergency Response Fund in support of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
Your help is needed with prayer and monetary donations which may be made through your givings envelope being sure to mark on the outside of the envelope “Philippine Relief.” If you do not have givings envelopes then you may place your donation in any envelope again being sure to mark on the outside “Philippine Relief”. You may place in the offering plate or drop off in the office.

LENTEN/MEMBERSHIP STUDY
“Making Sense of the Christian Faith”
A six week DVD study for seekers, members, potential members, young and old
Thursday evenings 6:30pm beginning Thursday, February 23rd
If interested please contact Barry or Aileen

It’s time to pay for your renewal or new subscription for the 2012/2013 Observer.
Only $20 brings you a one-year subscription (subscription runs from April 1st 2012 to March 31st 2013). To order or renew your subscription to the national magazine of the United Church of Canada, simply fill out the envelope available in the pew racks or in your box of givings envelopes, and place it and $20 or more to enable us to continue to provide the Observer to shut-ins (cheques payable to Sydenham Street United Church) on the offering plate, or call Aileen in the office.
Only subscriptions paid for by MARCH 11th will be ordered or renewed

2012 ERIE PRESBYERY FEES
This is a significant expense to our operating budget for 2012. There is an envelope at the front of your givings envelope box to contribute to this expense. If you would give $20 per member, that would cover your cost and help cover the cost for members that can’t contribute and for shut-ins that also are unable to give.
Please donate any amount that you can, and take note that all givings in this church are appreciated and gratefully accepted.
Larry Pickard, Treasurer

Anyone needing leaves raked, snow shovelled, painting and or any handy work done please contact Larry Gilroy at 519-753-9438

Paper Drives. Next paper drive is Feb. 26th Joanne Palma

PANCAKE/SAUSAGE LUNCH
Sunday, February 12th following 10:30am Worship please join us for a pancake/sausage lunch.
Cost: Freewill offering
Money being raised by Marilyn & Aileen to help with Baseball Fees and other upcoming projects.

CROCHETING CLASSES
Have you always wanted to learn to crochet, well here’s your chance. Shelley Grisdale will be giving lessons on Tuesday evenings beginning Tuesday, February 14th at 7:00pm cost is a weekly donation of a Food Bank item.
All are welcome—Men and Women, Young and Old
If interested please call Shelley at 519-756-1229

PENNIES! PENNIES! PENNIES!
Our new project is HEALTH KITS.
These kits are presented to children living in refugee camps who do not have access to hygiene supplies.
Kits are given to Bosnia, Herzegovina, Haiti, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, Serbia and the Ukraine.
We need your pennies and loose change.
Auntie Marion

MILK BAGS
Please do not bring in any more milk bags until otherwise notified as the groups using them have an excess at the moment

We would like email addresses of any of our members and adherents who would like to receive newsletters,
upcoming event information etc. Please let Aileen know by email at
secretary@sydenhamstreetunitedchurch.com

Do you love books and are you interested in serving your church in a meaningful way? Then we have a job for you: Church Librarian! Anyone interested in viewing a job description for this volunteer position at Sydenham Street United Church should contact the church office at 519-753-1248 or contact any member of the Faith Formation Commission.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a supportive, common-sense weight loss and healthy lifestyle program. We meet Mondays from 6-7pm at Sydenham. Cost is $30/year

RECOVERY GROUP. Our Recovery Group (Mondays 7-9) would like to welcome new members to our meetings. If you know of a group of individuals who would benefit from these talks please contact Mary 519-752-5143 or Dell 519-446-3281. Our topics are “Stress To-day” and “How to Control Your Stress”

Celebrate a milestone birthday, anniversary, or graduation. Remember a loved one. Say thank you.
You are invited to donate towards Sanctuary flowers for Sunday morning Worship Services to mark a special occasion (or “just because”). Please print your name on the Flower Chart outside the office. Don’t forget to fill out the form beside it. If you don’t wish to donate flowers for a specific Sunday but wish to help please remember that the Sanctuary Flower Fund is an ongoing fund and you can donate to it any time by clearly marking on your givings envelope ‘Sanctuary Flower Fund’.

United Church Education & Retreat Centre….. A sacred place
Winter & Spring 2012 Programs
February 6-9 or 14-17—Male Spirituality Circle
February 17-19—Spirituality through Photography: Imaging the Word

For more information on these & other upcoming events see the Five Oaks bulletin board in Calder Hall or www.fiveoaks.on.ca

The Board of Trustees are:
Dave Shiels
Lois Porter
Larry Pickard
Rev. Barry Pridham
Gord Markle
Shirley Lawrence - Convenor

We respond to God’s goodness by caring about Creation and by sharing our blessings with others. Giving a portion of our time, talents and treasure to do God’s work brings us joy.

ARE YOU ON PAR? PAR is pre-authorized remittance - a system of having a predetermined amount of your choosing taken from your bank account each month. It saves the hassle of trying to find some money on Sunday morning. It helps you to keep the kind of financial commitment that is needed to keep up with the rising costs of running your church.

It helps the church through the summer months meet our budget. To find out more about the PAR programme, call Aileen in the office 753-1248

Please be sure you are legally parked in front of church. There is NO parking behind STOP sign on Sydenham Street (2 car lengths)

From the Office

CHURCH KEYS - If you have a key to the church please let Aileen in the office know, we are trying to ensure that the necessary people have keys. If you have a key that you no longer need please return it to the office.
PHOTOCOPYING - Please note that all copying of more than 30 copies of one page are to be done in the office on the new RISO machine. There is a form outside the office for same.
BORROWING DISHES, FURNITURE ETC. - To enable us to keep track of the church’s property please fill in the necessary form (outside the office) when you need to borrow anything for your group or personally.
BULLETIN BOARDS - Please do not put anything on the bulletin boards. All flyers etc. need to be left in the office and Aileen will ensure that they are put up on the correct board(s).
MESSAGES FOR OFFICE - To enable me to have clear messages please fill out the form which is outside the office if I’m not in and put in mail slot of office door or box outside door.
E-MAILS - Please ensure that you put the person or groups attention at the beginning of the message so that I can direct it properly.
DROP-OFFS - Please do not leave things outside the office without a note telling who they are from and who they are for.
SUBMISSION DATES - All submissions for the weekly Sydenham News must be in the office by 9:00a.m. Thursday mornings.
Please do not leave “things” in the church or office without leaving a note explaining who left it and what we are to do with it. It is difficult for Linda and I to know what is to be done with it or who it is for.
PROPERTY/FIX-IT CLUB now have a WORK
REQUEST FORM available in the Property Box in the downstairs hallway. If you discover something that needs repairing please fill out one of these forms and return it to the Property Box and the Fix-it Club will take care of it. However, in case of an emergency please continue to phone the appropriate person whose name appears by the telephones.

Thank you
Aileen Johnston
Office Coordinator
753-1248