First Church of the Brethren, Springfield Illinois

Children’s Disaster Training

A training event for “Children’s Disaster Services” will be held at the Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren, 102 E. Durfee St., Cerro Gordo, IL., on Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, 2012. For information and to register for the training call the New Windor Disaster Response Office at 800/451-4407. You can also ask questions locally of Rosie Brandenburg at 217/763-6039.

Worship Leaders

Worship leaders are wanted for the months of February and March. A sign-up paper is on the back table. You may sign up for one week, a couple of weeks, or several weeks.

Sunday School Teachers Needed

We continue to need a number of Sunday School teachers to rotate responsibility for working with and teaching our children’s class during the Sunday School portion of worship. Please share with Susan Faupel, Rebecca Lipscomb or Pastor Kres your willingness to help in this area.

2012 Youth Workcamp Announced

First Church of the Brethren will host one of seven national Church of the Brethren Junior High Work Camps in 2012. The workcamp theme is “Ready to Listen.” The theme comes from 1 Samuel 3:10, which reads, “Then God came and stood before him, calling out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, “Speak, I’m your servant, ready to listen.”

The workcamp is scheduled for July 11-15, immediately after Annual Conference. A total of about 35 youth and adults will do volunteer work in the community, study together and worship with us on Sunday morning. First Church will assist with connecting the workcampers with local agencies for volunteering and by arranging for recreational and shower
opportunities. Registration for all junior high, senior high, young adult and
adult workcamps opens on January 9, 2012 at 7 pm CST.

Help Us Raise Money for New Carpet

Are you tired of tripping over the carpet in the sanctuary? If you answered yes, now is your chance to help. The Church Board approved the Stewards Commission's recommendation to replace the carpet. Costs for replacement are estimated to be about $14,000. The memorial fund could support about half the cost, but the rest will need to be raised with your help. If you would like to make a contribution or a series of contributions you may put it in the offering plate with a note designating it for the carpet fund or give it directly to Van Metzger.

First Church to Provide Meals for SOS

The Springfield Overflow Shelter opened downtown on November 1st. There is space to house up to 50 homeless individuals on a nightly basis. First Church of the Brethren is signed up to prepare and serve a meal on the second Thursday of the month, November through March.. For each second Thursday we need to prepare a main dish, side dish, dessert, and to arrange for drinks. If you can assist with this outreach, please sign-up at the church. The meal is delivered to the shelter at 6:30-6:45 pm and served around 7 pm.

Resolution on War in Afghanistan

A Resolution on War in Afghanistan was passed at this year’s Annual Conference. The resolution calls for immediate withdrawal of combat troops, and to invest resources in the development of the Afghan people and infrastructure. It also urges the church to become more engaged in humanitarian aid, alternatives to violence, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, etc.