News and Announcements
Special Thanks
•To Kathy Kohl for serving as our Church School Director for the past year and a half. Kathy accepted a full-time position at Wal-Mart this past December. Her last official day will be this coming Sunday, February 5.•To the following members of our church who contributed homemade art bowls for the 100 Bowls Event to benefit the Port Washington Food Pantry: Kierstin Cira, Maria Liesegang, Lou Probst, Mike and Jane Spalding, Kevin and Lois Ward.
•To the Fellowship Team for hosting a Chili Dinner Dinner on February 1. Special thanks to Dawn Schaefer and Geno and Nancy Fidler for coordinating the dinner.
•To Emma Bretl who has offered to assume the role of Church School Director for the rest of the school year. Emma grew up in our church and is in the process of completing her Education Degree at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. She is currently doing her student teaching at T.J. Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School here in Port Washington.
•To Nick and Melissa Suddendorf who celebrated the birth of their second child, Cody Jane Suddendorf, on Sunday morning January 29.
•To Jane Suddendorf and the Port Washington High School Art Department for hosting another 100 Bowls Event in partnership with the Dockside Deli and Gallery 224. The event raised over $1500 for the Port Washington Food Pantry.
From the Archives
WINTER CONGREGATIONAL MEETING REPORT
Our annual Winter Congregational Meeting was held this past Sunday morning, January 29, immediately following the 10:00 service. Owen Madson, our Financial Administrator shared the end-of-the year financial report for 2011 and Missy Vierling, our Treasurer, reviewed the proposed 2012 church budget.
The good news is that we ended 2011 with a small surplus and we have exceeded our pledge goal for 2012. As a result, the congregation voted unanimously to approve the 2012 church budget as presented.
SERVING AT ST. BENEDICT’S
For many years, our church has helped serve the evening meal at St. Benedict’s meal site in Milwaukee on the third Thursday evening in January and February. The 8th Grade Confirmation Class served the meal last month and the entire congregation is invited to come lend a hand on Thursday, February 16. We meet at the church at 3:30 and we are generally home by 7:30. If you would like to participate, please contact Jeff. It would be great to have you join us.
MARDI GRAS PANCAKE DINNER
The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the church season of Lent, is commonly known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. In the life of the church it has often been called Shrove Tuesday and in Great Britain it is called Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally, people have eaten pancakes on Mardi Gras because eggs and fat were forbidden during the Lenten fast. We are planning to celebrate our first Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner on Tuesday evening, February 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 in Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Team will be preparing and serving the meal so all you need to do is to come and enjoy!
MISSION GIVING IN 2011
Last year our church contributed just over $30,000 to projects and programs beyond our local outreach. Click here for an accounting of our mission giving for 2011.
DONATION TO THE FOOD PANTRY
Many of you know that our church hosts the Winter Farmers Market. In lieu of receiving rent a portion of the vendor fees go directly to the Port Washington Food Pantry. We are pleased to report that in December the Market wrote a check to the Pantry for $850.
SPECIAL NEED FOR HELP
Jim and Karen Searles are looking for someone who could drive Karen to her doctor’s appointments in Milwaukee every other week or so. It usually takes about three hours to make the entire trip and they are willing to pay $15 per hour, as well as provide the car. If you, or someone you know, could support the Searles in this way, please give them a call at 284-4546.
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM
The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based program that has shown to increase positive parenting skills and decrease risk factors that lead to alcohol, tobacco, drug use and acting out behaviors by teens. Ozaukee County UW-Extension Family Living Programs and Starting Point of Ozaukee County, in partnership with NAPS are offering a parent, youth, and family opportunity for families with youth who are 10-14 years old. In seven evening sessions (held Wednesdays, February 15 – March 28 from 5:30 – 8:00), held at the Family Enrichment Center in Grafton, parents and youth attend separate skill-building groups for the first hour and spend the second hour together in family activities. A meal will be offered prior to each session, providing conversation opportunities for the families. Please register by February 3.
SNOW CANCELLATION POLICY
With winter upon us, we want to remind you of the snow cancellation policy for our Sunday services. If it should be necessary to cancel one or both of our Sunday services, we will put a message on the church answering machine by 7:00 on Sunday morning. Please call the church office, 284-2022, if you have any doubts about the weather.