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Welcome to EFC-ER's Weekly Encourager. We trust that this will become a bright spot each week in your emails. The purpose of the Weekly Encourager is to provide up-to-date information about region-wide events, prayer requests, and helpful resources from the local churches.
Pastors' Conference - May 10-13, 2016 at Oglebay Resort 
Pastors and Spouses: Mark your calendars for Pastors' Conference on May 10-13, 2016. This year it will be held at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia.  You can check out the resort at   http://www.oglebay-resort.com
Pastors' Conference is a great time for pastors and spouses to come together for encouragement, camaraderie, and insight. Look for more details to come! 
Update and Prayer Requests from the Revision Team
On behalf of the 11 member EFC-ER Revision Team we want to thank everyone who has prayed for the Team's work during the October 20-22 and January 5-7 meetings. As we approach the February 2-3 meeting we are asking for continued prayer for this extremely important process.
What has been accomplished through two meetings gives clear evidence of God's leading and direction as we have worked to revision EFC-ER. With expert facilitation by NCS Consultant, Lonnie Bullock, the Team has developed the proposed EFC-ER Mission, Desired Outcome, and Core Values. During the January meeting work began to develop an organizational structure (delivery system) that could implement the Mission, Desired Outcome, and Core Values. At the February meeting the Team will refine this initial work and arrive at the delivery system that will be reported at Yearly Meeting in July.
So you will be able to pray specifically we have included the Mission, Desired Outcome, and Core Values that have been developed here Please pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as the Revision Team, on February 2-3, works to develop the delivery system (organizational structure) that will implement these goals.

In Christ,
Ruth Harsh and Ron Johnson
Revision Team Prayer Coordinators
News from EFC-ER
The  Christian Education reports and end-of-the-year statistical forms have been sent to the lead pastors of each church. If you did not receive them, the Christian Education report may be downloaded  here and returned to Regina Evans ( revans@efcer.org). The end-of-the-year report may be downloaded  here and returned to Julia McDonald ( jmcdonald@efcer.org).  Please return both forms by February 5th

Please send in any year-end gifts and offerings before the middle of this month (ASAP). 
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Pastors:  Voluntary Life enrollment  is open until 1/31/16.  If you are a pastor who would like additional life insurance for yourself or your spouse, contact Quinn Parker, of GDK, at 1.800.589.2692 or email quinn@gdkandco.com for more   information. This is the plan for EFC-ER pastors that was offered last year.
Camp Gideon is pleased to welcome Paige Showalter as the Summer Camp Program Director. She grew up as a camper at Camp Gideon and served as Program Director in the past. Paige is the daughter of Tom Showalter (former pastor at Barberton Friends) and graduates in May with a degree in nursing. More information about this year's summer program to come!
Upcoming Events:
* January 22 
- 43rd March for Life 
Alliance Friends Church will be taking a chartered bus to Washington DC. The cost is $75 for adults; $65 for teens (12-20) and senior citizens (over 60); and $50 for children (11 and under). There are only 56 seats available and no seats will be reserved without full payment. Forms are available at www.alliancefriendschurch.org and more information can be found at http://marchforlife.org/mfl-2016/. 
* January 22-24 
- Youth Awakening: Dare to be Challenged 
"Get Weaponized" Tired of feeling defeated? Ready to stand strong with other believers? This weekend is for you! The cost is only $35 and includes: 6 trips to the Mess Hall, lots of training in spiritual warfare, a t-shirt, and lots of memories! Contact: Pastor Terry Knighten at 276-956-5433 or buildmup@gmail.com to sign up and for more information. Watch a highlight video from 2015 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onWkt-3yKR4#action=share. 
* February 11 
- Grand Board Retreat and Executive Board 
in Canton, Ohio. Details have been emailed to board members. Contact Julia at jmcdonald@efcer.org with questions.
* April 22-24 
- Senior Adult Trip to Lancaster, PA
 with Canton First Friends Church. Details to the right.
* May 10-13 
- Pastors' Conference
 
at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia (www.oglebay-resort.com). Details to come. 
* July 23-26  
- Yearly Meeting
at Malone University in Canton, Ohio.
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Gilead Friends has set up a memorial to honor the memory of George Jividen - long time and faithful member.  Since George and Martha traveled to Jamaica and had such a love for the people and churches there, it was decided to do a project to honor his memory and bless the ministry there. For a long time, the congregations met in buildings without signs to identify them as Friends Churches to the community. Now, with the blessing of Gilead, we have collected enough for 12 signs. A young man from Morningside (Florida) along with a staff pastor (Michael Howell) will stencil the lettering onto heavy metal signs to be placed on the lawns of our churches.  A dedication will be arranged at each church with a little bio about George's ministry. George and Martha are well loved and respected by Jamaican Friends.  - Update from Frank Carter, Associate Superintedendent
Ministry Job Opportunities at Alliance Friends Church in Alliance, Ohio
These paid positions are ready to be filled with the person(s) the Lord has in mind. Might that be you? Inquire to Donna Carr Jenkins (donnacj2532@sbcglobal.net) or Pastor Rick Sams (rsams53@gmail.com) or the church office (330-823-4210). Applications are available at the church office or you may submit your resume to the church office or the above emails.

YOUTH PASTOR, FULL TIME , with benefits . Looking for someone energetic and excited to work with teens, junior high, and senior high. Must have a heart to disciple committed teens for Jesus as well as reach out to those more distanced from the church. Inner city type environment with multi-ethnic attenders. Will join a dynamic ministry team. Ministry degree strongly preferred.

CHRISTIAN ED. ASSISTANT, 15 HOURS PER WEEK.
 This person will assist a large number of paid and volunteer CE staff. Administrative skills and a background of working effectively with children and adults is highly preferred. 

YOUNG ADULT INTERN, 15 HOURS PER WEEK. 
This person will assist the new CE Director of Discipleship (Adults) in vision-casting, administration, and caring for the young adult portion of our congregation. A visionary and passionate leader with some experience in this field preferred. 
vintage_birthday_card.jpg Today we celebrate the birthday of Wayne Evans', General Superintendent! 
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Keeping It Fresh: Monthly Communication Tip
Each month, the Communication Board presents tips for a specific topic. For January, they have listed ideas for different types of church signs. 

Outside Signs:
  • Marquee signage with letter or electric.
  • Portable signs to direct to church placed at intersections.
  • Signs off road permanently placed for location. 
  • Banners made for special events like Easter, VBS, etc.
  • www.outreach.com
  • For all outdoor signs check your township ordinances.
Inside Church
  • Map of church in lobby/narthex or information booth.
  • Sign plates on walls that jut out for easy reading.
  • Banners for special rooms or areas of gathering.
  • Name plates on doors.
  • Decals from 
Compiled by Greg Compton. 
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The Christian Education Board has extended the deadline for the $25 voucher to the Lion & Lamb bookstore. You can either visit or call the store at (330) 332-8501 to make your order.
Senior Adult Trip to Lancaster, PA 
on April 22-24, 2016
The Senior Adult Ministry at C anton First Friends Church would like to invite you to participate in a three-day trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania on April 22-24, 2016. 

Download the brochure and itinerary here

Registration and FULL payment is due by March 15, 2016. A minimum of 30 people need to be registered by this date for the trip to happen.

Send registration/ payment to:
Canton First Friends Church
Attn: Seniors
5455 Market Ave N.
Canton, OH 44714
CONTACT US
World Outreach Center
5350 Broadmoor Cir., NW
Canton, OH 44709
1-800-334-8863
Julia McDonald, Editor
jmcdonald@efcer.org
A Little Extra.... QUOTES  FOR THE WEEK:

"... Pouring our hearts to God is never the essential point of prayer. It is rather a process of realignment. As we approach God in a spirit of humility and dependence, we begin to view our problems in the perspective of His sovereignty, our needs in the perspective of His sufficiency, and our wants in the perspective of His will." - Unknown

We hope you've enjoyed catching up with news from the EFC-ER office.
More information and news will be coming each week. 
Please send Julia ( jmcdonald@efcer.org ) any of your suggestions, quotes,  and/or ideas for weekly encouragement .