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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.
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); $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.

We trust that every church is sharing these prayer requests within their local prayer community. Here are this week's requests: 

1 - Our love and sympathy to Dan Cale and his family with the passing of his mother, Priscilla F. Cale on January 1, 2016. The family will receive friends from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday, January 6 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home in Mechanicsville, VA. The service will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, January 7 at Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, VA. You may find the obituary here: http://www.bennettfuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3543818&fh_id=11902.
2 - Keep the Revision Team in your prayers as they meet this week to prayerfully discuss the mission, core values, and priorities of EFC-ER. 
News from the World Outreach Center
Pastors & Statisticians : the  Christian Education reports and  end-of-the-year statistical forms have been sent out. Please complete and return both forms by by February 5th. 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). 
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Treasurers : Remember to send in your 2015 apportionments, GCB giving, and Faith Promise giving by the middle of January so we can close the financial year. 
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 at (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. 
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Congratulations to Rusty (Pastor at Winona Friends Church) and Kara Savage on the birth of their son, Graham on December 22nd! 
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. 

This exciting trip includes a comedy show, "Samson" at the Millennium Sight and Sound Theater, the Flight 93 Memorial Site, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and more!

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. You may register with a partial payment prior to this date.

Cost (including lodging, most meals, and attractions):
$416 - Double room
$381 - Triple room
$363 - Quad room
$522 - Single room

If you would like to share a room to help reduce cost, we can help make arrangements. Contact Canton First Friends at (330) 966-2800 with questions. 

Registration and payment can be mailed 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:

"Our hope is not in the new year, but in the One who makes all things new." - Unknown 

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.   Also He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." - Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)

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 .