Bring a grocery bag or two full of non-perishable food to the church from noon until 2pm and a member of our youth group will unload it from your trunk. Please enter the parking lot via the driveway from Thach Ave., next to the chapel, and pull around. After the youth unload, please exit onto Gay St.

Sadly, over the last few months, there have been more email scams being sent out to church members claiming to be a pastor in need of help or claiming to be a church member in need of assistance. If you are not sure about the email you have received, instead of replying directly to the email, you can always create a separate message and double check the actual mail address of the person contacting you, being sure to use their real email address. You could also contact them through other means. We know this has been happening at other churches in our community as well, so always be sure to double check before replying to any email.

The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and self-examination in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. This year, Lent begins on February 17 (Ash Wednesday). As an option for prayer and reflection, FPC is offering these daily devotional cards [Part A / Part B / Part C / Part D] from Sanctified Art (also available in this spreadsheet layout for easy viewing!

The cards can be viewed digitally, printed at home, or if you would like to church to print you a copy, please contact Rev. Kathy Reed (kreed@fpcauburn.org) directly no later than February 12 so we can get them to you before Ash Wednesday.

Creative suggestions on how to use the devotional cards can be found here [https://sanctifiedart.org/again-and-again-daily-devo-cards-for-lent]

Years ago when we interviewed with FPC's Pastor Nominating Committee we were pleased to find out this church was already familiar with the practice of granting twelve weeks of sabbatical leave following six years of service - a gift that reflects this congregation's longstanding generosity and care for its clergy.

Though it seemed a long way off at the time, even in the early years there were questions about that it would look like for a clergy couple/Co-pastors to take sabbatical leave. Would we be gone at the same time? How would the leave be funded? We are grateful that as the years quickly went by, several volunteers from the session's Personnel Committee and beyond helped us discern the best possible approach to our sabbatical, which will take place this year from mid-May to mid-August.

Over the next several months we are excited to share plans not only for how we will spend this time, but how our Lilly Clergy Renewal Grant will also create opportunities for spiritual renewal for the congregation. You can all look forward to fantastic guest preachers, a deeper look at prayer and spirituality, and opportunities to serve the church in new ways during our absence.

In today's email we have included the first part of our Clergy Renewal Grant proposal, which we hope you will take some time to read. In newsletters to follow we will share even more about congregational events and special guests. We thank you all for your encouragement and ask your prayers that the way will be made clear for all these plans to come to fruition.

With gratitude,

Kathy & Nick

✵ 11:00am: Virtual Worship - To view the service you can go directly to our church’s YouTube Channel via your computer, smartphone, or Smart TV app (https://tinyurl.com/t7dl8vh) or you can access the worship service through our website or Facebook page. Knowing we are at the mercy of technology, we appreciate your patience and grace if all does not go according to plan. Attached you will find a bulletin for this Sunday’s service.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Sunday Worship now on 99.9FM

It is with a sense of relief that COVID vaccinations are being administered in our community. While the roll-out is slow, it is happening. Some have had concerns or questions about side effects from the vaccine and how to handle such events.

After each injection you will be observed for 15 minutes to see if you have an unusual reaction. Most people do not. The first injection sometimes causes soreness at the site of the injection that goes away in a few days. More people seem to have some side effects after the second injection. Usually this involves pain or swelling at the site of the injection, a fever, headache or feeling tired for a few hours or days. If that happens, you can take over-the-counter items such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Advil or other NSAIDS. However, it is better to wait to use such pills until you see whether you have a reaction to the vaccine.

The recommendation is to wait about 6 hours after the second injection to see if you need a NSAID pill. By waiting you allow the vaccine to fully enter your body and begin to create the antiviral protection that you want. If you do have a reaction that is really unusual you

should contact your healthcare provider.

If you want additional information, you can go to CDC.gov website. They have more items than you can imagine and reliable information.

Jan Widell

Parish Nurse

Presbyterian Women Circles will meet on Tuesday February 9, via Zoom . Circles 1 & 2 will meet at 9:30 am, and Circle 3 will meet at 2:30 pm. Members will receive a reminder email prior to the meeting including the Zoom link. If you are not already in a PW Circle and would like to join, you are most welcome. Circle leaders are Barbara Dunham #1 (229.881.2957), Marianne Cone #2 (404.375.3940), Barbara Fletcher #3 (334.203.1484).

Doris Reeves Commemorative Gift to Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Congo

Doris & Hap Reeves joined our church in 2018 and Doris immediately became an active member of Presbyterian Women. Sadly, Doris was not with us long before her death, but she left a legacy of generosity with a gift to our PW to be used in the work of Presbyterian mission in Africa. The PW Coordinating Team investigated opportunities, and with the help of the PC(USA) World Mission team, have prayerfully and thoughtfully chosen to support the work of Christi Boyd and her husband, Jeff, who are based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Christi works with partners in Congo, Madagascar, Niger, Rwanda and South Sudan seeking to remedy the marginalization of women and children, while Jeff has regional responsibilities. To read more about the how this gift will benefit the children of the Congo and a word from the Reeves family, please click here.

The Old Testament Walkabout class will continue its study of the history of Israel in the book of Second Kings. We are about to see the fall of Judah and, with that, the end of the Kingdom of Israel. In this segment of our studies, we will include selections from the book of Jeremiah and hear his words to these people as they experience the pain and suffering of the loss of much of what has defined them as a people. Class will begin at 9:30. If you would like to receive the zoom link for this class please contact Gayle Andress at dongayle17@gmail.com.

Library Class: Bill Sherling and Margaret Wright are leading discussion of Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild February 7 & 14. To receive the zoom link to this class, please contact Harriette Huggins, harriette.huggins@gmail.com

The Bible Journaling class will resume this semester on Mondays at 12pm. Even if you have never explored the art and practice of bible journaling before, all are welcome to explore biblical texts in this creative and meditative way. To receive the zoom link for this class, please contact Susan Fillippeli at fillise@att.net.

The Office Hours Bible Study midweek discussion group will resume during the season of Lent (the week of February 21). More details will be shared as they become available.

Upcoming Lenten Sunday School Series:

Beginning Sunday, February 21 we will be offering a six-week course via Zoom on Latasha Morrison's book, Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. We encourage everyone to order a copy of the book now. This study is a part of our congregation's commitment to the Matthew 25 initiative of the PC(USA). (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/)

*The Auburn Public Library is in the process of ordering this book and e-book. If you find that all copies are checked out, placing a hold on the book will encourage the library to order additional copies!*

During its Zoom on-line meeting on December 21, the Session…

• approved Rodney Greer to serve as acting clerk in Barbara Dunham’s absence;

• learned that income for January through November was $645,165; expenses, $651,185; and net, minus $6,019; that income for November was $51,740; expenses, $52,793; and net, minus $1,054; and that the federal PPP loan, not shown in the current profit and loss report, should balance out the 2020 budget;

• sustained the examination of Elders-elect Jessica Barnes, Marianne Cone, Paul Dimick, Jesse Joiner, Katie Lee, Susan McChesney, and Sarah Wolak; and

• learned that Class of 2020 elders will attend the next stated meeting (January 18) to act on the 2021 budget.

Church members may read the complete, approved minutes for this meeting in the church office after the office has reopened.

Birthdays

Feb. 8 - Frank Bock

Feb. 9 - Jane Lamb, Susan Parker

Feb. 10 - Todd White

Feb. 11 - Tyler Klugh

Feb. 12 - Daniel Allen, Joe Ragan, Steve Salo

Feb. 13 - Jeff Yost

Anniversaries

Feb. 10 - Jim and Joan Foil

Pre-K through 5th Grade

Below is the Zoom Sunday school class schedule:

February 7 and 21

March 7 and 21

Pre-K through 1st Grade Zoom Sunday school classes will meet at 9:45am

2nd through 5th Grade Zoom Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15am

All Zoom invites will be sent at 9am the day of class.

Jr. High and Sr. High Youth

Jr. Highs will meet in the church courtyard at 4pm.

Sr. Highs will meet in the Sarkowski’s backyard at 6pm.

Bring a chair and masks are required.

This semester, UKirk has multiple opportunities to gather and grow in faith, including a Bible Study and fellowship night over Zoom. If you are or know of a student interested in learning more about UKirk, fill out this form or email Caroline, and she will be happy to contact you with more info.

• Prayers of healing for Peggy Johnson as she recovers at home after successful surgery.

• Prayers of healing for James Fukai’s father as he continues rehab after significant surgery. His father, Junichiro Fukai, is progressing well with his rehab.

• Prayers of healing for Amanda Smith’s co-worker and friend, Susan Scales, as she begins cancer treatment.

• Prayers of healing for Rev. Little (Amy Well’s former pastor) who is beginning treatment for a cancer diagnosis.

• Continued prayers of healing and wholeness for many in our church family and their loved ones who are dealing with significant health and wellness issues but do not wish to be mentioned by name at the moment.

• We continue to pray for healing and wholeness of so many in our community facing health issues, especially those dealing with issues related to Covid-19. We also continue to pray for all the health care workers as they tend to everyone’s well being, and we rejoice for the good news that more and more people are able to receive the vaccine.