Join Our List
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Sunday Snacks:
02/02- Sharon Helsher
02/09- Sharon Honeycutt
02/16 -Renee Weeks
02/23 -Becca Leadbitter
Sunday Greeters:
02/02- Wampler's
02/09- Jamie & Renee Ray
02/16- Bob Drummond
02/23- Schoen's
Scripture Readers:
02/02- Erika Tyner
02/09- Nancy Williams
02/16- David Cort
02/23- Bunnie McIntosh
Youth Dinners:
02/02- Gwen Reynolds
02/09- Ginger Eton
02/16- Sonya Vess & Judy Riddle
02/23-Taube & Sheila Roy
02/02-Nancy Smith &
Kim Young
02/09- Julena & Jim
McQueen
02/16-Sharon Honeycutt &
Lynn Walker
02/23-Barbara Bradley
&
Gwen Reynolds
Altar Guild:
Betsy Myers
Virginia Ray
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Online Giving is
Now Available!
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Higgins is offering online giving through EasyTithe!
Try it now, online or through the mobile app!
Please contact the office or send us an email if you have any questions.
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NEW OFFICE HOURS AT HIGGINS
MONDAY - THURSDAY-8:30-4:00
FRIDAY - 8:00 - 12 noon
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Ingles Gift Cards!
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Purchase Ingles Cards and 5% of the face value goes directly to Missions. It doesn't cost you anything extra! (If you purchase a $100 card, $5 will go directly to Missions and you still have $100 purchasing power). It can be used for anything at Ingles including GAS. See Stewart and Rebecca Leadbitter after Celebration service at the Welcome Desk. Sanctuary service participants please drop by the Welcome Desk before Sunday School.
Thank you!
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Addresses
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Some of the Higgins family may have moved, but they are still in our hearts. Send them well wishes!
College
Gabriel Garland
101 Chestnut Street
CPO 697
Berea, KY 40404-0001
Raelin Reynolds
255 Eagle Rock Lane
Burnsville, NC 28714
Lizzie Bingham
13001 Word of Life #109
Hudson, FL 34669
Britney Stines
37 Summit Street
Burnsville, NC 28714
Matthew Bare
NCSSM Box #B357
1219 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
Att: 1st Hill, Room 120
Christopher Bare
1 Flycatcher Way - Apt 303
Arden, NC 28704
Mike & Mollie Lawrence
8713 SE Riverfront Terrace
Tequesta, FL 33469
Allen & Bevo Peterson
491 Blackberry Drive
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
New Address
Bev Hunsucker
870 Oak Meadow Drive
Apt. 3332
Franklin, TN 37064
Cell: 828 230-1787
Sam & Ethel Nash
3066 Point Clear Drive
Tega Cay, SC 29708
J.P. Tabor
332 AEW/ESFS
Unit #61807
APO, AE 09321-1807
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Low-impact Aerobics class on
Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. for older adults.
It is free!!!
Contact Teri Darnall at 208-1904 for more info
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Men's Group
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The Thursday Morning Men's Group meets each Thursday morning at the coffee shop on Main Street from 6:30 am to 7:30 am - All men are invited to come and be part of the group. We always have a great time of
fellowship and Bible study.
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Boy Scout Troop 502
The Troop is sponsored by Higgins. They meet each Monday from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the white Annex Building behind the Family Life Center. Open to all boys 11 and older.
Scoutmaster, Brian Schwock.
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The Susanna Wesley Circle
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The Susanna Wesley Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the FLC. Shirley Ann McAllister will present a program on Love. Our Service Project will be to bring things for Ally's House. (you received a list at circle last month). Hostess will be Linda Casey and Elaine Dellinger. All ladies are welcome.
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Still need pecans?
There may be a bag or two left ($13 each).
Call the Church Office to check on availability.
The sale of pecans is an annual fundraiser of the Susanna Wesley United Methodist Women's Circle.
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LADIES! Save the date of Friday, March 13, 2020 for ABIDE'S next BIG event! Plan to join us and bring a friend! Come to hear a sister in Christ courageously share her testimony of being delivered from a life of sin. Come for food, fellowship and worship! And for another part of the program, come and wear your favorite scarf! This event will be held in the FLC at Higgins United Methodist Church; it starts at 6:00pm and concludes at 8:15pm. Rides are available upon request and childcare will be provided. We look forward to seeing you!
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We have a single mom in our congregation in need of a job such as house cleaning, pet sitting, etc. If you have a job that she could do, please contact Kim Garland.
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Pastor John
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Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation
In the summer of 2019, Methodist Bishop John Yambasu (Sierra Leone Episcopal Area) invited five persons from three constituencies within the United Methodist Church traditionalists, centrist, and progressives- to meet in Chicago, Illinois to share ideas about the future of the United Methodist Church and how they might navigate the persistent conflict over human sexuality experienced by our denomination. They chose an attorney - Kenneth Feinberg to mediate a solution for a way forward. Mr. Feinberg has extensive experience in mediation such as being special master to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. A statement was shared with our denomination on January 3, 2020 as a result of their work. The Protocol offers a path forward that is one of several that will be discussed at our United Methodist General Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota meeting May 5-15, 2020. I would encourage reading the proposal and watching the one hour video that the group made recently.
(A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation - The United Methodist Church)
The delegates General Conference of 2020 will decide whether a separation is what they believe God is calling us to. What does this mean for Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church? We could possibly, like all other United Methodist churches, be faced with a decision of which branch of our denomination we would like to affiliate with as early as this summer. The Proposal is recommending that the Traditional view would become a new Methodist denomination. The centrists and progressives would remain with the United Methodist Church.
Our Higgins UMC Church Council will be talking of ways to prepare for the 2020 General Conference and aftermath. We certainly will keep the congregation informed and have congregational times to meet and receive your input and take questions. The proposal would ensure that local Methodist congregations would keep their facilities and all assets regardless of who they affiliate with. We would have a Church Conference authorized by our District Superintendent if our Church Council decided we would like to vote on our options. At present Higgins Memorial UMC is a congregation of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference.
What can we do to prepare for this possible separation within our denomination?
PRAY
for our denomination; her leaders, the delegates to the General Conference and pray for God's will to be done. I John 5:14
READ
about the issue of human sexuality. Living Faithfully is an excellent four week small group study by Abingdon Press. The Causes, Evils, & Cures of Heart & Church Divisions by Bishop Francis Asburyalso by Abingdon Press are very helpful.
ACCEPT
that Christians differ about social issues. You do not need to hold a particular stance
on a social issue to be a member of the United Methodist Church. The membership vows are primarily the Apostles Creed, and a vow to uphold our church through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
YIELD
to God's Will. Our denomination began in 1784 officially as the Methodist Episcopal Church. We were a renewal movement of England's Anglican Church. In 1828 a new denomination was formed called the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1845 the Methodist Episcopal Church South was formed. The big issue Christians differed on in that day was slavery. Before 1939 there were three Methodist denominations in western North Carolina; the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church - South, and the Methodist Protestant Church. These three branches united in 1939 to become the Methodist Church. In 1968 The Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren to become the United Methodist Church. Since our Higgins church began in 1881, we have been with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, The Methodist Church, and now the United Methodist Church. I am confident that Higgins Memorial will continue to be a Methodist Church.
Our Higgins Church has had and continues to have a strong witness for Jesus Christ in our community. Our vital signs; worship attendance, small groups, Sunday school attendance, youth and children, and new ministries such as Celebrate Recovery are all signs of a healthy, growing congregation. I am absolutely confident that God will guide us clearly in this new year if major decisions need to be made. It is not a time to have a spirit of fear, but one of power, and of love, and of sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7) People need the Lord more than ever! Our focus will continue to be the Great Commission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It continues to be a great privilege to serve as Lead Pastor of this great congregation of Christ followers.
Grace and Peace
Pastor John
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Family Fun Night
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The Family Life Committee and Youth group would like to invite all ages to
FAMILY FUN NIGHT - Sunday, Feb 2nd in the FLC
beginning at 5:30.
Lots of food, fun, and fellowship for all. The game will be on the big screen for the diehard fans and for those non football lovers there will be board games and other activities.
We have room for extra helpers. If you love to mingle and welcome new people please consider hosting for one hour during the evening.
Let's make this an evening to remember!
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New Members
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 We are excited to have 9 new members join Higgins, they are:
Kurt, Stephanie, Chase and Lynlee Johnson
Richard & Linda Dahl
Woody Cunningham
Bonita Wiedenhaupt
Laura Wilson
We welcome you and we are so glad to have you as part of the"Higgins" family.
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Youth Ministry
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The youth are still looking for more volunteers for Sunday's to pick up children and also some " counselors" to volunteer to come hang out with us on Sunday nights due to the overflow of students! Contact Jake or Jordan at 208-2877.
Winterfest 2020 is scheduled for February 14-16th in TN.
HEARTS FOR THE HOMELESS. Items are still needed for the bags we will pack to pass out. anything non perishable food items, hygiene items and anything that you can think of that you might use if you were homeless.
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Prayer Ministry
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| Your Prayers are Greatly Appreciated
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
- SHUT-IN'S: Doyce McClure, Faye Skiff, Estelle Sheldon and Jerry Helsher
- Family of Judy Riddle in the passing of her husband, Bill
- Family of Sonya Vess in the passing of her father, Bill
- Family of Pat & John Terrell in the passing of their son, John
- Family of Becky Ashton in the passing of her mother
- Family of Pat Hepburn in the passing of his brother
- Rich Eten, health issues
- Betty Ann Young, home
- Dorene Branton, Chemo
- Charles Presnell, cancer
- Deena Bingham, chemo
- Emmy Wells, cancer (cousin of Pat Terrell - 6 years old)
- Brooke Payne, health issues (niece of Marcia Schoen)
- Bob Proffitt,- health issues
- Ada Lee Hipps, health issues
- Marcia Schoen, facial spasms and trigeminal neuralgia
- Jack and Betsy Myers - health issues
- Shelly Headen (daughter of Ron & Lucy Kates) health issues
- William Barnwell, colon cancer (Donna Bank's step-dad)
- Bobby Jack & Shirley McAllister, health issues
- Rhonda McCall, missionary to Ukraine
- The Kohman Family, CRU missionaries
- Your church staff
- Dr. John Fowler and his wife, Liz
- Jonathan Taylor, U.S. Army (grandson of Charles & Nancy Williams)
- J. P. Tabor, U.S. Air Force
- Captain John T. Bennett, U.S. Army
- Michael Bingham, U.S. Marine
- Ellis Jackson, U.S. Navy
- Logan Eckert, U.S. Navy
- James Adam Click, U.S. Marine
- FOR OUR NATION/LEADERS
- Our students in college and grad school
- For children in foster care and foster parents
- Pray for those who don't know Jesus.
- Pray for those looking for a job/employment.
- Pray for caregivers: Those caring for the elderly, parents, children, etc.
Prayer on the Square
Sunday, February 9, 2020, from 4-5 p.m. across from the Nu Wray Inn. --If the weather is bad, the prayer time will be held in the Higgins Family Life Center in the classroom next to the kitchen.
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Bus Fund
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We are enjoying our new bus, but would love some help with our bus fund! It would be greatly appreciated if you could possibly make a donation to this fund. This has been a huge blessing for our church and we are very grateful to use this with the youth, children, etc. Thank you to the ones who have contributed....(we now owe approximately $21,000)
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Celebrate Recovery
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Celebrations
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February Birthdays
2/01 Maximus Tabor 2/18 Hannah Wilson
2/02 Kim Garland 2/19 William Fender
2/03 Joyce Coons 2/19 Denni Kay McCurry
2/03 Michael Pelton 2/20 John Bennett
2/03 Marilyn Scarborough 2/20 Traya Hollady
2/03 Jeanne Tyner 2/21 Laura Wilson
2/03 Sonya Vess 2/22 John Fowler
2/04 Celia Eckert 2/25 Aaron Murdock
2/05 Braeden Tabor 2/25 Bob Plati
2/13 Cliff Schoen 2/26 Lowell Eckert
2/17 Betty Ann Young 2/27 Jimmy Ray
2/27 Jeanne Styles
February Anniversaries
2/01 Earl & Betty Ann Young
2/09 Daniel & Emilie Pinho
2/09 Bob & Suzi Plati
2/14 Tim & Jane Faulkner
2/18 John & Leigh Bennett
2/23 Dan & Melissa Wahlers
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Library Notes
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This month I want to make a memorial tribute to Brian Doyle. A writer with a dedicated following. He died last year so there will be no more books from this very talented author. Fortunately for us though, our library has been acquiring several of them. He mostly wrote small jottings of no more than 3 pages. He was editor of a Portland Catholic Magazine. What feeling he can arouse in us in those few words!
His writing leaves you feeling yes, there is a lot of good in the world, and hooray for warm fuzzies! If you can discipline yourself to one article a day it makes a fine devotional in the true meaning of the word devotional.
The titles of those we have are:
A Book of Common Prayer
Epiphanies & Elegies
God is Love
Leaping - revelations and epiphanies
So Very Much The Best Of Us
The Best Catholic 2004 Writing, an anthology
Eight Whopping Lives
A Shimmer of Something
We also have one of his fictions. "Mink River" and an auto
biography which he co-wrote with his Dad. You will find these books on the book trolley in the library.
"If he had been with us a few more years, his fame would certainly have grown and his name would have become very well known in America and the reading world.
We are all enlightened by what Brian recognized and described - inspired by what he believed and told us about God's world and people. We are all better, more holy, I believe, for all of that, and for Brian Doyle having been with us and among us."
Jim Doyle, Brian's father
Holy Spirit, think through me till your ideas are my ideas,
Amy Carmichael, Missionary to India
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Honorariums and Memorials
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Gifts in Memory of Billie Marie Ray:
Travis & Karen Abernathy
Mary Jane Boyd
Mr. & :Mrs. Benson Tyner
Gifts in Memory of Bill Riddle
Phil's Tire Service
Mr. & Mrs. Benson Tyner
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Myers
Mr. & Mrs. John Bennett
Higgins Fellowship Class
Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Ray
Mary Nelson
Michael Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Faulkner
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Young
Linda Edge
Pat Bullett
Mr. & Mrs. Earl Young
Claudette Carroll
Mr. & Mrs. Max Fox
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Lenten Services and Luncheons
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March 04 First Baptist
March 11 Hospice
March 18 First Presbyterian
March 25 Bald Creek Methodist
April 01 Higgins UMC
Donations this year go to Camp Funshine.
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Letter from Blue Ridge District
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Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
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Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church
MINUTES - Administrative Council Meeting, Monday, November 18, 2019, 5:30 P.M.
In Attendance
:
Russ Darnall, Chair
Rev. John Fowler, Pastor
Wanda Proffitt, Finance Committee Chair
Peirce Bingham, Missions Committee Chair
David Cort
Sue Holland
Marvin Holland
Kim Garland, Children's Ministry Director
Jake Honeycutt, Youth Director
Teri Darnall, Faith Community Nurse
Dorene Branton, Office Administrator
April Henkel, guest
- Call to Order & Devotion. Council Chair Russ Darnall called the November 18th meeting of the Administrative Council to order at 5:35 p.m., followed by a brief devotion and opening prayer.
- Approval of the Minutes.
- ACTION: Wanda Proffitt moved the minutes of the October 21, 2019 meeting be approved as disseminated; second by Sue Holland; motion carried with none opposed.
- Missions Committee. Chair Peirce Bingham reported Reconciliation House (RH) continues to be a priority, noting receipt of the AMY Wellness Foundation funding and expectations for other funders such as Duke to provide additional support; Peirce continues to serve on the RH Board of Directors. In other updates, he reported on the Alternative Giving Market with designated charities (Compassion; Hearts for Heaven - Guatemala; the RH Fuel Fund; and the Backpack Ministry). Celebration Recovery is averaging 45-50 attendees per week, including 6-10 children and 5-6 youth. ACTION: None.
- Children's Ministry.Kim Garland reported the children made placemats for the Prison Ministry and made 24 cards for the Cards for Shut-Ins Project. This week, the Living Inside Out kids are visiting Yancey House Assisted Living for a Thanksgiving event, coordinating with the Yancey House Activity Director.
- Finance Committee. Chair Wanda Proffitt reviewed the October financial statements. Contributions through October - $390,842 and designations - $111,695, for a total of $502,000 in contributions. Cash on hand is $307,084.77 (all accounts). She clarified that Ingles Card contributions and expenses inflate these figures and when factored in, eliminate the apparent surplus. The balance on the van loan is $32,382, with about $8,822 in the Van Account plus additional contributions; extra payments are made when possible to reduce interest. She discussed the Committee's concern regarding the presentation of the Church's finances in the bulletin, which
shows an overall deficit when in actuality, there is only a deficit in the General Fund. When all income types are taken into consideration, there is no deficit. The Committee plans to improve the presentation of this information in the bulletin. Audit Results: The recent audit resulted in a clean opinion with two recommendations; timesheets should be completed by all employees (hourly and salaried), and Childcare Workers' Expenses should be moved from Children's Ministry to Payroll. A copy of the audit is available upon request.
2020 Budget: The Finance Committee proposes a 2020 Budget of $536,345, which includes a 1% increase in projected income. It also reflects the reduction of several expense line items, including the $7,000 reserve funding set-aside and $25,000 for the Trustees as existing funds are sufficient to cover these two areas. The bi-annual audit expense was eliminated ($6,000) for 2020. The proposed budget includes all requests from committees and the lay leader, and a 2% salary increase as requested by the SPRC. Trends: Members discussed the steady accumulation of designated funds over the last several years, while contributions to support the General Fund (operations) have not been as strong; the Committee plans an education campaign to explain tithing to support the General Fund first and designated giving being over and above the tithe.
- ACTION: The Finance Committee moved to amend the current (2019) budget to reflect actual year to date income/expense (example, the capital improvement item has not been expensed, nor is it needed as funds already exist). Committee motion seconded by Marvin Holland; motion carried with none opposed.
- ACTION: The Finance Committee moved to approve the proposed 2020 Budget of $536,345, with a written summary to accompany these minutes; second by Teri Darnall; motion carried with none opposed. Wanda will provide the Administrative Council Chair with a copy of the 2020 Budget and a summary.
- Nominating Committee. Pastor John Fowler reported for the Nominating Committee.
- ACTION: The Nominating Committee moved appointment of Dennis Smith to serve as an At Large Member of the Administrative Council; second by David Cort; motion carried with none opposed.
- SPRC. Sue Holland reported the Committee will meet soon on the Child Protection Policy. ACTION: None.
- Church Leadership Dinner: Chair Russ Darnall shared plans to convene the 2020 committee leadership for a dinner meeting to kick-off the new year. The meeting will be an informal discussion format, facilitated by Russ.
- ACTION: By consensus of those present, the date for the leadership dinner was set for January 28; Russ will confirm facility availability and send invitations to the incoming chairs.
- Annual Conference. No report.
- Faith Community Nurse.No report.
- Youth. Jake Honeycutt highlighted upcoming youth activities, including his attendance at the National Youth Worker's Convention in Tampa, Florida this month. A Lock-In is planned for December 6 to include Spruce Pine UMC youth. Youth missions: The Youth are sponsoring two foster children for Christmas, and a project called Hearts for the Homeless is also underway (personal hygiene kits assembled and distributed personally by the Youth at a shelter in Asheville). New Activity: HYM Tonight Live, a 3-week program beginning December 1, similar in format to Saturday Night Live. New communication strategy: In the works is use of an online Google Calendar to improve access to dates of Youth activities; parents and youth will have access to the online calendar, and Administrative Council members may also have access upon request.
- Trustees Report.
Russ Darnall reported for Trustees Chair Dennis Smith. Sanctuary Doors: Work is currently
underway to repair the Sanctuary's front doors. Parking Lot Lighting: One light is being installed now and the Trustees are evaluating the need for additional lights. Van Driver Policy: The policy is expected to be finalized by the end of the year and will be emailed to the Administrative Council with approval via an email vote. Playground Upgrades: The Trustees have appointed a Playground Committee, and Bob Williams and Barry Munyan have been asked to serve as members. They are working closely with Kim Garland to identify playground equipment to be removed, and the concrete picnic table that is in disrepair. ACTION: None.
- Family Life Committee. Russ Darnall reported for Chair Donna Woodie. Please remember the Cards to Shut-Ins project, currently underway. ACTION: None.
- Pastor's Report. Pastor John distributed his list of sermon topics and schedule through February 2020.
Special Dates to Note:
- Hanging of the Greens - Tuesday, November 26 at 9:30 a.m.
- Chancel Choir and Bell Choir Concert - Sunday, December 8 at 4:00 p.m.
- Christmas Eve Services, A Lesson in Carols - Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30 p.m. (music at 5:00 p.m.)
- Ash Wednesday Service - Wednesday, February 26
- Other Announcements, News and Notes.
- Wessel Farewell Reception: Sue Holland announced a Farewell Reception for Armin and Renee Wessel will be held Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center, prior to the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir Concert at 4:00 p.m. The reception is being hosted by the Trinity Sunday School Class.
- Lost Connections: Russ recommended the book Lost Connections, by Johann Hari, noting it was also mentioned by the District Superintendent in her remarks at the Charge Conference. The book provides valuable insights about the consequences of being "disconnected" from people.
Adjournment.
With no further business to conduct, and the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.; Pastor John Fowler closed the meeting with prayer.
Next Administrative Council Meeting will be Tuesday, February 25th at 5:30 pm. This will be held in the classroom in the FLC. This is open to anyone who would like to attend.
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