Worship Committee Meeting, 11/4, 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Operation Christmas Child

            Thank you for the many ways in which you have supported Operation Christmas Child this year!  We have all felt the impact of the pandemic.  I hope that participating in our traditional outreach to children in other parts of the world has given you some sense of normalcy.  For the children who receive our gifts during these difficult times, it will be a great reminder that they are loved.

            There are a number of ways in which you may continue to participate in OCC this season.

• Pack a box on your own.  Bring your filled shoebox to church on Nov. 15 for Dedication Sunday.
• Contribute toward the cost of shipping and other ministry related expenses for the 305 shoeboxes packed at our packing parties.  You may do this by collecting your spare change in a medicine bottle, by sponsoring a certain number of shoeboxes, or by giving any amount you are able. 
• Volunteer to serve at our drop-off site during collection week (Nov. 16-23).
• PRAY for collection and processing to go smoothly, for no problems with shipping and customs, that children’s needs will be met, and that hearts would be open to the Gospel.

If you have questions, need shoeboxes, or want to volunteer, please see me or call 518-827-4093.  Thank you again for blessing children with a tangible representation of God’s love.

                                                                                                Mary Lou

Mugs & Muffins Bible Study, continues Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 for a few more weeks, reading Ephesians together in the Fellowship Hall. 

2021 Budget: The Consistory will be reviewing the budget for next year. The budget is one way of making plans and setting priorities for the coming year. Committees have been asked to submit any requests of the budget, due to Consistory by 11/12. 

Consistory Meeting, November 11/12

Upcoming Sunday Worship 

• November 1^st, All Saints Day, celebrating the Lord’s Supper
• 11/8, Gathered Worship
• 11/15, Gathered Worship, including shoebox dedication 
• 11/22, Christ the King Sunday 
• 11/29, First Sunday of Advent
• 12/6, 2^nd Sunday of Advent

We’ll continue to livestream worship. The link and the bulletin will be at the website, on the page: At Home Resources. Prayer requests can be forwarded to Pastor Jeff – phone, email or text.

Ham Supper: this year we will not be hosting our annual supper. The major factors for this included: 

• not being able to seat people in the hall (or- it would take a long time to seat the usual numbers with the given restrictions), 
• preparing and serving together with the given restrictions 
• not knowing what November will look like. 

All those things, we would be losing too much about the reasons we do this and the ways it is done. Thanks for your understanding and we’ll consider it again next year. 

The Study Hall at the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to everyone who offered to help. The word is out and we are waiting to see if any students need to make use of it. We’ll keep it out there for another month or so and see how things go. Many different scenarios could play out where this would be helpful to families in the MCS district- so thanks for keeping this in mind.  

Annual Meeting December 6^th after worship. 

Mugs & Muffins Bible Study, continuing Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 for just over six-weeks reading Ephesians together, on the patio or inside in the Fellowship Hall. 

Youth Education:  Plans are being developed to help families, including options of in-person and resources to use at home.

The Study Hall at the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to everyone who offered to help. The word is out and we are waiting to see if any students need to make use of it. We’ll keep it out there for another month or so and see how things go. Many different scenarios could play out where this would be helpful to families in the MCS district- so thanks for keeping this in mind.  

2021 Budget: The Finance Committee and Consistory will begin working on the budget for next year. While it is a best-guess about our spending, we do use it to set our priorities in a practical way. Committees are being asked to think about what they hope to do in next year, and if it requires money, they can request it to be included in the budget. 

Consistory Meeting, November 11/12

Annual Meeting December 6^th after worship. 

Ham Supper: this year we will not be hosting our annual dinner. The major factors for this included: 

• not being able to seat people in the hall (or- it would take a long time to seat the usual numbers with the given restrictions), 
• preparing and serving together with the given restrictions 
• not knowing what November will look like. 

Financial Report– available on the print copies

Worship, Life Together & Restrictions 

As we to journey through this time of the pandemic, we continue to adjust how things are done. Sunday worship is our central gathering time as a congregation, so we are trying to accommodate each person who wants to participate. Our seating in the sanctuary is a challenge. We are bumping up against fitting everyone with the prescribed distance. So be mindful of 6’- about a two arm’s length. We will work to seat others in chairs around the space. We are also working out how we can use the foyer and the hall. We’ll continue to stream the service for folks staying at home. The State has plans for rolling restrictions as cases emerge. It does not call for houses of worship to ever be closed, but the number of our gatherings could be curbed. We’ll follow whatever we are asked to do as we value setting a good example and loving our neighbor given that we will still be able to worship, though we may have to get creative how that happens. 

As we try to care for one another in this time, the church has funds available to help with financial stress, along with recommended counseling services, and spiritual nurture. You can check out the website for a start under RESOURCES.  

Leadership Meeting, February 13^th, 7 p.m. (6:30 Consistory)

Christian Education 10 am Sundays. No Youth Education 2/16 (President’s Day Weekend)

February 9^th, Potluck The Fellowship Committee is proposing that we try something new: Second Sunday Pot Luck.  Instead of our usual coffee hour, we will gather for a shared meal. We want everyone to feel welcome to take part in the meal!  It is not necessary for everyone to contribute food.  Your presence will be the most important thing you can share.  Please plan to join your MRC family on February 9 to enjoy good food, generosity, and hospitality!

Check out how ways you can help our church family, coming and going. Coming: Take a month to clean the sanctuary, volunteer in the nursery, read Scripture, or host coffee hour, or join a committee. 
Going: Join the Mission Planning Team for conversations about how we are being called to go or look out for coming opportunities. The Food Pantry can also occasionally use volunteers. See Russ Ryan for details.

Sign up for the weekly connection email. Announcement reminders plus weekly prayer requests and occasionally other things of interest. You can sign up through the website: middleburghreformed.org

Operation Christmas Child  
Destination Togo
The shoeboxes we packed last fall will bless children in the African nation of Togo.  This small country in Sub-Saharan Africa gained its independence in 1960.  Togo’s economy depends on subsistence and commercial agriculture.  Half of the nation’s population lives below the international poverty level.  Teacher shortages result in low quality education and high drop-out rates, especially in rural areas.  

Please pray for the children in Togo who are recipients of our gifts.  We know that through Christ all things are possible.  May the Good News of Jesus lead the children, their families, and their friends to a brighter future!

Preparing for Our 2020 Packing Party
        Some of the most cherished gifts children receive in their OCC shoeboxes are letters and photographs.  Bundles of Christmas cards to which you may add a note are located in the foyer.  Chase away cabin fever blues by writing cheerful notes to children! 
            During the month of February, we will be collecting toothbrushes (multipacks appreciated) and small stuffed animals.  You may leave them in the OCC box in the foyer.  Always be on the lookout for a bargain.  Gifts of all kinds are always welcome!
            As we grow the number of shoeboxes, we pack each year, we also need to grow the funds that cover shipping and the training and equipping of those who distribute the gifts.  On September 19, we will be hosting our third Harvest Bazaar to benefit Operation Christmas Child.  Please save the date!  A new fundraising campaign for this year is called Giving with Gratitude.  You will find more information in the foyer.  Thank you for supporting Operation Christmas Child with your prayers all year long.

From the property committee

We Need Help Cleaning the Sanctuary 

     One of the sign-up sheets on the table in the foyer is for volunteers who wish to participate in cleaning the sanctuary for 2020.  After the flood, the property committee decided to ask for volunteers for this space as a way to reduce the expenses for cleaning our buildings. We are paying Tom and Kellie Rogers to take care of the parts of our building that experience extensive use every week.  With enough volunteers, we think we can take care of the sanctuary for worship on Sunday.  Guidelines and supplies are kept in the closet under the stairs.

      In past years, we have also asked for volunteers to clean other parts of our buildings, but at this time we are only asking for sanctuary volunteers. There will be certain times when volunteers will be needed for specific tasks which will be posted as necessary.  Last year, there were two people who cleaned the sanctuary all year.  It would be great to have more people involved to share the work in this very special space.

Consistory Meeting, January 9th, 7 p.m. (new consistory members will begin after their installation on the 19^th).

Signups for committee and groups will be available for January 12^th  & January 19^th. Consider how you would like to help out: 

     Fellowship Committee: (also need a chairperson)

     Education Com: (also need a chairperson)

     Property Com: Leslie Hooper chair.

     Worship Com: Joan Youmans, chairperson

     Mission Planning Team, Tracie Anteman, organizer.  

There are other ways to help out too, including: cleaning the sanctuary for a month (see above), ushering, nursery, coffee hour, and reading Scripture.  

Our new Consistory will be installed on January 19^th. Jonathan Meredith will serve as an Elder. Tracie Anteman and Bill Milak will serve as Deacons. We thank Susan Pendergast for her work and care as an Elder these past four years. 

Pastor Jeff will be away January 10 & 11 for a regional gathering to talk about the RCA’s 2020 Vision Team work. 

items of interest from the Leadership Team meeting: 

• The finance committee and the Deacons plan reevaluate processes and accounts to match our capacity. 
• Mission Planning Team is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive January 24^th. 
• Property Committee is working on restoring Classroom #1, engaged a company to replace the smoke detectors as a course of maintenance. The PC continues to work on keeping the buildings clean and maintained. 
• There is a desire to send out a newsletter in the coming month. If you have something to contribute, forward it to Pastor Jeff. 

Giving Envelopes are available. 

If you don’t have a box assigned to you, take an unnamed box and let Lewis Youmans know the number. 

How does it work? each set of envelopes has a number that is assigned to a giver. That number is connected to your name by our Financial Secretary, Lewis Youmans. Each Sunday of the year has an envelope. When used the amount is recorded with the number. At the end of the year you’ll receive a financial statement of the total giving. Only Lewis has access to the total amount of giving. 

Using the envelopes is not necessary as there are other ways to remain anonymous (cash) or receiving a statement for tax purposes (checks). But if you find it helpful, please avail yourself of them. Other questions about our process? Ask a Consistory member. 

Glasses for Guatemala

During OCC collection week, one of the donors spoke about a medical mission trip she will take in February.  She is a nurse and will be assisting doctors who will be performing eye surgeries and fitting patients for eyeglasses.  Your old glassed are needed!  Please leave them in the basket in the foyer by January 12.  Thank you!