January 2014 Sunday Schedule for the Season of Epiphany

10:30 am Worship

11:00 am Children's Time (children excused from worship after the sermon)

11:30 am Coffee Hour and Fellowship

January 5 - Second Sunday after Christmas Scripture: Matthew 2.1-12 Topic: Foreigners Welcome SPECIAL EVENTS: 9:45 am Choir Warm-up 11:30 am Un-hanging of the Greens

January 12 - First Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Matthew 3.13-17 and Isaiah 42.1-9 Topic: The Baptism of the Christ: Saved From What For What? Children's Time: Be sure to bring a photo of yourself for the learning project. The picture should be a

'head shot', no bigger than 2x2 inches.

January 19 - Second Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: John 1.29-42 and Isaiah 49.1-7 Topic: John the Baptist continues his work: Caller ID and the Call of God Children's Time: Pet rocks and Peter, too!

January 26 - Third Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Mathew 4.12-23 and Isaiah 9.1-4 Topic: Jesus begins his ministry: Beginning All Over Again Children's Time: Something fishy is going on here!

SPECIAL EVENTS: Reception of new members Congregational Annual Meeting and Chinese Potluck Meal

I have a super power. Just like Superman, Spider Man, and Cat Woman, I have a super power. Let me explain. For myself, I didn't have high hopes for 2013. There was just something about its feng shui that put me off from the very beginning and all my doubts proved true. I wonder how often have I have used my super power of preconceptions and prejudices to actually change the world around me. I have often gone into a situation expecting the worst, or met someone expecting them to act in a certain way, or been presented with a new idea that I just knew couldn't be right, and ended up having my negative expectations fulfilled. They were fulfilled because of my super power. My actions and thoughts and feelings actually alter a positive reality and my negative reality becomes the new universe.

I admit that this isn't the most useful of super powers but I have perfected it over the years. However, this year to celebrate the end of 2013, I am going to turn my super power to good! This year I am going to try to go into every situation, meet every person, tackle every new idea with a positive expectation. I am going to try to expect the best from every person, anticipate joy in every occasion, and live with hope in every moment. I will even expect that I will succeed in my expectations for myself! Rev Cynthia Brandt

Reports and Meetings

Notes from the Board Pray without giving up! What does it mean to pray without giving up? When we pray hopefully, and continually, we can bring about change, if only in ourselves. When we pray, God opens us up to an even better future than we can envision for ourselves. As we enter a New Year, through our prayers, we are assured God will bless our lives and the lives of those we love and pray for. Do not give up praying; by persevering we receive God’s full promises.

Praying to God for guidance, we conducted the business of the Church.

We are in the process of finalizing our budget to be presented to the Congregation in January. Thank you to everyone who has pledged, and thank you to all who plan giving in 2014. Our Church needs financial gifts to operate, however, know the most important gift you can give is your presence in our Church.

After many years of having a monthly community supper program at Wright, we have decided to support a larger more extensive program through St Vincent de Paul. Many thanks to all who have contributed time, talent, and treasure to our program. We have faith that we made a difference in the lives of those who served and those who were served. Our mission will continue, just in a different way and in a different place.

We have great hopes and expectations for the New Year. We want and need each of you to be part of our journey.

Pray without ceasing.

Respectfully submitted, Will Patterson, Board Chair

Search Committee Update We took the time between Christmas and New Year’s to be with family and friends, but we are back at work now. We are busy checking references of candidates and are moving forward with further discussions with several candidates.

Carl Van Slyke, Chairperson

Pledge cards: For those who have not submitted their 2014 pledges please do so as soon as possible. It is very important so we may be able to complete our budget process for 2014. Extra pledge cards are available in the office.

Congregational Meeting & Potluck Following worship on January 24, we will gather for an all-church potluck and congregational meeting. Our 2014 budget will be presented for action and the new officers and board members will be installed. Your presence is needed.

Thank you to all the committee chairs and board members who submitted their reports. They will be available at the Congregational meeting.

Just to make things a little more interesting on the food front, let's celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Chinese potluck meal! Actually, we are not sure what that means about the food but we have it on good authority that there are some Chinese recipes in the church cookbook and you can at least expect fortune cookies for dessert!

Menu suggestions: fish (sounds like 'abundance' in Chinese), noodles (symbolizes long life), desserts (sweetness in the new year), and mandarin oranges (for good luck).

Updates Needed for Directory & Update the Church Email Address

2014 Directories will be available at the congregational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 26. Do you have a new number or a cell phone number to add to the 2014 directory? How about a new email address? Please contact the office with updates or corrections by Wednesday, Jan 15. Don't be left out.

Please check your address book so you have the correct email address for Wright Church. It is: church@wrightucc.com

Diaconate to Meet The Diaconate will hold their first meeting of 2014 on Sunday, January 19 at 9 AM in the fellowship hall. Carl Van Slyke asks that all members of the diaconate plan to attend. This includes the Classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 (those elected last month). Check with Carl or the Church Office if you are not sure of your status. We will be doing a brief orientation on the various responsibilities of the diaconate including where the supplies are located. We will also be setting serving schedules for February, March, and April.

Church Missions

Wright Church Begins New Partnership with St Vincent de Paul for Bench Supper

Wright Church has had a long and wonderful career in providing a community supper to the Bench every month. A rough guess is that we have served over 7500 meals since we first opened our hearts and doors to the community.

Times have changed and we now have a way to serve an even larger number by partnering with the St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Kitchen. Some things will stay the same - still the fourth Thursday of the month, still need volunteers. Some things will change.

Beginning on Thursday, January 23, we will move our volunteer effort to the St Vincent Food Pantry at 3217 W Overland Road (between Latah and Vista). St Vincent will provide the cook and the food, we will help with set-up, serving, and clean-up. One to two volunteers are need beginning at 5 to 5:50; 6-8 volunteers are needed from about 5:30 until 8:00 pm.

Please contact Julie Patterson if you are

interested in helping with suppers at St Vincent's.

Thank You from St Vincent de Paul

We received a letter of thanks from the Society of St Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho District Council thanking us for our support of the 2013 Thanksgiving Turkey Boxes program.

In 2012 St Vincent distributed 2400 boxes to feed over 11,000 people. We joined with 14 other churches and in 2013 they distributed 2893 boxes to feed over 13,000 people in need. Mike Gallagher, the district president, said,

I want to thank everyone who shared in this truly Christian outpouring of love. God bless all of you and keep you in his hands.

Our youth group did a great job of helping to make this happen. Well done to everyone who participated

Pantry Items Needed Non perishable items are always needed especially in the winter time. Our stock is very low at the present time. Please Help!

Celebrations in December Birthdays: Dec 22 Dorothy Haskins (Happy Belated) Jan 7 Linda Baxter Jan 15 Ronna Sundell Jan 20 John Thomas & Howard Adkins Jan 23 Katie Trammell Jan 26 David Carmen Jan 29 Pat Robb

Anniversaries: Jan 27 Becky and Jim Erickson

Please Help the Furnaces! When these things break, it can get pretty cold. We have had to repair or replace three of our furnace units in the last month. Please do what you can to help us cover the almost $4000 bill.

Donations can be made to the Building Fund; note that it is to help pay the furnace bill.

Christmas Fund Offering We received the annual Christmas Fund Offering on December 22 to provide financial aid to retired and active ministers and their surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands.

Almost $300 was contributed. Thank you for your generous support.

Dishes Available for Sale The Women's Fellowship is considering selling an old set of restaurant-quality dishes. There are about 40 dinner plates, and 50 cups, saucers, and salad/dessert plates. No price has been set at this time. The options include selling it as a whole or in place settings. Contact Janice A. if you are interested for more information.

Personal Touches

We have so many people to thank this month! It is a great way to begin the new year by giving thanks for past kindnesses.

Sunday School All-Church Low Impact Christmas Pageant was a great success and a fun event for all. Thank you to:

The Congregation which participated by presenting the manger characters to the children who then placed them in the large manger scene at the front of the sanctuary.

Special music by Aubrey Balfour and Katie Trammell was wonderful.

And thanks again to all the special readers

from our Sunday School and youth.

Thank you to all who donated to our Christmas Giving Tree. We loaded the branches down with scarves, mittens, gloves, hats, and toiletries for men, women, and children and made Christmas a little nicer for unseen and unknown friends in the community.

Thank you to Jacob Busche for sharing his special

piano talents with us on Christmas eve. Also thank you to the K C & R trio for bringing us "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" on Sunday, Dec. 29.

Memorials Memorials were given in loving memory for Jo Elliott-Blakeslee by Janice Aagaard, Howard & Nettie Adkins, Ann Schnebly, Susan Worthington, Mike & Tami Black, Gil & Dorothy Haskins, Jerry Lawson, William & Shirley Spiva, Carl Van Slyke, Sandra & Donald Wolf, Mike & Jean Young, Jean Worthington.

Memorials were given in loving memory of Amy Linkert by Janice Aagaard, Howard & Nettie Adkins, Ann Schnebly, Mike & Tami Black, Gil & Dorothy Haskins, Jerry Lawson, William & Shirley Spive, Carl Van Slyke, Mike & Jean Young, Jean Worthington, Kenneth, Kaye & Glenda Vista.

Memorials were given in loving memory of Rosemarie Van Slyke by Carl Van Slyke. Memorial were given in loving memory of Agnes Smythe by Larry & Gerry Smythe.

Do you see yourself in this picture? If so, we will see you at choir practice on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

The Choir will sing on the first Sunday of February.

Enjoy the McCall Winter Carnival and stay at the Pilgrim Cove Lodge January 31-February 2.

Friday 8:00 pm for Pizza and Games

Saturday 9:00 am Breakfast

Enjoy Winter Carnival Saturday with lunch on your own.

Sledding open on the hill 9:00 am to 10:00 pm every day.

7:00 pm Dinner

8:00 pm Games, movie and popcorn

Sunday 9:00 am Breakfast

10:30 am Worship

1:00 pm Check out

Cost: $98 per person. To register contact Ms. Donna Thomas by phone (435-770-6534) or email at: donna.thomas@pilgrimcovecamp.org.

January Worship Team Lay Worship Leader Carl Van Slyke

Ushers Frank Capshaw, Wes Andrews, Cathy Andrews, Will Patterson

Care Giver Ann Durand

Altar Care Laura Shockley

Communion Servers Chuck & Meredith Pond, Anne Schnebly, Marilyn Williams

Date Greeters Fellowship Hosts Flowers

1-5 Clay & Laura Shockley & family Chuck & Meredith Pond

1-12 Trevor & Jennifer Makinson Shockley Family Dolores Wallace

1-19 Lois Wade & Deb Carlson Carl Van Slyke

1-26 Ron & Syl Apperson All Church Potluck

1-5 Clay & Laura Shockley & family Chuck & Meredith Pond

Fellowship and Study Activities

Women's

Fellowship

Join all the ladies and their guests for refreshments and fellowship on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 1:00 pm in the social hall.

Janice Aagaard

President

Upcoming Schedule for First Thursdays at 1:00 pm:

Jan. 2: The Grave Digger's Daughter, by Joyce Carol Oats

Feb. 6: Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg.

The book club meets each month on the first Thursday at 1:00pm in the library. All are welcome to come and enjoy a cup of tea and an interesting discussion.

Saturday, Jan 18, 1:00 pm

We will meet at Salt for lunch and then tour Green Chutes, where Ann Durand volunteers and has her glass works. There also is an antique store that we can search for treasurers. They are all located in the Collister Shopping Center off State Street. Contact Carol Rivers if you plan to attend so we can get a head count for lunch.

New Worship

Resources

Beginning on January 12, we will be following the common lectionary (3-year Bible schedule) for Sunday worship and the children's time We are trying something new for children's activities on Sunday morning. If you would like to have a little more insight into the sermon, check out the online UCC resources at:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/weekly-seeds/

There you can sign up for Weekly Seeds, a weekly email with lectionary resources.

Lunch bunch will gather in a different week but still on Thursday beginning in January. We will now meet on the third Thursday of each month. This month we will meet at the Olive Garden on Milwaukee at 1 pm on Jan 16. All are invited.

Bible Study

The Wednesday morning Bible Study Group will resume soon. If you have a suggestion for a study please speak to Rev. Cynthia.

New Members

It's surprising how many folk are active in the life in our church and not formal members. Maybe this is the year to 'get real'.

If you are interested in joining the Wright Church, please contact Rev Cynthia. We will receive new members on January 26.

January

Room Key: SH-Social Hall UR-Upper Room S-Sanctuary K - Kitchen

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Office closed

2

1 L - Book Club

7 S - Choir Rehearsal

3 4

5

9:45 Choir Warm-Up

10:30 Worship-Communion 11:30 Fellowship/ Coffee

Removing the Greens 12:30 Wright Ones planning - UR

6

7 UR - Search Comm.

7 7 SH - Alanon

8 1 SH - Women's

Fellowship 6 SH - Huntington’s

9

10

11

12

10:30 Worship Children's Time

11:30 Fellowship/Coffee

13

7 UR - Search Comm.

14

7 SH - Alanon

15

7 SH - Board of Directors

16

1- Lunch Bunch @

Olive Garden

17 18 1 -Wright Ones Singles @ Salt & Green Chutes

19 9-Diaconate Meeting – Choir room

10:30 Worship Children's Time

11:30 Fellowship/Coffee

20 7 UR -Search Comm.

21 7 SH - Alanon

22 23

Community Supper @ St. Vincent de Paul

24

25 Wright Up articles due

26 10:30 Worship Children's Time

11:30 Chinese Potluck and Congregational Meeting

27 7 UR -Search Comm.

28 7 SH - Alanon

29 7 S - Choir Rehearsal

30

31 Chinese New

Year

Wright Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ 4821 Franklin Road, Boise ID 83705 wrightucc.com

January 2014 Vol. 2014 Issue 1 Published Monthly

Contact us: Phone: 208.343.0292 E-Mail: church@wrightucc.com Web: wrightucc.com

Ministers: You

Interim Pastor: Rev. Cynthia Brandt

Office Administrator: Robin Canning

Organist: Ginny Trapp

Board Chairman: Will Patterson

Moderator: Carl Van Slyke

Sunday Schedule: 10:30 Worship 11:00 Children's Time 11:30 Fellowship Time Cry Room available for restless little ones.

Communion 1st Sunday of each month

Return service requested

A rally will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 1:00 pm on the Statehouse steps to support the Add the Words campaign.

It's time to add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to Idaho's Human Rights Act to protect gay and transgender people in employment, housing, and education laws.

After years of the Idaho legislature refusing to even hold a public hearing on legislation to include gay and transgender people in Idaho's human rights act, in the 2011 Idaho legislative session, people began placing sticky notes on the doors of the Senate State Affairs Committee where the legislation was waiting for a hearing.

Today these sticky notes have become a voice for thousands across Idaho who each day face loss of jobs, being turned away from apartments, hotels, restaurants, schools and universities just because they are gay or transgender.

This year when the legislative session begins, that voice will go beyond the doors of the State Affairs Committee and speak to the Capitol itself.

If these words are important to you, you are encouraged to attend the rally.