THE SEASON OF ADVENT This year during Advent, some of the artists among us are sharing their art in order to help us fully enter into the spirit of the season. Christ is always present and yet coming to us in new ways all the time. We invite you to come, open your hearts to the art and the artists among us, and see how Christ might come to you in a brand new way during this special season.
AN ADVENT MINI-RETREAT Resource for Christian Spirituality is hosting a mini-retreat called “They Who Wait” on Saturday, December 10th, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Click HERE to see the details.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Koloa Union Church is on the threshold of creating a new prayer ministry— Prayers & Squares: the Prayer Quilt Ministry (http://www.prayerquilt.org). Some first steps have been taken: the Council has approved the ministry; we have joined the organization and will be Chapter 1228; and we have a Prayer Coordinator (Karen Johnson) and an initial Chapter Coordinator (Angela Dressel). A meeting for those interested in learning more (and for those ready to join) is scheduled for January 6, 2017 from 3-5 p.m. The meeting location is to be determined. You do not need to know how to sew or quilt to join us; you just need to be willing to pray and help with the effort in any way you are able. Fabric of Faith: A Guide to the Prayer Quilt Ministry, by Kimberly Winston, is a lovely book introducing the ministry. Look for more information in the weekly E-News or contact Angela, abdressel@gmail.com or 808-332-7371. Our most important need is for you to pray for the establishment and organization of this ministry.
CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE PARSONAGE Our annual Christmas party at Kahu’s home will be Friday, December 9, beginning at 6:00 pm. We will gather at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road). Please bring a dish to share for our potluck dinner and your singing voices, as we plan to sing Christmas carols!
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH “Spare Change to Help Needy Families” We plan to give gift cards to families in our community before Christmas so that they can have food and gifts for their children. Just place your change before December 11 in the Spare Change Jar as you enter or leave the church. We will add up our change and purchase gift cards for local stores. If you know any families we can help, have any questions, or wish to volunteer, please contact Judyth Foley at 818-726-1344.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING Once again we will be joining the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign as they sing Christmas carols in front of Sueoka Store on Friday evenings, December 16 & 23, 6-7:30 p.m. Please join us for singing a song or two or stay for the entire time. Bring musical instruments and your singing voice for this fun and casual evening as we raise money to feed hungry people on the island.
THE CHRISTMAS FUND Each year at Christmastime, congregations of the United Church of Christ across the country take up a collection to provide pension and health premium supplementation to lower-income retired church workers, and emergency assistance to clergy and lay church employees in need, as well as “Thank You” gift checks to hundreds of faithful retired church workers. The fund is administered by the UCC Pension Boards. We will collect the Christmas Fund offering on December 18, 24 & 25.Please give generously to help faithful church workers who are experiencing difficult times.
ANNUAL SPRING RUMMAGE SALE Saturday, April 22, 2017, 8: a.m. – noon. We are accepting your rummage sale donations at the church. Call the church (742-6622) or Judyth (818-726-1344) for drop-offs. We welcome all smaller items, larger items later (storage space is an issue). Our goal is to have both storage sheds full of your donations. Profits will be used for our youth.
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
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