The Work Camp Committee Great Shoe Challenge continues until the end of February.    The shoes we collect will be shipped to developing countries around the world.  Drop your shoe donations in the collection box located in the Narthex.  This is a fundraiser.  However, we are contracted to collect 2,500 pounds of shoes, so please encourage your family, friends and co-workers to participate! If you have any questions, contact Sue Henne, Brian Ott, or Lynn Boyer. 

Friedens received a check from Redner’s Warehouse Markets in the amount of $137.69 from your donated register tapes!  Each time you purchase merchandise at Redner’s, Redner’s donates 1% of sales to Friedens UCC.  Simply stop by the store office or customer service area to get a Save-A-Tape card.  The card is free!  By presenting this card at check-out, your receipt will be designated as a Save-A-Tape customer receipt.  Bring your receipts to church for collection.  Do not cut the tapes in any way!  The entire receipt must be submitted for acceptance by the program.

Spring is coming!  Now is the time to start to celebrate the coming of spring.  There is no better way to welcome the arrival of spring than to join us on Thursday, February 21 at 10 am in Weidner Hall in the singing of songs from the 50’s and 60’s.  If you have any questions, please contact Ron or Naomi Klein at 610-929-4898.

February is the pasta bowl challenge for the Oley Valley Food Pantry.  It will be fun to see which kind of pasta is the most popular based upon our donations.  In addition to pasta, we will also be collecting spaghetti sauce and other pasta sauces.  Please place your donations by February 17 in the following individually marked boxes at the front of the Sanctuary: penne, rigatoni, farfalle (bowtie), spaghetti, angel hair, lasagna, shells, orzo, elbow macaroni, ziti, and miscellaneous pasta.  The pasta that reigns supreme will be announced.

Everyone is invited to join the Women’s Guild on Monday, February 11 at 7 pm in Weidner Hall as we are entertained by our own Bertie Witman.  Be prepared to laugh, sing and reflect.  Your mid-winter doldrums will vanish as our spirits are lightened by Bertie’s Blessings.

Immediately following the worship service on Sunday, February 3, the Youth Group will be holding their Souper Bowl.  Join them in Weidner Hall for homemade chicken noodle, chicken corn noodle and vegetable beef soups.  Eat-in and take-out are both available.  There is no charge for the soup, but donations are welcome.

The Friedens Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20 immediately following the 10:15 am worship service.  Copies of the Annual Report are available in the Narthex.  Please take one to review and bring it with you to the meeting next week.  All are invited to gather in Weidner Hall following worship for a hot luncheon consisting of chicken, filling, corn and dessert followed by the meeting.  Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you plan to attend the luncheon.

A new member class will be forming in the near future.  If you are interested in becoming a member of Friedens UCC, please contact Rev. Frey or one of the Elders.

The Friedens Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20 immediately following the 10:15 am worship service.  Committee reports are due in the church office by January 7.  All are invited to gather in Weidner Hall following worship for a hot luncheon consisting of chicken, filling, corn and dessert followed by the meeting.  Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you plan to attend the luncheon.

Women’s Guild will have a Bazaar wrap-up meeting on Monday, January 14 at 6 pm in Weidner Hall before the regular business meeting.  Everyone involved with the Bazaar should attend to present input for each department and their ideas for improvement.