Within the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, Friedens UCC functions in the Covenant Association.  Pastors have standing in the Covenant Association.  The committee which oversees the pastors is called the “Committee on Ministry.”  This committee supports, encourages and guides: 1) pastors who already have standing in the Association, 2) pastors who are retired, 3) persons who feel called to be a pastor.  The Committee also wants to be interacting with the congregations within the Association.  We are looking for several people who feel led to serve on this committee and who would be appointed/elected at the Fall Meeting of the Covenant Association on Sunday, October 27.  Contact Rev. Mary Etta Mest at 610-659-2775 or mestme@aol.com if you are interested.

The 2019 CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, October 6 at Gring’s Mill.  Registration begins at 12:30 pm and the Walk begins at 1:30 pm.  Walkers of all ages can be involved and you walk at your own pace by choosing a 1, 3 or 5 mile loop.  The Mission Team has issued a challenge again this year to match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations collected by Friedens CROP Walk participants up to $1,000.  As you may recall, last year was a record-setting year for our congregation.  We had 25 people registered to walk, 21 people actually walked, and we raised a total of $2,550 ($1,000 donated by the Mission Team and $1,550 raised by the walkers).  Let’s see if we can beat those numbers this year! 

The Youth Group is looking for help for Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 19.  There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for cars participating, help during the parade and the Trunk or Treat event itself along with a sign-up to bring treats for the event.   Contact Tonya Fisher at tfisher517@gmail.com or text 610-413-3852 with any questions.

In partnership with our Harvest Home celebration, we are collecting canned vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans, peas) for the Oley Valley Food Pantry.  This collection will continue through October 13. 

Join us on Saturday, September 28 at 8 am to help decorate the Sanctuary for Harvest Home.  Everyone is welcome to help.  Please bring your fall decorations and ideas with you!  Mums will again be available for purchase following the un-decorating from Harvest Home after church on Sunday, September 29.  The cost of the mums will be $5 each this year, as $1 from each plant purchased will be donated to the 2020 Mission Trip/Work Camp.

This year’s CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 6 at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area.  The kick-off fundraiser will be held on  Thursday, September 5 from 4 to 9 pm at Isaac’s Restaurant, 94 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing.  Isaac’s will be supporting the CROP Hunger Walk by contributing 25% of your meal cost.  Bring your family and friends out for a great dinner and support the CROP Hunger Walk as we raise money to feed hungry people through Church World Service and the Helping Harvest (formerly the Greater Berks Food Bank). 

Our September Food Pantry collection item will be boxed or bagged cereals and other breakfast foods such as pancake mix, breakfast bars, etc.  Now that  the school year has begun, it is important for kids to have a good breakfast in the morning before heading off to school.  Items will be collected until Sunday, September 15. 

Please continue saving your Redner’s receipts and bringing them to church.  They will be given to the Oley Valley Community Library to help with their expenses.  Even though Friedens will no longer benefit from the proceeds of the tapes because of our new gift card program, giving them to the OVCL will be another example of a mission outreach by our congregation.

Bible Study will resume in the Conference Room on the lower level on Sunday, September 15 at 9 am.  This year the group will focus on the Gospel of Matthew.  Adults and older youth are invited to participate in this Bible Study which will be filled with  information, questions, and conversation.  Coffee, fellowship, and friendly smiles will greet you!

All students – preschool to adult – are invited to bring their backpacks or lunch boxes to our Sunday, September 8 worship service.  The service will lift up children and students of all ages, dedicating them to God’s glory as a new school year begins.  Teachers, aides, administrators, secretaries, cooks, librarians, janitors, and bus drivers…come to church to be blessed, affirmed in your vocation, and encouraged as you serve children and families in your daily work.