The UCC is working with the Miami long-term recovery committee (FRIEND) in serving those who have been affected by the building collapse in Miami.  The UCC is seeking funds to make grants to support this effort.  To make an online gift, go to ucc.org/general-donation/.  In the fund drop down menu select Emergency USA.  Write Building Collapse in Miami in the designation box and complete the rest of the form.  Or you may make a gift by mailing a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, to 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.  Please be sure to note Emergency USA – Miami Response on your check in the memo section and/or in an attached letter.

As you begin scheduling meetings and events for your group or committee, please be sure to contact Denise in the church office at 610-987-3536 so it can be placed on our calendar and included in the weekly bulletin.  This is important to avoid scheduling conflicts and for Kathy, our sexton, to arrange her schedule accordingly.  The current church calendar can always be viewed under the calendar tab.

The church office will be open limited hours this week.  Carol Miller will be covering for Denise while she is on vacation.  Please call the office at 610-987-3536 before coming in.  Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, July 19 at 9 am.

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, July 5 for the Independence Day holiday.  Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, July 6 at 9 am.  Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

The Mission Team is accepting monetary donations for Rachel’s Day, a program sponsored by the Mission Outreach Group at Friedens Lutheran.  The goal of the program is to provide backpacks and school supplies to the children of the families who are served by the OVFP.    The estimated cost of a backpack filled with school supplies is $50.  Our goal is to fill at least 15 backpacks.  If you would like help us achieve this goal, monetary donations can be made by using your offering envelope (note “Mission Team Backpacks” in the Other column) or by dropping cash or a check (made payable to Sue Henne) off at any Drive-Thru Drop-Off collection.  All donations must be received by Sunday, August 1.

UCC General Synod 33, Rooted in Love, will take place virtually July 11-18.  This Special Edition General Synod, will include powerful worship, not-to-miss keynote speakers, 50 workshops, youth programming and business sessions.  Many sessions will take place in the afternoon and evenings.  The cost to sign up for General Synod as a visitor (non-delegate) is $100.  The first 25 people to e-mail their interest to  Sue Creswell (susan@psec.org) will have their entire $100 paid by the PSEC.  The next 200 individuals who sign up for General Synod and submit their receipts to Sue Creswell will receive a $50 rebate on their $100 registration fee.  This is a wonderful opportunity to experience all that General Synod has to offer without the need for travel!  Visit http://generalsynod.org for more information.

The Mission Team will be collecting powdered iced tea and lemonade drink mixes (no larger than 20 oz) as their focus item for the Oley Valley Food Pantry in July.  The coordinators have also requested canned tuna (5 or 12 oz), cans of chicken (12.5 oz), regular spaghetti (1 lb) and instant mashed potatoes (4 oz pouch).  Dry goods are also requested for the Little Food Pantry in the front of the church.  Any food or paper product donations are always welcome, not just these items.  Donations can be dropped at our Drive-Thru Drop-Off collection on July 17 from 9 to 11 am, or you can bring your donations to church.

iGive.com allows you to support Friedens United Church of Christ by donating a percentage of your online shopping.  It’s totally free for you and totally free for Friedens.  When you join today and make your first purchase by May 1 they’ll earn a $5 bonus.  iGive is super easy to use.  After registering at http://iGive.com, simply select your store from their list of over 2,300 participating internet stores.  iGive.com will send Friedens a check each time donations amount to $25.  You shop.  Friedens United Church of Christ gets money.  Free.

Please consider using AmazonSmile when doing your online shopping.  AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Friedens UCC every time you shop—at no cost to you!  On your first visit to http://smile.amazon.com you will need to select Friedens United Church of Christ in Oley, PA to receive donations before you start shopping.  Your selection will be remembered and every purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a 0.5% donation to Friedens UCC.   You shop.  Amazon gives.

Military families stationed overseas love your unused coupons!  They can be used on base at commissaries and exchanges up to six months past their expiration date!  The Mission Team is asking you to save your unused coupons and drop them off in the box in the Narthex.  The coupons will then be mailed to Guam where all five branches of the military are stationed.  Please keep in mind that coupons must be manufacturer coupons.  Store specific coupons (e.g. Target, Weis, McDonald’s) cannot be used.  Contact Sue Henne or the church office if you would like to help cut out the coupons or if you have any questions.  This is an easy way to help out those who proudly serve our country.