THE FINAL 2018 BUDGET MEETING will be January 7th right after the service in Room 6. This is a chance for the congregation to offer input on the budget to the Finance Committee and the Church Council.

SUNDAY FLOWER ANNOUNCEMENT: The sign-up book for 2018 flower donations is available in the lobby of Fellowship Hall.? It is very, very empty, so please sign up for your choice of dates, or just choose any Sunday to provide flowers for the sanctuary.? Your donations are appreciated and the flowers are yours to take home following worship.? Thanks.

INTERFAITH WINTER SHELTER NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSIONS in January–It’s not too late to take the training for the winter shelter, and we need you!

Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10:00 am

All of these will be at First Presbyterian Church.? Volunteers should park in the parking lot on the corner of 7th and Lincoln.? Enter the church through the double glass doors that open onto the parking lot.? The training session should last about one hour.? It is not necessary to register in advance.? If there are any questions, please call Dan Watts at 732-939-9426.

As usual, if anyone is interested in training at other times, particularly during the winter break, an individual session can be arranged.? Please call Dan or email him at wattbush@gmail.com? or talk to Jack or Sara Frommer.

MITTEN TREE. ?The Mitten Tree is up and ready to collect mittens, gloves, hats, socks and scarves for the children at the MCUM Daycare (ages 2-6). Just place on the tree located in the Narthex.? Help us make this tree beautiful with your loving gifts of warmth. ?Gifts will be taken to MCUM in early January.?

OFFERING ENVELOPES READY FOR PICK UP. You will find the 2018 offering envelopes on a small table, outside of the sanctuary doors. Please pick up your envelopes. If you are new or don’t have envelopes yet, there are some new ones to pick from.Please place your name and envelope number on the piece of paper beside the offering envelopes. Thank you.?

NO STEP COMMUNION SERVICE. If you would like to serve Communion but are not comfortable negotiating the steps up to and down from the altar, be not afraid! ?We welcome anyone who would like to serve but avoid steps.? We will set up Communion so that you may come forward and sit in the first pew.? When it?s time to distribute the elements, we will happily bring them to you and allow you to distribute as usual.? If this service is of interest to you, just sign up and let Florence Shelton know so that we can prepare accordingly. Eric Metzler, Chair, Board of Christian Worship?

A GIFT TO SOMEONE CLOSE AND TO SOMEONE YOU DON?T EVEN KNOW.? Many of you may already make gifts to others through an NGO, in honor of, or with thanksgiving for, or as a hostess gift or Christmas gift to someone dear to you.? Now you can make such a gift in your own community.? The Farm to Family Fund, a project of the Center for Sustainable Living, has lovely gift cards designed by Kayte Young, the new host of Earth Eats on WFIU.? The Farm to Family Fund buys food at half price at the close of the Bloomington Winter Farmers? Market every Saturday, December through March, and donates the food to The Rise, The Community Kitchen and Mother Hubbard?s Cupboard.? For a $10 minimum gift you can provide a dozen eggs to 15 local families, or $25 will provide a 1-week supply of greens for 7 families.? Gift cards are available at the Bloomington Winter Farmers? Market each Saturday morning in December at Harmony School or by contacting Janice Lilly at healthfulfoodfund@gmail.com.

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FRIDAYS AT FIRST UNITED?

Just Friday: In January Just Friday will have a single month focus on change and personal goals. Whether you were a Just Friday regular or not, come! January 26 will be an evening to reflect on any changes you have made or want to make in action or attitude based on your experiences in 2017 and our discussions on stereotypes, climate change, food, abundance etc. Change can happen any time, but we will take this opportunity of the new year to look at changes we can make or have made to further justice in our world. Join us from 7-9 in Roger Williams hall. If you have questions, contract Hopi Stosberg or Derek Roe.

Play Friday:?Join us for the first Play Friday of 2018 on Friday, January 12 from 6-8 in Fellowship Hall for pizza and games. This event is fun for all ages. It helps with food planning if you RSVP to Hopi Stosberg at hopi@stosberg.com. See you there!?

MINISTER OF CARE FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 31, IS NORM OVERLY.? A minister of care is a church volunteer who visits members in their home.