Approved Copy of Constitution

SAUC Organizational Chart

Photo Credit: www.leprosy.ca

“I do choose, be made clean.” Mark 1:41

This Sunday morning at 10.30 am, we gather for worship to celebrate the fourth Sunday after Epiphany.   Rev. Johanna and Ann Bouwmeetser will give a message called “A Call to Heal” with a special video presentation on leprosy.  Under the direction of Don Pole, the Senior Choir will sing “In the Quietness” by Taulman and Kirkland.  Consider inviting a friend to come along and enjoy the worship time, fellowship and friendship here at St. Andrew’s.

UPCOMING WORSHIP at 10:30 am

February 5        5^th After Epiphany      

                         Handbell Choir

February 12       6^th After Epiphany     

                         Annual Congregational Meeting

                          Chili Luncheon

February 19       Transfiguration

                          Rev. Johanna away

                          Family Day Long Weekend

February 26       Lent 1

                          Communion

FINANCIAL UPDATE

From the Administration, Stewardship & Resources Committee:  December 2011

Receipts                        $42,725.27

Disbursements                $23,910.16

Operating Gain of           $21,242.10 for the month

What a wonderful display of generosity and commitment made by the congregation in December!  Because of the operating gain for the month of December, St. Andrew’s was able to close the year with an operating gain of $14,154.20.  It was approved by Council last week that the surplus will be applied to our operating loan from reserves.  There are multiple factors that played into the church realizing a surplus.  First, receipts from general givings, special offerings, response from the Faith in Action letters and Loonie Tubes were up $25,200 over last year!  Secondly, due to the renovations to the kitchen and the restoration to the brickwork done last year, the church was able to claim $18,125 in PST/HST rebates.  Lastly, at the September Council meeting, the Outreach Committee made the following motion:  “That St. Andrew’s United Church Council direct the Board of Trustees to forward to the church treasury $20,000 from the McGeachy Fund and that this money be used to pay part of the Associate Minister’s remuneration. This would represent approximately one-third of Rev. Mark’s remuneration and would cover that portion that directly relates to the Mission and Outreach ministry.” The Committee is thankful for your continuous and generous support.  

OUTREACH FEBRUARY FOCUS A February “HEADS UP"

Once again your Outreach Committee is planning to assemble kits for the Homeless of Chatham-Kent  in support of the Salvation Army project.  We will put the kits together at the beginning of March.  If you have any of the following items to donate in small sizes, please drop them in the red bins during the month of February.  The kits wrapped in a towel include the following items:  toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, comb/brush, soap in a ziplock bag, razor, shaving cream, pen/pencil, notepad, facecloth, deodorant, and a small pack of tissues.  Optional items include:  conditioner, band-aids, lip balm, lotion, hairspray, hair gel, and gum/candies. Last year we completed 53 kits. Let’s see if we can do the same in 2012!

Thank you,

The Mission & Outreach Committee 

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  Sunday, February 12 following worship, the Annual Congregational Meeting to be held in Fellowship Hall.  Please plan to attend this important gathering.  The 2011 Annual Report will be available for pick up on Sunday, February 5 after the worship service

CHILI LUNCHEON  The St. Andrew's Young-At-Heart Group and friends are hosting a chili luncheon at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 12.  This will be a free-will offering lunch with proceeds to go to the youth programs, in particular, the confirmation group.  Please plan to join us for a great hot lunch and then stay for the meeting.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP FEBRUARY FUN!  The Friendship Group would like to take in the Crepe Dinner offered at Victoria Avenue United Church on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (Valentine's Day) as their February activity.  Thirty tickets have been set aside for the 5:00 pm sitting.  First come, first serve!!

This event is a big seller for Victoria Avenue, so there is a need to have a reply as soon as possible in order to confirm numbers.  Please call either Sue Cobb at 519-354-3586 or Ruth Walker at 519-354-2191 by MONDAY January 30, 2012 at the latest if you wish to reserve your tickets.

If you have never been to the Annual Crepe Dinner at Victoria Avenue, you are in for a big treat!

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS  Many additional activities and opportunities are outlined in the weekly announcements sheet attached here.

~ Epiphany Blessings from the church office!