Youth New Year's Eve All-Nighter - December 31 The Youth Fellowship is pulling an all-nighter on New Year's Eve. At 8:00, we'll gather at the church to leave for a mystery trip, then it's back to the church before leaving for the Salem Congregation Watchnight Lovefeast. Some of our youth will ring handbells at the service. After the Lovefeast, we'll crash in the Fellowship Hall for a sleepover. We're hoping to share the activities of the night with the youth from another Moravian church. All youth, sixth grade through high school (and their parents!) are invited to share all or part of the night.
Salem Congregation Watchnight Lovefeast - December 31, 11:00 pm This year's service will be held in the sanctuary of Trinity Moravian Church as 2012 will be the 100th Anniversary of the Trinity Congregation. The band, featuring members from the twelve churches of Salem Congregation, will play preludes, and on the stroke of midnight, will great the new year with the playing of "Now Thank We All Our God." Everyone is invited to participate in this meaningful service of worship as we draw near to God on the eve of 2012. Once again this year, our Lamb of God Ringers will play for the service as well.
Epiphany Celebration of Holy Communion, Scripture Watchwords, and Board Installations - January 1 Our first worship service of 2012 will include the celebration of Holy Communion in observance of Epiphany, the season in which we affirm the coming of Christ for all peoples. On this Sunday, we will also install the Church Boards for 2012 and draw scripture watchwords for the coming year. The following Sunday, January 8, Pastor Rights will share the "Memorabilia for 2011."
Unity Prayer Watch - January 2, Midnight to 8:00 am Our participation in the Worldwide Unity Prayer Watch of the Moravian Church has been scheduled for the early hours of Monday, January 2 (Sunday night) from midnight to 8:00 am. The Unity Prayer Watch is a continuous chain of prayer circulating through the congregations of our twenty-five Moravian provinces on five continents. A sign-up sheet and prayer suggestions are in the foyer
South Branch Conference Mission Trip Orientation Meeting - January 7, 9:00 am Our conference is coordinating two opportunities to serve in Ocean Springs, Mississippi in the coming weeks. Advent, Community Fellowship, Hope, Hopewell, and Konnoak Hills are joining together to build teams for the weeks beginning Saturday, January 28 and Saturday, February 4. There is a place for people of all skill levels on either of these home-repair teams. An orientation meeting will be held Saturday, January 7, at Hope Moravian Church on Hope Church Road, near the intersection of Clemmonsville and Stratford Roads. In addition to the orientation, potential participants will discuss details regarding travel and finances. Please sign the sheet in the foyer if you are interested in learning more about either of these weeks.
Annual Report Information Due - January 10 Contributions to the 2010 Annual Report are due in the church office no later than January 10th.
Israel and Palestine: Hope in the Land of Promises - January 15 and 22 A special Sunday School opportunity is being offered this month. The Executive Director of Pilgrims of Ibillin (a ministry of education uniting Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the Holy Land) will explore some of the Biblical teachings and interpretations that have influenced the history of Israel/Palestine and continue to play a major role in the debate in the United States as well as in the Holy Land. He will also address some of the difficulties, the good news, and the hope found in Israel and Palestine today. All are welcome to participate in these class sessions beginning at 9:45. (Please make an extra effort to be on time.)
Strengthening Families - Beginning January 17 This month we continue to live into our congregation's vision statement by welcoming the return of Family Services and their Strengthening Families program on Tuesday evenings, beginning January 17. This is a seven-week class for parents of Philo Magnet Academy Students who desire to play an active role in their child's life and learning. In these two-hour classes, Philo parents learn how to help their children achieve success in school and life. They also learn how to show love while setting limits. Youth develop skills in handling peer pressure and learn strategies for building a positive future.
South Branch Chili Supper -- January 21 We'll open the doors of our Fellowship Hall to welcome the conference to a chili supper and evening of fellowship. Cooks from Community Fellowship and Hope are offering a hot bowl of chili to go with a warm night of sharing. The Konnoak Strings will lead a few songs, and as a way of learning more about our partner congregations, each church will share a handful of digital slides showing activities they do well. In case of ice or snow, we'll move to the following Saturday, January 28. A donation basket will cover expenses with any overage going to Sunnyside Ministry. So get out of the house! Defeat the winter doldrums! If you'd rather not drive at night, please call the church office and transportation will be provided. Bring a friend!!
South Branch Night at Samaritan Inn - January 27
Once again, we're joining with the partner congregations in our conference to provide a safe and warm night for approximately seventy-five guests. At least six people are needed to assist Samaritan Inn staff through the night. From 6:15 pm until 7:30 am, volunteers serve supper, assist the shelter's overnight staff in two-hour shifts, and serve breakfast. A signup sheet is in the foyer. The next Konnoak Hills Night at Samaritan Inn will be in the spring.
Medical Professionals Appreciation Sunday - January 29 We will remember those in our congregation who serve in healing ministries such as nursing and emergency medical care. A bulletin insert is being prepared to list all of our members who are in medical training, active service or retirement. Please submit names to the church office. We'll also commission our Parish Nurse on this day. A Parish Nurse is a licensed nurse who serves as a resource person, a health counselor, and a promoter of holistic wellness within the total ministry of the congregation. The Board of Elders is enthusiastically working with the Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem to establish this ministry. Please let Pastor Rights know if you would be willing to assist in this ministry.
Youth Retreat - February 3-5 Calling all youth! It's a weekend of living together as a community of faith in the beauty of God's mountain-top creation. We'll leave the church at 6:00 on Friday for a weekend of fellowship and learning on the mountain. Cost for the weekend is $50 per person. ($25 for each additional youth in a family.) Bring money for Friday supper on the road and lunch on the return trip. We'll return to the church around 2:00 on Sunday. Please sign up on the sheet in the foyer by January 29.
Valentine's Spaghetti Dinner - February 11, 4:30 to 7:30 pm Plan now to attend the 15th Annual Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the Florence Ball Class. What a treat -- dinner with entertainment by candlelight! Tickets go on sale this month.