This Week at a Glance - December 10, 2014

Dear Fellow Members of the PCC Family -

Recently the Tri-Board met and had a conversation about the past and future of the church. Many concerns were raised about past events, and many questions were asked about our future. It was decided to call in the UCC for some objective help. To that end, the Personnel Committee met with The Rev David Popham, Associate Conference Minister for our UCC region. We explained to David much of what the church has been through in recent years. Because we value everyone's opinion, David has agreed to meet with anyone who would like to speak to him. After these discussions, he will send us a report about what he was told.

We are inviting anyone in the congregation who wishes to talk to David about their feelings about PCC to do so. David will be available in the church parlor for these conversations on Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 9 am until noon, and on Sunday, January 4, 2015 from 3 pm until 7 pm. If you wish to speak with him, please call him at 973-748-7772 to schedule a time slot. (If you get voice mail, please leave your name and number, and he will get back to you.) Each time slot will be 15 minutes.

Please take this opportunity to invest in PCC. The Tri-Board cannot guess what people are thinking and feeling about our church. We encourage as many people as possible to talk to David.

Sincerely,

Personnel Committee

Jim Ritter, Council and Personnel Chair

Lou Peters, Trustee Chair

Dominick Colotta, Deacon Chair

Barbara Bogert, Council Rep

Michele Forrest, Council Rep

Kathy Schneider, Council Rep

Each year during the season of Advent, the Sanctuary is decorated with poinsettias that have been donated by members of the congregation who want to honor or remember their loved ones on Christmas Eve.

Dedications will appear in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve and in the February Bell newsletter.

If you would like to contribute to the Poinsettia Fund, please complete the attached form (click on link below) and return it to the church office ASAP. Plants may be picked up any time after Christmas Eve. Please keep in mind that the church office is closed on Christmas Day and will not reopen until Monday, January 5.

Click here for the Poinsettia Dedication Form. 

Join us for a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary at Packanack Community Church.  

Carols, bells, singing and the harp music of Diane Michaels combine to make this a beautiful part of our Christmas celebration. This will be an event to bring the whole family to as we take time out of our hectic schedules to pause and remember the true meaning of the season.

A Free Will Offering will be received. 

Christmas Eve at 5:00pm: Family Service and Live Nativity Scene

The Sunday school children tell the story of the Nativity through the words of the Gospel of Luke! Light a candle during the singing of Silent Night, listen to the Children's Choir and the Hand Bell Ensemble, and enjoy the special music.

Sunday school participation: All children ages three and up are encouraged to participate as angels and shepherds during worship by arriving at 4:30pm for costuming.

PLEASE arrive NO LATER THAN 4:45pm if your child will participate in the service, in order to allow enough time for preparation and the start of the service promptly at 5:00 PM

Christmas Eve at 11:00pm: Candlelighting Service

(Note that the December newsletter lists the incorrect time.) 

Worshipers light candles during the singing of Silent Night, and enjoy music from the Chancel Choir, the Hand Bell Ensembles, and our guest instrumentalists.

Join the growing number of people in our congregation who start their day off with a word from the Lord.

The StillSpeaking daily devotionals can be automatically delivered to your email in-box every morning.  

To sign up, go to www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional.

Kundalini helps you manage stress, improve focus, enjoy better sleep. Stretch, strengthen and relax with movement, postures, breathing techniques and meditation. Kundalini Yoga is a full practice yoga for all levels of experience and flexibility.  

With your $10 donation, this Service Faire offering benefits Packanack Community Church, courtesy of Jennifer Dericks. Jenny is a certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor since 2006 with over 2000 hours of teaching experience.  

Come start the New Year with the awakening of your life force through your body, mind and spirit.   

To register, please contact Lauri Masur at 973-464-7330 or [email protected]. Payment will be due on day of class.  

On Saturday, January 10, the Church Council will convene a TriBoard Retreat.

All members of the Church Council, Board of Deacons and Board of Trustees are strongly encouraged to attend. Everyone's participation is vital so that we can all hear the same conversation and be on the same page as we move forward into the New Year. Members of the Christian Ed, Church Life and Outreach committees are also encouraged to attend. Your participation is important so we can consider the full life of our ministry as we make decisions about the future.

When you have a chance, please RSVP to [email protected]. Thank you!