The Weekly News
January 25, 2017
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
Greetings!
 
In this issue of the Weekly News:
  • Adult Christian Development 
  • Volunteer Opportunity with Interfaith Hospitality Network
  • Wednesday Book Study
  • Parish Annual Meeting
  • Love for Waycross Dinner and Auction 
  • Faith and Practice: Episcopal 101
  • Giving Statements Available
  • Church Office Hours for January
  • Dates for Your Calendar
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Adult Christian Development
How Will You Grow?

Registration begins Sunday, January 29, for classes that will begin on Sunday, February 12. We'll be in the Parish Hall this Sunday and on February 5 to help you learn more and get signed up for the classes that interest you. Here are a few of the classes on the schedule for spring:

" How to Do Christianity: Jesus and the Gospel of Matthew" 
" Bridging the Political Divide" 
Introduction to Contemplative Prayer" 
"The Authority of the Laity"
"Racism - The Elephant in the Room"

And again we will be "Reading the Bible in Larger Portions."



Volunteer Opportunity
Interfaith Hospitality Network
January 29 to February 4


Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis (FPGI) is a partnership of congregations and community organizations responding to the crisis of children and their families who are homeless and working to eliminate homelessness in the greater Indianapolis area. One of FPGI's programs, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc. (IHN), provides temporary housing for families which is a wonderful alternative to shelters. The congregations and organizations with facilities large enough provide meals and sleeping accommodations for four families for a week. They take turns hosting throughout year. 

Second Presbyterian Church, an IHN host congregation, is currently seeking volunteers to help with hosting four homeless families at their church. An orientation will be provided for volunteers. Help is needed in the areas of set-up and tear-down, transportation, staying overnight, and kids' activities/recreation. It's easy and doesn't require a huge time commitment. Families are welcome to come and play with the kids from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The first volunteer or shadow-a-volunteer opportunity is during the week of January 28 to February 4. 

Three additional opportunities have been posted for 2017: 
March 5-12, June 11-18, and September 17-24
If you like to plan ahead, you can sign up now.

Let Second Presbyterian Church know of your interest in volunteering.

Please also let our Service to Others representative, Nancy Hildebrand, know that you are participating via email: nlhildebrand@gmail.com.
Wednesday Book Study Fellowship
10:00 a.m. in The Andres Library

We welcome you to join us beginning Wednesday, February 1, as we begin a new study, Draw the Circle: A 40 Day Prayer Challenge, by Mark Batterson. This book will show us a new way to pray and contains stories of God's answer to prayer, faith building, daily scripture, and prayer prompts. The book costs $10. This group meets every Wednesday after the Eucharist for book study, fellowship, and prayer. 

If you have questions or would like to order the book, contact one of the following:
Deb Callahan at 317-844-2757, debster48@aol.com 
Claire Zmak at 317-844-2276, lvz2kuk@aol.com
Parish Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 5, 11:15 a.m.

Join us in the Parish Hall immediately after the 10:00 a.m. worship service for the Annual Meeting. A light lunch will be served and childcare will be available.  You will receive the Annual Report via email a  few days in advance of the meeting.


Show your love for Waycross Camp and Conference Center at a fundraiser dinner and silent auction. Know someone who also loves Waycross? Consider purchasing tickets as a gift for birthdays, Valentine's Day or "just because." 

Faith and Practice: Episcopal 101

On  Sunday, February 19, Father Steve will begin his six-week course for people wanting to know more about the Episcopal Church and the Christian faith.  The first class will meet that day at  11:30  in the Conference Room.  Topics covered during the course include worship, the Book of Common Prayer, history, polity, Holy Scripture, moral decision making, and prayer.

For more information, or to sign up, please email Father Steve:    frsteve@stchriscarmel.com 
2017 Giving Statements 

Year-end giving statements are now available through the secure member login.
                
If you experience difficulty accessing or downloading your statement, please contact Cindy Short at treasury@stchriscarmel.com
Church Office Schedule

During the month of January, the Parish Office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, which is the clergy day off. If you need to conduct business during weekday afternoons, please call ahead to determine if someone is available. Father Steve or Mother Jenny will often be in, but there will be afternoons when both need to be out of the building at the same time, Dee Dee McCoy has volunteered to staff the office during morning hours.
Mother Jenny's Office Hours

Mother Jenny's office hours have changed from Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Email Address for Church Office

A new email address has been set up for the Office Administrator. Please begin to use it immediately for any communications with the church office.

Dates for Your Calendar
The Save the Date page of St. Christopher's website is updated weekly. Check this resource for new information. You also may want to review the insert in the  Sunday bulletin, as it provides the schedule for the coming week.  

Sunday, February 19  | Music on Main presents Indy Brass Choir
Wednesday, February 22 |  Young at Heart Luncheon (no luncheon in January)
Saturday, March 4 |  Bingo Night

Church office hours
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. except as noted above. Closed on Friday.

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Continue the conversation with us on Facebook for inspiration, interesting articles and questions, news of upcoming events, pictures and videos from recent events, breaking news, and more. Or, follow us on Pinterest and Instagram. For information about St. Christopher's Service to Others Ministries, Music Ministry, and Formation, visit us at stchriscarmel.org.

The deadline for announcements, news, and articles for The Weekly News is Monday Noon each week. Email announcements to office@stchriscarmel.com with a copy to carolyncparrott@gmail.com.