The Weekly News - June 13, 2018

Greetings!

  • Summer Choir
  • Thank-you for the Strawberry Fest Success
  • Notes from the Search Committee
  • Let's Find God in Nature (aka Vacation Bible School)
  • Summer Lunch Program
  • Office News
  • Dates for Your Calendar
St. Christopher's Summer Choir

Every Sunday during the month of June, Summer Choir meets at 9:15 a.m. in the choir area of the sanctuary to rehearse an easy-to-learn anthem to sing during the offering. This is a great time to sing in a relaxed setting. Persons of all ages and abilities are invited. Please invite your friends, family, neighbors, and grandchildren. All are welcome! Come once, twice, or each Sunday. No long-term commitment is required.

Contact Robert Richter for further information: rrichter@stchriscarmel.org
Thank you!

St. Christopher's 13th Annual Strawberry Fest is in the books. A huge thank-you to everyone who helped before and during the Fest on Saturday. We served about 950, including 860 who visited our tent, despite a 45-minute break due to rain.

The Strawberry Fest would not have been successful without the tremendous support of everyone who worked the various shifts during the day, or assisted with set-up and clean-up. Your help and active participation made this an enjoyable day.

Special thanks to St. Christopher’s 4Cs (our recently formed men’s group) for set-up and take-down help; Seth Hildebrand for handling sign-ups; Rick Long for manning the kitchen for shortcake and product/supplies delivery; Rob and Martha Weissert; and Kevin Price for on-site event help. 

Now on to next year! Put the second Saturday of June in your 2019 calendar.
Let’s Find God in Nature!
St. Christopher's Kids' Mini-Camp
(aka Vacation Bible School)

St. Christopher's Mini-Camp for kids age three through fifth grade will be held on four evenings: Monday through Thursday, July 16 - 19, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

Each evening we will:
 
  • Read a story that will help develop an understanding of how God’s hand has touched everything we see
  • Play on the Warren Gartner Natural Playground
  • Spend time with our Director of Music, Robert Richter, who will enrich our lessons by adding music
  • Make projects using natural materials
  • Have a snack

To register your child or children, please email Cathy Scott:
Notes from the Search Committee

Last week the Search Committee met with the Diocesan Transition Minister, Jennifer Phelps, and our search coach, The Rev. Jan Oller. The meeting was part planning for the next steps and part training for our team. In particular we spent time examining how our own preconceived notions can subconsciously impact our thinking. It was a fascinating and informative evening.

One of the topics we discussed was implicit bias, which can be a powerful force affecting our choices and decisions. One of the tools we used to gain understanding was the Implicit Association Test (IAT), an educational and research project of Harvard University. You, too, can use this tool. It is available online at: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

If you have questions, please direct them to our committee chair, Drew Bender:
Summer Lunch Program

Thank you to everyone who has donated time or money to purchase food, helped organize food and produce, or helped in any way to support the Summer Lunch Program.

Not yet involved in our ministry to provide breakfasts and lunches for 48 Carmel children in need of food support during the summer months? Download the "Ways to Help flyer" if you would like to learn more.
Church Office Summer Hours and System Upgrade

Between now and Labor Day, the church office will observe summer hours. The office will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to Noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Fridays, the office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.

We are upgrading our congregation management system (aka "the database"). You will not be able to access your profile until further notice. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Short: cshort@stchriscarmel.org.
Important 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. 

June 27, 11:30 a.m. | Young at Heart Luncheon
July 16 - 19, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. | Vacation Bible School

Church summer office hours from June 1 to August 31
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon
The deadline for announcements, news, and articles for  The Weekly News  is Monday Noon each week. Email announcements to the church office at  awalker@stchriscarmel.org with a copy to carolyncparrott@gmail.com