Minnedosa United Church
- Newsletter -
Winter 2006 Edition – January 2006
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Notice of Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting of our Congregation will be held following worship on Sunday February 26th 2006.
There will be a Pot Luck Lunch immediately following worship,
Which will be followed by the AGM at 1pm (or thereabouts).
(The 2005 Annual Report will be available soon at the Church)

Coming Events:

February 18th – Song Circling all the Earth Workshop and Choral Concert.
Composer, Ron Klusmeier and his team of music, drama and worship leaders will be making a stop in Minnedosa on Saturday Feb 18th, for a series of workshops and an evening choral concert.
You are invited to attend the workshops, join the choir, or just come to enjoy and evening of music.
Workshops begin at 1:30, Choir rehearsal begins at 5, and the Concert is at 7:30. For more information, call the Church office, or check out the pink registration booklets at the Church.
See you there !!!
This is a wonderful, musical opportunity that shouldn’t be missed !!!

Sunday School:

Sunday school will resume on Sunday Feb 5th at 10:15, in the Lower Hall with Rev. Shawn leading. A schedule/time table will be available, and any help from interested volunteers would be gratefully welcomed !! See you on the 5th !!!

Food Cupboard Information:
Just prior to Christmas, we gratefully received a large quantity of food stuffs and money for the operation of the Food Cupboard operating out of the Church Office.
There has been some concern expressed in the community that the food collected in Minnedosa should stay in Minnedosa. I would like to clarify this, and urge you to let other people know – that food collected in Minnedosa by and large stays in Minnedosa. From time to time, we trade with Samaritan House in Brandon, giving them items we can’t use, or items that will age date out before we can use them, and in exchange, we have received food stuffs ranging from canned goods to frozen meat.
Poverty and Hunger know no boundaries of towns and communities, and only when those working to address these problems are able to work together can we make a difference.
Having said that. I would like to express my appreciation for the generousity that has filled to overflowing our food cupboard. Every can is appreciated. – Thanks !!
I would also like to let everyone know that at our last Board meeting, we revisited and revised the way in which the Food Cupboard operates. Much of the change is cosmetic, and none of it will limit nor hinder the accessibility of the Cupboard to those who need it.
What the changes mean is that our ability to track, record and compile information on usage will be easier for all involved. Every year we are involved in the national Hunger Count by the Canadian Association of Food Bank, and now our participation will be easier.
The changes will also help us deal with some abuses we have experienced recently.
The intent is to continue to help those who need it, and to be able to show our stakeholders the way in which this valuable ministry functions.
- Rev. Shawn
A reminder:
In December we collected a whooping 1300 pounds of food for the food cupboard … and raised close to 3000 dollars in the fight against hunger in West Man. This does not include the Holiday Train donation to the Food Cupboard, or 2000 !!!

Thanks to the folks at Samaritan House for helping in this cooperative ministry of caring … and thanks to those who gave generously !!

Musings from a Messy Desk …
I will claim the last little bit of this news letter for my own use … and for a bit of shameless promotion …
Firstly, I would like to invite everyone to consider if they have an hour or two a week to spare ??
The local Big Brothers/Big Sisters Agency, of which I am a member, is looking for volunteers for the Mentorship programme. What is a Mentor??
Good question – a mentor is someone who is willing to spend an hour or so each week with a young person who simply needs a friend. Mentors usually meet with their match in the school, during school hours. There is no special training required, no extra course work, only a willingness to spend time with a child who just needs an adult to share an hour with.
In the coming weeks there will be an advertising push by Big Brothers and Big Sisters – so watch for more details, and if you have an hour or so to share, think about volunteering as a Mentor.

Also – mark your calendar for the Annual Bowl For Kids Sake campaign on March 3rd and 5th here in Minnedosa. Big Brothers and Big Sisters will be looking for your support and help …

A final plug for the Klusmeier concert that is coming up in February … Music is an important part of the life and ministry of this Congregation, and this stop on the Klusmeier tour will help to enhance that.
So consider joining in the workshops, joining the choir, or even just coming out to listen to the evening concert ... Help us make this evening a huge success, and a good time for all !!

So as 2006 begins, we have much to look forward to, and our year is plump with possibility and potential … Let’s have some fun in journeying forward together,
Peace,


------------------------------------------------------
Coming Soon:
We’re planning on hosting a Tween/Pre-teen and Teen Dance … sometime in March in the Church Centre … (concession will go to Minnedosa Grain Growing Project) … date to be confirmed … stay tuned !!