Notes from last week's congregational meeting

[Peggy Cromwell]

Hi all-
Sorry it's late, but here are the notes from our congregational
meeting last Sunday (10/9).

Thanks to all who attended the meeting after church on Sunday
evening. We have some great things coming up!

Chuck is leading the effort for our Christmas light display in the
park. Ray will be getting with Rev. Paul McClain, and ask him to
dress up in his St. Nicholas' costume so we can take his picture, from
which we will be making a life-size display for the park. We would
also like to have a photo of the ENTIRE congregation, so be on the
lookout for a "pack the pews" announcement in the near future!

Our 2012 budget is in process. We have sent a proposed budget to the
Bishop. Once we hear back from him and tweak it as needed, we will
present it to the congregation.

Ray and Royce will provide refreshments following worship on Sunday,
October 16. A sign up sheet will be available for others to sign up
for upcoming Sundays.

Our next social will be Sunday, November 13 or November 20. We will
have a cook-out followed by worship. Be watching for details!

Bishop Benfield will be with us on Sunday, December 4. If you are
interested in being received into membership, baptized or confirmed on
that date, please let Ray know.

We will celebrate the Feast Day of our patron saint, St. Nicholas' on
Wednesday, December 7. Start thinking about friends and neighbors,
especially those with children, that you can invite!

Thanks to all who helped make the St. Francis' Day Blessing of the
Animals a big success! We blessed about 39 dogs and sent "kitty"
treat bags home with an additional 15. We estimate between 55 and 60
persons attended this event, including several from the community who
came as a result of our add in the paper. Thanks to Randall Curtis
for finding us such a terrific newspaper ad! And special thanks to Ray
and Kay for giving up part of their Saturday for our animal friends.

Everyone was pleased with the new bulletin format which Peggy
prepared. While we still have some work to do on it, all are in
agreement that it is a positive move to put a user friendly service
bulletin in the hands of our members and visitors. Thanks, Peggy!

If you haven't visited with us lately, we encourage you to "come and
see" us again. We have several new folks joining us for services, and
we'd love to see you too!