Bits & Pieces 
EUCC Golf Tournament & Dinner
Despite early gloomy weather forecasts, bright skies and gentle breezes prevailed as thirty-two ardent golfers (??) participated in EUCC’s 2008 Golf Tournament. Held at The Bridges golf course on 26 April, the tournament was followed by a scrumptious dinner at EUCC for the participants and guests prepared by our unsurpassed WOE.
The event was held to support EUCC’s ongoing Capital Campaign effort. Even more importantly, the level of fellowship and goodwill - both on the course and at the dinner - was truly rewarding and inspiring. Participants traveled from Virginia, Maryland and the Philadelphia area to join us. EUCC’s warm Christian hospitality was abundant and enveloped everyone, with old friendships renewed and new ones formed.
Pastor Barb was at The Bridges to wish us all well as we headed onto the course and offered a wonderful prayer of thanksgiving before the meal was served. The spirited Captain’s Choice (scramble) competition was decided by only one stroke, with the Brian Oswald team winning by one stroke at 8-under par over the Depaul team. Everyone was a winner though, as the event provided the opportunity for many to gather together for the good of Emmanuel, blessed by the grace of God.
Thank You
Many thanks to all those who work so hard to make our church events such a success, from our monthly socials to those things that include the wider community. We are a small church but when you consider all that we do it is really amazing. This past month alone we had three fund raising events, the Pot Pie Supper, pie and soup sales, and a Golf Tournament. Events like this do more than just raise money for the church. They serve as fellowship events that gather the community together. We also have a substantial number of outreach programs that help the community like our blanket ministry and our gifts of food for the food pantry, FISH, Escape School, Domestic Violence Awareness Programs, Live Nativity, and the individual work that our church members do for various community activities. We have so many people in our church family who are acting as God’s hands in the world. And for this we can be truly grateful.
WOE is sponsoring a Ladies Tea
You are invited to a Tea to be held on Sun May 18th at 12:30 pm at the The Old Farmhouse on Route 30. Adults are $12.00, children 6-12 are $8.00 and children 5 and under pay their age. Signup sheet is in the back.
Summer Schedule
On Sunday, June 1, we will be starting our Summer Schedule, with worship service starting at 9:30 AM.
All Church Picnic and Campfire
WE are planning to have our annual All Church Picnic and Campfire on Sunday, September 7 beginning at 4:30 to be held at the Abbottstown Community Park. Mark your calendars now. More details later.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS...Vacation Bible School 2008...June 23rd-27th
Calling all children age 4 through the sixth grade...Come join us at St. John's Lutheran Church, Abbottstown, Monday, June 23rd through Friday, June 27th for "RAINFOREST ADVENTURE: A Tree Top Bible Blast!" We will meet each morning from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM for Canopy Crafts, Green Tree Games, Rainforest Rhythm, and of course, Snacks!! Rainforest Adventure invites children to share the good news of Jesus' love for us by being caretakers of all that God has given us. And through the week, we will learn that as God's people, we share, give, grow, love, and praise. Reach new heights of fun and adventure this summer. Join us for a rainforest program of faith-filled fun! See you at Rainforest Adventure!!
VBS Staff
If you are willing to teach, be a classroom helper, assist in any way, or if you have questions, please feel free to call Lorene Newman.
Food Pantry
In April, the food pantry served 37 households for a total of 93 individuals, there were 2 new households which included 9 individuals. Your continued support provides assistance to many of our neighbors in the community. Thank you
Annual Penn Central Conference Meeting
The annual Penn Central Conference meeting is on June13, 14, and 15 at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. If you would like to be a delegate to this meeting, please let Pastor Barb know ASAP as we should be registered by April 25. We are entitled to send the Pastor and two delegates to this meeting and the church will pay for your registration and the cost of lodging and meals should you decide to stay overnight. It is not necessary to attend the whole three days of the conference. We really need to be represented at this meeting, by someone in the laity, if you want the voice of Emmanuel to be heard.
Searching for an organist
The Worship and Music committee is in the process of searching for an organist and choir director for our church. Daryl Mae Mehring has been graciously filling in for Jane since the end of October and has committed to helping us out whenever she can. She will be playing for us during the month of February and on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. However, Daryl has other commitments as well and is not able to be with us on a full time basis. Cameron Wentz will also be helping us out from time to time. He will be playing for us the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks in March. Cameron, a gifted musician, is a high school senior and has been studying the organ for several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in becoming our organist, please have them contact Rodney and/or Ginni.
2008 Hartman Center
Camp brochures are in the rack by the bulletin board in the rear of the church. This is the 75th year for the camp. The theme for this year is "Handle With Care"...taking care of not only God's Creation but also the wonderful treasure that we know as Hartman Center. Special treats are being planned for the summer. Great camps, great staff, great food, great fellowship--and on top of it all, a FREE gift. It doesn't get any better than that! There are camps for all ages. Remember that the Sunday School divides $200.00 each year to the campers in memory of Millie Spangler who was one of our long time educational leaders of Emmanuel. If you have any questions please feel free to ask any of the Sunday School staff. They are hoping to have 750 camp participants this summer which averages to less than 4 per congregation. We can do that, can't we?
Yearly Update Form
Please complete one form per household and return to the office. It is important to keep our records updated. Also, if you move during the year, please inform the office of your change of address. The church gets charged every time a newsletter comes back with a bad address.
Have You Heard about the FISH in Abbottstown?
FISH is a community program that is sponsored by Emmanuel UCC in Abbottstown.
The FISH children are divided into 2 groups:
Junior FISH group consists of ages 3 - 8 and is under the leadership
of Aleshia Hawkins. Junior FISH meetings consist of bible stories,
crafts, games, singing and a snack.
Senior FISH age group is 9 through to high school and is under the
leadership of Todd Christopher. Senior FISH consists of social
Interatction with other Christian Youth, including games,
community projects and talking about youth issues of
our time.
Through the school year, the FISH groups meet every two weeks with an occasional activity one weekend a month. During the summer months, there is one activity planned a month.
FISH meets Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:30 in the fellowship hall of Emmanuel UCC on the square in Abbottstown.
If you have any questions, or are interested in enrolling your child in the FISH program, please call the church office at 259-9614 or email the church at eucca-town@juno.com.
FISH is selling 2008 Entertainment Books this year. If you are interested in purchasing one, please see Kelly, Todd or Aleshia. The cost is $25.00 with $5.00 going into the FISH account for activities for the children.
Prayer Blanket Ministry
We are beginning a wonderful new ministry and invite you to become a part of it if you feel that God is calling you in this way. Prayer blankets are small lap robes that measure approximately 3 feet wide and 3 feet long. They can be stitched, woven, knitted or crocheted in whatever medium you feel called to do. You are asked to pray prior to beginning the blanket and during its construction. Pastor Barb has a sample blanket and can also supply you with a copy of a prayer, if you would like. When the blanket is completed you are asked to bring it to the church and it will be blessed during one of our Sunday worship services.
Anyone who is suffering from an illness may receive a blanket. A prayer will be enclosed with each blanket as well as a note explaining our ministry. I have spoken with Chaplain Joel Hummel, at Homewood, who would also like to receive some of these blankets, for the residents, as they become available. If you cannot make a blanket but wish to donate to the ministry please make a check to Emmanuel UCC and earmark it for the blanket ministry. If you are interested in creating one or more blankets for the ministry, please contact Pastor Barb.