I’m not a fan of winter. To borrow from some song lyrics, hate is a strong word, but I really, really, really don’t like it. I dread the forecast of any snowfalls. I’ve been known to call snowflakes little minions of evil. I prefer the seasons when I can drive without concerns of snowy and icy roads, when I can eat outside and enjoy the warm sunshine, and when I can go out without putting on a coat.

Winter always seems to chug along slowly for me, while summer speeds by. I’m always eager to see the daylight hours grow longer and the first buds of green appearing on the trees.

I try to remind myself, though, that winter is part of the rhythm and cadence of creation. Someday perhaps I’ll join the snowbirds and flock to Florida or Arizona for the frozen season, but for now I try to find the beauty of the ice crystals or a snow-dappled tree, to appreciate the nap for the growing things around us and to breathe in the pause of the earth’s cycle.

As we build this relationship of pastor and congregation, we, too, will need to find our cadence and rhythm. I have been grateful for the relationships that have been built over my first month, and I look forward to much more of that now that the busy Advent/Christmas season is behind us. As we build the vision and ministry of the church, I expect that some things will be similar to the past, some will be different, and some will be fresh and new. It will be exciting to see what unfolds.

I have been called to serve you at three-quarters time, so I will typically be in the office or meeting/visiting four days a week (Tuesdays through Fridays for the coming months) plus Sundays. If you need me for a crisis or emergency outside those times, please call my cell phone, or contact the deacon chair or the church office, and they can reach me as needed.

As the earth slumbers around us, may we also pause in prayer and reflection about where God might be leading in this next season in the life of Easton Church of the Brethren. I look forward to the journey with you—but please keep the roads snow-free!

Pastor Walt

EASTON CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Mission Statement “Sharing the love and blessing

of God with all”

JANUARY, 2018 PEACHBLOSSOM PRESS NEWSLETTER

412 S. Harrison Street Easton, MD 21601

410-822-0475

Worship Themes for December 31 and into January, 2018

Dec. 31 Jan. 21 The Gifts That We Bring Something’s Fishy (Isa. 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Gal. 4:4-7; (Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Matt. 2:1-12; Matt. 25:31-46) Mark 1:14-20; John 21:1-8)

Jan. 7, 2018 January 28 Light, Water, and Fire Prophets and Losses (Gen. 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11) (Deut. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28)

Jan. 14 You Called? (1 Sam. 3:1-10ff; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; John 1:43-51)

NSC Food Pantry

Let’s not forget that food prices keep going up! When we pay attention to our local, national and international food needs, we are reminded that people suffer from food insecurity all around. If we do not share of our bounty, others go hungry. Let

us give, so others may live. Any non-perishable food items with good “best if used by” dates are accepted. There is a container in the narthex to put your non-

perishable items.

The Good Samaritan Fund

As of October 31, 2017, The Good Samaritan Fund will no longer be accepting any applications. There are funds in their account to honor all out-standing obligations and commitments. However, if a new Administrator is not found within one year, any remaining funds will be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Ridgeway House Lunches

The 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month. For months that 5 Fridays, lunches will be provided on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday. Contact Loretta Lohr (410-822-3094). Monetary and food donations (drink boxes, individual fruit cups, small bags of chips and cookies) are always welcome.

The 2018 volunteer list is available for sign-up. Please take the time and look to see where you can spare a few hours of your time every other month. Any ques-tions, please contact Norma Trax. Our next date is January 19, 2018.

Leadership Team Board Retreat

The January Leadership Team Retreat will be held on Saturday, January 27, from 9:00-3:00 p.m. The place of the retreat will be de-termined as time gets closer. There will not be January Leadership Team meeting.

Looking ahead for 2018 The February Congregational Business meeting will be held on Sunday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. Leadership Team Members are to submit a written report for the year, 2017. Please have that report into the office no later than Wednesday, February 7. This will allow packets to be available to the congregation on Sunday February 11.

Vespers Service

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

7:00 p.m.

Place to be determined

Highlights from the December 4, 2017 Leadership Team Meeting.

Pastor Walt has been settling in. Tempered glass will be installed at the back

door. Will look into canceling the fax line. Plan of Organization revisions: This may be

part of the discussion at the Leadership Team Retreat held on January 27. Place tbd.

Ministry teams gave reports.

National Youth Conference - July 21-26, 2018 Colorado State University

Registration opens January 18, 2018

NYC is open to Sr. High students who have completed 9th grade and those who have com-

pleted their 1st year of college.

Please contact the church or Pastor Walt if

you are interested in attending NYC.

Sr. High Winter Retreat January 26-28, 2018

Hashawha Environmental Appreciation Center, Westminster, MD $75 per participant - Deadline to register is January 7. Leadership provided by: Tim & Audrey Hollen-berg-Duffy, co-Pastors at Hagerstown CoB Registrations are available at the church.

Sr. High Retreat - February 23-25, 2018 Camp Mardela, Denton, MD

Registration is now open.

Roundtable 2018 - April 6-8, 2018 Bridgewater College -

Theme: “Unsinkable Faith”

   January 7  January 14  January 21  January 28 

Preaching  Pastor Walt  Pastor Walt  Pastor Walt  Pastor Walt 

Worship Leader  Jane Marshall  Mat Baynard  Sharon Miller  Kevin Wile 

Head Usher  Geoff Fox  Geoff Fox  Geoff Fox  Geoff Fox 

Ushers  Dale Fike & Geoff Fox  Seth & Lee Willis  Dale Fike & Geoff Fox  Seth & Lee Willis 

Sound System  Ronnie Miller  Mat Baynard  Geoff Fox  Dennis Covey 

Greeters Barbara Saulsbury &  Liz Wildasin 

Paul & Ginny  Turkington 

Mat & Wanda  Baynard  Geoff & Lee Ann Fox 

Deacons on call Mat & Wanda  Baynard  Les & Marlena Groves Rick & Jane Marshall  Leroy &Sharon Miller 

Special Music             

Flowers             

Hospitality Team  #2  #2  #2  #2 

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1 Sean Randall-Jones, Joyce Battle, Kathy Fike, Chad Allan Fike 2 Lee Ann Fox, Roland Towers 4 David Fike, Lois Sanger 5 Charles Ball, Jr. 7 Julie Griep 8 Liam Johnson, Shelby Wood, Robert & Matthew Wooters 10 Kathryn Ball, Lyn Banghart 11 Larry Milburn, Dylan Seese, Garey Lee Fike, Ian Young 12 Aaron Joseph Miller, Patty Schwaninger, Jenson Hagenberger 14 Maggie Berkey 15 Chad Fox 16 Paula Colburn, Aaron Holmes 17 Morgan Lyons 18 Garrett Foreman, Terri Jo Tarr 19 Brittyn Honeman 20 Nathan Musch 21 Wanda Baynard 23 Misty Wood, Eric Henderson 24 Nick Berkey, David Nalley, Jennifer Grubbs 25 Mary S. Woodson 27 Jordan Ball 29 Nathan Moore 30 Tina Wooters, Lauri Glass, Brandon Miles 31 Linda Lyons, Billy Miles, Anna Valliant

12 Dennis & Tina Wooters 14 Michael & Tracy Correa Robert & Judy Musch 23 Gene & Jan Hagenberger 26 Phillip & Margie Ridenour 27 Jimmy & Linda Mattox

Our Prayer List

Please pray for the following individuals and their families: Jennifer Grubbs, Audrey O’Brien, Dale Patrick, Bobby Bridge, Joey Bridge Paul Dodd, John Eason, Leroy Miller, Gene Hagenberger, District Executive, John Stichberry, Lois Schall, John Earl Hutchison, Connie Shortall, Nancy & Alan Smith, Loretta Lohr, Meredith Kelly, Na-talee Jones, Lonna Hurst, Doris Walbridge,

Jeff Wright, Ann Ebling, con-tinuous prayers for our church family in Nigeria, continued prayers for Com-fort Amos, Mary Fike, Bar-

bara Taylor, Audrey Geib, Leo Truban, Rose Taylor, Emerson Fike, John Antes, Katelyn Howard, Christine & Kenny Fike. Pray for leaders & people that are working towards peace. Please phone the church to add or remove persons on our prayer list. In order to keep the list up-to-date, we will remove persons the end of each month unless we are asked to continue them on the list.

At the start of a new year, we remember that God continually gives us new chances. What does Jesus say to a woman caught in adultery? A. “Go, and from now on sin no more.” B. “Not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” C. “Peace be with you.” D. “Tell no one what I have done for you.” **********************************

Answer: A (See John 8:11.)

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