Upcoming events: Bible Challenge Living Water Ordination New Outreach Programs

Dear Friends,
Although we have not yet ceased singing our Christmas carols or taking down our garlands, Christmastide has nearly ended, and we are about to embark on the season of Epiphany. Epiphany first conjures up images of the magi, usually accompanied by camels and carrying elaborate boxes containing costly gifts, then perhaps we imagine a bedraggled Baptist with Jesus down at the Jordan, a dove descending from the heavens. We imagine these events in the life of Christ that revealed him to the world as the Son of God, but surely Epiphany is more than a season of remembrance. We have just celebrated the coming of this child, foretold by prophets and hailed by angelic choirs, and Epiphany offers us the opportunity to contemplate how this child, how our Savior, has been revealed to us. We must imagine ourselves into the stories of the magi and baptism, the crowds hearing the scroll read in the synagogue and the miraculous events. We must come with our precious gifts and

lay them at the foot of the King, we must remember our own baptisms and how Christ claimed us, we must remember the healing and strength given us by Christ along our journey. Epiphany is about Christ being made known to us and our making known of Christ to the world just as much as it is about the historical events in Christs life on earth. This Epiphany, may we pluge into the stories, letting them speak their truth into our lives so we can better see that same Christ at work in our lives and in the world around us. Then they will no longer be narratives of past events, but guides to illume present times; they will no longer have only historical meaning, but will be the very stories of our lives as Christ is revealed to us and through us. Peace,

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Melinda

January/February 2013 Volume 1

Food Pantry Volunteers January 3rd 8-11:30a

sign-up on posted sheet in undercroft

Melindas Ordination January 12th

Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Haven House
Our Saviour will partner with Haven House to provide safe housing to the homeless men, women and children of Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Funded by grants and do-nations, Haven House provides up to 30 days of food, shelter and other basic needs so that their guests can save their limited resources for getting back on their feet. The supervisor and staff of Haven House help connect the homeless with resources within their communities, guiding them to agencies for housing, financial aid and trans-portation. During their stay at Haven House, the guests must look for employment and also assist with household chores. Since funding from grants has been seriously cut, Haven House needs more donations. So, shortly after the holidays, you will see collection boxes here at Our Saviour. Paper pro-ducts, such as toilet tissue, Kleenex and paper towels, would be greatly appreciated as well as personal hygiene items soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. Haven House also needs volunteers for a few hours on Saturday and/or Sunday, either morning or afternoon. Volunteers do not need to commit to work every weekend. As little as 4 hours one day a month would greatly help. If you have questions or want more info; please contact Donna Wells, Susanne Waitkus, Gail Mizner or Melinda. Than you in advance for making any contribution/ donation you can manage. Blessings!

Susanne Waitkus

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News from the Hospitality Committee

The Hospitality Committee which has the following members Cathy Moore, Tim Carnahan, Terry Allen, Sandy Bailey and John Henry has had one meeting. One thing that has been brought up a number of times by members of the vestry and congregation is the need for better commutation, so in an effort to improve communication and offer fellowship we have decided to sponsor quarterly Sunday Brunches the 1st Sunday of the month. We will also be working on bags to give to newcomers with information about our church and the area and on a way to have lay-people reach out to new comers. We also discussed the need to make contact with members who have been missing on Sundays. These are great times at the Church of Our Saviour and we welcome any and all ideas. Please contact any of us with your ideas!

My Experience Shopping For Children In Need

I helped my grandpa and mom pick out angel tree tags at the Sunny 106 radio station. We decided to spend $50 per child or teen and $25 per infant and toddler. Then the following Sunday after church, we passed out the tags to kids and adults who were going shopping. We purchased clothes and a favorite item from each childs list. Our thrifty shoppers had enough money left to include shoes, boots, books, and diapers. Thank you Aunt Lois for the extra discount at Kmart! This experience made me feel good shopping for kids that wouldnt have gotten anything for Christmas this year. And thanks to the generosity of our parish, we helped 21 kids of all ages. I cant wait for next years shopping!

Emily Chase

John Henry

A clean home, a cooked meal, and a clean bed in a peaceful atmosphere are what we expect in our daily lives unless we are abused. Battered women and children who arrive at the local womens shelter dont have the benefit of having the peace of mind that everyone deserves. Thats where the ECW comes in: we have voted to sponsor our local womens shelter, Crossroads. On a recent visit to the shelter, Linda Henry, Melinda hall, and I met with the administrator, who outlined the needs of the women and children. Our next ECW meeting is January 16th at the church at 12p, and our speaker will be Ms. Cathy Riggie, the administrator at Crossroads. Please join us as we learn how to better help these women and children so in need of a helping hand. Sandy Bailey
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Regional Ministry
The creation of A Regional Ministry in the S.E. Deanery is an initiative by the churches of DuBois, Ridgeway, Brookville & St. Marys to collaboratively strengthen and broaden our impact in this area of the diocese in a unique and blessed way by sharing resources, time and talents. The first group of individuals to serve on this regional committee is a group who share the desire to make the wider body of Christ more visible and responsive. We are called to develop and support the ministries of Formation, Outreach, Communication, Congregational Development, Worship, and Fellowship not only in our individual church, but in all of our churches. The picnic in October was the kick-off and promoted inter-congregational fellowship; that same day members of the committee worshiped in various locations to meet others, honor our wide-ranging ministries, and to recognize the leaders of the four congregations. The International Market Festival held First Advent inspired us all to see beyond our internal needs and reach out globally. Wednesday evenings of Advent, found a small group sharing the insights of Raymond Brown in an adult education forum, An Adult Christ at Christmas. The New Year will bring additional opportunities to expand our knowledge, explore our mission, and meet the challenges facing our four congregations. Through prayer and intentional attentiveness to the needs of this region, we seek Gods grace to serve each other and our neighbors and ask you to join us in living into the mission before us. We are seeking communication leaders Interested? by Cathy Dinger Holy Trinity Brookville

Currently, the shelter is in need of: - Lemon scented cleaning agents - Toilet paper - Paper towels - Detergent - Garbage bags of all sizes - Umbrellas - And gift cards to places like Sheetz, Wal-Mart, etc. - Clear tubs with locking lids

Please leave your donation in the box downstairs!

Please see Linda Henry, Sandy Bailey or Melinda to let us know how you will help!

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January/February 2013 Volume 1

JANUARY
3 4 9 14 19 21 26 29 31

Adam Carnahan Nila Minns-Waddell Craig Lauver Bill Chase Adam Aughenbaugh Ernie Nichols Gwen Burnette Clayton Read Lois Aughenbaugh Brendan DuBois Alexia Forbes

Birthdays

FEBRUARY
5 9 10 12 18 20 21 27 Chloe McGranor Don Kruk Nichollette Shorts Crystal Woods Matthew Preston Patti Allen Tim Carnahan Antonio Casagrande Gary Mitchell

Birthdays

Decorating Cookies
for Home Bound February 3rd 11:00 AM

Lent Begins Ash Wednesday Feb. 13 Services 7a, 12p & 6p Stations of the Cross Fridays in Lent

Our Shut-Ins
Melinda recently asked me if I would be interested in writing an article for the next newsletter with regards to visiting shut-ins and I agreed to do so. Later when I was thinking about it I thought to myself How can you ever put into words the warm, wonderful feeling you have after visiting these beautiful people? Once a month I tag along with John and Linda Henry to visit several ladies at the local nursing homes. Just to see the smiles on their faces as you enter their rooms brightens your day as they seem as pleased to see us as we are to see them. The 30 to 45 minutes that we spend with each one seems to go by oh too fast as we chat about them and their loved ones and we bring them up to date with all that is happening at Church of Our Saviour, which they always enjoy hearing about. There are so many stories to be told and many a laugh to be had. It is such a wonderful afternoon and is so rewarding to reach out and touch these great people! I would definitely encourage each and every one of you to find 30 minutes of your precious time to brighten the life of a shut-in or a lonely neighbor that you know or may not know and in doing so, enlighten your life as well. It is truly a blessing and a win/win situation for all!

Gail Mizner

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BIBLE CHALLENGE Beginning on Epiphany, Jan. 6, Our Saviour will be embarking on the Bible Challenge, a program to read through the Bible in a year. The readings are scheduled and will be given to you in a brochure format. Two groups will meet for discussion at two different times to accommodate as many people as possible: Wednesday mornings at 9a at Stews Brews and a web group Tuesday evenings. The goal is to have as many people at Our Saviour reading the Bible together, and everyone is encouraged to follow the Challenge even if you cant make it to a discussion group. Reading Gods word changes us. We meet God in the Scripture and we learn how our story is part of Gods story. Join us as we grow towards Christ together.

400 Liberty Blvd. P.O. Box 503 DuBois PA 15801 Phone: (814) 371-8810 E-Mail: admin@oursaviour15801.org Web Site:

Living Water
Beginning Jan. 6 we will be having a time of Christian formation on Sundays at 10:15 for all ages! Our first topic will explore Who We Are as we look at our Baptisms through the eyes of Scripture and our baptismal covenant. When we know who we are, we know what we are doing and where we are going. Join us as we think about and discuss our identity in Jesus Christ and our place in Gods story.

oursaviour15801.org