Memorial Service for Jean Sarantos

With great sadness, we share the news that Jean Sarantos, longtime Fellowship member, died Tuesday afternoon, January 28. She died peacefully at home, with family present.

A memorial service for Jean will be held at the Fellowship on Saturday, February 8, at 2pm.  A reception, provided by the pastoral care team, will follow.  

The LOVE Team is beginning its annual winter drive for the Ruth Ellis Center. If you have any winter clothing in good condition (e.g. hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, coats) or if you would like to donate a blanket, we will be collecting these items until Sunday, February 23. NOTE: Please do not donate any rainbow or brightly colored clothing due to the sensitive nature of the situation many homeless LGBTQ youth find themselves in. 

The Ruth Ellis Center is a shelter, community center, and support service for homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth. Many LGBTQ youth are not accepted by their families and are left homeless; places like the Ruth Ellis Center provide a variety of resources and services for LGBTQ youth who need a safe haven and an advocate. If you have any questions regarding this collection, please contact Jacob Guettler by email or phone 989-492-4414.

Saturday, February 29, 6:30pm

Since the opportunity only happens once every four years, let’s celebrate Leap Day with an evening of fun, fellowship, and competition!  Both euchre and non-euchre players are welcome at our next Euchre/Game Night FUNdraiser, to be held on Saturday, February 29, at 6:30pm.  Sign yourself and your game-playing friends up soon.  Light snacks, drinks and dessert will be provided.  $10 per person--and for euchre players, make sure to bring quarters in case you get euchred!  Signup deadline is Sunday, February 23, for both game-players and childcare. If you have any questions, contact Janelle Dombek or Michaele Malecki. 

Sign Up Here!

You probably know we have an Endowment Fund.  It was established in 1995 from a donation by a member who thought such a fund should be established to further the financial health of our Fellowship. 
 
Since that time, donations have totaled just over $102,000, and expenditures in support of the Fellowship have exceeded $83,000.  The Endowment Committee manages the funds, which are invested principally in index funds.  This past year, aided by a very strong stock market, it grew to a balance in excess of $228,000. 
 
Among other things, our Endowment Funds have been used over the years toward:

• Parking lot improvement project
• Carpet replacement in our sanctuary and foyer
• The barrier-free entrance doors to the fellowship
• Playground equipment
• Additional chairs for the sanctuary
• And leadership and other training for our members

 
The funds are invested, and that provides for the growth which we can for use for various projects, but it was started from and grows even more quickly from the donations of our members.  These donations are encouraged, and we want to emphasize that

1. We want to encourage everyone to think about and possibly participate in the Endowment Fund’s success.  Contributions of any size are encouraged and fully appreciated.
2. They don’t have to come from your will or a trust, meaning you don’t have to die to donate.
3. They don’t have to be great big amounts, meaning you don’t have to be rich to donate.
4. They can be made at any time, meaning that any time is a good time to donate to the Endowment Fund.
5. They ARE tax deductible.
6. They can be made in direct donations of appreciated stocks for an additional tax benefit.
7. They can be made from Required Minimum Distributions from retirement funds, further sheltering income taxes.
8. AND speaking of taxes, it is income tax filing time, and a donation to the endowment fund of a small portion of an income tax refund could be a great use of funds.

 
Talk with any member of the committee (Jim Falendar, Tom Bailey, Roy Wedge, Karen Roth, or Judy Donahue) if you want to make a contribution, or simply drop a check or envelope in the collection plate or the box on the wall with a clear indication that it is for the Endowment Fund.
 
Tentatively, we are planning a luncheon, with a date to be determined, to provide answers to any questions you might have about the Endowment process and the fund itself.  We will ask for a donation of $1.00 (or more) from those that join us for lunch.   Stay tuned for more information as that date draws near.

The votes are in, and the Engagement Team will be organizing circle dinners for April 18 and April 25.  The next step is to recruit hosts for the dinners.  There will be sign-up sheets available during the coffee hour for the month of January, only for hosts at this time.  Hosts are asked to pick one of the two dates and indicate the total number of people they can accommodate.  There will be a child-friendly option.  Circle dinner sign-up sheets will be available once the hosts have been identified.  Please remember, hosts are asked to provide the main course. Guests are asked to bring a dish to pass along with their own beverages. This is a great opportunity for lively conversation and new friendships!

Tiny Tidbits

There are two hearing aid headphones available for use during Sunday services. If you would like to use one, please let an usher know at least five minutes before the service.

Wi-fi password for the Fellowship is yellowdeer807.  

 You can access the Member Directory on the password-protected Member section of the website.  The Member Directory contains names and contact information for all members and pledging friends.  Please notify the office if you need to change your information or you do not wish your information to appear in the online directory. 

The Weekly Candle Flame is published each Friday.  Submission deadline is Monday for Friday's publication.  Please send submissions to Wendy Altmeier, Office Assistant, at [email protected].

LOVE Racial Justice Group

The LOVE Racial Justice Study Group meets the fourth Sunday of every month, from 12:30-2:00pm, in the sanctuary. New members are welcome. Childcare can be available, but advance notice of need is requested.