Church Calendar of events
Volunteer Schedule 2005
committee and group meeting times
 

Winter Quarter Teachers (December 4-Feb. 26)
     nursery:          Cheryl Graham
     ages 3-K:        Dave Polachek
     grades 1-5:      Kathy Rosendahl
     grades 6-8:      Heather McRay
     grades 9-12:    Dave Hansen
     adults:             Loel Gorden
     parenting:        Cindy Burt
     worship leader: Pam Lica

Thank you to fall teachers!!
    We would like to say thank you to the following teachers for faithfully leading our Sunday School classes this fall.
Janet Nustad, Tammy Engstler, Mary Rennells, Kathy Weiner, Kathy Rosendahl, Cindy Burt, Loel Gorden, and Pam Lica.  Substitute teachers
were:  Paul Weiner and Heather McRay.

Christmas Program
    The Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 18 during worship service at Grace Presbyterian Church at 10:45 a.m.  Rehearsal is
scheduled for Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.  Ages 3-18 are encouraged to participate in this event and attend the rehearsal.
Please mark your calendar with these dates.  Contact any member of the Christian Education Committee if you have questions.
    Following the Christmas Program on December 18 lunch will be served in the fellowship hall.  The congregation and visitors are invited to
attend. Come to worship the newborn King!

Discovery Club Review
Discovery Club & Adult Bible Study met for their concluding
session on Wednesday, November 9*, after meeting for eight sessions
this Fall in joint ministry with FBC. The evening began at 5 p.m. with a
light slipper. Discovery Club met with leaders Pam Lica and Kathy
Rosendahl while the adults met with Pastor Al focusing on a study
entitled "If You Want to Walk on Water, Yon Have to Get Ont of the
Boat." This study was based on Peter's experience of walking on water
in the Gospels and the book by this title written by John Ortberg.
Discovery Club will not be meeting during January-February, but will
resume once again in March. A new Adult Bible Study will also be
offered at this time. Keen posted!

   Children's Advent Calendars
    Each child and youth in Sunday School on November 27, the beginning of Advent,
will receive an Advent calendar. Be sure to encourage
them to use this each day during the Advent Season.

No Sunday School on two Sundays
    Since Christmas and New Year's both fall on Sunday this year, we will not have Sunday School on December 25 and January 1.  Please note
that there WILL be regular worship services on those two Sundays.  See you in church!

Confirmation Class began meeting in September with four teenagers:
Rachel Nustad, Mereedes Martin, Laura Weiner and Dema Burt.
Hayley Williams will also be joining the class. Pastor Al has been
leading the first series of classes, Doug will continue for the next series
starting in January. We missed one class in November, so we will
have a make-up on December 7th. The class has really been motivated
and it has been a great experience. We are meeting for class twice per
month with Kathy and Janet planning special outings and ministry
oprtunities once each month.

Grace Church Values

Church transformation experts tell us that a thriving
church is run by its values. That is, the stated values of
the church guide all decisions, and are the basis of church
activities and church expenditures. In recent months
GPC has sought to define its core values. These values
were approved by Session at its retreat in September, and
those who attended the Stewardship Dinner got to discuss
them in small groups.
Because it is important that the whole church claim these
values, be motivated by them, and be challenged by
them, we will highlight one of our core values in the
newsletter each month for the next few months. Think it
over, discuss it in committee, listen to God's Spirit.
Value 1: We believe that all members of God's family
are of equal importance and as children of God are to
be treasured and loved.
Questions: What does this mean for GPC? Are we as
a church drawn to identifying a group of
underprivileged individuals and do we make a group
effort to assist them (e.g., jail ministry, elderly, school-
age dropouts, drug abasers, immigrants, others)? Do
we show favoritism, treating some people as if they
were more important than others? Is there someone
today who needs me to show them how important
they are in God's eyes?
As always, if you have thoughts you would like to share
with us, we are eager to hear them.
Growing Faith Covenant Group

PW THANK OFFERING

Envelopes and information about the PW Thank
Offering were handed out on Nov. 20. Decisions about
how the money will be spent will be made by the
National PW Board next year. The results of this year's
decisions for the offering in 2004 are listed on the
Mission Bulletin Board.
Women are asked to return their offering as soon
as possible. If you did not receive an envelope they are
available at the church or you may place your gift in a
plain envelope and mark if for Thank Offering and bring
it or mail it to the church.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

A tradition for almost 70 years, the Christmas Joy
Offering is one of four special offerings designated by
the General Assembly of PC(USA) to provide
congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes
that help those in need.
The Joy Offering will be used in the following ways:
  o 50% of the offering received will be distributed
by the Board of Pensions for assistance programs
that provide support to retired and active church
workers and their spouses and families.
   o 50% will support the 7 Presbyterian related racial
ethnic educational institutions.

Rev. Curtis Keams, Jr. stated that;
"racial ethnic schools and colleges of the
Presbyterian Church offer a training
ground by which leadership development
can take place and where racial ethnic
people can gain the confidence and skills
they need to go out into the broader
society and take their place."
For more details about the Board of Pensions
programs and the racial ethnic schools, check out the
information on the Mission Bulletin Board.
This special offering will be taken on Sunday
December 18. Envelopes will be included with your
newsletter and will be available at the church. Please
prayerfully consider your gift at this special time.
 

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
The Christmas Eve Offering will be given
toward the WSU Social Work Program Social work
students have created a community service project, in
connection with SEMCAC Energy Assistance, to raise
money to benefit residents of Winona who will not be
able to afford heat this winter. SEMCAC provides
assistance to families who are unable to pay for the
rising heating cost along with Winterization to help families conserve
energy. Any money raised will be matched through a state grant.
Prayerfully consider your contribution.
Your gifts will help make the winter
warmer for some families in Winona..

Presbytery Report
Presbytery was held Tuesday, November 15, at West
Union, Iowa.  Mary Lowery, Candi Kohner, Hugh and
Doreen Drennan attended. The message was "Emerging
Worship" presented by Chip Andrus. Chips' message
was based on enhancing our Presbyterian traditions.

BOO - Book of Order
G-5000 The Church and its Members
G-5.0101 The Meaning of Membership
G-5.0101 Membership Through Faith
a.   The incarnation of God in life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to the church
not only its mission but also its understanding of
membership. One becomes an active member of
the church through faith in Jesus Christ as
Savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of
life.  Baptism and a public profession of faith in
Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance
into the active membership.
b.   Persons may enter active church membership in
the following ways: by profession of faith,
reaffernation of faith in Jesus Christ, or transfer
of certificate from some other church.

 CIRCLES

Circle I will meet at 5:30 p.m. December 2 at Drennan 's for
Christmas meeting.
Circle II will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. at the Country Kitchen
on December 14*. This will be the last meeting until April.
Circle III will meet on Monday, December 12 - 9:30 A.M. at the
home of Emily Krumm. This will be our last meeting until April
2006

Concerns:
•  David Daniels, nephew of Norma Stark and cousin of Betty Hensel, died
recently in Iowa.
•   Corrine Noonan's great granddaughter, Brittany Elizabeth Bradford, 17, died at
her home in Mountain Lake, MN, Nov. 10.
Our sympathy is extended to all the families

Operation Christmas Child
The boxes that our church filled were brought to the
collection center on November 19. They should arrive
by Christmas to children in over 60 countries who are
suffering from natural disaster, war, poverty, illness or
neglect. Thank you for bringing joy and hope to these
children!

Mitten Tree

All during advent season the Mitten Tree will be
standing in the Fellowship Hall. You may decorate it
with hats, mittens, gloves and scarves for children and
adults.  Please donate these by the end of December
when the items will be delivered. Children's sizes will
he given to Madison School for children who need
them.  Adult sizes will go the Winona Volunteer
Services.

HOLIDAY FAIR SUCCESS!!!
"Thank You" to all who worked or participated in any
way to make the Holiday Fair a success. To date, the
amount received is $1,846.25. There are still some
bills outstanding, and there are items to be purchased,
so we think we had a very successful Holiday Fair!

MEET THE DIRECTOR
Our new choral director is Sarah Szerlong, from
Milton, Wl.   Sarah is a senior at Saint Mary's
University, majoring in vocal performance.  She sings
Alto, but has an amazing vocal range. This is her first
position as a choir director, but she's jumped right in
and is doing a great job. We are delighted to have her
with the choir at GPC.

Christmas Eve

This year the C.E. Committee will be hosting a
reception before the Christmas Eve service.  The
reception will begin at 4:45 p.m.  Please bring some
Christmas goodies to share.  The Christmas Eve
Service will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Dear Church Family,

We all get excited, when the Christmas season is just around the comer -.. until we stop to
think about the hassles of list making and gift shopping and card writing and light
untangling! Then we wonder, what's the point of it all?

This year promises to be different, because at Grace we'll be launching a four-week
Seasonal Advent Celebration. Entitled "Making Christmas Meaningful, " the series will
spark our worship services and your own Christmas focus at home.

To join the Celebration, you'll want to attend each worship service beginning the First
Sunday of Advent - November 27" -  Our Advent Series Themes are as follows:
«  November 27* - "Follow the Tree Star of Christmas" The Magi left
everything to follow the star that heralded Jesus' birth; we, too, would be wise to
concentrate on following the Light of the world.
'  December 4* - "Honor the Stable-born King" A great irony of this season is
that the King of all the universe was born in a stable. We need to be sure we
recognize that the Christinas baby is actually the King whose "ever expanding,
peaceful government will never end" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
•  December 11 - Celebrate Heaven's  Gift to all Nations" One of the things that
makes Christmas significant is that it is celebrated worldwide. The angel
promised the shepherds that his news would bring great joy to all people.
•  December 18"- Christmas Program
'  December 25* - "Quiet Your Heart for the Magnificent Message" Christmas is
not just an external occurrence; for it to really be meaningful, something needs to
happen in our soul. We need to spend some time in quiet to cherish Christ, the
Message of God's love.
May you have a Joyful Advent Season as you prepare to celebrate Christ's birth,
Pastor Al
 

SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2005

The meeting was opened with a centering thought and a prayer by CLP Doug Rosendahl at 6:32 pm at the church. The
Session members present were: Mickey Barr, Pastor Al KJeinsasser, Pam Lica, Mary Lowery, Jennifer MacAskill, Mary
Rennells, CLP Doug Rosendahl, Ben Weiner, and Kathy Weiner.
Deacon's Present: Gayle Arndt, Dorothy Friedenberger, Betty Hensel, Many Jacobson, and Janet Nustad.
The Deacon's told us some of the things they are working on and their goals.
CLERK'S REPORT: A Quorum was declared. It was MSA to approve the regular session minutes dated October 25.
2005. Communion Servers for October were: Pam Lica, Janet Nustad, Kathy Rosendahl, and Kathy Weiner.
TEAM REPORTS:
CANDI'S REPORT: Attended personnel. Presbytery and team meetings. The budget committee will consist of: Mickey
Barr, Dorothy Gilbertson, Mary Lowery, Jennifer MacAskill, and Janet Nustad. We received a 165 memorial which will
go into the music fund as requested. It was MSA to have Destination Imagination use our building on Mondays from
3:45-5:30. It was MSA to allow Yellow Cab to occasionally use our building for meetings.
DOUG'S REPORT: Attended Deacons, worship, corporation, Ecumenical Prayer Service; served communion to shut-
ins, filled-in as pulpit supply in North Bend. Doug will be preaching for both the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

AL'S REPORT: Preached 2 Sundays, met with the confirmation class twice, participated in the adult Bible Study
Wednesdays, attended team meetings, CE, personnel, and worship; and will be at the Thanksgiving service.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CHRISTIAN ED: The Christmas Eve reception will be at 4:45. 23 Operation Christmas Child boxes were sent. It was
MSA to finance the youth mission with from fundraising. from families, and from the church. It was MSA to pay
church portion of the youth mission trip $300 from Youth Activities. $200 from Special Mission, and the remaining
amount from Permanent Mission.
CORPORATION: Members have been working hard.
DEACONS: Met jointly with us tonight.
FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM: Upcoming events were discussed.
MISSION AND STEWARDSHIP: It was MSA to change budget line Ola to be listed as Pledged Giving and budget line
Olb to be listed as Non-Pledged Giving. It was MSA to table and changed to budget line 15 until further information is
available next month. It was MSA that the Christmas Eve offering go to WSU Social Work Program.
PERSONNEL: The choir director will be paid $20/rehearsal and $30/Sunday. It was MSA to continue with the team
concept for 2006. It was MSA to approve the personnel recommendation for team contracts and team hours fAI 20
hours. Doug 10 hours and Candi 14 hours per week) to begin January 1.2006.
PW: The holiday fair made approximately $1800 and all money is for mission. Next meeting - December 6"\
WORSHIP: It was MSA to sponsor Saint Mary's University Christmas concert on KWNO for $99.00 from the music
fund.
CONCERNS OF THE PAST AND FUTURE - OTHER BUSINESS: All committees need to review their budgets and
make their requests for 2006. The budget committee will be meeting in January.
MINISTRY OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES: Growing Faith Covenant Group has not met this month.
Their next goal is to work on Vision.
We adjourned with prayer at 8:17 pm. The next meeting will be December 20,2005 at 6:30 pm at the church.