Grace Presbyterian Church / 507.452.4608

An old year has slipped away; a new year has begun. What are we to make of it?
There is a somberness about New Year's Day. Another year is added to our life span. A
year, full of our various endeavors, has gone. In the middle of the Old Testament there is
a book, the book of Ecclesiastes. It is one person's account, I think an older man, of an
experiment he conducted in honesty. He looked over every aspect of life, all human
endeavor, attempting to discern what endures, what lasts. His experiment in honesty
yielded rather somber results. This is the way he put it: "I considered all that my hands
had done and toil I spent in doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after wind."
Much of the book of Ecclesiastes is consumed with consideration of the results of human
achievement. We work hard, toil, creating, pursuing, building, and achieving. Despite
our best efforts what does it add up to? Ecclesiastic says all is "vanity," a
"striving after wind."
It is interesting that Ecclesiastics, rather than saying work is pointless, and
therefore ought to be avoided, urges enthusiastic, vigorous engagement in work. Our
achievements ought to be enjoyed for their own sakes, for how they fill our days, and how
they celebrate our God-given gifts for creativity and productivity. Here is joy in human
activity that is born out of a sense of acceptance of life's limits. We can cherish the time
we have to build, and read and play and work. John Calvin said that "the greatest wisdom
is not in the accumulation of eternally unassailable truth, but in obtaining a proper
reverence and acceptance of life on it's own terms, along with its limits, which are often
mixed with joy."
In the coming year, this modest, realistic hope, is about the best for which we can
hope. "There is nothing better for them to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they
live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat, and drink and take pleasure in their toil"
(Eccl. 3:12-13).
Doug

Grace Youth Fundraiser
Back by Popular Demand
Cinnamon & Caramel Rolls For Sale
The Youth will be selling Cinnamon & Caramel Rolls on Sunday, January 15"" as a fundraiser for their Mission Trip.
Pre-orders will be taken - (see sign up sheet on bulletin board) Cost is .60 each or 6 for $3.00
Call Cindy Burt for more information ~ 452-8931

FYI
Look for a special event in
February, sponsored by Grace's
Youth. All proceeds go towards
their mission trip in June

The Good Shepherd is Celebrated!!
     The Christmas Program on Sunday, December 18 celebrated the birth of Jesus, the good shepherd who loves us so much, he was born on Christmas so that the world might be saved.  Shepherds heard the good news first and told others.  Prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah.  Angels rejoiced  and we sang songs of glad tidings.
      All this and more happened when a very full church of family, friends and visitors gathered to see and participate in the annual Christmas Program.  Children and youth from First Baptist and Grace Presbyterian Churches took part as ushers, narrators, Mary , Joseph, David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, shepherds, angels, and sheep, lots of sheep!  They sang out loud and strong, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, and Baby Jesus, Holy Child. The congregation joined in singing five hymns during the program.  When the program ended, Heather McRae gave a special children's sermon on the meaning behind the candy cane.
     After the service everyone was invited into the fellowship hall for a lunch of sloppy joes and piece of Jesus' birthday cake.
      Thank you to everyone who made the program and lunch possible:  all the children and youth who participated, Dan and Mickey Barr, Pam Lica, Cheryl Polachek, Kathy Rosendahl, Ellen Mrkvicka, Carlis Anderson, Gayle Arndt, Mary Rennells, Ellie Griesel, Jenny and Derek MacAskill, Dorothy Gilbertson, Pastor Al, Tammy and Mark Engstler, and all the parents and grandparents who brought the children to rehearsal and attended the program.  Also thanks to Elayne Haedtke to creating the beautiful bulletin for the program and Emily Hansen for making the poster for the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
 
Mitten Tree
     There is still time to get donations of mittens, gloves, scarves and hats on the mitten tree in the fellowship hall.  The week of January 2, these items will go to Madison School and Winona Volunteer Services.  Thank you for your donations that help keep people warm.  This is a good way to show love at this very cold time of year!
 
Saturday Night at the Movies!
     On Saturday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. the youth, grades 5-12, are invited to a night of movies, popcorn and pop.  Two movies will be chosen by the youth and showed in different rooms at the same time.  The evening should be over by 8:30 p.m.  Youth are encouraged to bring a friend to the event.  This will be held at Grace Church.
 
New Children's Book in Library
     A new book, appropriate for ages 4-7, is now available in the children's library.  Humble Bee by Matt Whitlock, is about a bee who learned to be humble after his head swells up to a frightening size when he boasts dishonestly about his skill as a baker.  It is a good book to help children develop a healthy sense of humility while teaching them to value other people and rely on God.  Please feel free to visit the library with your child and check out this book or other books, videos and CD's.  If you have questions, please contact Holly Martin, the head of the children's library.

Grace Church Values Part 2
This month we are highlighting another one of our core values approved by Session. Think about it,
discuss it with friends at church, and continue to be challenged by the values.
Value 2: We believe that we are a family at Grace Presbyterian Church nurturing intergenerational
experiences.
Questions: If we believe that we are a family that nurtures intergenerational experiences, what action
should Grace be considering to fulfill this belief?
Should we be actively setting up a ministry at a nursing home? Should we be reaching out to
Central Elementary, offering services to the students there? Are there activities already part of our
program at GPC that should be revamped to be made more intergenerational? Do we listen to the
voice of youth and elderly to understand what their concerns and needs are? What gifts has God given
you that you could share in an intergenerational context?
As always, if you have feedback for the committee, please feel free to share it with us.
Growing Faith Covenant Group

Stewardship Drive Update
Well, it is December and time to total up the stewardship drive results and decide if we
were successful or if we need to close the doors of the church after the first of the year. I am
pleased to report that with almost all of the pledges completed, we are almost exactly at the
same place financially this coming year that we were last year at this time. As of the last Sunday
in November, we had pledges totally right around $63,500. Last year we had pledges
totally around $63,900. There are still a couple of people that have not turned in their pledges, so
I think it is safe to assume that we won't have to close the doors. ( I don't think anybody was
really concerned.)
Thank you to everybody who prayerfully considered their pledge and turned it in to the
drive committee. It is always a difficult decision deciding how to allocate limited funds between
family responsibilities and our responsibilities to the church and the greater community. Again,
thank you for your generous giving.

Sincerely,
Gary Hayes
Chair of the Stewardship Drive Committee

PW Thank Offering- $162

SOUPERBOWL
We will take part in the Souper Bowl
of Caring on Sunday, February 1. Money
collected will be given to Winona Volunteer

 CIRCLES
Circle I Jennifer MacAskill and Ellie Griesel will entertain on Thurs. Jan 19 at 7 p.m. at 1380
Homer Rd Apt 102, tel. 459-4308

 Circle II will not meet until April.

Circle III will not meet until April

Point of interest: a portion of our giving to One Great Hour of Sharing each year goes to PDA; we gave directly to
PDA with a special offering and we support the work of Church World Service with our participation in CROP
WALK which is CWS's main source of funding for emergency needs. Because of our generous giving, we are a
part of the work being done to help those in need in the disaster areas.  Thank you.

A letter from the Director of Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance thanked us for the $1,128.50 that we sent for US Hurricane Response. She says that hope comes in
many ways that affirm the continued presence of God in our suffering. In the Gulf Coast, 60 groups of over 530
participants are scheduled to come and work before the end of the year. That is hundreds of people who will bear
witness that the Lord is merciful, and does care.
The original goal of $10 million dollars has been met but the goal was set before Rita or Wilma struck. PDA
will seek to use the dollars to maximum effect. Together, Presbyterians will bring hope one home at a time to both
the Gulf Coast region and to Florida.
In Central America and Mexico the recovery plans are now beginning to take shape. In November a newly
formed pastoral team composed of several different partner organizations will begin to travel the affected
areas of Guatemala to bring emotional and spiritual support to communities. They will begin to assess the
total needs and help with the recovery plan.
In Pakistan there is a strong Church World Service program that was immediately ready to respond from
warehouses of pre-positioned supplies.   Generous immediate gifts from One Great Hour of Sharing are
supporting that response and plans are being made for PDA to provide an emotional care specialist to assist
their team when tent cities are established.  Ten of the CWS staff have collectively lost 58 family members.
"Comfort me" cries out the Psalmist. It is a cry that goes up around our world and is answered by the faithful
prayers and contributions of Presbyterians like you.
Thank you.
Susan Ryan, coordinator

A Thank You from the Deacons
A heartfelt thank you from the Deacons to all who baked Christmas Cookies and generously shared
them with those in our church family -who have found it difficult to bake their own. The Deacons
delivered the cookies to 13 people and it brought smiles to their faces. Thank you for shoring the
Joy and Love of this special season. 

Fundraising Committee Update
Thank you to all who participated in any way in our
fundraisers this past year. Please mark you calendars for 2006!
The Chow Mein Dinner will be Saturday, March 4th, and the
Salad Luncheon will be Saturday, April I st.
With proceeds from these two events, we were able to
transfer $2,000 into the Capital Improvement Fund. The
money was also used for kitchen cupboard repair, to purchase a
sink for the choir room, and to purchase a printer for the office.
Thanks again for all your help

B.O.O.
Book of Order Study
G-5000 The Church and its Members
G-5.0101 The Meaning of Membership

G-5.0101 Baptized previously
c. When persons baptized as infants reach an age when they are
ready to make public their profession of faith and accept their
responsibility in the life of the church, the session should invite,
encourage, and help them prepare for their responsibility as
active church members. The age at which young persons
should make such public profession is not precisely fixed. It is
left to the prudence of the session to judge, after careful
examination, the readiness of those who apply for active
membership.
d. Not baptized previously
When persons who have not been baptized desire to profess
their faith in Christ and be incorporated in the life of the church
as believers, they shall do so by making public their profession
of faith and receiving baptism after appropriate instruction and
examination by the session.

Concerns:
•  Emily Krumm is at Lake Winona Manor recuperating from her surgery
Joys:
*  Jessica Arndt has been chosen from Lewiston for the All State Honors Band. She's a member of our
music ensemble at church and we know she deserves the honor.
*  Kaitlyn Vietor was one of the Winona Middle School Students of the Week.
*  Darrin and Kris Graham adopted Kaden Nicholas who was born May 12, 2005. He joins his sister.
Raegan Nicole. The proud grandparents are Richard and Cheryl Graham.
•  Elayne and Willard Haedtke celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary on December 4. 

Sesson meeting December
The meeting was opened with a centering thought and a prayer by Pastor Al Kleinsasser at 6:32 pm at the church. The
Session members present were: Mickey Barr, Pastor Al Kleinsasser, Administrator Candi Kohner, Pam Lica, Jennifer
MacAskill, Mary Rennells, CLP Doug Rosendahl, and Kathy Weiner.
Book of Order Study G-5.0101 Membership Through Faith
CLERK'S REPORT: A Quorum was declared. It was MSA to approve the regular session minutes dated November
7.7  700S, with one correction - Presbytery will be on February 18. 2006.  It was MSA to remove Jan Morgan from our
rolls at her request. It was MSA to officially approve the salary package for Doug Rosendahl: CLP is employed on a
part time basis serving approximately 8 hours per week: See below for details. Communion Servers for October were:
Dan and Mickey Barr, and Jean and Gary Hayes.
CANDI'S REPORT: Attended all meetings, met with personnel; we received $80 from AA, we received $75 from
Treasures Galore for use of the building; Candi Kohner and Janice Jacobson will also be on the budget committee; the
budget committee will meet January 11 at 5;00pm; there will be an Officer Training for Elders & Deacons on February
4th in Madison.
DOUG'S REPORT: Attended all meetings; attended Rock Solid Christmas Pageant; helped deliver cookies with the
Deacons; attended installation ceremony in Galesville; will be leading a funeral on December 22""; Team meetings will
be on Wednesdays at 9:00 am in 2006.
AL'S REPORT: Attended all meetings; participated in Thanksgiving service; preached; lead confirmation; went to a
movie with confirmation class; and attended Gideon luncheon.
We recommend that people donating to the Gideons write their checks directly to them.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CHRISTIAN ED: Planning a night at the movies January 21st. Chaperones needed for the mission trip in June.
DEACONS: Delivered cookies to shut-ins.
FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM: It was MSA to drop Karen Haase from the rolls after 2 years on the inactive list. It
was MSA to move the following to the inactive list: Richard Hundorf. Mike. Sue. Scott, and Leigh Meska. and Kurt
Rannenberg.
FUNDRAISING: It was MSA to transfer $2.000 to Capital Improvements and to spend $25 on a microwave from Ellie
Griesel.
MISSION AND STEWARDSHIP: It was MSA to change budget line la to be listed as Pledged Giving and budget
line lb 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: Session is recommending that 2 more people be appointed to personnel.

WORSHIP: Working on the volunteer list.
MINISTRY OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES: Growing Faith Covenant Group: It was MSA to extend
the Growing Faith Covenant Group until they have completed their assigned tasks.
We adjourned with prayer at 8:40 pm. The next meeting will be January 30,2006 at 6:30 pm at the church.