I want to take a moment to thank everyone who donated to the Brethren Nutrition Program in our campaign to host a lunch for our hungry neighbors on Christmas Day. Between in person and online donations, we raised over $1,200, which was more than double our goal. This allowed us to host a wonderful lunch, as well as cover some of our plumbing issue costs from 2014. Thank you so much to everyone who donated. You have helped us to serve our neighbors in need during the holidays, as well as in the upcoming year. I greatly appreciate everyone who donated. Thank you!
We have made some great strides in our program in 2014: hiring a full time program coordinator, as well as opening on Thursdays. Unfortunately we have had struggles as well; three separate “floods” in the kitchen (as well as other plumbing issues), as well as needing a new pilot light in our oven. These damages set us back quite a bit financially, and have caused us to stretch our budget.
In 2015, we will be applying for grants to get our facilities taken care of so that we can have a kitchen that is used often, and serve our community more effectively. We need your help to hold us over as we are applying grants. As I mentioned earlier, our funds have been stretched tight, so we need your help to keep serving our neighbors on Capitol Hill.
You can help by donating to BNP on Razoo by following this link; http://www.razoo.com/story/Brethren-Nutrition-Program, or sending checks to BNP c/o Washington City Church of the Brethren 337 North Carolina Ave. SE Washington, DC 20003. If you have any questions regarding this fundraiser or BNP please email me, Carolyn Nestman, at .
Thank you for all you have done to help support BNP and our goal to end food insecurity in Washington DC. Thank you for your continued support of our program!
We have interested adults… We’ll be looking to have a multi-generational event to impart their skills and make tote bags for the Church World Service School Kits children’s offering mission project! The DATE for our “Sew-In” is February 8th.
If you are a full member of Oakton, the Nominating Committee prayerfully asks you to consider serving on the Board as Vice Chair for 2015. The position requires attendance at Board meeting the third Monday of each month, substituting for the Board Chair when he is unable to attend.
We would like to spare those who are serving on Search Committee from additional duties so that they can concentrate on that process. If you have any questions, please contact Jan Burket, Mark Phillips, or Jane Meadows as soon as possible. We will need to know before the Congregational Business Meeting of Jan. 25.
Messenger renewals are due January 15, 2015. If you are a current subscriber and your membership is expiring in 2015, you have already received an email or phone call informing you of this. Renewal prices are $14.50 for 1 year; $27.00 for 2 years. Please place your check made out to Oakton Church of the Brethren (with Messenger of the memo line) in the white box in the Narthex labeled Messenger Subscriptions or give your check to Shirley Roth. First time subscribers can join for a bargain price of $7.25 per year. Please call Shirley at 240-461-2235 if you have any questions.
All women are invited to begin 2015 by joining this monthly group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the church. The next meeting is January 14th 7:30 – 8:45 pm. Each month the leader introduces a theme or question and then participants have the opportunity to share personal stories or experiences as they choose. There is also opportunity to share prayer requests and to pray together. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Shirley Roth or Gretchen Zience.
