Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church
Midweek Update – November 7, 2018

RANDOM UPDATES
Hi, Phil here. I usually try to start the EPC Update with a little spiritual reflection or exercise, but nothing is coming to me today. Instead, there are a couple of little announcements or updates that I want to pass on.
• After about four years, Lois Glewwe is finishing her time as our office manager. Lois was only going to help us out for a few months, but fortunately for us, she stayed until this fall. She has been a steady rock in our office, and we will miss her when she finishes up at the end of the month. Overlapping with Lois right now and preparing to take over in December is our new office manager, Krysta Niznick, who also works with Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church. Feel free to stop in any Wednesday afternoon to pass on your appreciation to Lois and welcome to Krysta!
• For this time of year, our church finances are in the best shape that they have been in for at least twenty years. Partly, this is because we have not had to pay Deb Carlson’s salary for the second half of the year. But it is also due to your faithful generosity to the work of this community. Thank you so much!
• Speaking of our music positions, Jenya Trubnikava is not only continuing as our wonderful accompanist, but she plans to expand her role over the coming months to work more with our choir as well. This is new territory for all of us, so we will continue to see together what works and feels good for our worship leaders and the congregation.
• About Centering Prayer and silence in worship: Just to note that I have heard from several people in recent weeks, some mentioning that the times of silence in worship have been hard or distracting to them, some asking if we can have more silence. Although we have not actually had silent prayer time in worship for over a month, I appreciate how folks in this congregation are paying attention to themselves and sharing their own needs with kindness and gentleness. Your Session had a lovely time of sharing about this last month, without trying to come to any conclusions. I don’t have a point here. I’m just wanting you all to remember that it is good to talk together even about the things we don’t necessary agree about.
• Last Sunday’s brunch and sharing about the Saints in our lives felt like a very special time of community and worship. Thank you all for being you.

STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is what we call this season, when we ask Edgcumbe Church folk to consider their giving for the coming year to express our intention for generosity and help the Session plan the 2019 budget. Letters and pledge cards are being mailed today. You can also contact the church office with your pledge information at any time (secretary@epchurch.org or 651-698-8220).

ADVENT DECORATING & SING-A-LONG
Decorating for Christmas: On Sunday, November 18 or 25, we need some strong people to help bring the Christmas tree bags up from the basement. After Thanksgiving, we will plan to start fluffing the tree's branches. This only takes about an hour if we have a lot of people to help. Then after worship on Sunday, December 2, we will finish hanging the greens, eat yummy food and sing Christmas songs around the piano to welcome the season. Thank you, Meredith

THANKSGIVING MEAL
Again this year we are hosting a meal at the Montreal Highrise on Thanksgiving Day. Meredith Holt has already bought the turkeys and will soon purchase the rest of the food. So what we need is both financial donations to cover the cost and volunteers to serve the meal on November 22. If you can help out, please contact the church office or sign the sheet in the church narthex. Thank you!

WORSHIP & ARTS CONVERSATION
Pastor Phil would like to gather with anyone interested in talking about worship and art in Advent of this year and looking ahead to 2019. If want to be a part of this conversation, please talk to Phil or email him at pastorphilgg@gmail.com.

PRAYERS
• For the Clary family as both Belinda and Fred participate in a weightlifting championship in Florida this weekend, with Lilly and Cali along. Sami and Chloe are staying here for schoolwork and activities. Prayers of gratitude as well for the Clary’s recovered car and weightlifting equipment!
• Prayers also for Todd Barnes, who got quick sick right before worship this past Sunday (thus solving the mystery of the cheesy hash browns in the microwave!) Todd went back to his apartment where he was supported by the loving neighbors in his building, who nursed him back to health. We give God thanks for Todd and for healing and the care of people around us.