Men’s Fellowship 3rd Saturday of the month at 8am- Family Center
Imagine this as a great start to your weekend… Hot coffee, a hearty breakfast, and sharing time with someone who wants to talk about the game, hear your work story or give you fix-up tips on your yard maintenance. Your weekend can start this way when you attend Men’s Fellowship. Each month, we gather together for fun conversation and also take the opportunity to talk about what is going on in our lives. Sometimes we talk about our struggle to be a good father, neighbor, son, co-worker or husband. We also talk about our joys- new experiences, new opportunities, new goals – all in an atmosphere where other men care, offer advice and give support for wherever you are in life. Men’s Fellowship gives us the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with others while we are able to celebrate all that is unique and good about being men. Guys, we are all in this life together! Let’s get together and walk with each other on our life and faith paths!
Women’s Fellowship Meets monthly on the second Saturday
The Ladies of First Congregational have a ball at Women’s Fellowship! Activities include trips to places like the Grand Rpids Art Museum and the Wege Nature Center. The group dyes Easter Eggs and carves Jack-O-Lanterns. The group sponsors a beautiful Luncheon for Mother’s Day and brings in guest speakers like Newscaster, Terri DeBoer and Scuba Diver and Author, Valerie Van Hurst. In December the group puts together baskets of goodies to deliver holiday cheer. Most of all, the group meets to have fun in a safe and loving environment where all women are treasured for their unique gifts and talents.
Knitting Ministry
Meets the last Monday of the month for conversation and knitting, of course! 7pm
Trips- Boundary Waters (BWCA) Trip- July 17-26, 2009
On an all adult team, will make a 40 mile loop through the wilderness of northern Minnesota, canoeing and portaging from lake to lake. We will cook over an open fire, sleep in tents or under the stars. There is no electricity, no cell phone coverage and no modern conveniences. We will carry all of our gear between lakes on our backs. We will see animals and experience unspoiled scenery. This will be hard work, but it will bring us closer to other adults and to the world God created.
Our days on the water will be structured around the route, but generally we will wake early (6-7am), eat breakfast, pack up our campsite and canoe/portage until around noon. We will break for lunch and then continue canoeing/portaging until about 2. We will find a new campsite, set up camp, have time for fishing, sightseeing, napping, swimming, and drying our socks. http://bwca.com/
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), as we know it, was established in 1978 by Congress through BWCA Wilderness Act. This Act restricted logging, mining, and most motorized access to this 1,000,000+ acre area in northern Minnesota. The BWCAW is part of and managed by the Superior National Forest. The BWCAW is visited by more than 200,000 visitors who travel the more than 1500 miles of canoe routes and stay at the 2000+ camp sites. The Boundary Waters is a pristine, yet rugged wilderness. The lakes are cut from granite and surrounded in old pine growth, creating a wonderful habitat for all sorts of woodland creatures- big and small.
You are invited to join us as we make a 40 – 50 mile loop through this wilderness, canoeing and portaging from lake to lake. You will cook over an open fire, sleep in tents or under the stars. There is no electricity, no cell phone coverage and no modern conveniences. We will work together to carry all of our gear between lakes on our backs. This is a rugged trip but people of varying skill levels – beginners to experienced outdoors-people are encouraged to participate.
There will be several different team configurations-
Young Adult Teams – For young people who have completed high school through age 25
Co-ed Team
Adults – Adults 26 years old and older
Co-ed Team
Dates you need to know:
Open Registration: Begins March 8 - There are limited spaces, Register early!
Informational Meeting: April 26 – 11:45am in the Sanctuary
Registration and Deposit Deadline: May 10
Gear Swap: May 10
Final Payment Deadline: June 14
Trip Dates: July 17- 25
Cost:
The cost for the trip is $325 per person which includes all travel expenses, gear and food during the canoe trip. Participants will need to pay for their own food during van travel.
Young Adults and Adults have successfully off-set their expenses in the past by fund-raising activities. If you are interested, assistance is available through the Christian Education office.
Faithful Fridays - 7am - 9am – a focused time of prayer and informal conversations over delicious baked goods as we face daily challenges and respond to opportunities. We share with each other, reflect, pray and search the scriptures for God’s leading for each of us. We’ll gather in word and in spirit before work, before school, before we start our day. No need to sign up or sign in. Show up anytime and stay until you feel it is time to go.
Bible Study
Fridays, 10:30 am – 11:30am at Schneider Manor
Gather to hear and reflect on God’s word