December 2019

Dear Sisters and Brothers, I have lived in Bear Lake now for a full year, July to July, plus a little. I can say that I love the area and the space in which I live. I also enjoy the daily drive in to Benzonia and church. I like seeing the colors in what I call the low space of the marshy wet area. There are the tree colors in the distance, past the orchard. Watching the progression of the corn and wondering why some is still standing and some has been harvested. I am also very aware of all of the wildlife that travels along and over 31 between here and there. I have seen deer, hawks, herons, and raccoons. The animal that I find most interesting is the turkey. With that said, I have watched a flock of turkeys this past season. I have seen them go from a few adults to adding lots of poults. After a time, the chicks grow and for a myriad of reasons the numbers decrease. There are several flocks that I encounter between Bear Lake and Benzonia. There is one in the corn field across from the highway rest station that made me laugh one day and then really look at them the next. Driving in one day in early October I noticed a hen and two older chicks with her. I often saw this flock and I was a bit sad that the group had become so small. The next day I had to do a double take and slow down for what I saw on the side of the road, grazing. With the hen and her chicks was a wood duck. It was very content to be with the turkeys, just grazing on the side of the road. I admit, I laughed out loud at the sight. I had never seen non-domesticated birds behave as such. The next day I saw the same four birds foraging between the corn field and the breakdown lane. And then the next. And the next. I moved from laughter to wonderment. What was this duck doing with the turkeys? Why were the turkeys tolerating the duck? How often do you see a duck grazing, foraging, eating on the side of the road? I have shared this story with a person or three over the past month. Sharing laughter, maybe looking for insight. And this is what I keep coming back too. We should all be more like the turkeys and the duck. Two very different animals eating and traveling together. The turkey with talon toes, a wattle neck, and fanned tail with a web footed, flat billed, and waterproofed feathered duck. The saying goes, “Birds of a feather, flock together”. Who’s in your flock? May you be astonished in God’s wonder. See you along The Way,

Patty

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BENZONIA UCC

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 Keith Brian

5 Courtney Sauer

7 Phoebe Vance

8 Roxane Miner

10 Geri Thornell

13 Shirley Jones

14 Margie Peacock

16 Elisabeth Case

18 Emmeline Wolowiec

18 Michael Call

19 Johnna Milks

20 Rosemary Abbett

20 Mia Jones

27 Steve Walton

29 Kay Bos

30 John Milks

31 David Call

31 Wayne Strom

31 Edward Shigwadja

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

7 Sonny & Esther Rodriguez

21 Alan & Joanne Appelhof

21 Mike & Carolina Jones

22 Andrew & Christy Case

27 Roger & Helen Dewey

FLOWERS

If you would like to supply flowers, please sign up on the sign

posted on the bulletin board. You may then bring in your own

flowers or donate $30 to the church to make the arrangements

with a local florist.

THANK YOU TO OUR DECEMBER VOLUNTEERS

COFFEE NURSERY

Dec 1 Advent Workshop Sheila Dinger Dec 8 Cookie Walk Shar Patterson Dec 15 Barb Brian Victoria Joy Dec 22 Women’s Fellowship Will Jones Dec 29 Carol Dye Chris Stone

HEAD USHER: Jim Sheets

What is BIG Sunday?

BIG stands for Bring In Groceries;

groceries brought in on BIG Sundays

are donated to Benzie Area

Christian Neighbors (BACN) to

help provide a meal to those in

need. BIG Sundays are the first

Sunday of every month — as are

Holy Communion Sundays — and

are a great way for us to share the

love and feast of communion and

community.

UCC SISTER CHURCH OF THE MONTH

As part of our continuing efforts to work together as a

community of faith, we pray for UCC churches in our United

Northern Association. You are invited to pray this month for the

ongoing mission and ministries of Cadillac UCC.

Nancy Reynolds Pat Forrester Helen Pickard Peg & Randy

Elisabeth Case Family and friends of Hal Bruning

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

2019 Monthly Unified Budget Report

Needed monthly:

$15,420.50

$29,549

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

$25,000

$20,000

$10,000

$5,000

$6,7

18

.96

$8,9

96

$6,5

59

$6,4

55

Our income the last few months has

been below what is needed to meet

our expenses. The budget is now in

the red.

$6,0

90

$13

,53

9

$5,5

43

$12

,95

0

$13

,90

8

$7,326

Library News

Drum Roll, Please….one reviewer calls this “a perfect middle-grade love story.” The author’s compassionate take on topics of family, friendship, and romance seem to hit all the right notes. In this story about growing pains, turning points and self-discovery, Melly, the main character, who is a complex blend of anger, curiosity, and creativity lays her emotions bare to all readers. Recommended for middle school readers.

Across the Great Lake…this story alternates point of view from that of a five-year-old girl crossing Lake Michigan on a car ferry and from that of the same character at age 85, looking back on her life. Set in Frankfort and the surrounding area in the early 1900’s, there are enough ‘facts’ to make one think it is the authors personal journal. It is a captivating read. Hard to believe it is a novel…fiction…but well-researched fiction…historic fiction at its best. In the Acknowledgments the author lists numerous books, the Historical Museum, Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, local people, etc., all of which provided useful information used in writing this so-real story.

Both of the above books were chosen for their Michigan connection & donated to the library by Sarah Circle 4 in memory of Ardith Jones. (The author of Drum Roll, Please grew up in Kalamazoo.)

The Tattooist of Auschwitz..a #1 International Bestseller & a New York Times Bestseller is an extraordinary story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side. In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a tattooist tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners. Imprisoned for over two and a half years, he witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism…but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive. This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov, the tattooist, and other Holocaust survivors.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You…a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book brings awareness of the challenges and beauty of being different. A wonderful introduction to diversity both in appearance of the characters and in their abilities. It touches on things such as diabetes, autism, ADHD, nut allergies and many more, encouraging kids to ask questions about differences but also to notice that which is the same in people. Recommended for kids 4-8 years.

Giving Tree

Our members and friends are making Christmas a little merrier for some Benzie County families. ECHO His Love, formerly known as Love In The Name of Christ, is providing us with the Christmas wish list of several families. On December 1, you will find a Giving Tree in the Fellowship Hall with gifts listed on tags for adults and children. Please select a gift tag, purchase and wrap the gift, attach the tag, and return to the church by Wednesday, December 11. Thank you for being part of this long-standing tradition and for your spirit of giving.

Poinsettias

We will once again order and arrange poinsettia plants in the sanctuary for the Christmas season. If you wish to donate a poinsettia plant, please submit your order no later than December 6. The cost of a poinsettia plant is $15. A donation to cover that cost would be greatly appreciated. Forms can be found in the Sunday bulletin, or you can call/email/see Sam in the office!

Benzie Senior Resources Christmas Bags

We are still collecting breakfast bars, paper towels, and socks (fuzzy for women, tube for men) to help with this project. Items will be picked up on December 9th. Thank you for all the donations so far!

Toys for Tots

A Toys-for-Tots box will be outside the office as part of the BACN Holiday Program in conjunction with Trinity Lutheran. Please drop off items before pickup on December 9th!

Cookie Walk

The annual Cookie Walk will be Sunday,

December 8th after the service. We

are accepting holiday cookies, breads, candy,

and nuts. A signup sheet will be available on December 1. Items can be left at the church and labeled for the cookie walk, along with your name. Try to have them there by Sat. 12/7 or early morning 12/8. They will be $7.00/pound and the proceeds will be divided between the youth mission trip this summer and Women’s Fellowship for new chairs for the library and the Sunday School rooms.

Thank You Notes

“Thank you for the positive, uplifting note. It truly takes a village, and the Benzie County village is one for the history books. Much big love to all of you, Jenn, Eric, & Ruby”

Check out our many wonderful notes and cards on the bulletin board.

Harriet Stone Update Harriet Stone is now at: Glen Eagle Retirement 3950 Sumac Dr, Apt. 341 Traverse City, MI 49684 231 486 6137 If you want to send cards, please send them to Harriet in care of her son: James Ebbinghaus 8265 Platte Rd Beulah, MI 49617

Circle I

We will NOT be meeting in January!

December 2019

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

9:00 Advent Workshop 6-8 ACOA (Barn)

2

9:30-10:30 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

7:00 AA (Barn)

3

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

4

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 APT

7:00 AA (Barn)

5

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

4:30 Choir

5:00 MRT (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

6

12N LOWV

3:30-4:30 Yoga (Barn)

7

8

10:30 Worship & Church School Youth Christmas Pageant Cookie Walk 6-8 ACOA (Barn)

9

9:00 Trustees

9:30-10:30 Yoga (Barn)

11 Commodities Distribution

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

7:00 AA (Barn)

10

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

11

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 APT

7:00 AA (Barn)

12

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

4:00 Deacons

4:30 Choir

5:00 MRT (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

13

12N LOWV

3:30-4:30 Yoga (Barn)

14

8:30 Men’s Breakfast @ Papa J’s

15

10:30 Worship & Church School 6-8 ACOA (Barn)

16

9:30-10:30 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

7:00 AA (Barn)

17

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

11 Sarah Circle 4

12N AA (Barn)

5:00 Council

7:00 WAA (Barn)

18

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 APT

7:00 AA (Barn)

7:00 Blue Christ-mas Service

19

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

4:30 Choir

5:00 MRT (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

20

3:30-4:30 Yoga (Barn)

21

22

10:30 Worship & Church School 6-8 ACOA (Barn)

23

9:30-10:30 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

7:00 AA (Barn)

24

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

9:00 Christmas Eve Service

25

Office Closed

Merry Christmas

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 APT

7:00 AA (Barn)

26

Office Closed

Merry Christmas

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

4:30 Choir

5:00 MRT (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

27

3:30-4:30 Yoga (Barn)

28

29

10:30 Worship & Church School 6-8 ACOA (Barn)

30

9:30-10:30 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

7:00 AA (Barn)

31

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

First Congregational Church of Benzonia UCC 901 Barber Street, P.O. Box 234

Benzonia, MI 49616

Phone: (231) 882-4922

F I R S T C O N G R E G AT I O N A L C H U R C H O F B E N Z O N I A UCC B E N Z O N I A , M I C H I G A N

Office Phone: 231-882-4922 Office Hours: M—R 9am—Noon, F 8:30-11:30

Office Email: secretary@benzoniacongregational.org

Our Website: http://www.benzoniacongregational.org

Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BenzoniaCongregational