STANWICH NEWS

THURSDAY NIGHT COLLEGE GROUP

   All college students are welcome to join us on Thursday evenings from

7:30-9 PM for a meal and discussion group.  Please contact Lee Fletcher

for more information. 

SOMA

   The Wednesday evening Bible study at Stanwich is called Soma (from the Greek word for body, in reference to the body of Christ, the Church.  Each evening begins with dinner, followed by a teaching and then small group discussion.  The suggested donation is $5 per person to cover the cost of food.   To assist in the coordination of small group and food planning, please sign up in advance by emailing Steve Gilbert at spgilbert@optonline.net. 

   During July Soma will study the book

of Micah.  A schedule of topics, study outlines and links to listen online to Soma teachings are available on the Seminars and Bible Studies page.   

2010 ANNUAL MEETING

   The Annual Meeting was held on Monday, May 24th, at 7:30 PM.  The agenda included approval of the 2009-2010 annual report, election of officers and affirmation of heads of ministries, and approval of the 2010-11 budget. 

   Copies of the 2009-10 Annual Report, 2010-11 Stewardship booklet, and the 2010-11 Missions catalog are available at the church, and also online by clicking on the following links: 

     2009-2010 Annual Report

     2010-2011 Missions Catalog

     2010-2011 Stewardship

(Note:  these online documents are in pdf format which requires Adobe Reader software.  If you do not have this software on your computer, you may download it for free from the Adobe Reader website.) 

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

   On May 16 Stanwich 27 new members joined our church family.  We are delighted to welcome:

ALL-CHURCH MEETING RECAP

   At an all-church meeting on Monday, March 22, the congregation heard details about the results of the SIMA survey and recommendations for leadership.  Carl Higbie, chair of the Transition Task Force provided an overview, and Rev. Chuck Davis presented his vision for the future of Stanwich.  Sr. Trustee Erik Johnson followed these presentations with an overview of our current financial status and preliminary proposals for next year's budget. 

   If you missed the meeting, you can view some of the presentation materials by clicking on the links below.  The meeting was also videotaped, so check back for details on how to watch the video. 

   Chuck's Powerpoint (.ppt) View

   Staffing model (.doc) View 

HELPING HAITI, GUATEMALA,

GALVESTON AND NEW ORLEANS

   Stanwich is reaching out to those in need around the world through the generous financial gifts given by our church family to our Missions Fund.   

In addition, relief efforts and mission trips are targetting the following needs:

    Haiti - Financial gifts were collected

for disaster relief from the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and presented to Americares to provide life-saving medicines and medical supplies.       Also, Stanwich volunteers traveled to Haiti to assist with disaster recovery efforts.  Trip Journal>>

   Guatemala - School supplies and beanie babies were collected for

the children who will attend a new

school being built by Rafi Agrait and

Last Call Ministries.  A team of Stanwich volunteers took the donations with them on their trip Feb. 15-23. 

   Galveston - A trip was organized

for April 11-17 to help with clean-up and construction projects for the victims of Hurricane Ike.  Trip blog>>

   New Orleans - Two trips were organized for high school students during spring break to assist in ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina.  The students hosted a pancake feast and bake sale on February 7 to raise funds for the trip.  Trip blogs>>

   More information about our church's missions efforts to provide help and hope throughout the world is available on our Mission Trips page.

HEALING PRAYER

  Healing Prayer is available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.  Since this is a time of personal prayer for healing, please contact Sheila Hyland to make an appointment so that she can arrange for prayer teams for each person who plans to attend. 

MORE PRAYER - FOR YOUTH

   Our youth prayer team meets in the Prayer Chapel on Thursday mornings at 8:45.  They would love for the Stanwich family to join them in praying for our children and youth programs, and for each child who participates.  If you can't attend the prayer gatherings but would like to be part of this prayer group, please contact Danielle Kohlberger to receive specific prayer needs via email. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

FAMILY MISSION TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA

July 24-31

Femi Olowosoyo is leading this trip to Philippi for construction and vacation Bible school.  Cost is $445 for adults, $205 for children ages 4 to 10, and no charge for children under 3.  To sign up or for more information please contact Femi at femi@starlightcontruction.com.

SOMA

July 28  7 PM

See related News story, left.