Come join us March 11th in welcoming Dick and Karen Steele from Salem United Church of Christ who will help lead our service that day. They will share pictures of their recent trip to Egypt and their visit to the Coptic Christians and Daughters of St Marys. You will be amazed and humbled by how and where the Daughters of St. Mary's serve their people.

We will continue our welcome to Dick and Karen by having a pot luck dinner immediately following the service. Please bring a dish to pass and join us as we learn more about their trip and how the Coptic Christians serve those in Egypt today.

Have you been considering making a commitment to this faith community?  We will hold the first of two "More Than A Membership Class" sessions on March 18 after worship.  From 11:30 to 12:30, we'll take some time to learn more about one another and our faith journeys.   This will be followed by a second session and a New Member Sunday in April.    We hope you'll join us!  If you have questions, or if you plan to attend, please speak with Pastor Kerri or Hospitality Ministry coordinator Jean Duchrow. 

Pastor Kerri invites you to drop by the McFarland House Cafe on Saturday morning, February 18th.   She will be available between 9 and 11 am - a great time to stop by with a question, for a casual conversation or even to introduce a friend.   No appointment required!  Consider it office-free office hours, with treats.  (Please remember that this is a public setting.  If you have confidential matters to discuss, we can make plans to talk at another time and place.)  

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day,  Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries and parts of the United Sates for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.   In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

The Befrienders Ministry group would like you to join us on Tuesday, February 21st at 6:00 pm. for a Fat Tuesday celebration,  McFarland UCC style!  Come enjoy pancakes with sausage and applesauce.  A free will offering will be taken.             Look for the sign up sheet in the fellowship hall this Sunday! 

The annual meeting of the congregation was held on Sunday, January 22.  Congratulations to the newly elected members of our church council!  Please be in touch with them with your ideas and questions.

Officers
Moderator:  Geoff Brink - Clerk:  Anne Gerke - Treasurer:  Dawn Algrim - Financial Secretary:  David Lemke

Board Chairs
Property:  Gregg Krattiger - Finance:  Farrel Smith

Ministry Coordinators
Radical Hospitality:  Jean Duchrow - Passionate Worship:  Mac McGranahan - Intentional Faith Development:  Mel Thompson - Risk-taking Mission & Service:  Dana Crumpton - Extravagant Generosity:  Carol Lemke

Are you an artist?  Do you like to color, draw, paint & create?  ENTER THE WI CONFERENCE T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST!!!
 

Join us for worship on January 22 as our worship is built around the book of Jonah.  Instead of a sermon, Pastor Kerri will be sharing the entire book of Jonah, told as a story.  Our Sunday School classes will also be reflecting on the book.  You won't want to miss it!

It's time to plan for our spring and summer activities!   Fun in the snowy outdoors, an AmazingGrace, a possible mission trip, and...?  Join Jackie, Sara, Anne and Gregg in the Youth Room from 6:30-7:30 pm on Monday, January 30 for more details. 

We have been rapidly adding to our online presence.  First an updated website, then Facebook,... and now Twitter and Foursquare.   If you are an active user of social media, check us out!    We want to make sure that no matter what tools people use to stay connected, we're part of their communications and social networks.   

Facebook  (events, devotionals and short updates)                          facebook.com/mcfarlanducc
Twitter  (very brief updates, reminders, prayers, quotes)                  @mcfarlanducc
Foursquare  ("check in" to let others know you're here)                    4sq.com/mcfarlanducc

We offer these not as a way to add to the avalanche of media in modern life, but as a way to reach out to the greatest number of people possible.   It's ok if social media's not your cup of tea; but it may be just the thing to reach new friends and neighbors in the name of Christ.   If you'd like to know more, feel free to ask!