Opening Day is April 13, as all Bay Area SF Giants

baseball fans already know. The game is sold out

and there is great anticipation for the Giant’s return

to greatness this season. Millions know when the

baseball season begins, but few know when the

last home game of the season is scheduled.

It is human nature to engage in activities with great

enthusiasm in the beginning. However, it is also

human nature to lose interest as the event wears

on. This holds true not only for sports fans, but

also for extra-curricular activities in our schools, for

book clubs and for Christian discipleship. How often

have we eagerly begun a practice of daily prayer or

bible study and given up after a few weeks when it

gets to be “routine” or “boring”?

In his book, A Long Obedience in the Same

Direction, Eugene Peterson writes about what our

long-term commitment to “discipleship in an instant

society” means. According to Peterson, evangel-

ism is “easy” when compared to discipleship. In

other words, it is easier to “sell” an idea in the

beginning than it is to stick with it through the end.

“There is a great market for religious experience in

our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient

acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a

long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of

Christians called holiness.” (p.16)

As we approach Holy Week and Easter, we reflect

on our six-week Lenten journey. Everything we

have done so far has helped prepare us to

embrace the mystery of resurrection. As we exper-

ience the glory of Easter, we are inspired to

celebrate with great joy and then... what happens

next? Do we return to our “normal routines”

(whatever normal is these days...)? I suggest that

we consider how to continue walking with the risen

Christ on a daily basis in response to God’s

amazing grace.

Lenten spiritual practices shake us out of our

routine and, hopefully, make us even more aware

of the presence of God. But then, on the Monday

after Easter Sunday, what comes next? It is my

hope that our newly awakened spirits will commit to

weekly worship, continue our daily studies and to

prayer without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Ahead this month is Rachel Bauman’s last sermon

(April 15), our youth-led Earth Sabbath (April 22),

4-5 grades Bible Breakfast and the NCNC Annual

Gathering (April 26-29). There are spiritual

formation groups, men’s breakfast discussions and

countless opportunities here at DCC where we can

choose to be involved in service projects.

As Karl Barth wrote, “charis always demands the

answer of eucharistia” (grace always demands the

answer of gratitude). As we find ourselves buoyed

by the grace of Holy Week and Easter, may we

also find ways to express our gratitude in the days

and weeks that follow these great celebrations.

And by the way, the last home game is on

September 27… unless we are in the World Series

playoffs again. Go Giants!

May you feel God’s presence every step of your

journey this month as we all continue together in

the same direction...

Blessings!

April 2012

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Church Staff

The Rev. Dr. Alan D. Kelchner, Senior Minister

The Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes Coney, Associate Minister

Rachel Bauman, Minister in Training Kristin Pankonin, Music Director Angela Borba, Children’s Music Director Lynda Manstrom, Office Manager Kim Michaud, Office Assistant Carrie Gaytan, Nursery Attendant Janice Inman, Preschool Director

Church Officers James Orris, Moderator Betty McCabe, Vice Moderator Janet Apostolo, Treasurer Betty Highland, Financial Secretary Paul Smith-Telfer, Church Clerk

Commissioners

John Bassett, Buildings & Grounds Kevin Shellooe, Children’s Ministries Nancy Halseth and Vickie Lanini,

Church Family Dave Hill, Faith Journeys Richard Stein, Membership Joy Grant and Bill Williams, Outreach Joyce Klassen and Pat McGrath,

Stewardship Howard and Priscilla Spinner, Worship Don Lee, Youth Ministries

Preschool Board Bruce Hixon, Kyra Kennedy, Judy Leach Dan Northway, Anne Seiler, Walt Torgersen

If you have a comment or question concerning one of our pastoral leaders, and are uncomfortable discussing this directly with them, we encourage you to contact the following people:

Pastor Alan’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Gary Dowell (Chair), Dave

Halseth, Carrie Hrousis, John Klassen, and Pamela Rey

Pastor Laura’s Pastoral Relations Committee: Bill Armstrong, Larry Berlin,

Susan Bray, Randy Jang, Anne Moulds, and Jennifer Zaretzka.

Rachel Bauman’s Teaching Parish Committee: Gary Dowell, Jim Felton,

Judy Halden, Nan Karns (Chair), and Diane Stein

Visit our websites

www.danvillechurch.org www.dayspringpreschool.org

Prayers of Healing...

Ken Boehmert Aram Boyd, recent surgery Joan Brandt Phebe and Steve Carniglia Carolyn Courtright’s granddaughter, Katie and daughter, Wendy,

recovering from surgery Nancy Hill John Klassen’s Aunt Ann Maddie O’Neal Rachel O’Neal’s father, Kevin Millie Palmer Karl Weisgraber

Prayers of Joy...

Kathy and Steve Dowding welcoming their first grandchild, Leah Pamela Nathanson, born March 16

Prayers of Joy...

Kathy and Steve Dowding as they move to their new home in Cambria .

Sympathy to… Joyce Klassen and the Klassen family, on the passing of her mother,

Kathleen Power, on March 26 in Ireland Penny Davis upon the death of her husband, Jim, and to Lindsay,

Connor and Jameson Davis upon the loss of their father on March 27. A memorial service will be held at DCC during the first week of April.

Continued Prayers… Steve Halden Joyce Hanson Margaret Van Vactor

Please remember that the Deacons are available to pray with you or take your prayer request at any time. We can pray individually (privately) or pass your request to the whole Diaconate or the church-wide Prayer Support Team. Please feel free to contact any Deacon with your requests for prayer, or to be a part of the Prayer Support Team. Dee Brook 846-0789 Kathie Hixon 804-6948 Nancy Dowell 837-2681 John Klassen 855-0714 Peggy Gierke 968-1234 Betty Leecing 735-2580 Carol Gilliland 519-1263 Angie Orris 361-4799 Judy Halden 735-8832 Diane Stein 829-5182 Nancy Hill 743-0516 Bob Wilkens 837-1233

Danville Congregational Church is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all of God’s children – of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic condition, and physical, mental and emotional ability.

Telephone: (925) 837-6944 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9AM – 3PM

Worship Sunday at 9:30AM – Everyone is welcome!

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Dear friends,

Susan and I took a drive through Sonoma County wine country on a windy, sunshine-filled day last week. The vineyards are not very colorful at this time of year, but the natural world is bursting with life: trees leafing out, green grass on the hills, and fields of wildflowers in yellow, pink, orange, and purple. We hiked at Annadel State Park, where we listened to the birds sing and saw beautiful green hillsides in every direction.

I am grateful to live in a climate where spring coincides with Lent. This is a season of renewal and fresh hope, for the earth and for our souls. Throughout our Lenten journey this year, we’ve been asked to consider how we frame our lives. We’ve been encouraged to see the world through the perspective of faith and hope.

The journey now turns toward Jerusalem and the last week of Jesus’ life. Now is the time to prepare our hearts and minds for the Christian high holy days of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

This is a time for spiritual renewal, re-commitment, and profound gratitude to God. The drama of Holy Week offers us an occasion to focus on the things that really matter. We are grateful for so many blessings in our lives - but we especially give thanks to God for the gift of Jesus Christ, who is our hope and our salvation.

May we discover Christ anew in this holy season. May we walk the hard road to Calvary, not as tourists wandering along, but as active participants in the hard work of making peace and building justice. In a world that abounds with recrimination and guilt, may we be both forgiven and forgiving. And may our spirits be filled with good news this Easter season, so that we may faithfully and joyfully bear witness to the hope that is within us.

Joy and peace,

April Sundays Pastor Laura will preach on Palm Sunday, and Pastor Alan on Easter, and we will have very special music on both Sundays. Rachel Bauman, our Minister-in-Training for the past two years, will preach for us for the last time on April 15. April 22 is Earth Sabbath led by our youth fellowship. Since Alan, Laura, and Rachel will be attending our NCNC Conference Annual Gathering at the end of April, our guest preacher on April 29 will be Doug Howell. Gathering…. Uniting…. Venturing… We are!

Join Pastor Laura and Pastor Alan at this year's NCNC Annual Gathering, April 26-29, 2012 at the Sofitel in Redwood City. To register for the conference or just for a day of events, go to www.ncncucc.org.

Attend workshops, come to conference-led worship services, meet other UCC members from all over Northern California, hear the business proposals and get a preview of what is coming up for this year in the NCNC!

Keynote speaker will be Rev Tony Robinson, a member of the God Is Still Speaking writers' group, UCC pastor, author and coach. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Tony will challenge and enlighten us on new ways to "do church". (http://www.anthonybrobinson.com/). It’s Time to Party!

As you may know, we are planning an all-church party for Alan and Susan on June 24. We will soon be scheduling a kickoff planning meeting in April and would like friends of Alan and Susan interested

in helping with this event to let us know. If you have ideas on making this the “DCC event of the year” you need to come to this kick off meeting and share your ideas!

For more information or to participate in planning, contact any Council member or email me directly at jamesorris1@gmail.com.

Thanks,

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Holy Week at DCC

Palm Sunday April 1, 9:30 AM We will gather outside (or in Koinonia Hall if it’s raining) until worship begins. Each person will be given a palm branch to wave, and we will enter the sanctuary together in a lively palm processional, serenaded by the choir and drums. We will host a guest youth choir, Phoenix, from the Chinese Congregational Church of San Francisco, our Chancel Choir will also sing and Pastor Laura will preach on "Our Passionate Jesus."

Maundy Thursday April 5, 7:00 PM We will gather like the twelve disciples with Jesus at the Last Supper. Like Christ and his disciples, we will be invited to celebrate communion in the "Upper Room" in small groups. The Chancel Choir will sing, our DCC Handbell Choir will also provide us with some beautiful music. Pastor Laura will preach on the meaning of the "Great Mandate."

Good Friday April 6, 7:00 PM We will gather in a darkened sanctuary, in the shadow of the cross, to remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Led by Rachel Bauman, this service will dramatically re-enact the events of the last night of Jesus’ life. The Chancel Choir will sing a moving anthem to close the service, and we will leave in silence to await the Easter dawn.

Easter April 8, 9:30 AM Come, join the grand celebration, featuring the sounds of brass, bells, and beautiful voices. "Christ the Lord is risen today! Hallelujah!" Pastor Alan will preach on “Forward without Fear.”

April 6 – Hal Leach April 8 – Brett Clark

April 15 – Grant Marston April 18 – Peggy Gierke April 25 – Joan Brandt April 29 – Jon Heinson April 30 – Luci Beaver

Please enter your birthday and/or anniversary on the calendar in Koinonia Hall if you would like to

be celebrated on your special day!

Warm Fuzzies Easter boxes were mailed to our 19 college students, near and far. Thank you all for participating with the goodies provided. Thank you, Youth Group, for providing your lovely decorated greetings. Thank you, Diaconate, for packaging the boxes. Thank you Lynda Manstrom for shipping the boxes.

Kathie Hixon for the Diaconate

Use of White Grape Juice at Communion

Many of you noticed that last month we used white grape juice when we celebrated communion via intinction. We recently learned that our church volunteers who clean the sanctuary carpet in front of the altar were unable to completely remove the red stains on the carpet from the drippings of the bread into the cup of the red grape juice. The Diaconate agreed with the Worship Commission that it was fine to use white grape juice instead. If you have comments or concerns about this, please speak to Howard Spinner (Worship), John Klassen (Deacons), or a pastor. When we have communion in the pews, we will continue the use of white wine and red grape juice.

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Stewardship

Save the Date!

Sunday, May 6 is the date for our Annual Stewardship Lunch. Please plan to join us. Children are welcome! It is always a fun time to gather and hear about our plans for DCC and how we will support them. Come

learn about our budget and new things that impact it this year! We will be sending out detailed letters with Stewardship information in the next few weeks. Our series of Stewardship Testimonials will start on April 22 – Earth Sabbath. Don’t miss it, you will want to hear about the impact DCC has had on the life of one of our youth! Please remember to check the status of your commitment to last year’s Stewardship campaign and/or the Special Gifts Campaign to make sure you are up to date. Only 3 months left to the close of the year! We so appreciate everyone’s gifts. Feel free to contact Joyce Klassen (joyce.klassen@comcast.net) or Pat McGrath (pmcgrath@tricommercial.com) for more information.

Faith Journeys

Second Hour Opportunities in April

April 1 Reflections on Lent and Easter – Alan Kelchner/ Rachel Bauman April 8 Easter - No Second Hour April 15 Commission meetings April 22 “Cool Gardening” led by Syd Dent

and the DCC Green Team April 29 Reflections on being LGBT - Alan

Kelchner, Rachel Bauman and others (follow-up on Alan's previous second hour)

Membership Commission

Smile!

Is your photo missing from the DCC Photo Directory? Have your kids grown and changed since your last family photo? Just want a new photo? Gather your

family and stop by the DCC Photo Shoot station in Kairos Hall on Easter Sunday. You’ll be dressed up already!

Updated photo directories will be available in print at the DCC Annual Meeting in June. Electronic copies are available anytime. Just send your request to office@danvillechurch.org.

Susan Kelchner, for the Membership Commission

Outreach Commission

Easter Offering Once again, on Palm Sunday (April 1) and Easter (April 8), we will be collecting donations to be designated for Putnam House and Shelter, Inc. Please designate on your

donation that it is for the Easter Offering. We appreciate your generosity and support for those that have challenging circumstances in their lives. Each and every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for your continued support. Ingathering Ingathering of Food is our continued effort to support the Contra Costa Food Bank. We will be collecting cans and non-perishable items on the third Sunday of April 15th. Two cans make a difference!

Easter Baskets for HIV/AIDS Once again, we are collecting the Easter baskets on Friday, April 6 to be distributed on Saturday, April 7. This will be the 23rd year of the Easter Basket project. We continue to receive letters and notes of appreciation from the recipients. It makes the Easter basket a "gift of love" to those who have physical challenges in their lives. Please contact Joy Grant if you have any questions regarding the Easter Basket project. We will continue to have sign-ups at the Outreach Table.

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Save the date: Saturday, April 28 for Health Care Updates! The California Council of Churches is collaborating with the Abundant Life Health Initiative to provide a daylong program entitled "What is in Federal Health Reform for You?” Presented from 8:30 to 3:30 in Oakland at the Alta Bates-Summit Campus Health education Center, 400 Hawthorne in the Bechtel room. It will cover both federal and state programs, so you can find out what is available now, and what is coming in the future. Registration will be $10, and registration materials will be available next week.

The California Council of churches has been working on health care reform for nearly 8 years. This program is designed to help us learn what we are called to do as people of faith to help ourselves and others in our congregations, communities, homes and families to get the best possible health care coverage we can. http://www.calchurches.org/z-blog-health-4.htm

Rainbow Flag

The Outreach Commission has proposed that we fly a Rainbow Flag below the American flag on Sunday mornings. At the same time, we would stop using our worn and tattered “Christian flag” which is unofficial and does not actually represent any denomination or group.

Members of the Church Council like the idea, but wanted to inform people

first and seek comments before making a final decision.

The Rainbow Flag is a sign of diversity, inclusiveness, hope, and yearning. The choice of the rainbow, in the form of a flag, harkens back to the rainbow as a symbol of biblical promise. Genesis 9:17 says that the rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with all life on earth. Some of the colors are said to have specific meaning: red represents courage; orange is the vision of possibilities; blue is for horizons, the need to provide education and to help less fortunate people; green is for cooperation; and violet is for warmth, beauty and friendship.

At Danville Congregational Church, we already have a Rainbow Flag hanging in the Music Room (where PFLAG meets) and a rainbow plaque in the narthex – not to mention our beautiful rainbow-colored stained glass windows. Flying the Rainbow Flag would further represent that the church is Open and Affirming, welcoming all God's children - of diverse race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic condition, and physical, mental and emotional ability.

If you have a comment, and wish to express either support or concern, please speak to Church Moderator James Orris or to Outreach Co-Commissioner Joy Grant. You can also email your comments to Joy at jegra784@prodigy.net. Council hopes to make a decision in April.

Have you seen the new DCC website yet? Even if you have, come take another look at www.danvillechurch.org! We’ve been adding

tools and infor-mation to make the website more useful for members and more informative for visitors.

Click on the Member Resources

tab (password is noah) and you’ll find everything you want to know about Circles and Sunday Tasks. Use the ”Donate” link to make secure electronic payments toward anything for which you might otherwise write a check or pay cash, including special offerings, Vacation Bible Camp or payments towards your annual commitment. We’ve also recently added a confidential Prayer Request form, Memorial Planning Worksheet and are adding photo albums of church events.

We also invite parents of minor children to download and fill out the “Photo and Media Consent Form” if you’d like to give DCC permis-sion to use photos of your children on our website, in our newsletter, or in other publica-tions. Permission is revocable at any time and automatically expires after 5 years. Send your completed form to the church office.

Feel free to contact the church office with comments and suggestions! You can either use the “Send us an e-mail” link on the Contact Us page, or e-mail directly to office@danvillechurch.org

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Children’s Ministries

Fourth/Fifth Grade Bible Breakfast 8:30AM Sunday, April 22. See Pastor

Laura if you want to attend and receive a Bible that day.

Godly Play schedule for April

April 1 The Story of Holy Week April 8 Family Worship - Happy Easter! (No Godly Play) April 15 Parable of the Mustard Seed April 22 Everyone stays in worship Youth-led Earth Sabbath April 29 Parable of the Sower

We had an incredible Godly Play event at DCC on March 16-18. We had 22 participants from all over the US come to become accredited in this wonderful curriculum and way of teaching our children. DCC had five members who participated in this training. We hope to bring new ideas, stories and ways of being together into our Godly Play classrooms very soon. Thanks to our church family and to the DCC Endowment Fund for the financial support we needed to make this happen. We are all very grateful and look forward to many more years of Godly Play here at DCC.

Get Your Green ON!

Join us Sunday, April 22 for our Earth Sabbath

(led by our youth) Special music, stories

and more!

April

Youth Events

April 1 Palm/Passion Sunday 9:30AM Worship & Easter Celebration (Pastor

Laura is preaching, youth choir from the Chinese UCC is going to be in worship as well – be sure to come) Brunch after worship for our youth and for this choir....

4-8PM OWL for 6-8 graders 6-8PM Youth Fellowship – begin to prepare

for our Earth Sabbath Sunday service…

6-8PM Youth Parent Connection (Don Lee)

April 8 Easter Sunday 9:30AM Worship & Easter Celebration No fellowship – have a great Spring

Break!

SRVUSD Spring Break April 9-13, 2012

April 15 Earth Sabbath Planning time… bring your instruments!

9:30AM Worship 4-8PM OWL for 6-8 graders 6-8PM Plan Earth Sabbath – Let’s eat and

enjoy the fruits of Creation together! Celebrate the spirituality of healthy eating!

April 22 Earth Sabbath 9:30AM Worship – we are in charge! Youth

lead Earth Sabbath Sunday!

April 29 NCNC Annual Gathering at Asilomar / Youth Leadership Program~!

9:30AM Worship 4-8PM OWL for 6-8 graders No fellowship for others – Sr Highers

are at Annual Gathering!

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March was a busy time for Dayspring! School was in session during two weeks of Parent-Teacher conferences, and the staff did an amazing job with their daily classroom activities and also

providing thorough, focused conferences. Tours and enrollments continue at a brisk pace!

March's curriculum included the letters “Mn,“ “Oo,” “Pp” and “Qq,” the monthly theme of “Neighborhood Helpers,” and the Character Trait “I Am a Good Citizen.” The Pre-K children enjoyed a field trip to Firehouse #31, a walk around the neighborhood to identify occupations in the buildings nearby, and a tour of Lucky supermarket. The Cat in the Hat visited each classroom to read a story on Read Across America Day, and leprechauns made mischief and scattered gold throughout Dayspring! The children also enjoyed Green Day, Pajama Day, and Picture Day. They were busy baking cheese popovers and apple pie, stringing noodle necklaces, creating firefighter hats and oceans in a bottle, and tasting Oreos, olives and oranges. The Pre-K children also harvested and tasted broccoli from their own garden. Lots of new music could be heard about St. Patrick's Day and oceans, but the loudest music of all was their Sacred Drumming with Pastor Laura during Sacred Story time!

We love hearing comments from our Dayspring parent community. At the end of a conference, one mom shared how much she loves Dayspring and asked, “Where were you when my 7 year old was in preschool? I wish he could've come here!” Another mom who had toured by herself last month was encouraged to visit with again with her 2 year-old twin daughters before making her decision. She did return with them, and they had a wonderful time. As they left, she thanked us and said, “This is the only preschool that invited me to bring the twins for a visit. All of the other preschools said it would be too disruptive!”

To read more details of exciting things happening at Dayspring, go to the Dayspring Homepage, www.dayspringpreschool.org. Click on the “Newsletters” tab for our monthly Newsletter.

August 6-10, 2012 9AM to noon

Monday through Friday

Camp Sunday on August 12!

Fun, games, music, laughter, snacks,

Bible dramas and more!

Each child will receive their very own

Operation Overboard T-Shirt

and other goodies.

All children ages 3 through 5th grade are

invited, older children share the daily

bible story through drama and lead

games, youth (grades 6-12) can be

Jr Counselors – fun for everyone!

Register online or download registration

forms from our website,

www.danvillechurch.org

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April 2012

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Communion Sunday 9:30 AM Worship and Godly

Play (Palm Sunday) 11:00 AM Second Hour &

Joyful Orffestra 4:00 PM OWL 5:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 6:00 PM Youth Group 6:00 PM Youth Parent

Connection

2 7:00 PM Pastoral Search

Committee

3 1:15 PM Spiritual

Formation #1

4 7:00 AM Men's

Breakfast 3:00 PM Jim Davis

Memorial Service

5 1:00 PM Spiritual

Formation #3 7:00 PM Maundy

Thursday Service

6 1:00 PM Easter

Basket Collection 7:00 PM Good Friday

Service

7 7:00 AM Easter

Basket Distribution 9:00 AM Easter

Rehearsal

8 9:30 AM Easter Worship

9 7:00 PM Pastoral Search

Committee

10 1:15 PM Spiritual

Formation #1

11 12 8:30 AM Diaconate

Meeting 10:00 AM Spiritual

Formation #4 1:00 PM Spiritual

Formation #3 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

13 14

15 Stewardship Sunday 9:30 AM Worship and Godly

Play 11:00 AM Commissions 11:00 AM Joyful Orffestra 4:00 PM OWL 6:00 PM Youth Group

16 6:30 PM Dayspring

Preschool Board Meeting 6:30 PM PFLAG 7:00 PM Pastoral Search

Committee

17 1:15 PM Spiritual

Formation #1 7:00 PM Council

Meeting (Final Budget Approved)

18 10:30 AM Spiritual

Formation Group #2 7:00 PM Finance

Committee

19 10:00 AM Spiritual

Formation #4 1:00 PM Spiritual

Formation #3 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

20 21

22 8:30 AM 4th Grade Bible

Breakfast 9:30 AM Worship and Godly

Play (Earth Sabbath) 11:00 AM Second Hour &

Joyful Orffestra

23 7:00 PM Pastoral Search

Committee

24 1:15 PM Spiritual

Formation #1

25 26 NCNC Annual Gathering 10:00 AM Spiritual

Formation #4 1:00 PM Spiritual

Formation #3 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

27 NCNC Annual Gathering

28 NCNC Annual Gathering

29 NCNC Annual Gathering 9:30 AM Worship and Godly

Play 11:00 AM Joyful Orffestra 11:00 AM Second Hour

(LGBT Panel) 4:00 PM OWL

30 7:00 PM Pastoral Search

Committee

Calendar Notes: Pastor Alan is on Study Leave April 11-18, Kim Michaud is on vacation April 9-13