The congregation donated food, which was blessed during worship, for Harvest Home Sunday! The food has been taken to a local food bank to be given to those in need within our community.
Soles4Souls creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. New and gently-worn shoes are sold to individuals who live in extremely poor countries so they can start a small business. The income the small business owners earn gives them the ability to purchase necessities like food, shelter, and education for their families. The Kiwanis Club of Milton/Warrior Run is holding a “SOLES 4 SOULS” shoe drive. Jane Mertz is the contact person for the shoe drive. She can be reached at 570-971-9534.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
A large box will be placed in the fellowship hall, near the sign-up table, to collect shoes, boots, etc. of all ages. They should be in pairs, and not ruined (no tears, broken heels, etc.).
The money raised from this will help our area needy children. Several projects and activities include helping out at Magical Memories (a Halloween event for children with life-threatening illnesses from 5 counties), a daddy/daughter dance, Panther Packs, National Night Out, trauma dolls for the fire department, WNEP Trail of Treats (a Halloween event for special needs kids from many school districts), mini libraries in 3 area laundromats, Music in the Park for kids, created activity boxes for children admitted to Evangelical Community Hospital, and provide children’s books for our diaper pantry.
Clean out your closet and help our children. It’s a win/win situation.
EXCITING NEWS
It’s been 5 years since our last church directory and we have quite a few new families! How long has it been since your family was professionally photographed? Plan now and you will have a portrait to be proud of.
Photographers from Universal Church Directories will be here on Monday, November 19 from 2pm-8:30pm to take family portraits for our new directory.
OUR SCHEDULING PROCESS HAS BEGUN
You need to schedule your family for their portrait time by either signing up on Sundays during fellowship hour or by calling the church during office hours. Don’t wait, schedule your family today!
NEW GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY
Over the course of the summer, the Congregational Council has been working closely with a representative from the ELCA Foundation to establish a healthy set of practices for gift acceptance and sustainability here at UIC. As a result, at the September meeting, the Council officially adopted a new Gift Acceptance Policy for the congregation. Taking seriously the Council’s responsibility to act faithfully in stewarding the gifts and resources provided through this congregation, this policy will help to appropriately guide the acceptance and use of gifts made to the congregation. You can read the new policy here. If you have any question, feel free to reach out to any of the Council Representatives.
NEW MEMBERS
On September 2, we welcomed 6 new members!
Ben and Kim Criswell, Justin Cooley, Judy Rishel, Johanna Swanger, and Sandra Brown.
2018 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING
Mass Gathering at the 2018 Youth Gathering in Houston, Tx.
All of the youth and chaperones from our synod, the Upper Susquehanna Synod.
UIC Youth worked with Project C.U.R.E. to help organize medical supplies and equipment to be shipped around the world!
On our interactive learning day we had everything from skits and sports to autographs and advocacy! To round it out, this evening held some of the most powerful and moving speakers yet.
The next Youth Gathering will be 2021 in Minneapolis!
On Sun., June 24, United In Christ blessed those attending the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston Texas, which are Larissa Shearer, Pastor Justin, Dustin Kemper, Felicia Swartz, Bradley Kemper, Kelsey Swanger, Syann Stewart, Marianne Murray, and Amy Danowsky (not pictured).
CONGRATULATIONS FELICIA!!
One of our members, Felicia Swartz, can now officially be called The Rev. Felicia M. Swartz. Felicia was ordinated on Saturday, June 2, 2018. She has been called to Stony Creek Parish, which is a part of the Allegheny Synod, which is east of Pittsburgh. We pray that God continues to bless you as you begin this new journey in ministry.
SONS BANQUET
On Friday, June 15, the ladies of the congregation hosted an evening of Fellowship, Food and Music for around 40 Sons of God in the congregation.
RICH HUFF SCHOLARSHIPS
Rich Huff Fund of United In Christ awarded three scholar-ships, in the amount of $500 each, to area seniors. Congratulation to Kailey Betz, Lance Klinefelter, and Den-ise Seebold for winning this year’s scholarships.
Kailey attends Warrior Run High School and will be attending Lycoming College next year. Lance attends Lewisburg Area High School and will be attending Grove City Col-lege next year. Denise attends Mifflinburg Area High School and will be attending West Chester University next year.
The fund was established in 2013 in memory of Rich Huff, a beloved member of the congregation who died after complications from a house fire. Rich had played Santa Claus for years at the Lycoming Mall and other venues and had a great love of children. The fund helps children in need in our area, and these scholarships are intended to recognize the efforts of students who demonstrate the spirit of helping children.
Denise Seebold, Kailey Betz, Lance Klinefelter
We welcome 2 new members to United In Christ, Mary Kay Harper, and Owen Arndt (confirmand), on May 20, 2018
DAUGHTERS BANQUET
Thank you to the men of UIC for pampering the daughters of the congregation.
Around 90 daughters of God attend the banquet this year. Men of UIC, you did a fabulous job. Thank you!
HOLY HUMOR SUNDAY
Pastor Justin did a wonderful job. He rhymed the whole service, including his sermon! If you missed it, you can listen by clicking on “sermons” in the menu, then find and click on the sermon for 4/29/18.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Pastor Justin, Beth Guffey (UIC member) and Colleen Kocen (Transition of PA)
In April, FBI Victim Specialist Melissa Howley and Colleen Kocen of Transitions in Lewisburg came out to talk about Human Trafficking. Together we learned a lot about the trends of human trafficking in our area and how both Transitions and the FBI resources are being put to use to help victims of such trafficking. In addition, we were also able to present Colleen with the total of our Lenten offerings to go to Transitions. In the end, United In Christ raised $862, that will go directly to helping victims meet the immediate needs they may have.
If you are interested in learning more about the work they do or how you can volunteer with them, check out their website at Transitions of PA.
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
Pastor Justin giving the Children’s Sermon. You can listen by clicking on “sermons” in the menu, then find and click on the sermon for 4/1/18.
COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT
Under 3 yrs.
3-7 yrs.
8-12 yrs.
ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER
The Boy Scouts served 422 meals at their spaghetti fundraiser. Well done Boy Scout Troop 600!
ANNUAL TURKEY WAFFLE DINNER
We had a great turn out for our annual youth fundraiser. We served 280 meals! Thank you to everyone that helped make this event a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
We’ve partnered with CommunityAid, which is a local, faith based non-profit organization that operates thrift stores, the closest being in Selinsgrove.
CommunityAid gives back to the community by giving their partners $.04 per pound of clothing/shoes collected from their bins. A full bin of clothing = 800 lbs of clothing, or $32.
Partners are also eligible to apply for grants after 1 year of partnership. Additionally, CommunityAid will provide shopping vouchers for UIC to give to those in need.
Money generated by the bin will be used to continue OAKs Senior Center at UIC. After one year, OAKs can also apply for a grant through CommunityAid, which will be used to keep the Senior Center running.
The collection bin can be found at the north side of the parking lot. Please help support us by dropping off any clothing or shoes you don’t want anymore. You can also donate other items, but the church will not receive money for those items.
Please help us spread the word about the bin!
DONATION TO BABY STEPS DIAPER PANTRY
The Girl Scout Troops in the Susquehanna Valley donating all of these items to our diaper pantry!!
GOOD FRIDAY
Powerful service, which was led by United In Christ’s Youth Group. You can listen to it by clicking on “sermons” in the menu, then find and click on the sermon for Good Friday, which was on March 30, 2018.
YOUTH GROUP FUN NIGHT
Youth Group at Lewisburg’s Escape Room. They worked together and made their way out of the room!
2018 SCOUT SUNDAY
COMMUNITY MEAL
UIC sponsored the Feb. 11th Free Community Meal at Christ Lutheran in Milton. We served around 75 people and the leftovers from the meal were taken to Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries is a Homeless Shelter in Sunbury, PA.
WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK LIVE
