Happy New Year!

I’m writing this to you from warm and sunny Florida while on vacation. We are having a really good time, but, ironically, I’ve developed a bit of a cold in my nose. There’s a song with the title, “Nothing Ever Goes as Planned”. And maybe that’s true. But making plans is important because those plans can give direction to our lives.

When I meet with our session (whose new name, I believe, is actually the ‘Council’) in January, we will be setting goals and making plans for the First Presbyterian Church of Tolono. If you have some ideas you’d like included in the conversation, you can talk to one of our session members or to me. We would love to get your input!

Some areas of discussion will no doubt include how to add some 21st century technology to the sanctuary so that we can better use the audio and video resources now available for worship. I thought the worship committee came up with some great, creative ideas for contemporary songs and videos last year, but our antiquated technology made them less impactful.

One bigger picture goal will be continuing to reach out to the community and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, that’s why there is a church in the first place.

Another ongoing conversation will be centered around expanding our Christian Education programs to include whole families. As I’m sure most of you know, we offer lots programs for our youth, but not very much for adults. I teach an adult Sunday School and host the prayer group at the manse, but neither of these is very well attended. And yet I am sure that the need for Christian Education continues. We all need to learn more about the bible and how our faith can shape our lives for the better.

I am sure that we also want to give our long time leaders within the congregation a chance to rest and re-charge. That will mean training and developing new leaders. If that sounds a little scary, that’s okay. I really believe that the possibilities of being a leader within the church are exciting and even fun. If you’re feeling called to be more active within the life of our congregation, again contact one of our session members- or me. There are lots of options- ranging from working with our young people to taking care of the buildings and grounds to exploring new mission possibilities close to home and beyond. My promise is that we’ll show you the ropes before asking you to take charge of any project. We work in partnership. . .

The last two big goals that come to mind is the capital campaign to repay the loan for the CE Building Roof and an intergenerational mission trip, perhaps to Haiti later this summer. The capital campaign begins in February. The planning for the mission trip begins as soon as I’m back from vacation next week. Believe me; you will be hearing more about all these things in the weeks and months to come. I just wanted to let you know that we as a congregation are continuing to move forward as we grow in our faith and in our ministries. Have a happy and blessed new year!

Peace,
Kerry

Helpers (Still) needed to Record Worship Services

For a year now, the web-page has been ready and the equipment has been purchased. We are getting closer and closer to being able to record church events and our Sunday worship services and then posting them on tolonopresbyterian.org.

What we need now is to interface our church’s sound system with our video camcorder and get a crew of folks who will take turns recording. Kerry is just beginning to work his way through the operating manual transferring video onto DVD or the webpage.

He’s happy to train who-ever’s interested in learning to use the equipment. Just give him a call at the church or at the manse or drop him an e-mail. Also, please brainstorm ideas for how we can use this new equipment to better share and promote our ministries.

Prayer List

• All the people who are lonely through the holidays, may they find someone to help
• Our church and its current ministries and missions
• Our leaders, like the Elders and Deacons
• Our community and the people searching for a deeper connection with God…
• All those who are ill or facing surgery, may they find healing
• All those in harm's way, may they find strength and courage
• All those travelling, may they have safe journeys

Please Contribute!

If you have articles, reports, letters, or announcements that you'd like included in the Tolono Pres News, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 485-3725 or at tolonopres@yahoo.com.

The deadline for submissions to the January newsletter will be Monday, December 26th.

Also, please take lots of photos of church events and send them into the office. We'll publish some of them into the newsletter and archive them all in the office for future use! Some will also appear on our web site: tolonopresybterian.org.

January Birthdays

• 1/1 - Nancy Reifsteck
• 1/3 - Stacy Fisher
• 1/6 - Connie Fisher
• 1/8 - Nathan Reifsteck
• 1/12 - Mala Bedient
• 1/14 - Brian Kelley
• 1/19 - Rowena Helser
• 1/22 - Henry Huizenga
• 1/24 - Jackson Schweighart
• 1/31 - Josh Woolard

January Lay Leaders