SAVE THE DATE
Ministry of Hospitality
JUNE 10 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

One of the goals set by the council for the next 90 days is to build a visitor welcoming program and it would be wonderful if EVERY MEMBER would participate. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt invisible? Just as we share the story in the world, we also need to share the story of the love of Christ when people come into our build­ings. What do the studies show? What makes a difference in people returning (or not!) to our congregation? From telephones, to signage, to parking, child care and follow­up visits ... it all makes a difference.
The Care of Membership Board has invited Margie P. Fiedler to Atonement the evening of June 10, 2009 for a workshop on the minis­try of hospitality. We will take a hospitality inventory and think about how our congrega­tion is doing. Margie serves the church as Associate VP of Marketing for the ELCA's Mission Investment Fund. Stewardship, youth, camping, hospitality and global mis­sion are among her passions.

Good Neighbor Build

Atonement is a partner in the 2009 Habitat for Humanity Good Neighbor Build…..God’s love in action.  The Good Neighbor Build is an interdenominational sponsored build that involves churches from the following communities:
· Catholic
· Methodist
· LDS
· Presbyterian
· Episcopal
· Lutheran
· United Church of Christ
· Baptist
· Alliance
· Garden City Church
· Clark Fork City Church
Atonement has joined with Our Savior’s, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Valley of Christ, St. Paul, Messiah and First Lutheran to form the Lutheran partner.  Partners contribute financially as well as volunteer hours at the build site, including furnishing lunches and site hosts.  Each partner commits $5000, 250 volunteer hours and 3 lunches.  For the Lutherans, all of these amounts are divided by 8.  Some churches have given more than the minimum financially, so we will go over the minimum amount.  We are asking about 28 volunteer hours at the site and providing a lunch or helping another church provide a lunch from each of the 8 churches.  Volunteer hours can be fulfilled as part of a scheduled church workday, working individually during the week or being a site host on Saturdays or special workdays.
 
A Steering Committee with representatives from the Catholic, Lutheran, LDS, Episcopal, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ communities is working with the Missoula Habitat staff to oversee the build.  Each partner will have a liaison to work with the Habitat office and the Steering committee to schedule volunteer hours, track paperwork and keep partners informed of events involving the build.
 
J. Midyett from Immanuel is the liaison with the Lutheran partner so she will be working with Atonement’s Habitat contact people to solicit volunteers for work days, lunches, and site hosts and inform members of special events like the ground breaking, wall raising and dedication.
 
This is a very exciting opportunity for ecumenical work in our community.  Several people have been working for a full year to make this happen.
 

Women in Faith Conference 2009

May 29-30, 2009   Conference in Spokane  Join us for a remarkable Women of Faith Weekend… A 2-day event where you will laugh, cry, and realize you are not alone. Heart-felt, hilarious messages, gripping drama, amazing music are all portion of what you will be experiencing this weekend. There are already many women from Atonement and the area planning to attend. Come and join in the excitement. Spots are still available! Call the church office for more information about this event 549-7792. Ticket price is $79 and rooms are available at local hotels. To save, think about staying with a friend or with family.
 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is ready to get back in action! For those of you that are new to the church or may have forgotten what this ministry is… the shawls are called “prayer shawls” because the knitting or crocheting of the shawl is a spiritual practice for the crafter. A prayer is said as the shawl is begun and many prayers are added with the stitches. The recipient receives the message that many people have been praying for them and will continue to do so.

Prayer shawls are gifts freely given with no strings attached. They are gifts of love. So far, we have given 22 prayer shawls to those who are hurting or in need of comfort in some way.

If you don’t know how to knit or crochet and would like to learn, we have some very capable teachers among us. The knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn is provided to you – along with the lessons – so come join us! We like to come together like an old-fashioned quilting bee, young and old, sharing stories and ideas , prayer, and friendship.

Please join us right after second service on February 8th in the Round Table Room. We will catch up on some record keeping tasks, see where our supplies are now being stored, and select a time and day that works best for us to meet. If you are unable to attend, please contact V. Hunter, E. Poser, or S. Paeth and we’d be glad to include your comments/suggestions when we meet. This is a great way to get to know one another! These shawls have been a very special part of our ministry here at Atonement, and with your time and talents, we’ll have many more to share with those in need.

We look forward to having you join the group – young and old! See you on Sunday, Feb. 8th!
 

Heifers and Bunnies and Goats, Oh My! This year’s Sunday School Offering will be going to Heifer International, a group whose goals are to end world hunger and care for the earth. Monetary gifts to Heifer International go toward purchasing animals for the poorest of the poor of the world. Heifer uses a holistic approach in order to build sustainable communities.

Heifer envisions… A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.
Heifer’s mission is…To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.
Heifer's strategy is…To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

The money the Sunday School children raise with their offerings this year will go toward buying animals. Those animals are then given to families to help supplement income as well as providing them with the ability to pass on their gift to another family. For more information on Heifer International, please visit their website: http://www.heifer.org
 

Calling All Quilters! We will begin quilting again Thursday, September 4th. Everybody is welcome. The quilting done here is not complicated, we tie some knots!  The hours are easy too - from l to 3 pm on Thursdays.  If  you have a little free time, please consider joining us.  If you have questions, please call the church office at 549-7792.