March Church News

• The Woman’s Neighborhood Center Service Days will be the second and fourth Wednesday of the month for anyone that is interested in coming out. We will be meeting at Faith Hall at 11:00 A.M.  Please note however, this month (March), the service days will be the third and fifth Wednesday.  If there is anyone interested in this wonderful project, please contact Linda Fuscia or Kass Amoroso. 

• Thank you to Mary Maslowski for the awesome chicken soup for week #1 of the Lent study.  If you are available, come out for lunch and study each Sunday of Lent after 11:15 service.

• The Church has voted to expand the parsonage at a cost not to exceed $100,000.  The building Committee is in place and already considering designs and an architect.  The conference has given its approval and we are progressing full steam ahead.  Our hope is to complete the project by late fall.

• On Monday, March 8^th at 7:30 P.M., there will be a Blue Prayer service held at St. Mary's Church for all police, firefighters and EMT's in our area.  It is our way of thanking these courageous men and women for their service.  It is being sponsored by the ministerium and organized by Pastor Brian.  Your presence would be greatly appreciated.  If you are a member of one of these organizations, please consider coming out to be prayed for and honored.  Thank you.

• On the 4^th Sunday of each month for the next several months, Marguerite Sprengle will be sharing with us in worship some of the history of the stained glass windows in our church.  We look forward to hearing all about the past as we continue to move on to the future.  Thank you Marguerite for all of your hard work and service!

• Once again, major kudos to everyone who has been working so hard on the Lent devotional this year.  Great job by Julie Guenther for organizing and all those who have helped her in any way.  We are so blessed!

• Basic Lay Speaker Classes for the Spring of 2010 are now available.  For more information, click here.

The 2010 Greater New Jersey Annual Conference Scholarship Opportunities are available.  For information and a GNJAC Application visit:  www.gnjumc.org or see Pastor Brian for a scholarship application form or call the Conference Office at: 1-877-677-2594. 

Available scholarships:

• Conference Merit Awards

• Emily S. Garrison Nursing Scholarship

• Rev. Ralph A. Kappler Memorial Scholarship

• Conference Trust Fund Scholarships

• Conference Trust Fund Scholarships

• Frances Nelson Scholarship

• Ethel Snyder Book/Inez R. Irons Scholarship

Deadline:  Application must be postmarked by March 31, 2010. 

Call the Conference office at 1-877-677-2594 for applications for the two scholarship opportunities listed below:

Doris and Arthur Mandeville Scholarship or GNJAC Educational Society.

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (National Loans and Scholarships) for information and application forms for the United Methodist Loans and Scholarships Program visit:  www.gbhem.org or call the Loan Department at: 615-340-7346, Scholarship Department at 615-340-7344.  National Deadlines vary.
Secretary
Cross Keys United Methodist Church
www.crosskeyschurch.org 
856-728-3342

  Cross Keys Coffee Mugs

You can now purchase your very own Cross Keys coffee mugs.  They are being sold for $4 each and are being coordinated through the Evangelism Committee.  If you would like to purchase any of these mugs…for yourself or your friends or family, you may contact Kurt Lindsley at kurt.lindsley@gmail.com or (856) 728-9765.

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  Yard Sale

  "On the road again".........aka "The Great Adventure!"

Karen Johnson is now taking applications for the 2010 Kentucky Mission Team.  The trip is scheduled for Saturday, the 14^th of August through Sunday, the 22^nd of August.  If you are interested, please contact Karen at karenj@crosskeyschurch.org.

  Women's Retreat

The Women's Retreat registration forms and payment program is available and in the vestibule of the Church. The date of the event is September 24^th and 25^th at Ocean Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Ocean Grove, New Jersey. This year the theme is "Cross Your Heart", and our guest speaker is Reverend Colleen Fitch of the New Brooklyn Methodist Church and OMS Missionary.  Ladies, come and join us for an inspirational and fun time.  For more information please contact Linda Fuscia at 856-629-3379 or email at lfuscia@comcast.net.

The Handi-Dandy Youth Group – Still Looking for Things to Do!!

Do you need help around your house…repairs or clean ups??  The youth group is looking for service projects this year... if you could use this type of help around your house or yard, please see one of the youth leaders (DeeDee cell (856) 924-4580; Sharon cell (609) 417-9581; Tina cell (609) 381-3611; and Josh cell (609) 970-8921).  They will take all the information and help as many people as possible.  No job is too big or too small for our youth.  Soon, you will hear of a fundraiser, and the proceeds will go to our service projects. 

Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Collection

Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Needs our Help! The need help stocking their food pantry.  Items badly needed, along with the usual canned goods are as follows: Juices (cans, juice packs); Cereal; Snacks (popcorn, pretzels, potato chips, crackers & cheese); Cake and muffin mixes, icing; jelly; paper plates; bathroom tissue; facial tissue; paper napkins; paper towels.  Let’s see if we can help collect the items they don’t usually get.  God Bless!

Web Updates Needed From ALL Committees

Hey, all Committee Chairpersons, don't forget to write up any updates from your committee.   The Web Group still needs your committee descriptions of responsibilities and schedule of meetings & events.  Please keep the Web page updated so it can become a trusted source of accurate information.  This should include cancellations and rescheduling of meetings and events.  This is a great way to advertise fundraisers and ask for help for your special projects.  You can place written information in the "Web Group" mailbox in the vestibule or email to: webgroup@crosskeyschurch.org.