PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

"God has done great Things" (Luke 1:47-55). Is the message of The Christian church (Disciples of Christ) 2008 Christmas Offering. The offering is being received by most congregations on the Worship Sundays of December 14th and 21st. Click the offering photo below to read the inspirational message on the back. There is also a wonderful video from Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President to tell you even more about the 2008 Christmas Offering.

The Island Christian Church dedicated it's poinsettias during the December 14th service. Beautiful red poinsettias adorned the front of the church and stairs. click the poinsettia below to see a list of dedications and who they were from!

The West Virginia Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Order of the Ministry has put together its own Advent Devotional Guide. These are daily readings from pastors of different Christian Churches in the state. Click on the week below to see the devotions for that week. You can also access them online at: www.prayerscapes.wordpress.com

The 2008 Advent Calendar was made available to the congregation during VIP Sunday. Daily advent scriptures for the 25 days before Christmas. You can get the daily scripture from the calendar below or you can click it and print it on your own computer. Click the photo and then click the printer icon at the top of the screen. You can also request one from Pastor Judy during any coming worship Sunday.

Sunday December 21st was the final day for the collection of mittens, gloves, hats and toys for the annual Christmas Day Party at St. Lukes Church on Wheeling Island. Susan Toland and the youth of the church packed and boxed up all the items for delivery. Deb Edge, Susan and Emily Toland then made the delivery to St. Lukes after our Christmas Gift Exchange luncheon. Deb and Susan said Rev. Jim Kelly very elated and grateful for what ICC members were able to provide for St. Lukes Christmas morning celebration for local families. Below is Susan, Pastor Judy and the church just prior to doing the packing. Congratulations to the Outreach Committee!! (click here to read newspaper article)

What a fun and exciting evening every had Wednesday evening at the Christmas "Thank You" party hosted by Judy and Fritz Bennett! Wonderful food, entertainment and fellowship was the order of the evening. The church youth did the food preparation and serving for all in attendance. Special guest speaker was "Gladys B. Tidings" aka Dorothy Brownlee that gave the dinner guests quite a taking to about Joy and the celebration of Christmas. The evening ended with the singing or traditional Christmas Carols! I big thanks goes out to Judy and Fritz for am amazing evening!

Susan Toland and the Outreach Committee is asking still for donations of Christmas toys for the less fortunate children of the community. St. Lukes Church on Wheeling Island holds it's annual Christmas Party for local families on Christmas morning. As many as 300-400 children have benefited each year from this wonderful gift of giving. Ages ranges are newborns to early teen (13-14 years old). Gently used toys in good shape or new toys are needed to make Christmas for these children extra special this year. If you have any questions or need more information please speak to Pastor Judy or Susan Toland!

The annual Outreach MITTEN TREE is now up and accepting ornaments of gloves, hats, scarves and other winter apparel for the children of the community. No child should be cold during winter months when they attend school, play or celebrate the Christmas spirit with their friends and family. Susan has indicated that the tree will be up as long as possible in order to allow members to bring their items in. If you would like to donate something for the tree please contact Pastor Judy or Susan Toland, chair of the Outreach Committee. Just click their their name for their e-mail address!

Our youth will be having an "EACH ONE BRING ONE" evening in January where they will be encouraged to bring their friends to an evening of fun and fellowship at the Island Christian Church. Youth Program Chair Sally Horn updated the church members on the activities planned. During the evening they will be watching a video by the Christian Rock Group "Casting Crowns." The name of the video is "If We Are the Body." Since all of us are the hands, eyes, ears and all of Christ, a canvas with the hand prints of those who attended the VIP Sunday worship and luncheon. The hand prints are a representation of who we are and what we are called to do. More updated for "EACH ONE BRING ONE" will be coming in the near future.

Below, the church youth display the canvas of Christ with the hand prints on it. The youth were instrumental in getting all of the prints on and signed.

The annual Island Christian Church VIP Sunday held on November 23rd was a huge success. Over 85 church members and their VIP guests were in attendance for worship as well as the fellowship luncheon afterwards. Rev. David T. Chafin, Deputy Regional Director was our guest pastor and gave a wonderful sermon on "Preparing for and Learning from the Exam questions." Associate Pastor Leroy Jenesske shared his thanks to all our members as Santa Claus and in his personal unique way shared his "Thanks" with the members. Leroy also announced his retirement as Associate Pastor effective January 1st. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF VIP SUNDAY)

Our own Doug Leech took some special guests to the opening of the movie "Madagascar Escape 2 Africa." Doug and Oglebay Good Zoo fellow volunteer Vincent O'Leary and Animal Specialist Michael Moran took hissing cockroaches, an African hedgehog, and giant African millipedes to the Marquee Cinemas at the Highlands. Movie goers were able to see and touch the creatures as the got ready to attended the show. Michael Moran of the said the animated animal film provided the perfect chance to get children interested in animals and science. The congregation has politely asked Doug to keep the bugs AT THE ZOO!!! (from the Sunday News-Register, November 9, 2008)

The Christmas Stockings are overflowing with gifts and goodies for the troops!!! The response from our members was fantastic and a heartfelt thanks goes out from the Outreach Committee. Susan Toland collected and labeled all of the stockings and was taking them to the creator of Boatsie's Boxes after the November 9th church service. Below is a photo of members of the Outreach Committee displaying the filled stockings!

All the members of the Island Christian Church welcome the newest members to our congregation. JoEllen Tweedlie, made her confession of faith during the November 2nd worship service. JoEllen's daughter Kalya and future son-in-law Jason also affirmed their membership with JoEllen. After baptismal classes with Pastor Judy, Kayla and Jason will be baptized by immersion in January 2009. They are also going to be married in June of 2009 with Pastor Judy presiding. Kayla, Jason and JoEllen are pictured below with Pastor Judy.

The Thanksgiving offering supports OUR Disciples Colleges, Universities, Seminaries, and Divinity Houses. This offering will be received in most congregations on NOVEMBER 16th and 23rd. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The Island Christian Church celebrates its newest "teen" member. Emily Jean (EJ) Toland celebrates her 13th birthday on November 10th. Emily is the daughter of Susan and Tim Toland of Wheeling. She attends Triadelphia Middle School and is a member of the vollyball team and band. Emily is pictured below with her mom Susan and Pastor Judy.

The Outreach Committee has completed it's fall collection of items needed for the Ohio County Animal Shelter. Dog and cat food, dog and cat treats, cat litter, blankets, newspapers, straw and even a big dog house was was donated by church members. Susan Toland, Outreach Chair, and the youth of the church are to be commended for their hard work and dedication.

Brandon Byard has quite an exciting fall as a starter on the Marshall County Panthers Steel Valley football team. The Panthers made the playoffs but were defeated in the first round. Click the photo below to see more about Brandon and the Panthers!!

The Island Christian Church Annual Outdoor Picnic was a wonderful success. The weather, the food, the fellowship and the fun was awesome! The first annual ICC Most Beautiful Hat competition was also held. A huge "THANK YOU" to all who helped with the setup, food, worship and cleanup. Thank you again to the Bennetts for the use of their beautiful home for this event.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Wheeling had its St. Baldrick's event on March 9, 2008. They challenged the Island Christian Church to send at least one person over (with lots of pledges) to have their head shaved to raise $$ for children's cancer research. Their event this year was very special as they had Carlie Faith Saunders, a three-year old girl from the Clarksburg who was their honored child. Our Church Moderator, Mark Mayer volunteered his services....and hair to represent our church.....take a look!!
(click the photo to enlarge it)

Mark's family and friends all attended the event for spiritual and moral support....and some great fun and laughs!!! We all extend our heart-felt THANKS to Mark.....who raised an astounding $492.00!!!!

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LET'S GET MOVING....
JAZZERCISE CLASS!

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

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ISLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH

ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING

The annual planning meeting was held on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

TIME ACTIVITY

8:00 am Breakfast is served

8:30 am Morning worship

8:45 am - 9:00 am Financial Report from 2007

9:00 - 11: 45 am State of the Church Report

Organization

Committee Talk

Break-Out Groups

Feed-Back

The Plan

11:45 Closing Worship

12:00 noon Dismissal

Below are just a few photos of those in attendance for the meeting

(click the photo to enlarge it)

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A wonderful time was had by all at the "Girls Night Out" dinner held on May 2nd. The food was fantastic and catered by The Alpha Restaurant in Wheeling. Orange Sherbert as a dessert from Kirk's Ice Cream in St. Clarsville. Entertainment was the "a Cappella Project" singing group from the Moundsville Christian Church. Helen Edge gave a wonderful and humorous chat as Ineeda Job! Photos of the evening are below. We hope you enjoy them!

TIME	ACTIVITY
8:00 am	Breakfast is served
8:30 am	Morning worship
8:45 am - 9:00 am	Financial Report from 2007
9:00 - 11: 45 am	State of the Church Report
	Organization
	Committee Talk
	Break-Out Groups
	Feed-Back
	The Plan
11:45	Closing Worship
12:00 noon	Dismissal