The Connection News from

The United Church of Warsaw

Who We Are: The United Church of Warsaw is called by the Holy Spirit

to follow Jesus Christ through loving and serving God and all God’s people.

Volume 3, No. 6 – June 2014

Reflections from ‘The Rev’

Planting For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to plant… Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 My little yard around my little house is now “speaking” to me in a variety of vivid colors. The soil speaks to me with dark browns. The grass speaks to me with vibrant greens. The dandelions speak to me with bright yellows. For many weeks--or, more accurately, for many months--my little yard spoke to me in one color: white. Sparkly white. But a new season and a new time have invaded my little yard. New voices are speaking. And the voices in our faith community and in our greater community are speaking. Daily I hear voices speaking words like these: “I can’t wait to get into my garden today and to plant new flowers.” “My grandson will have his graduation party at my house, and I need to get my garden ready.” “I planted my vegetables yesterday. I am so excited! I love planting.” It occurs to me that planting is more than a physical activity. Planting is a state of mind. And planting is a spiritual exercise. Planting is what we may do to keep our minds alert and to nurture new thoughts within ourselves.

Planting is what we may do to keep our spirits attentive and to promote new actions within ourselves.

Continued on Page 2

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Reflections from ‘The Rev’ (Continued from Page 1) In the matter of “spiritual planting,” I offer you the following words that speak with the metaphor of a garden. In the garden of your daily living, plant four rows of “peas”: 1. Peace of heart 2. Peace of mind 3. Peace of body 4. Peace of soul Plant four rows of “squash”: 1. Squash gossip 2. Squash fault-finding 3. Squash apathy 4. Squash bullying Plant four rows of “lettuce”: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce love one another Plant four rows of “turnips”: 1. Turnip for gatherings 2. Turnip for meetings 3. Turnip for service 4. Turnip to support one another Plant four rows of “thyme”: 1. Thyme for God 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends 4. Thyme for oneself Water with truth. Weed out meanness. Fertilize with generosity.

* * * * * In a garden, in a field or in a life, fruitfulness is not a matter of intensity but a matter of balance and order and rhythm and harmony. In this season of spring and in this time of planting, may the Divine Gardener tenderly shower necessary portions of faith, hope and love upon each of you. Beside you in the journey of faith, Rev. BarbaraRev. BarbaraRev. BarbaraRev. Barbara

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms

when his hands are empty.

Author Unknown

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“Melt the $7500 Snowman” Campaign: Monthly Update

Ah! The feel of warm sunshine on one’s face is now a near-daily phenomenon here in Western New York! While we now celebrate the season of Spring and while the season of Summer is scheduled to dawn later in this month of June, we are still tending to the effects of the season of Winter. In this newsletter space back in April, I explained how the heating costs incurred by The United Church of Warsaw during this past winter far exceeded our best estimates. The months of November, December, January, February and March were more “wintry” and, thus, our heating expenses were more than expected. During our historically severe Winter, our heating costs at The United Church exceeded our heating budget by $7500. One could say that our church accumulated an unexpected $7500 “Snowman” of a heating bill. This unplanned circumstance gave rise to a faith-sharing invitation: Our “Melt the $7500 Snowman” Campaign. Members, friends and supporters of The United Church of Warsaw were invited to help “melt” this unprecedented expense. With enthusiasm and gratitude, I can report the status of our “Melt the Snowman” Campaign. To date, eight weeks into the campaign--

The United Church has received more than 40 individual contributions totaling more than $4900. The $7500 Snowman is 66% “melted.”

To those who have contributed to the “Melt the Snowman” Campaign, bless you for your bountiful kindness. To those who have ever been warmed by the spirit and the people at The United Church of Warsaw, we welcome your involvement in this special mission. To make monetary gifts to the “Melt the Snowman” Campaign, please issue checks to “United Church of Warsaw” and note “Snowman” in the memo line of your check. As the Pastor of The United Church of Warsaw, I began the “Melt the Snowman” Campaign with a personal $150 donation. As before, I encourage you to join in our “Melt the $7500 Snowman” Campaign. Faithfully beside you in the journey, Rev. Barbara Rev. Barbara Rev. Barbara Rev. Barbara

Calling All “Missing” Steam Table Pans! Please Come “Home”!

Attention church members and friends: Might you have a metallic steam table pan—that measures approximately 12” by 20”—in your home or kitchen? Might it belong to The United Church of Warsaw? We recently discovered an “absence” of these steam table pans that are faithfully used when our family of faith serves meals to large gatherings of people, like our May Breakfast, our Strawberry Social and our Thanksgiving Community Meal. Please check your kitchens, your shelves, your cupboards and (perhaps even) your garages for any “orphan” steam table pans. Kindly return the “orphan pans” to their home in the kitchen at The United Church. No questions will be asked. And angels will rejoice when the “lost pans” are found! …there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over the lost that are found. Luke 15:10

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Letter of Gratitude from the Pastor

Dear loving friends and family of The United Church of Warsaw:

Wow! What an amazing and memory-making birthday you created for me!

Thank you so very much for the lovely cards and loving notes, the e-mails and text messages, the hugs and

well-wishes, the flowers and gift card. I felt wholly and wonderfully celebrated.

A very special thank-you goes to “THE SMURFS” for the glorious gift-wrapped door to my office that greeted

me after Sunday worship on April 27.

When I first saw the ginormous birthday greeting taped (very securely!) to the entire doorframe, I was filled

with over-the-top surprise, delight and awe! Please know that I have saved the fabulous birthday banner.

Even the thought of the enormous message still makes me smile.

To each of you who remembered me and who helped me to remember, bless you for your thoughts and your

thoughtfulness. Life is worth celebrating.

Beside you with deep gratitude, Rev. BarbaraRev. BarbaraRev. BarbaraRev. Barbara

The Fisher family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped make our mom’s (Nora’s) Mother’s Day and “Nora Fisher Sunday” special. She was overwhelmed with well wishes, cards, and thanks, making her day even more special. We as a congregation and community were also successful in keeping “her” day a complete surprise. Thank you again and blessings to you and yours.

The Fishers

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Each May and June, we show our appreciation for our mothers on Mother’s Day and our fathers on Father’s Day. We cheer for members (past and present) of the military and Armed Forces who march in Memorial Day parades. Military service, dating back as far as to the American Revolution, is recognized by flags placed on gravesites. Many of us place flowers on graves of our loved ones. We do this to remember and to demonstrate our gratitude for their contributions to our lives. People touch our lives in different ways. Our parents have a personal, hands-on involvement, while our military often protects us from afar and without personal contact. Think about all of the people who contribute to our lives everyday in large and small ways: family, friends, co-workers, associates, doctors, nurses, teachers, coaches, pastors, church friends, store clerks, fast food workers, police, mechanics, etc. Treating everyone with respect and dignity is certainly part of our Christian faith. Giving a positive stroke by word or deed is a benefit to the giver and the receiver. THANK YOU TO ELLEN CHANDLER AND BETTY JAMES for organizing and preparing for the Pot Luck gathering on May 4. CONGRATULATIONS to Michele and Shawn Ely on the birth of their son Lucas Shawn on May 6. Baby Lucas is now home after a week and a half of extended hospital care in Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Please keep these individuals in your prayers: Residents of The Cloisters, 171 North Maple Street, Warsaw, NY: Betty Mayle, Flora Parmelee, Hope Rase Residents of Eastside Nursing Home, 62 Prospect Street, Warsaw, NY: Lucille Carlson, Phyllis Drennen, Jane Ferguson, Doris Montgomery, Judy Plowe Residents of WCCH Skilled Nursing Facility, 400 North Main Street, Warsaw, NY: Jack Kibler, Verna Schneckenburger Resident of the Batavia Nursing Home, 257 State Street, Batavia, NY 14020: Jack Spencer Prayers of comfort, healing, peace and strength: Arlene Baker; Jeannette and Willis Allen (parents of Cyndi Nugent); Eloise Colter; Sandra Domnissey and family; Bill Heubusch; Debbie Kaufman and family; Andy Murray (grandson of Ellen Chandler); Bev Putney; Rich Saxton; Lexi Sonricker and her family; Larry Spohr (brother of Betty James and Marilyn Kibler); Ruth Stevenson (mother of Ellen Chandler); Hugh Ten Hagen; and, Anne Weidman and family. Prayers of condolence: Family of Jeanette Henderson (including daughters Pat Griffith and Rosemarie Schoff); family of Anna Marie Potter (including sister Audrey Parmele); and, family of Warren Graham (brother-in-law of Elva Crawford). Please let us know if there are others in need of our prayers or in need of a personal/pastoral visit. George Ann Carter, Congregational Care Committee, Chair

Your greatest test is when you are able to bless someone else

when you are going through your own storm.

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Mission Committee - June News May Breakfast

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped in any way with the May Breakfast. It was a team effort! We only heard good reports from people who attended. Stay tuned to Sunday announcements and bulletins for word of our Strawberry Social. It usually happens in June. But with this weather, who knows for certain?!

Community Free Meal on June 4 The United Church of Warsaw is again participating in the Community Free Meal to be held at St. Michael’s Parish Hall on Wednesday, June 4 at 5:00 p.m. Anne Weidman is coordinating this effort for our church family. She is happy to report that twelve people have committed to bake and bring casseroles. Church members and friends are welcome to attend the meal and to share in the fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Weidman at 585-786-5786.

Enjoying the 102nd Annual

May Breakfast

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Gratitude Is an Attitude A grateful thought toward heaven is of itself a prayer.

--Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Question: How does Sunday morning worship “happen” at The United Church of Warsaw? Answer: Many people give in ways—both seen and unseen, both tangible and intangible—that make the event we call Sunday morning worship “happen.” These people give of their lives and their livelihood. In so doing, they bless our family of faith. Either consciously or unconsciously, they acknowledge that it’s not the years in our lives but the life in our years that matters. During the past three months of March, April and May, many people have helped to make worship “happen” on Sunday mornings. To those people, I extend hugs of gratitude: Gratitude goes to those who have served as Greeters: Jean Burrows, Elva Crawford, Ed and

Marian Fisher, Joe and Katie Fisher, Cindy (Fisher) Flint, Sue Johnson, the LaWall Family (Mike, Robin,

Evelyn and Wyatt), Steve and Larene McCabe, Barb Neeley, the Perkins family (Donna, Steve, Melanie and

Zachary), Hope and Mary Rase, Jeff and Linda Thomas and Avis Wilcox. Gratitude goes to those who have served as Scripture Readers: Ellen Chandler, Sherry Cousins,

James Diver and Joe Robinson. Gratitude goes to those who have served as Ushers: Lance Bush, Jim Carter, Ellen Chandler,

Sherry Cousins, James Diver, Cindy (Fisher) Flint, the Kunze family (Hans, Leslie, Karl, Mary and Grace),

Mike and Robin LaWall, Harry and Barb Litz, Steve McCabe, Howard Miller, Dick Neeley, Joe Robinson, and

Jeff and Linda Thomas.

Gratitude goes to those who have served as Communion Servers: Ellen Chandler, James Diver, Joe Fisher, Cindy (Fisher) Flint and Kathryn Quinn Miller.

Gratitude goes to those who have served as Refreshment Providers: Anne Barnett, Ellen

Chandler, Elva Crawford, Linda Demers, Vessa Fisher, Sarah Flint, Abby Henry, Betty James, Lisa Johnson,

Joyce Neeley, Anne Weidman and Avis Wilcox.

Gratitude goes to who have served as Communion Bread Providers: Betty James and Ted LaWall. Gratitude goes to those who have served as Sunday Recruiter: George Ann Carter. Gratitude goes to those who assisted in newsletter mailings: Mary Rase.

Gratitude goes to those who helped with phone coverage in the Church Office: Lance Bush and

Larene McCabe.

To all who gave of their time and their talents so that Sunday morning worship could “happen,” bless you. It takes a “family” to be a “church family.” All of you strengthened our family of faith. Beside you with gratitude, Rev. Barbara

Greetings from Starburst!

It is hard to believe that another school year is drawing to a close. On Wednesday, June 11, we will celebrate 26 years of “serving God’s children with love.” What a privilege it has been to watch our students grow physically, academically and spiritually as they prepare for their transition to the four-year old class as well as to kindergarten.

In the meantime, we have fun events planned so that we may enjoy our warmer weather and our final couple of weeks together. Please join us in prayer for favorable weather as we prepare for Water Day, Picnic Day, Race Day, Carnival Day and Ice Cream Sundae Day. Our 26th Graduation/Promotion Day begins at 6:30 p.m. on June 11 in the sanctuary of The United Church of Warsaw. We invite you to join us. Have a blessed summer! Larene Wish List Small paper plates; plastic forks and spoons; frozen lemonade; water balloons; and, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

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The United Church of Warsaw Seeks a Carpenter!

Scripture records that Jesus was a carpenter by trade. Our church has a special mission: To install a new glass window (approximately 24” x 60”) in our Connection. If you are a carpenter (or are skilled at carpentry) and are willing to take on this mission, please contact our Facilities Committee members: Brian Howard (cell: 585-861-0558) or Mike LaWall (cell: 585-813-8158). Our church will provide all necessary materials. Thank you so much! NOTE: The carpenter need not be Jesus.

Spring Clean-Up Day: June 14

The daylight is longer. The sunshine is brighter. The air temp is warmer.

It’s…springtime! It’s also time to gather our energy and our eagerness. It’s time to clean up, polish up and scrub up our church facility and church property.

All church members, friends and families are invited to come! What: Spring Clean-Up Day

When: Saturday, June 14 What time: 9 a.m. to noon

Where: Inside church (sanctuary, East Room, Connection and kitchen) Outside church (Memorial Garden, parking lot, church grounds)

What to Bring: Work gloves, gardening tools (optional) and your enthusiasm An abundance of coffee, juice, divine donuts and almighty muffins will be served to fuel us through our Clean-Up Day efforts.

See you on Saturday, June 14, for our Spring Clean-Up Day!

Warsaw Food Pantry We helped 147 families in April. There were 217 adults, 110 children and 27 seniors for a total of 364. There were 17 new families. Food donations were received from the following: Our United Church of Warsaw congregation Valley Chapel St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church Immanuel United Methodist Church Ed and Marian Fisher Nora Fisher Gary Carlson First United Methodist Church Warsaw Elementary School Student Council Sue Schell Marie Holmes Monetary donations totaling $558.50 were received from the following: Dennis and Lucy Krajewski Fred Heller Virginia Warren Bill Herman Helen Derrick Family Life Church Trinity Episcopal and Holy Apostles Episcopal Church David Niesen Thank you to everyone for your donations and support of the Food Pantry. Respectfully, Joyce Neeley, Director

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Sign-Up Sheets for Sunday Ministry for June are on the tables in the East Room. Following Worship and during Fellowship Time, please add your name to the lists for Greeters, Scripture Readers, Ushers, Com-munion Servers and Refreshment Providers.

There is no exercise better for the heart than

reaching down and lifting people up.

F.A.C.E. Group: Students and Teachers Alike

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Let no one despise your youth,

but set the believers an example

in speech and conduct, in love and in faith..

1 Timothy 4:11-12

Within our family of faith and beyond the doors of The United Church of Warsaw, the F.A.C.E. Group (i.e., the Faith And Caring Encounter Group) shows their own faces in moments of love and in events of faith-filled service. On the final Sunday in April, youth of our church securely “birthday wrapped” the pastor’s door…stirring broad smiles of surprise and loud squeals of delight from the pastor. In the month of May, F.A.C.E. Group members and youth participated in the celebration of Holy Communion (May 4) and of “Nora Fisher Sunday” (May 11). On May 4, Kathryn Quinn Miller shared in serving Communion. On May 11, the voice of Gabrielle Henry, the bell and chime music of Jyssica, Joe, Katie and Carlee Fisher and the creative art of the older Sunday School classes all contributed to an event that honored a notable woman of faith. Youth are students. The youth around us are watching us, looking at us and listening to us, for we are to be examples--in speech and conduct--of love and of faith. Youth are teachers. Watch, look and listen…to our youth…for they, too, are examples--in speech and conduct--of love and of faith. The F.A.C.E. Group, their families and Rev. Barbara are grateful to the members and friends of The United Church who support the many choices to show love and the many opportunities to grow in faith. Our chronological age is immaterial. As members of a family of faith, we are all students and teachers of love and of faith.

June Acolytes Our acolytes for June 2014 are listed below. We thank these young people for bring-ing the light into our Sunday

Worship time. June 1 Katie Fisher June 8 Jyssica Fisher June 15 Lauren Howard June 22 Grace Kunze June 29 Katie Fisher

An Invitation from Betty James: Share the Beauty!

I invite all you gardeners to share your flowers. Please call me at (cell) 716-474-2056 or (home) 585-786-3447 if you are willing to provide flowers for Sunday morning worship.

Following the service, your flowers can be given to someone attending worship or who is unable to be present. Thank you! Betty James

Potluck Luncheons On Sunday, May 4, some 22 people attended a Potluck Lunch in Fellowship Hall following worship. Please consider hosting a meal as a couple or as a family. All you need to do is call the Church Office on Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, speak with Cindy Kiel and schedule a Sunday. Feel free to call me at (home) 585-786-3447 or (cell) 716-474-2056 if you have any questions. Any social gathering is important to the life of our church! Blessings! Betty James

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The United Church of Warsaw Presbyterian (U.S.A.) and United Church of Christ

(Congregational) 10-22 South Main Street

PO Box 205 Warsaw, NY 14569

585-786-3868 Office Hours: Monday-Friday

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Office Email: ucwarsaw@frontiernet.net

Website: www.ucwarsaw.org

2014 Commission Pastor

Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese

Clerk of Commission Lance Bush

Congregational Care

George Ann Carter and Donna Mager

Education Committee Jeff Thomas and Jim Carter

Facilities Committee

Brian Howard and Mike LaWall

Ministry Committee Sherry Cousins and Jean Bassett

Mission Committee

Linda Thomas

Personnel Committee Cindy (Fisher) Flint and Donna Perkins

Who We Are

The United Church of Warsaw is called by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus Christ through

loving and serving God and all God’s people.

What’s Happening? Each week, check out the bulletin boards in The Connection to learn what’s happening in our area churches and in our community.

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please accept our apologies. Kindly advise the Church Office (in writing or by email) of your birthday or your anniversary and wedding year and we will add your information to our data-base. Thank you!

June Birthdays

1 Mason Johnson

9 Michele (Flint) Broughton

11 Pamela Doore

Lauren Howard

Ethan Best

18 Elva Crawford

19 Pat Wiseman

20 Rudolf Kunze

22 Orah Andalora

25 Joyce Neeley

Leslie Kunze

26 Sarah Coogan

Robert Cummins

27 Joe Robinson

28 Kathryn Quinn Miller

June Anniversaries

6 Roger and Valerie Duell 1981

Darryl and Michelle Briggs 1987

11 Tom and Bonnie James 1994

25 Bill and Sandy Clark 1977

27 Richard and Joyce Neeley 1959

29 Bill and Sandy Corey 1968

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Choir Practice 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:45 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Communion Sunday Sharing-the-Light Collection 10 a.m.

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

3 Weight Watchers

8:00-10:30 a.m.

Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4 Free Meal at St. Michael’s Parish Hall at 5 p.m. Our church is providing the food. Please join us!

Choir Practice

7 p.m.

5 Food Pantry

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Free Meal at St. Michael’s Parish

Hall.

Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

6

Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

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8 Choir Practice 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:45 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Youth and Children Sunday

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Commission

Meeting 6:30 p.m.

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Weight Watchers 8:00-10:30 a.m.

Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1

p.m.

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Choir Practice 7 p.m.

12

Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

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Spring Clean-Up at church

9 a.m. to noon

15 Choir Practice 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:45 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Father’s Day

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

17 Weight Watchers

8:00-10:30 a.m.

Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1

p.m.

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Choir Practice 7 p.m.

19 Food Pantry

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

20

Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

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22 Choir Practice 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:45 a.m. Worship 10 a.m.

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

24 Weight Watchers

8:00-10:30 a.m.

Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

25

Choir Practice 7 p.m.

26

Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

27

Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

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Choir Practice 29 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group 9:45 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Baptism 10 a.m. Graduation Sunday

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Food Pantry 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Please return your 2014 Members and Friends

Directory Information Form to the Church Office by June 30.

Thank you!

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The United Church of Warsaw Presbyterian (U.S.A.) and United Church of Christ (Congregational) 10-22 South Main Street PO Box 205 Warsaw, NY 14569

Worship Service: Sundays at 10 a.m. Sunday School 10:20 a.m. Please join us! All are welcome! 585-786-3868 ucwarsaw@frontiernet.net www.ucwarsaw.org

Spring Clean-Up Day: June 14

All church members, friends and families are invited to: United Church of Warsaw Spring Clean-Up Day

Saturday, June 14 9 a.m. to noon

Inside the church (sanctuary, East Room, Connection and kitchen) Outside the church (Memorial Garden, parking lot, church grounds) Coffee, juice, donuts and muffins will be available throughout the morning. See you on Saturday, June 14, for our Spring Clean-Up Day!