Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. As a congregation we are still rejoicing with the entire Jeffrey family over Kathy's new heart. She is doing wonderfully well and hopes to be home by the weekend. While a lot of visitors might be taxing Kathy would enjoy very much receiving cards and notes.

The overnight vestry retreat was a good time of praying and planning for the coming year. You will be happy to hear that they have decided to prepare a breakfast for the parish family in between the services on February 18. Please put that date on your calendar.

Before you know it we will be on the Lenten journey. A schedule of offerings is included in this issue of the Good News. I am very proud to tell you that a dear friend, Sister Mary Coffey, will be joining us on Mondays from 10:00-11:30AM and Thursdays from 7:30-9:00PM to teach a course entitled, 'Reflections through Photos'. The course is $50.00 but don't let that stop you. Please let me know if you are interested.

It's 7:30PM Sunday, February 4, and as I write this I am reflecting on the day that has gone by. It began at 6:30AM with anticipation. The first Sunday of the month is designed for families to bring their children into church so they become familiar with the rhythm and flow of the liturgy. Not unlike many other first Sundays, this one was a disappointment. Families seem to think that this is a day off from church and the attendance is lower that other Sundays. If you have any suggestions about this, please share them with me. Should we go back to having church school on the first Sunday of the month?

Finally, many of you have noticed me hobbling around for the last few months. I will finally have orthroscopic surgery on February 14. Recovery time is up to two weeks, so please bear with me - and keep me in your prayers.

Peggy