This week we mark the witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we begin of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  We therefore welcome to our pulpit at the 10:30am service, a powerful witness for ecumenism in our region.  The Rev. Laura E. Everett is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, an ecumenical partnership of seventeen Orthodox and Protestant churches/denominations in the state, with approximately 1700 congregations. Through this ecumenical partnership, we have five main goals:  Educate and evangelize for unity; Promote ecumenical worship; provide a forum for dialogue; Foster denominational and conciliar interdependence; Stimulate social mission and prophetic justice.

Please…the Time is at Hand. Our annual budget for childcare is over $4000, for the copier it is over $5000, and postage it is approximately $1500.  We also support our Sunday School program without additional fees to parents, and we provide free coffee for everyone after the Sunday services.  For these reasons, and many others, we need the financial support of all our members.  Currently 187 households have pledged $423,000 towards the 2012 operating budget; the goal is $452,000.  On January 17 the Vestry will vote on the budget, and if our goal is not met we may have to make some painful cuts.  No pledge is too small (or too large)! Thank you.    The Stewardship Committee

Pledge envelopes are at the back of the church.

Adult Education: “Conversations on the Basics of the Christian Faith” continues on Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Connector.  Led by the Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld and the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, this seven-week series is intended for those without any background in the Church or the Christian faith; those who would like a refresher on the foundations of the faith; and those who hope that Christianity is about more than what we hear in the news.   Feel free to come, whether you are interested in joining the church, in becoming baptized, or in looking for a safe opportunity to ask questions. 

Preparation for Baptism for Infants and Youth and their guardians. This Lent, Hilary will be offering baptism preparation classes for those youth, children, and families with infants who are interested in being baptized at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday.  There are three sessions for those preparing to be baptized, and their families.  If you’re interested, please let Hilary know by March 1 (hbwchurch@gmail.com).  Dates and times will be set up after we know who will be participating and when folks are available.

Education for Ministry (EfM) meets on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Connector (sometimes in the Parker Room).  Questions can be directed to Steve Houghton at 413-774-5942 or during the day 413-775-0009.

Rector’s Contemplative Bible Reading will not meet on Martin Luther King Day, January 16th.   Please join us on January 23rd from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Parker Room. This is a time for quiet meditation on the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. All are welcome. 

The new directory is available.  Pick one up (please, just one per household) at
coffee hour today, or during the week in the Old Rectory; they’re free.

Nominations are still open for Vestry, Wardens, and Diocesan Convention Delegates.  The names we have so far are posted on the ballots on the bulletin board in the Connector.  If you are interested or have any questions about serving in any of these capacities, please do no hesitate to ask Rob, Kate Schendel, or Melinda Reid. 

The Angel Choir will be singing on Jan 29th. Rehearsals take place on Friday, January 27
at 4:30 pm and Saturday, January 28 at 9:30 am in the church.  Contact Mary Hocken at 549-3773.

Come and Knit.   Do you knit, crochet or want to learn?  Join us in making prayer shawls to support people in the parish during times of transition. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Parker Room from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Come for tea, prayer, and conversation, no knitting experience necessary; we’ll teach you. For more information please contact Brenda Aldrich (323-6810 or quinine@aol.com).

“Guantanamo:  Ten Years and Counting” -- The Prison in stories, photos, poetry and art.  Exhibit: Jan. 22-28; Reception on Sunday, January 22 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Nacul Center, 592 Main St., Amherst.

Coffee Hour:  Next Sunday, if your last name begins with N- S, please bring left- over carbohydrates from Christmas/New Year’s feasts to share at coffee hour.

Red Sox Tickets:  I have 3 tickets for Tuesday, May 15, for a 4:05 game with Seattle-- excellent seats, section 32 against the Green Monster, $32 each, available to the first caller.  Contact Jane Buckloh (413-625-9365 or buckloh@noho.com).