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Long-Range Planning

On Sunday January 13, the Long Range Planning Committee led the congregation in another long-range planning session that focused on worship and religious education, Channing identified strengths.  Thirty-eight members and friends participated in small groups and completed the sentence “Channing is the church that ……” for either worship or religious education for both children and adults.  Discussion was lively and the descriptions that were shared were on target for who we are and what we do as a church. Participants were also asked to take on a marketing role and describe what audience the message about Channing should reach.  A number of market niches were identified.

The Committee is continuing to review and analyze the information and comments shared.  Other worship services around long-range planning will be scheduled in the next months.  Thank you for being a part of this very important process that is creating the future of Channing Memorial Church.

--Lorraine Hughes and Maureen Hayes

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Social Responsibility: Westside Shelter Update

Channing continues to buy dinner for the Westside Shelter on the fourth Friday of every month.  We usually buy hamburgers and fixings, frozen vegetables, and ice tea mix (they use this year-round) as well as some cereal and milk for the next day's breakfast. Feeding 90 men dinner and some breakfast costs us around $110 each month.

The shelter staff has asked to have four or five servers for the dinner, and you have responded.  Some months, there is so much interest in serving that I've started a waiting list!  The shelter residents love seeing us, and it's fun being there, for adults and especially for the youth who have gone. The time commitment is from 7:00 - 8:15 pm on that fourth Friday.

We have a lot of help with this endeavor.  Cheryl Gwynn-Haymes has volunteered to help with the shopping.  Cindy Williams has organized the youth to pack sack lunches, and Rose and Jim Blackburn are our "repeat offenders", offering to serve on months when we need them. And your generous contributions make it happen. Thanks to all-- we are proud that our church is a part of this work.

--Cathy Fu

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