How are your memories of church camp? Can you recall your time at Lake Springfield or someplace else with fondness? Was it one of the best experiences of your younger life? I never went to church camp. Since I didn’t start following Christ until 12 years ago, I missed out on the opportunity. Kim (my wife), who grew up in the church, thinks that I haven’t really lived because of missing the unique experiences that kids only have when they go away to camp. Singing songs, playing games on a grand scale, creating crafts, swimming, food fights, and conducting midnight raids on neighboring cabins are things no one should miss out on, but one of the great opportunities of life could pass us by after this year.

Our Illinois camps are at a crossroads. In the worst case - in danger of closing, and at the least, they are going to change in ways that may not be popular with those who think everyone should have the same camp opportunity that they did. If there was ever a time to support camping it’s now. Financial support is welcome, but what is needed is campers. The more the merrier! Attendance has been on the decline for a number of years and last year there were many emails sent out about camp weeks being cancelled due to low participation. We have a challenge before us and an opportunity to do something about it. What if we were able to help with the work of saving the camps and benefit our own youth programs at church?

I would like to challenge you to sponsor a kid for camp. Maybe send a 6 year old to day camp for $25, or perhaps you can help an older child go for half a week for $120 or a full week for $230. This can be an outreach to bring students to Sunday School and families to church. I will be challenging our young people to take their friends with them to camp this year. The possibilities are there, we just have to use them.

Please be praying for our camps and for our kids as they try to bring their friends to church and along with them to Lake Springfield. Consider how you might be able to help financially. Camping can still have a bright future in Illinois.

New Church Officers Elected

A slate of officers, board and committee members was accepted during the December business meeting. Those serving the church are:

Moderator - Jim Guthridge

Vice Moderator - Ron Kingery

Financial Secretary - Jan Miller

Asst. Financial Secretary - Nancy Guthridge

Clerk - Kathie Chandler

Asst. Clerk - Becky Miller

Sunday School Secretary/Treasurer - Debbie Kingery

Asst. SS S/T - Linda Ingles

Organist - Nancy Guthridge

Pianist - Jan Miller

Historian - Frances Atteberry

Diaconate: Jim Guthridge, Ron Kingery, Rick Weger, Linda Jent, Carolyn Reeves, and Kathie Chandler

Trustees: Larry Welch, Rick Robinson, Scotty Miller, Marvin Reeves, and Nancy Guthridge

Board of Christian Education: Debbie Kingery, Tricia Miller, Nancy Guthridge, Linda Jent, Jan Miller, and Linda Ingles

Courtesy Committee: Vickie Weger, Tricia Miller, Georgianna Kinney, Mary Dillon, Kim Stewart, and Mary Ann Welch

Music Committee: Jan Miller, Nancy Guthridge, and Kathie Chandler

Missionary Promotion Committee: Margaret Collins, Kim Stewart, and Debbie Kingery

Decorating Committee: Debbie Kingery and Liberty Robinson

Church Continues to Get New Look!

Thanks to everyone who gave their time and supplies for improving the interior of the church!

Plaster work in the sanctuary and east stairs has been finished. A new coat of paint was applied to the downstairs ceiling and walls, old stained ceiling tiles have been replaced, and the Tri-Chi Sunday School classroom received new curtains. Offer your appreciation to a trustee for all of their work arranging the sprucing up!

Recent Mission Support Report

Operation Christmas Child (shoebox collection) - 113

Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering - Dec-Jan 2006 - $484.00

Camping Time!

Camping season is coming quickly and the time to plan for getting kids to camp is now. This could be the last year for downstate camps due to poor participation recently. Now is the time for financial support and attendance!

Day camp is available for kindergarten through second grade and multi-day camps for first grade through college age. Cost is $25 through $230. Special sports, music, and drama weeks are available! The season begins June 2nd and runs till August 6th. For more information, exact dates, cost, and registration forms, please call the church office - 543-2592.

Area IV Annual Meeting in Flora, IL - April 1st

Congregations of Area IV are invited to attend the Annual Meeting held at the First Baptist Church of Flora on April 1st from 10am—2pm. Registration begins at 9:30.

Will Brown, National Coordinator of Intercultural Ministries is the featured speaker and worship will be led by Rod May.

This year’s theme is “Expect New Things in Christ.” Childcare provided. The offering will go to Lake Benton Baptist Camp. Lunch provided. A youth event (6th grade up) is scheduled concurrently with the adults.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact the church office - 543-2592.

Officer Robinson Relocates

Earlier this month, Lance Robinson moved into his new home in Ashmore. This allows Lance to be closer to his job at the Coles County Sheriff’s Department. It’s a big change for all of the Robinsons, so you might want to drop a note to Lance or his folks.

Church Library Welcomes Donations

There is interest in breathing new life into the church library, currently split between the area below the east stairs and the Tri-Chi classroom. If you have materials that others would want to read, listen to, or watch, please bring them to the Tri-Chi room. The library will continue to lend items while it is re-worked. A sign-out sheet is on the bookcase. Please return what you borrow promptly

Church Play To Be Recast

A program was presented in September 1955 to commemorate the church’s 70th anniversary. Would you be interested in taking part in the remake in September? If you want to have a part in celebrating the 121st anniversary of the church in this special way, please contact Kathie Chandler, Frances Atteberry, or the church office 543-2592