Esther Bible Study — If you’ve ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seem overwhelming, study leader Beth Moore peels back the layers of history and shows us how very contemporary and applicable Esther’s story is to our lives today. This interactive study offers personal, daily assignments and weekly group sessions with a video. One person who has taken this study said:”I found that God really does have a solution for all of the tough, stressful situations that women find themselves in all through their lives, including mine!” Facilitators are Darlene Borowski, Ann Dutton and Hope Mason. Please sign up on our website or on the Adult Education bulletin board. Thursdays, beginning January 28 from 9:15-11:30 am in the Parlor for 10 weeks. Childcare available.

Asking for your Lenten Devotions
Many of us have read daily devotional books or pamphlets. We have found them spiritually inspiring and certainly enhancing our faith walk. Wouldn't it be wonderful to read devotions like these written by people we know and love? Many of us are thinking deeply right now about our relationship with Jesus. Now is the time to share your thoughts! We plan to publish CUMC Lenten Devotions both online and in pamphlet form. But we need your participation:
1. Pick up a bright yellow copy of Writing Lenten Devotions 101 for help with ideas, format and just general writing tips. These will be available in the narthex or church office.
2. Pray. Write out your devotion. Share it with a friend or family member for input.
3. Email your completed devotion to Sharon Galley Sherrow at tpssmg@aol.com by Feb. 10
or leave a typed copy in the church office.

Heart of Hannah is collecting gently used children’s books. Boxes for drop-off will be in the Crossroads . These books will be donated in March to inner-city school children.

Easter Flower Orders — Order forms for plant purchase and/or donations will be available the following Sundays: February 28, March 7, and March 14, 2010. Cost is $7.50 for either a daffodil, lily, or tulip. Donations will be forwarded to Habitat for Humanity. Look for the form in your weekly bulletin! Questions?
Call Gina Foote at 248-623-6653.

Equal Exchange Items For Sale — Equal Exchange Dark Chocolate Bars, Milk Chocolate Bars, Hot Cocoa Mix, Earl Grey Tea and Decaf Colombian Coffee are available. Call Lou or Brenda DuPree at 248-625-5141.

Haiti Relief
During the month of February, Clarkston UMC will be collecting Health Kits for the purpose of assisting those in earthquake-devastated Haiti. UMCOR estimates that hundreds of thousands of kits will be needed in the days and months ahead. The kits, valued at about $12 per kit, contain everything from towels and washcloths to sterile bandages and bar soap. They will be distributed to those who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the recent disaster.
You may donate any of the following specified items which will be assembled into individual Health Kits OR donate a complete Health Kit by placing all of the specified items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag:
• 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", No kitchen towels)
• 1 washcloth
• 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
• 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
• $1.00 to purchase toothpaste (NOTE: UMCOR is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)

Faith Sharing — “In your hearts set Christ as your Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
Sounds good, but not so easy, right? On Wednesday nights beginning Feb. 24th at 7pm, Pastor Reed will be teaching a class on Faith Sharing. This nine week class is not how to “do evangelism,” but rather a simple opportunity to learn how to tell your story. Learn how to tell YOUR story. For more information, contact Pastor Reed at rswanson@clarkstonumc.org.

CUMC’s 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off is Sunday February 21, 2010 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm in CUMC Fellowship Hall. COST: Free will offering ENTRY: To enter your chili, contact Carl Bidinger at carlbidinger@gmail.com or call 248-318-4867. Entries should be crock pot size.

Our first VBS planning meeting is Sunday, February 21st at 10am in Room #207 (Children’s Church). Please join us to learn about this year’s VBS Galactic Blast, June 21-25.

The Joyful Joggers are back and running every Saturday morning. We also welcome Wonderful Walkers. For information, contact Annette Siminski at asiminski@clarkstonumc.org.

Valentine’s Day Dance and Lounge 456 Lock-In is Friday, Feb. 19th at 7pm.
Everyone is invited to a Valentine’s Day dance from 7-9pm. Dance to your favorite tunes and enjoy light refreshments! Following the dance is our 2nd annual Lounge 456 Lock-In. If you are in the 4th, 5th or 6th grade, you are invited to spend the night at the church and participate in some fun activities, watch a movie, and eat some pizza. Enjoy breakfast on Saturday at 7:30am. Pick-up is at 8am. RSVP for the Lock-In to Annette at asiminski@clarkstonumc.org.

Blood Drive — Sunday, February 28th. Sign up after Sunday services beginning February 7th. Contact Phyllis Choops (248) 623-9425 with any questions.

There are still opportunities available to purchase altar or pillar flowers to honor or remember a loved one. The dates available are February 21st and 28th. If you are interested, please contact Michele Poirier at 248-391-3449 or mpoirier3449@comcast.net.

Clarkston “Relay for Life” 2010 — Save the Dates!! May 15 & 16
“Team CUMC” needs a Captain! The captain is the contact person between our team and ACS, and handles the money collected for our team. You can be co-captains with 1 or 2 friends, if you wish. You would get LOTS of support and help! If you are at all interested or have questions, phone Jan Merz at 248.625.9226. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/clarkstonmi.
Points of Pride for Clarkston RFL 2009 include:
Highest Fundraising Team: Team CUMC, $9800.97
Highest Fundraising Individual: Barb Kevern, $5805.00
(BOTH these distinctions have been earned for two years!)

2010 CUMC Men's Retreat @ Lake Huron Retreat Center — Sept 10-12, 2010
Pastor Rick Dake will be leading "Step Up & Step Out in Faith". The week-end will include a 2 night stay at Ragland Lodge that sleeps 4 men per room w/separate beds, a private bathroom & TV. There are 5 home cooked Meals included that is served in Kresge Dining Hall. We have a 48 seat meeting room in Littleton Lodge w/complimentary coffee, tea & hot chocolate. There is a Game Room with Ping Pong, Pool Table, Board Games, Darts + an outside Basketball Hoop or you can stroll the sandy beach and CUMC has the Campfire on the beach reserved. To hold your spot please call Tim Sherrow 248 620-6052 (only 3 spots open) and submit a $20 deposit to Carole Meyers and the balance due of $100 by Aug 1, 2010. Don't miss out on this awesome week-end!

CUMC Church INDOOR PROJECTS continue... painting, general maintenance, etc. Can you please spare an hour or two to help out around the church? Please call Jeremy Dean 248 701-4845 or Rob Gilkerson 248 620-8402

Office Snow Policy:  In the event of Clarkston School District closing or dismissing early due to weather:

All children and Youth programs are cancelled for the day.  The Church office will be closed until 11:00 am, and depending on weather perhaps the remainder of the day.   Adult programs will be subject to cancellation by the leaders of the program or by the closing of the building.