Simon Jeynes, Vestry Person of the Day: Each week a vestry member is assigned as Vestry Person of the Day. This enhancement to our Sunday morning schedule is designed to promote awareness of our lay leaders at both services and to further improve our welcoming embrace.

Thank you Immanuel! During December you donated over 500 pounds of food (32 very heavy Food Pantry grocery bags) to St. Stephen's Food Pantry. St. Stephen's is our closest food pantry serving our neighborhood in Wilmington. We are all so grateful for your support for the needs of the poorest in our community. While our focus during Epiphany is a toilet paper drive for Friendship House ministries, any food donations are still welcome and will be gratefully accepted by St. Stephen's as they assist our needy neighbors.  The Outreach Ministry

United Thank Offering: We are collecting donations from all who have given Thank Offerings for the blessings from God throughout the Advent and Christmas season. Please bring your Thank Offering envelopes and boxes in the next two weeks and place it in the collection plates to be offered in thanksgiving for God's blessings and work among us. The Outreach Ministry

Epiphany Paper Drive for Friendship House: During Epiphany, we are again collecting rolls of toilet paper for the many ministries led by Friendship House for homeless people in Wilmington and New Castle County. Last year, we collected 566 rolls of toilet paper! Please put your donations under the foyer table and we will deliver these throughout the next month. Friendship House now uses over 400 rolls of toilet paper a month in the Men's and Women's Day Centers, the Clothing Bank of Delaware, Winter Hospitality, Code Purple Winter Sanctuary, Andrews' Place, the Newark Empowerment Center, and its eight transitional houses for men, women, and women with children. These in-kind donations are critical to helping Friendship House meet the needs of the many homeless folks who are unable to find employment during the recession. The Outreach Ministry

Bowling Fund Raiser: Dust off your bowling shoes and find that gorgeous bowling shirt! The Katrina Mission Team is hosting a bowling fund-raiser at Bowlerama on Rte. 9 in New Castle on Sunday, Jan. 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00 per person and $15.00 for children ages 10 and under. You do not have to be a great bowler, just be a bowler who wants to have fun while raising money for this year's mission trip to New Orleans. A bowling team consists of four bowlers; so, ask your friends to join in the fun. A sign-up sheet is in the foyer. Please contact Vicki Anthos for more information.

I’m Looking for a Few Good Singers – to join Immanuel’s Choir. You don’t need experience. You don’t need prior training. You don’t even need to know how to read music (yet!).

So what’s a “good singer?” The answer is, “anyone who loves to sing, would like to learn to do it better, and can commit to regular attendance.” Even if you’ve never sung in a choir, you’ll have a chance to learn the ropes in the company of people just like you, who love to learn, grow and work together. If you do have previous experience, you’ll be joining a group of dedicated volunteers who are also fun folks to hang out with. Anyone is welcome—and I would be especially happy for a few new men to sing tenor and bass.

Before you say to yourself, “I could never sing in Immanuel’s choir,” first talk to me (or e-mail me, or call me at church). I think you’ll be surprised by what you hear!  Jack Burnam

2010 Lenten Program: This year, Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent, falls on February 17th. Lent is a time when people of faith have willingly sought additional spiritual discipline as part of their preparation for Easter. In the spirit of the invitation to keep a holy Lent, I invite you to join us here at Immanuel each Wednesday evening in Lent beginning Feb. 24th. We will be offering a simple supper at 6:30 PM followed by an educational offering. Britta will be coordinating the youth program and I will be coordinating the adult program. We will conclude by 8:00 PM each week, ending with Compline. Thank you! Fr. Kim

The New Orleans trip this program year will be March 6-13, 2010! The following folks have already signed on as volunteers: Vicki Anthos, Byron Hobson, Ryan Day, Debbie Long, Sophie Day, Ron Pierce, and Eve English. There are eight slots remaining. Come join the fun and hard work for those still in need in Louisiana. Please see me to sign up. Vicki Anthos

Calling all Keys: If you have a key to the church that you no longer have a need for, please return it to the office. Thanks!  Fr. Kim

Eucharistic Minister Training: This ministry is a vital part of our Sunday morning service. Our next opportunity for training will be Saturday January 16, 2010 at 10 AM. If you are interesting in attending, or would like more information, please speak with Don Hobson or Fr. Kim.

Friendship House Job Readiness Volunteers: Volunteer Opportunities are available for computer literacy tutors, Math & English tutors, Job coaches and Computer Lab monitors. Volunteers do not need to be experts, but must have some experience and competency in basic computer or employment skills. Flexible hours. Time commitment as little as two hours twice monthly. Orientation is provided! Contact: Kathy Graham at (302) 588-7712 or email fhvolunteer.coordinator@verizon.net.

“An Endless Alleluia:” the classic CD recording by the 1993 Immanuel Choir of Girls, is a perennial listening favorite. Now, buy one CD for $10 and get a second one free! Buy one to give as a gift and keep one for yourself! “An Endless Alleluia” is available in the Parish Office, or directly from Jack Burnam. (Special pricing is available for larger quantities—speak to Jack.) All proceeds benefit the Immanuel Church Choir fund.

Pledge Cards: The Stewardship Committee wishes to thank everyone who has responded to the call for 2010 pledges. If you have not turned in your 2010 Pledge Card, please do so now. Mail your card to the church address, drop it off at the office, or put it in the collection plates this Sunday at either service.

DELAWARE COMMUNION ON-LINE:

            The news page: http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/news2.html

The Delaware Communion page: http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/communion.html

IMMANUEL, HIGHLANDS CALENDAR ON-LINE:  http//immanuel-highlands.org

Contact Information for Fr. Kim:         Highlands Voice Deadline:

Church Office: 302-658-7326 x14          4:00 pm each Tuesday for the next week’s issue.

Home Phone: 302-777-5418                   Phillip Stephens, Parish Administrator and Highlands Voice Editor

Cell Phone: 973-945-4293                      Office hours: 8:30 – 1:30, Monday through Friday.

Email: kfcapwell@verizon.net                   Phone: 302-658-7326 x 10

                                                               Email:PStephens@immanuel-highlands.org