2011 Tax Receipts and 4th Quarter Contribution Statements are available in your church mailbox. If you need this to be mailed to you, please inform the office.

CD OF PIANO AND ORGAN MUSIC by Elizabeth Snider Hackett is available for $15. This includes a $5 donation to the music program at Calvin. Recording was done by Les Sherratt, cover design by Glen Harrison, photography by Larry Wiegand. To get a copy, please sign the order sheet in the Narthex or contact the church office.

Congregational Annual Meeting is Sunday Feb. 12 following the service. We will have a lunch in Calvin Hall provided by Session and the Board of Managers. Child care is available during the meeting. Annual Reports are available in the Narthex today.

Canadian Blood Services Donor Clinic – Monday Feb. 13, 2:00-8:00 p.m. Help save a life!

Encounter Winter/Spring Film Festival - The Encounter Group invites you to attend adult small group Christian education at Calvin. During the months of February, March, and April, we will present 3 films and times of reflection. The series starts on Tuesday Feb. 14 and 21 as we will watch the film “Amish Grace”. This is an inspiring drama about a Pennsylvania Amish mother who faces a profound test of her faith. This film is based on a powerful true story of the murder of five Amish young girls shot by a deranged gunman who also committed suicide, on October 2, 2006, in their one-room school house. Delicately crafted and featuring poignant performances, this film is moving testament to the power of forgiveness. For these two evenings, our meeting time will be preceded by a potluck supper from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Calvin Hall, followed by the film and discussion in the Lounge at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to our potluck and film. Those who are able are asked to please bring something to share. If you would like to just attend the film, come out for that. For more information on the Film Festival, click here.

Men’s Breakfast – You are invited to join in a time of food and fellowship on Saturday Feb. 18 starting at 7:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Dave Hare.

Chilli Cook Off! Time for a little friendly competition here at Calvin! You think you have the best Chilli out there? Well, here is your chance to prove it! PYROS presents Calvin’s 2012 Chilli Cook Off and welcomes everyone! There is a signup sheet in the Narthex where you can indicate how many in your family will be attending. Here you have the choice of signing up for bringing chilli or you are welcome to bring garlic bread or salad. PYROS will be providing dessert! We would love to see all families out! There will be some entertainment and great fellowship together. So come on out at 5:30 Saturday evening on February 18 in

Potato Blitz - House of Friendship needs your help!
1) Donations of potatoes are being accepted in the Narthex or money can be placed in your offering envelope. These will be forwarded to the House of Friendship.
2) Supermarket Blitz – Saturday Feb. 11 – volunteers from local churches will be at several K-W supermarkets. Stop by with your spuds or donations. Talk to Grant Scott about volunteering - volunteers are needed for Sobeys at Fischer-Hallman & Columbia and Zehrs at Conestoga Mall. Hours required will be 9 a.m.-Noon or Noon-3 p.m.
3) Community Potato Lunch – Friday Feb. 24, 12-1 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kitchener. Donations gratefully accepted. See you there!

Membership Classes -Becoming a member of Calvin Church is an opportunity to affirm your faith in our God, and your discipleship to Jesus Christ. We will join together on Saturday February 25 and Saturday March 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We will meet in the lounge to explore our faith together in creative ways. If you are interested, please speak with our minister, Mark Gedcke.

There will be an Ecumenical prayer service with Taizé-Songs at Calvin Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Giving to the Benevolent Fund - The Benevolent Fund was active in 2011.  We have supported individuals and families in need. The Fund is lower at this time. Please consider donations to it so we can be prepared to support folks in the New Year. 

Knitters - Thank you so much for being a part of the great knitting of pneumonia vests for India! They shipped 124 boxes on Oct. 26, 2011 so over 1000 vests were sent. The Presbyteries of Waterloo-Wellington and Brampton were in on this packing. Please give pneumonia vests to Evelyn Witmer by March 25, 2012 for the next shipment.

Nutrition for Learning – Calvin Church hosts and leads a breakfast program (Forest Hill Breakfast Club) for children who go to Forest Hill Public School, Tuesday-Friday from October to May.  The new year started on Tuesday October 4. Volunteers are needed! Please contact Mary Hetherington or the church office.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank - The Missions and Outreach Committee again worked to raise funds for this project. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of fifteen Canadian Christian Church Denominations and church based agencies that works to end hunger in developing countries. The Bank, which is a registered charity, collects grain and cash donations to procure and supply food. It also engages in educational activities related to hunger and food security. Currently, Presbyterian World Service and Development is working in partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support the people of Eastern Africa as they suffer from the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. Our goal was to raise at least $2,500.00, the same as our 2010 target - $3,010 was raised! A cheque for $1,025 has been sent to the Winnipeg office to go directly to East Africa Famine Relief. The remainder in the fund will be sent to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Molesworth which is organizing the local fundraising campaign.

East Africa Famine – Calvin Church members contributed $995.00 to Presbyterian World Service & Development for this special project. This will enable them to expand relief programs in East Africa and provide lifesaving assistance in this time of great need. Thank you to all who contributed to this relief effort!

PAR program (Pre-Authorized Remittance) – If you have automatic debits from your bank account to pay for insurance, cable TV, taxes, fuel, or a mortgage, then you understand the PAR principle. It means regular contributions throughout the year that make it easy to donate to Calvin Church. To join PAR, you need to complete a form stating the amount that you wish to donate each month to one or more church funds and provide a void cheque, and then the money will be deducted from your bank account approx. the 20th of the month. Contact the office if you would like to join PAR, receive more information about it, or need to make any changes.

Grocery Card Program - The church earns 5% on the Sobeys and Zehrs grocery cards that are sold. Some members even take cards and sell them to family and friends. It is a good time for people to be part of this important fundraiser for our church’s budget! Grocery cards are available to purchase after services. For more information, contact the church office.