It's A New Look!

   Welcome to the new newsletter, titled (at this point) simply Ashland Church News. As you know, The New Century ceased publication with its last issue, and now, because we know we can't duplicate the efforts of Shirley Schleunes, we are starting a new effort. With the help of Peg Patterson, Rebecca and Carol Walter, Kathy Nicht, Susan Williams and myself, this "scaled back" version will be printed and distributed monthly and will contain, among several items and features that we plan to keep developing, essential news that needs communicating to you, our members and friends. There will be a calendar of monthly events to which you can easily refer along with lists of volunteers and assignments for ushers, van drivers, communion servers, etc. to help us, and you, to keep on track about who is responsible for these and other activities during the month. Important news about people in the congregation and about fellowship events, and Christian Education news and events will be included. We also hope, if not in this issue, at least soon to provide a tear-off section that you can send back to the church office, or drop in the offering basket or some other designated place to indicate your desire to participate in upcoming activities, projects, events, and the like.

   We feel it is very important to keep publishing a monthly newsletter for our church so there will be an easily available and accessible written form of communication and information. So, we welcome your comments, suggestions, contributions, and such as we develop the Ashland Church News. We also ask your patience as we work out the publication schedule, the format and all the other many things that go into putting together an effort like this. We will also welcome your help at any time - and, please, if you want your information to be included in the next month's issue, be sure to pay attention to and honor the deadlines that are set.

   Along with the newsletter, those of you who enjoy getting your information from the world-wide web will be interested to know that we are also beginning to update and upgrade our church's website so that it will include the information found in the Ashland Church News along with other items and links to related sites and information sources. We are only at the beginning of discovering what a well-constructed and well-maintained website can do for Ashland Church in terms of congregational communication as well as Christian outreach into the community at large. If working on this project interests you, even if you just have a little time available, please contact me, or Carol Walter and let us know. As soon as we have some new things going, you'll be given the information you need to access the site and become acquainted with its new features.

   Let me take this space also to remind you that the season of Lent is almost upon us, and to encourage your participation in our Lenten Study of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer that starts on Ash Wednesday, February 9th in the sanctuary and on following Wednesday's from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. - and on Sunday mornings between services in the Fellowship Hall. On Wednesday evenings, I will lead a discussion along with a viewing of a documentary video of his life, times, and contributions to 20th century Protestant/Christian thought, and on Sunday mornings, our DCE, Debra Donnelly-Barton will lead a study of Bonhoeffer's classic book on Christian community, Life Together.

   Lastly, beginning on the first Sunday in March (March 6th), the early service will move from being 45 minutes to an hour long and will begin at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8:45. Even though the hour is just a shade earlier, it's hoped that having an hour will allow us to experiment with more forms and aspects of worship in a contemporary style than is presently possible. Times for all other Sunday morning activities will be remaining the same.

May God continue to bless you,

Pastor Brett Morgan