GOING OUR WAY?????
If there is anyone out there in Church Chat land that travels South Saunders Street into Raleigh on a fairly frequent basis and would be willing to drop things off by Capital City Trophies on your way, please let me know via return e-mail.  As we get leaves on the memorial/honorarium tree we need someone that goes up South Saunders Street to drop these off at the engravers.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PICK THEM UP, AS THEY ARE MAILED BACK TO THE CHURCH ONCE THEY ARE COMPLETED.  If you are willing to help us out on this VERY infrequent event, please respond back to this e-mail.  THANKS!!

ONE OF OUR OWN.....
Brother William Roach is stationed in Iraq (has been there for about 2 months of a 12 month deployment).  The Men of Faith peer group (combined effort of both the morning and evening groups) sent William (and two other soldiers this group knew was over there) a care package recently.  It was so well received by all three soldiers, I thought that we could give the church a chance at helping "one of our own," in William Roach out with another (maybe two or three all along) care package.  Now let me break this down for you.
This young brother is knee deep in desert sand, neck deep in Iraqi civilians and security forces.  Temp's over there now are hovering around 110 degrees (but it's a dry heat so it's not as hot...........YEA RIGHT!!!)  Here's some ideas of what he has liked/survived the trip over:  Men's themed magazines (NO!! not "those" kind...in fact "those kinds" of magazines are illegal in a Muslim country so even magazines like Hot Rod Magazine where it displays females sitting on cars is TOO close to the line so these type CANNOT be sent), PULL TAB (nothing that requires a can opener) individual serving cans of tuna or sardines or chicken or other type meat products.  Individual CANS of Pringles or CRUSH RESISTANT chips.  Vacuumed sealed (if it sits on the SHELF in the grocery store it will probably travel well and not spoil, use your good judgement) and one last HIT that the Men of Faith has sent is NICE toilet paper.  DO NOT get that toilet paper that it can be used as toilet paper or #14 grit sand paper!!!  Splurge a little and get the softer, Aloe Vera infused kind!!!  Be cheap for yourself and send our soldiers the best!!!  Chapstick, gum, hard candy, Slim Jims (if you can find any), Beef Jerky, etc.  Items not to send.......chocolates, things that melt in heat (it's 110 degrees over there!!!!), any thing that is any where close to pornography, anything homemade to eat.   If you can't think of things to get but want to help; make a 2nd MILE GIVING CHECK made out to the church with
SOLDIER OR ROACH in the memo field and we will purchase items to send to William.
We will also need money for postage, so there are SEVERAL ways that you can get involved with this ministry outreach for one of GUMC's own!!!!!

LIVING OUT OUR FAITH...ONE CUP OF COFFEE AT A TIME!!!
Holy Java Cafe is proud to announce a new partnership with UMCOR (United Methodist Conference on Relief) and Equal Exchange to bring you great Fair Trade coffee!  Fair Trade means that small farmers get paid a guaranteed living wage for their coffee through a co-op of small farmers.  Equal Exchange then purchases directly from the cooperative.  Cutting out the middle man in the coffee trade means that farmers get a fair wage that will support his family, and we get coffee at about half the price we were paying from our previous coffee supplier!  Equal Exchange also works with the small farm cooperatives to teach sustainable farming techniques that are better for the environment.
On Sunday, July 19, Holy Java will officially change to Equal Exchange coffees.  To celebrate, we are hosting a "tasting event" so that you can decide which flavors you like best!  Our new flavors are Organic Colombian, Organic Breakfast Blend, Organic Colombian Decaf, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, and Toffee Caramel.  Come join us for extended hours on that Sunday, 8:30-11am.  No donations will be collected that morning.
Holy Java is seeking additional volunteers to staff the cafe beginning in September.  Volunteers serve one Sunday every 6-8 weeks.  If interested, just give your name and contact information at the Holy Java counter.  Thanks!  Stacie Hagwood

CHOIR REMINDER!!!!!
There will be NO Sunday morning (at 10:30 AM) choir rehearsals on 28 June or 05 July!!  So choir folks, if you walk into a darken choir room on these dates, you will remember why!!!!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WITH A KICK!!!!!!
WWW 4 KIDZ - July 15, 22, 29 & Aug 5 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
Wet Wild Wednesday is a different type of Vacation Bible School for children, 4 years old to 5th grade.  Each Wed night will begin with a pizza supper followed by water games, crafts, music and Bible stories, all led by our Youth.  Each week will be a new and exciting lesson from Scripture.  There will also be activities planned for the adults each week while the children's activities are going on.  Stop by the table in the gathering area to learn more about this fun alternative style of Vacation Bible School and sign up.  One parent needs to be attendance with preschoolers.  There is no registration fee, donations will be accepted each week for the pizza supper.  Aug 5th will be a family picnic; details to be announced.
Thanks, Patricia.