Plan ahead and join us starting Sunday, March 5th at 5:00pm - "The Life You've Always Wanted" (based on the book by John Ortberg) which is a program that focuses on spiritual disciplines for ordinary folks like us that help us to draw near to God and "The Return of the Prodigal" (book by Henry Nouwen), which will be a book discussion study focusing on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Our Lenten walk begins with Ash Wednesday Service - March 1, 2006 at 8:00pm.

FAREWELL BRUNCH: Please join us this Sunday, February 26th after church in Fellowship Hall for a farewell brunch for Christine Bouton and her family. We wish her well in her move to Texas and thank her for her many years of music ministry with us.

CHURCH CONFERENCE: All Church members are invited to review and approve the 2006 Church Operating Budget on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

J.C. CAFÉ: Join us on Saturday, March 4th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall for an evening of fellowship and contemporary Christian music featuring Joe Guadagno and Paul Paoli. Suggested donation is $5.00, which includes coffee and desserts. See Harry Schwartz for tickets at Coffee Hour.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Would you like to help extend our Church's reach beyond our own walls to the greater world? Then you're welcome to join the Outreach Committee! If you're interested, call the Church Office.

UMW will hold their Executive Committee Meeting on Monday, March 6th at 7:00pm in the UMW Room. All mission team members, please attend.

STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOPS: The Council on Finance and Administration of the New York Annual Conference is sponsoring a Stewardship Academy on Saturday, March 18th from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Westbury UMC. The keynote speaker is Lynda Byrd of the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC. Further information outlining the workshops being offered is available in the So. Transcept. If you are interested in registering, please contact the Church Office.

FROM THE BISHOP: "The New York Annual Conference is a beloved community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, and growing heart-warmed Methodists in mission."
The above statement, put forth by Bishop Jeremiah Park, is being widely discussed as a shaping statement for the ministries of our New York Annual Conference. It is a work in progress. Bishop Park invites every United Methodist in our conference to respond to this statement with questions, dreams, and ideas. Questionnaires are available in the South Transcept.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC POSITION AVAILABLE: Farmingdale UMC seeks part-time Director of Music. Skilled, creative organist and pianist to direct and accompany a chancel choir, a praise and gospel choir, a youth choir and a bell choir and to play at Sunday worship service and other special services. Organ is a twenty rank Austin. Position could be divided. Salary up to $22K, commensurate with responsibilities. Additional income from weddings and funerals is possible. Position open March 1, 2006. Send resume to Music Search Committee at farmumc@earthlink.net or to 407 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help pattern Kyli Abbinanti, a member of our Church, who is 3 years old and developmentally disabled. Patterning is a sensory program designed to help Kyli achieve developmental milestones, and requires a 3-person team. Most anyone can pattern, it takes getting used to the coordination and rhythm, but it is not hard. A schedule has been set up by the family, who resides in Ronkonkoma. . One hour time slots are available 2x daily. If you are interested and able to give an hour weekly or bi-monthly, or if you know of someone who may be, please contact the Church Office, or see Jodi or Andy after Church. Further information is posted on the bulletin board outside the Church Office.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE: save money on your car insurance by taking a Defensive Driving Course on Saturday, March 11th 9:00am-3:00pm at St. Killian's. The cost is $37.00, part of which will go to fund our friends at their outreach center. For more information, call 516-756-9656.

ALTAR FLOWER REQUESTS: If you wish to place flowers on the Altar in memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone or a special time in your life, there are flower request forms available in the South Transcept. Next available dates are: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26.