Presbyterian Church of Novato

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are glad that you are exploring our website. We hope and pray that our website provides you with information about who we are and the ministries that happen here.

In Christ,
The Members of PCN

Winter Calendar of Events

January 2012 Calendar

2012 January PresPress

CCB

(Church Community Builders)

Do you need to change any of your church directory information? Want to learn how to connect with members of PCN. Then plan on stopping by the Membership and Outreach tabels after worship on

Sunday Jan 8, 15, 22nd to update your information/sign up

or come to a Training on Jan 24th at 7pm; Jan 29th at Noon or Feb. 4th at 10am to learn how to utilize our web based program.

The Ark Service Project

January 21st from 12pm-3pm

We will provide lunch for the kids and then together we will make homeless glove box packs. Please see the PResPRess for more details on what to bring.

Inquirer's Class

January 22, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

We will be exploring the basics of Christianity and our Presbyterian heritage. This class will try to answer your questions and may lead to membership for those who desire to join the church. Lunch is provided and childcare is available, upon request. We are meeting in Room One, which is the classroom downstairs furtherest away from the church office. Please RSVP by calling 897-6152.

Congregational Meeting

and Potluck Dinner

January 29, 5:00 (dinner); 6:15 (mtg)

The annual congregational meeting will begin with a potluck meal at 5:00 p.m. in Trevitt Hall. The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. Annual reports will be available to pick up on Sunday, January 22nd. (Reminder to committee chairs to have their committee reports to the church office by January 6.)

Please bring a potluck dish to share if your last names begins with:

A-F: Desserts

G - R: Main or Side Dish

S - Z: Salad or Appetizers

Kent's Class: Exploring the History of the Christian Church

from Jesus to the Present

Mondays, January 23 - April 2

9:30 - 11:00 a.m. OR 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

You can sign up now for Kent's upcoming class this winter. Have you ever wondered how the Christian Church grew and developed and spread widely and brought us to where we are today? Then this survey of Church history will help fill in many of the gaps! In addition to the Bible, the class text will be A People's History of the Christian Church by Diana Butler. The cost of the book and materials is $20. Material costs can be waived, if necessary, simply by contacting Ariel Mink, Christian Education Elder or Kent and making a request.

Stephen's Ministry Training

January - May 2012

The Stephen Ministry will be offering training classes starting on January 21 from 9:00 - 3:00 p. m. Ongoing classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. beginning after this weekend workshop. Classes will equip you to be available to lend an ear, hand, and heart in order to help someone who is hurting during a painful time.

Alpha Classes

February 12 - May 5, 4:00 - 6:30

Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course meets once per week for several weeks, and includes an amazing Saturday morning session on March 24th. Each session, people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile…questions like—Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

Alpha is for anyone…anyone who thinks there may be more to life than meets the eye.

People attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes life. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course.

Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome.

LOGOS Encounter Weekend

March 9 - 10

LOGOS is designed to be an intergenerational ministry and helps children and adults alike how to actively integrate their life with their faith journey. The Christian Education committee, thanks to PCN's Support and Endowment, is sponsoring a LOGOS Encounter Weekend for PCN members at no cost.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and concludes that evening at 9:00 p.m. Saturday registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 6:00 p.m. You will receive the most benefit from attending both days, but we welcome you to attend whenever portion of the weekend that you can. RSVP to Amanda or the Church Office so that we can plan for food.

The LOGOS ministry is a non-denominational Christian ministry that works in partnership with Church leadership to build young disciples of Christ.

Mission/Volunteer Opportunities

First Friday Flick -- The Twilight Samurai (NR), 7:30 p.m. on February 3rd. The movie will be shown in the Christensen Room.

Novato Human Needs Center -- has an ongoing need for fresh meat, milk, and eggs at their 1907 Novato Blvd. office for their clients. Checks made out to Novato Human Needs Center are also welcome to go to these items (please specify in the memo line).

Mill Street Mission Meals -- PCN provides a meal the 3rd Monday of every month for approximately 60 people. See Susi Lynam if you are able to provide a portion of a hot meal for Marin County homeless.

Homeward Bound -- If you have extra towels, twin bedding, or mugs bring them to the Church and Fran MacDonald will deliver them. Fran is also collecting 2011 calendars for veterans.

REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) -- Starting November 15, 40 men will be housed and provided an evening meal each Tuesday night at the QUEST church during the winter months. PCN is helping to provide one meal a month from December through April. Volunteers are needed to set up table and chairs for dining, receive and greet the guests, provide/prepare food, serve meals, cleanup. Information and sign-up tables are available after serviced or contact Bill Walker fo rmore information.

Lynwood Volunteer Reading Program - Our 3rd year is off and running! PCN now has volunteers in all grades at Lynwood Elementary, but we would love more! Please contact Judy Regalia if you can volunteer either weekly or even just occassionally.

San Quentin "All Dressed Up" Program -- The All Dressed Up ministry helps to clothe prisoners as they are paroled from San Quentin. The CA Release Program, a volunteer program assisting inmates with transition to community, informs "All Dressed Up" about an upcoming parole along with clothing sizes. PCN volunteers put together a package of nice workable clothes and send it to the parolee before they leave prison. PCN assist 10 men a month (out of 1000 who are paroled each month). The congregation is asked to help with the program by contributing new or gently used clothing. Contact Mike Robinson for additional details about this ministry.

Photo: Presbyterian Church of Novato