Join us this Sunday at Fountain Street Church, either in person at our Sanctuary or virtually through our YouTube channel.
No one wants to feel uncomfortable; a reality echoed throughout the world's sacred texts and present within us today. But what if it is precisely the uncomfortable places and the liminal spaces that offer to us the greatest growth, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually? Join us this Sunday as we take a moment to stop asking the question "Where are we going?" and instead ask "Where are we?" and what gifts of transformation and growth are already within, around, and among us.
Rev. Christopher Roe will be preaching, with musical enrichment by vocalist Mary Radamacher, pianist Margi Peterson, drumming ensemble Goat Trip, and the Fountain Street Church Choir.
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Children & Youth Programming
Fun day - Sunday, our youngest FSC friends are invited to come to the nursery on the 2nd floor, room 206 for some play time.
10 am is the meeting time for our Character School kids (3 years old - 8th Grade) in the social hall. The group is continuing to look at various different religious practices around the world. This week we are focusing on the celebration of Holi, with books and colorful activities.
How to make a prayer tower? Our high-school group, Fountain Club, is continuing with their exploration of prayer and will be making their own prayer towers. 11:15 am in the social hall.
Any questions, please contact the Director of Children and Youth Programs:
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From Your Ministers & Staff
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Senior Minister Search
The Nominating Group for the Senior Minister Search Committee is looking for candidates.
If you think you might be interested, see the Search Committee-Job Description. If you feel this is something you may want to be involved with, please fill out the Candidate Form and return it to the FSC office by March 18th.
If you have any questions you can talk to any of the Nominating Group members- Sue Chapla, Monica Stegeman, Geoff Kempter, Katie Mitchell, Tim Creamer. You can also email Tim Creamer at gvsc82@sbcglobal.net.
The links to the Search Committee-Job Description and Candidate Form are attached.
Search Committee-Job Description
Candidate Form
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Important News & Reminders
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Citizen Climate Lobby Book Discussion
For the past five years FSC's Climate Justice Team has been partnering with Grand Rapids Citizen Climate Lobby and we would like to invite you to a book discussion that the CCL Environmental Justice Committee is hosting via Zoom. We encourage you to register for this informative discussion. See you there!
Climate Change Is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice
By Jeremy Williams
February 9th & 23rd @7:00 PM
Register
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Fountain Street’s Goods & Services Auction is Back!
Think about what you can donate that can help support the church.
It can be a service: pet sitting, cottage usage, teach a skill, gardening, serve a dinner, plan an adventure, consulting, etc. OR It can be a valuable object: art, jewelry or antiques.
Key Dates:
Donations of Goods & Services - Feb. 20 to April 10
Online Bidding - March 27 to April 17 at 1:15 PM
Click the button below to access the Donation Form
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Women's Service Memorial Listing
The committee for the Women's Service on March 06th would like to request the names of deceased women who were connected to Fountain Street Church in some way. We plan to post the names of the women during the service as part of a memorial listing.
Please send the names of those you'd like included to Heather Palmer by calling or texting (616) 366-3342 by February 27th.
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Women's Intergenerational Book Group
The Women's Intergenerational Book Group invites fellow women of all ages to join a Zoom discussion of The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan on Monday, February 28, at 1pm. Please contact Carole at cm.vh.xxiii@gmail.com for more information.
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The Five Invitations: Spiritual Practice Group
“Death is much more than a medical event.
It is a time of growth, a process of transformation.
Death opens us to the deepest dimensions of our humanity.
Death awakens presence, and intimacy with ourselves
and all that is alive.” –Frank Ostaseski
Are you interested in exploring more about how your relationship to death can help you live your life with greater fullness, meaning and sense of purpose? Read Frank Ostaseski's inspiring book, The Five Invitations, and then join with other curious souls for an experience of community and conversation, starting on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2pm to 4pm, at Fountain Street Church.
Our practice will continue with meetings every other week, concluding on Wednesday, May 11. Practice will be guided by Covid protocols in place at FSC. Facilitated by Meredith Bradley, RN, Certified End of Life Care Practitioner.
Questions/interested in joining? Email Meredith at merilenebrad@gmail.com If you are interested in exploring this practice virtually, please let Meredith Bradley (merilenebrad@gmail.com) know.
We will entertain having a Zoom practice group separate from the in-person gathering if there is enough interest.
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CHURCH TOURS
Our next Church Tour will be March 13 when Jonathan Tuuk will give us a 30 minute presentation, in “laymen’s terms” on the organ!
For further information contact Penny Barstow (pennybarstow@aol.com)
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Samaritas Youth Art Show
Fountain Street Church is pleased to host the Samaritas Youth Art Show featuring works created by refugee youth from around the world who are now in foster care in Michigan. These youth have been lost or separated from their families while fleeing their home countries. With the help of local foster homes, volunteers, and Samaritas programs, they pursue the safe and bright future that should be every child's right.
Art creation provides an outlet for these youth to explore their hearts, losses, hopes, and dreams. It provides an opportunity for them to share their voices with the community, empowering them to express who they truly are through their own words and artistic visions. The exhibit also offers the community a chance to learn about these children and consider how we can be a voice of welcome and create a place for them to call home.
The exhibit will be open to visitors March 6th through April 24th. Daily gallery hours are Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The church is closed on Saturday.
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Afghan Project Update
The Afghan family of eight are approaching the end of their first two months in their new home in Eastown. All the eligible children as well as the teen nephew have been enrolled in Eastown elementary schools and at Innovation High School. The older family members are using the public bus system with ease and taking long walks to become acquainted with the neighborhood.
The family members are currently quite busy with health appointments to Kent County Health Department for immunizations and starting their primary care services at Cherry Health. Each individual visit requires a volunteer transport person to accompany them to these appointments.
Please mark your calendar Sunday, March 27th at the10 AM service for a presentation of the two Afghan Projects currently underway by Fountain Street Church: the Afghan Refugee Re-settlement Program and the Education Program for Un-accompanied Afghan Teens.
Special assistance is needed from congregational members:
1. Additional volunteers to transport family members to appointments; contact klundeen@aol.com for questions and of your availability.
2. Samaritas is requesting for the homes of new refugee arrivals: eight sets of small kitchen tables with two or three chairs per table. Please contact Jonathan Shotwell directly at Samaritas for pick up at 616 516-5297 or jShot@samaritas.org.
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