Micah’s Backpack continues to be God’s heart and hands and voices in our community to over 195 students per week. Here is the latest report on what the ministry is accomplishing.
2011-2012 School Year to Date
1539.5 Volunteer Hours
3,468 Backpacks Delivered
20,952 Meals Delivered
7,422 Items of Food Donated
Thank you to all the kids and adults who made this year’s Christmas program, potluck and family craft night such a wonderful success.
At the Thank You Brunch and Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 11, the congregation elected three new Council members to three year terms. The new Council members are: John Krallman, Sheila McCartan and Ben Simmers. Continuing on Council are Jim Clemens, Keith Gay, Lori Ann Kirk, Maggie Maloney, Rick Mayer and Randy Robinson. In addition to electing new Council members, the 2012 Investments in Ministry Plan was adopted unanimously.
In December, the AARP is collecting gently used winter coats for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program. If you have a men’s, women’s or child’s coat that you are no longer using, please bring it to the church by the end of the year. Coats can be placed in the box in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, please talk to Carol Crawford.
Once a month, The Quilting Party gathers at St. Michael for their monthly meeting. The group shares in fellowship and their love of quilting. Recently, members of the group had several quilts recognized for excellence including a quilt worked on by Gisela Mittmann of St. Michael. The picture above shows the ladies who were recognized and several of their award winning quilts. (In this order from left to right in each row: Camelia Elliott, Gisela Mittmann, Karin Tauber, Lorraine Durrill, Vicki Barden, Elaine Myers, Kathy Maycock, Pamela Mann)
There are still plenty of turnips to be picked and bagged. If you want to have make a difference in just a few hours, considering coming out for all or part of the time from 9-12 THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3. This is a good activity for children.
The address of the farm is 1540 Creekside Lane, Riner, VA.–Enter that into google maps and you should have no trouble getting there. Then just follow the driveway until you see the folks gleaning.
The Lutheran Men in Mission will be working at the Montgomery County Christmas Store on Tuesday, December 6 and Saturday, December 10. On Dec. 6, help is needed from 12:30 PM until 4:30 PM and from 4:30 PM until 8:30 PM. On December 10, help is needed from 8:30 AM until 3 PM. If you can help on either day, please email Jeff Birch: jbbirch@vt.edu or Sandy Birch:birch@vt.edu . Anyone who has finished high school is eligible to help.
On Sunday, December 11 at 10 AM, the Congregation is invited to the Thank You Brunch and Congregational Meeting. We will enjoy a catered breakfast, vote on the 2012 Proposed Investments in Ministry and elect new members to the Congregational Council. You can download the 2012 Investments in Ministry plan proposed by the Council or pick up a copy in the front hallway at the church.
Tax legislation which includes the extension of the IRA Rollover was signed into law December 17, 2010, returning an opportunity for individuals to make a charitable gift by directing a transfer from a regular IRA to qualified 501(C)(3) organizations of their choice. The extension expires December 31, 2011. All gifts must be completed by that date.
Here are some common questions and answers that might be helpful to if you are interested in making a gift to St. Michael:
Who qualifies? Persons who are 70½ or older may direct an amount up to $100,000 per individual or $200,000 per couple (with separate annuities) without incurring a taxable event. The gift would qualify for the annual required minimum distribution.
How does it work? The IRA owner makes a written request to the IRA administrator to make a gift to an organization of his/her choice including his/her congregation or other 501(C)(3) ministry/charity. The donor would also notify the receiving organization of the forthcoming gift.
What are the benefits of a donor’s gift from an IRA? Donor avoids taxes when gift is completed prior to December 31, 2011. Donor may fulfill a pledge with a transfer from an IRA. Donor’s gift qualifies for required minimum distribution. Donor takes advantage of legislation that encourages gifts and makes a difference in the lives of others.
Should I be aware of other information or restrictions? Yes. The donor pays no taxes on the gift amount; at the same time, however, the donor may not claim a charitable deduction for a gift made through an IRA rollover since it is not received as income. Additionally, distributions from an IRA may not be used to fund a life income agreement, such as a Charitable Gift Annuity; nor transferred to a Donor Advised Fund.
St. Michael
Lutheran Church
Pastor John Wertz, Jr.
Office Number:
540-951-8951
Email:
hope@stmlc.us
