Announcements for Sunday, June 29nd

• Today’s altar flowers were donated by Ron and Sumiko Sober in celebration of their 24th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, Ron and Sumiko!
• Please welcome Keith and Christie Milner who will join the church as new members this morning.
• Christian History: Today our subject is Dante’s Book of the Dead, the first of three classes on Dante’s works. Dante’s Divine Comedy, to be understood, must be put into the context of being essentially a Christian poem. Justice is the key theme here, recalling the Biblical conception of divine justice. Next week we move on to Dante’s Last “Sympathetic Sinner”, where unrepentant sinners try to justify themselves at God’s expense. We invite you to join us in room 225 at 9:45 a.m.
• Christian Ethics and Current Events: Come join us in room 212 at 9:45 today for a discussion on "The New Face of Homelessness". Foreclosures and joblessness raise the specter of homelessness for many people. Who are the homeless? How can Christians be advocates with and for the homeless? Next week's topic is "A Pledge to Witness". General Conference recently approved the addition of the word witness to the membership vows. What does witness mean, and how will the promise to witness make a difference in Christian life?
• Church Directories: If your had your picture taken earlier this year for the new directory, you may pick up your directory today in the activity center. After today, the directories will be available in the church office, Monday –Friday from 8:00am-2:00pm. If you did not have your picture taken but would still like to have a directory, please contact Linda Faber at 480-821-0952 to order one. The cost is $10.00.
• Youth News: Junior High will meet at Stratum Laser Tag from 4:00-6:00pm today. Senior High will meet at the church from 5:00-7:00pm. Please bring $3.00 for dinner.
• The Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study will continue throughout the summer, studying the Upper Room Daily Devotional through mid August from 10:00-11:30am in room 212. Childcare is provided. For more information, please contact Carlene DuAmarell at 480-588-6901.
• Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Our shawl ministry is in of prayer shawls. These shawls are prayed over by our ministry staff and presented to families during illness, death or crisis. We are also in need of baby baptism shawls. Please contact Linda Shasteen at 480-279-6019 or lou.lou52@yahoo.com for more information.
• We’re starting a bluegrass group for jamming and general music-making! (Bluegrass instrumentation can include mandolin, banjo, acoustic rhythm guitar, fiddle, and stand-up bass, with other options such as autoharp, ukulele, dulcimer, or Appalachian jug thrown in for good measure). Dirk Smith (of LIFESONG) is organizing the new ensemble, and while he’s interested in all blue-grass instrumentalists, there is a particular need for a fiddler. Anyone qualified and interested, please contact Dirk at the earliest convenience by e-mailing music@gilbertumc.org.
• Sign up to cook or serve a meal to the homeless in August and September – the first Saturday of the month. It’s a great way for a family to share time and make a difference in the lives of others. Stop by the Missions table in the Activity Center if you can help out. Also, keep bringing in those travel samples – our Youth Groups are sorting them into organized bags of various hygiene items. Women arriving at the Domestic Violence shelters often arrive with very little. These travel sample kits help provide basic items during those first nights of crisis.
• The monthly Men’s Breakfast has been cancelled for July and August. The breakfasts will start again in September. For more information, please see David Moore or Jerry Hallmark.
• Busy Bags are now available in the narthex for children to enjoy during the church services. The yellow ones are for children 2-5 years and the blue ones for children 5-8 years. Please remember to return all items to the busy bags and to return the busy bags to their home in the narthex.
• We are in need of a few Summer Sunday School teachers through August. Each class (preschool through 6th grade) requires two teachers. All lessons and supplies will be provided. Please consider signing up for 2 Sundays this summer. You may sign up in the activity center between church services or you may contact Lisa Strazz at 480-892-9166 or christianeducation@gilbertumc.org.
• The church is in need of adult childcare providers for the Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study. This is a paid position. For more information or to apply, please contact Aspen Gonzales, Childcare Coordinator, in the church office.
• The church will sponsor a Daisy Troop for girls entering kindergarten in the fall, coordinated by Ursula Barry. We are in need of another adult leader. To volunteer or to register your daughter, please contact Ursula at 480-632-6068 or mum@cox.net.
• Preparing for the October Valley Paint-a-thon
  Do you know a homeowner eligible for a home painting? Our mission team will help them through the selection process and then organize the teams to paint the home. The requirements: homeowner of a single family residence, financially disadvantage, physically unable to personally paint the home, home in sufficient condition so that scraping and spot priming are the only preparations needed. For more information and to refer a homeowner, contact Diane Gardner at 480-497-6760 or missions@gilbertumc.org.
• Special Buddies – We are in need of Special Buddies (formerly known as Special Need Aides) to serve as aids to special needs children during the 9:45 Sunday worship services. All it takes is for you to have it in your heart to become a Special Buddy. Training is provided. This is a paid position. If you are interested or for more information, please contact Lori Wiemers at 602-696-1734 or by email at children@gilbertumc.org.
• Are You a History Buff? Our Ministry Council is seeking individuals interested in helping to preserve the history of First United Methodist Church of Gilbert. We have photographs and historical documents to be discovered and organized as well as our coming centennial to plan. For more information about this team, contact Therese Pineda at health@gilbertumc.org or 892-9166.
• The Wesley Community Center has collected Campbell’s Soup Labels for the past 15 years. Over the years, these labels have been redeemed for 4 computers, a TV/VCR/DVD player, and numerous games and toys. If you would like to help, please bring your labels and the accompanying UPC symbols to the church office. For more information about the Campbell’s Soup Label program, visit their website at http://www.labelsforeducation.com/eligibleproductsEN.aspx.