Coffee & Conversation Winter/Spring Schedule

January 8 – Preparing for College

A panel of college students from St. Paul's will hold a discussion on many topics that pertain to students. These include preparing for school; high school and college academics, as well as spiritual issues that can be faced when entering higher education. This is a great opportunity for high school students and their parents to ask questions, and for church members to hear how these members continue their spiritual journey while in college.

January 15 – Comfort Keepers

This presentation by Wendy Kerschner, territory manager of Comfort Keepers, will include an explanation of the services offered by Comfort Keepers as an "in home care" provider.  These services include: companionship, meal preparation, incidental transportation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, emergency monitoring, bathing and grooming and other services to meet the needs of someone who wishes to stay in their home.  Learn about how the services differ among organizations and what to look for when one needs in home service.

January 22 – Thrivent Financial “When the Tables are Turned”

Thrivent agent, Scott Guldin, of the Kutztown Thrivent office, will present "When the Tables Are Turned".....when children are caring for their parents.  With people living longer and more children in households where both the husband and wife are employed, challenges can be many.  Learn some of the suggestions to help both the dependent and the caregiver to establish some guidelines of need, resources and how to address the mental and physical needs of both the disabled and the caregiver.  “Do what you can for who you can with what you have and where you are.” 

January 29 – Justice or Just This?  by Jeffrey K. Sprecher

February 5 – Volunteer Home Care

This service is monitored by the Lutheran Home at Topton and is available in our area.  Transportation needs can be filled by a volunteer, but other services are also offered, as companionship, referrals to other service agencies and peace of mind for those who live alone or whose family support is unavailable.  It is important to know the resources that are offered through this Lutheran source.

February 12 – One Family’s Experience with Stroke

Michael and Denice DeAntonio will offer their personal and unique program on strokes and how one's family and life are affected after a stroke.  Mrs. DeAntonio, as a young wife and mother of 2 school children, suffered a severe stroke, and this couple wants to share their personal experience as to changes that stroke made in their lives, the lives of their children, their occupations and the emotional and physical traumas they endured....as well as the long term changes that are required as a result of Denice's stroke.  Please feel free to bring anyone, but especially anyone who has experienced a stroke or is caring for a stroke victim.

February 19 and 26, and March 11 – “The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond” by Bill Hybels  Jean Machamer – Presenter

Imagine what your life would be like if you were willing to say, “God, I’m listening.”  Join us during Coffee and Conversation for a three-week video series by best-selling author and pastor of Willow Creek Community Church.   Learn how to better listen for God’s “voice” over the distractions of life that fill your mind each day.  God is ready and eager to be a part of your daily routine so that you can live a more Spirit-filled life.  

March 4 – Janelle Geist will share experiences of her mission trip to Nicaragua

March 18 – Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life  Jane Sprecher – Presenter

Based on the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, please join us as we discuss how the second half of life is a whole lot more than reaching a certain age.  In the first half of life, we are preoccupied with establishing our identity-climbing, achieving, and performing but those concerns will not serve us as we grow older.  Eventually we need to see ourselves in a different and life-giving way.  You will be surprised to learn that those who have fallen, failed or “gone down” during the first half of life are the ones who truly understand “up”.  We grow spiritually more by doing it wrong than by doing right.

With the guidance of Richard Rohr’s insight, we will journey together to the understanding of how the heartbreaks, disappointments, and first loves of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half of life has in store for us.

March 25 – Men in Mission/New Member Breakfast

April 1 – Fleetwood Police Chief

Join us for an opportunity to meet the new Fleetwood Police Chief, Steve Stinsky.  He comes to Fleetwood from Schuylkill County where he served as a state police officer.  He will share with us his past experiences and his goals as our new chief.

April 8 – Easter Sunday

April 15 – Bullying

Kim Price, Middle School Guidance Counselor will speak on boundaries and consequences with teenage bullying issues.

April 22 and 29 – Bible Study led by Beth Roerig

 "Thoughts, Prayers and the Power of God's Word"

May 6 – Advocate for Special Needs

Patti Mertz and her son Alec (Sue Schlottman's sister and nephew) will talk about the college program Patti was instrumental in developing for individuals with special needs who would be interested in furthering their education beyond high school. The current program is being offered at East Stroudsburg University, where there are 6 individuals taking part for their second year of the three year program. Patti will offer a brief overview of the program, while Alec will speak to us about his college experience.

May 13 and 20 – Planning for September 2012 – May 2013

May 27 - Pentecost