March Recycling Drive… Put it in the bin!

The good folks at Abitibi have offered us a challenge. If we recycle more than we did last March — 3.13 tons — we’ll raise twice the money we normally would. We get $5 per ton under 4 tons, and $15 per ton after that. Think you’ve got some old paper lying around that could help us reach our goal? If so, drop it off in the green bin in the lower lot here at Ivy. All money raised goes to support our youth programs.

Here’s a bit more about our recycling program:

RECYCLE YOUR PAPER—AND YOUR MAGAZINES!

WHAT GOES IN THE BIN?
It may surprise you what does and does not go in the recycling bin.
Here’s a quick list.

YES – put me in the bin!

Newspapers & Inserts, Magazines & Catalogs, Office/School Papers & Mail

NO – STOP, I can’t be recycled here!

Cardboard, food boxes, fiberboard or chip board, no textbooks or hard cover books, no phone books.  Plastic, glass, metals or trash.

However – many of these items MAY be recycled in your curb-side recycling.

Also, remember the blue bin is for aluminum recycling only.

E-mail us for more information about recycling at Ivy Chapel.

Game on! Ivy Chapel Game night, March 4

What’s your favorite board or card game? Do you love action or strategy? Test your skills and have a ton of fun at Ivy’s Game Night. Bring a board game, bring your friends, bring a snack and don’t forget your competitive spirit – this can be a tough group! It’s March 4 from 7 – 9 p.m. Want more scoop? Drop us a line.

UPDATE: Souper Bowl of Caring raises almost $300 for local charities

Thank you to all who donated!

On Sunday, Feb. 16, members of Ivy Chapel’s youths groups stood near the back of the sanctuary holding soup pots, collecting for the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide effort to help the hungry. Ivy’s youth collected $291 in cash, plus some food items, which will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry and Circle of Concern.

Nationwide, the 2011 campaign collected over $8.6 million, with over 10,500 organizations participating.

A brief history of “Souper Bowl of Caring”

MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:

“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.”

Since that day, more than $71 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring.  It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving.

Through this mission, young people learn what it’s like to make a positive difference in the world – as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need.

Thank you for being part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need.

What if… we all smiled more?

It sounds kind of corny, especially as the snow starts to melt and we’re all feeling a little happier.

But what if we all smiled more?

What affect would this have on our lives? How would it make us feel? More importantly, how would it make other people feel?

Think about this over the next week as you go to church, to school, to work, to the store. What if we all smiled more? How would it affect you, and those around you?

During Ivy Chapel’s recent annual meeting, members of the congregation were invited to write their “What if” thoughts and challenges on paper leaves, which now decorate the Narthex. This post was inspired by one of those anonymous comments. We will be sharing more soon. Please feel free to share your own “What if” challenge in the comments below.

Spaghetti Dinner, Feb. 26

What are you doing Feb. 26, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.?

You could be enjoying delicious pasta and great company at Ivy Chapel! We’re located at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield.

Proceeds will support Ivy Chapel community outreach programs.

With your contribution of $8.00 for adult ($4.00 for children) you’ll get a heaping plate of Spaghetti, bowl of salad, dessert, and a beverage.

Babysitting is provided.

Help spread the word! Download this flyer and send it to your friends!

Need more details? Drop us a line, and we’ll fill you in.

Do you check in at church?

Do you check in at church?

It’s a question that has many meanings in today’s ever-connected world.

Check in of course, has a virtual meaning. Today, people check-in on Facebook and other location-aware applications using their smartphones. It’s a way to share with friends, family and co-workers details about what’s going on.

Maybe you check in at the movies. Maybe you check in when you go out to eat. But do you check in at church, sharing the event with your family and friends on Twitter and Facebook?

What if we all checked in at church? What if we shared what we do every Sunday morning with those who matter the most of us?

What if we invited others to check in with us?

And what of checking in?

Are you checked in when you are at church?

Are you truly engaged, listening for God’s words and ready to take action?

What if we were all truly checked in?