Happy New Year everyone! 
As always our ladies have been hard at work making some fun and some beautiful quilts. As you can see, this quilt isn’t quite finished, but won’t this be special for someone?
We are asking for a donation of some new, high quality fabric scissors to the quilters. We had one pair and they have gone missing. They are the only scissors that really cut the fabric for us.
Contact: Bev Kenny krkbjk@comcast.net
A BIG thank you to all who purchased gift cards, personal checks or gave extra gift cards for the Giving Tree.
We had 70 clients from Turning Point and 15 families from Grafton Food Pantry. That totaled 119 gift cards, plus the extra gifts. The need was VERY heavy this year and we could have taken more families. Hopefully, next year. I want to thank Alice and Bev for taking over this Mission work in 2024. Blessings to all and a Happy New Year.
Contact: Alice Miller admiller93@comcast.net
What is the difference between a refugee, a migrant, an immigrant and an asylum seeker? 
A “migrant” is a worker who comes over to work temporarily and returns to their home country each time.
An immigrant is technically some who comes to work permanently (i.e. green cards etc.)
Asylum seekers are when people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country, they apply for asylum – the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material assistance. (what is commonly now in the US referred to as immigrants.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
Refugees apply to a country and are vigorously vetted before arriving and accepted into the country they have applied for.
THAT SAID, COULD YOU HELP the mission team supply a newly arriving refugee family with an EXODUS welcome pack?
We have many items already, but still need Plastic Wrap, Set of 8 glasses, Twin Comforter, Dishwashing soap, Broom & Dust Pan and more. Please go to www.bit.ly/SOTPrefugee24 to register to purchase an item.
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What else is the mission team a part of this month?
The Lenten offerings have been designated for AARK Gardens, Exodus World Service, Food cards for homeless in tent city and CRE-Reentry.
On Monday Feb. 19th , 4 t0 8 PM CULVERS’ FUNDRAISER to support local Habitat for Humanity.
Contact: Sandy Hupert at sandyhupert@gmail.com
You are invited to the Congregational Resourcing Event on March 16, 2024, at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois. 
This is hosted by the Congregational Life Committee. We will gather with worship. Then, we will participate in the keynote and discussion led by Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, the Senior Director for New Ministry Development and Evangelism at the Churchwide Office of the ELCA.
The workshop listing will be shared as soon as it is ready. Registration is now open and closes on March 2nd. The registration fee is $25 for the event. This includes breakfast treats, coffee, and lunch. Scholarships are available.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about how you can be part of and share God’s Story. We can meet at SOTP and carpool to Dixon.
To register or for more information let Donna know.
Contact: Donna Kelly donna@sotpmail.com 847-669-9448
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! 
We recently received a call from Harriet Ford from the Grafton Food Pantry expressing her sincere gratefulness for all SOTP’s contributions in 2023. She shared that she wished more organizations would think of them throughout the year as SOTP does with our monthly collections and quarterly food drives.
On that positive note, let’s show Grafton that we can go above and beyond in 2024!!
Be sure to watch the newsletter for our first of the month collections and the first community food drive in February!
-Community Outreach and Mission Teams
Contact: Tara Mackey rtmackey10@yahoo.com
February 24th from 9am-1pm is the Community Outreach’s first Grafton Food Drive of 2024. 
Help us fill the shelves at the Grafton Food Pantry. Whether you choose to donate items or give monetarily, all donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact: Tara Mackey rtmackey10@hahoocom
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great quick food choice since they are loaded with important nutrients. 
Test your knowledge of the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables
True or False: Eating cabbage can help reduce the risk of some cancers.
True or False: A chili pepper has more vitamin C than an orange.
True or False: Calcium cannot be found in vegetables.
True or False: Fresh fruits and vegetables contain almost no sodium.
True or False: The amount of water used in cooking vegetables won’t affect their nutritional content.
True or False: The deeper the color of the vegetable, the more beta-carotene it contains.
True or False: Fresh fruits and vegetables are composed mostly of water.
Shop for produce and other perishables once or twice a week so you have enough to get you through the week. Keep fruits and vegetables on hand for low-fat, low-calorie snack options.
Fruit and Veggie Recipes:
Apple and Peanut Butter Dip
Sometimes you want something sweet. This is the perfect dish for that moment. It’s not only sweet but it also has protein and fiber.
Ingredients:
Mix the yogurt and peanut butter powder together. Serve with the sliced apple
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Ingredients:
Preheat the oven to 450. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the zucchini in to ¼ inch slices. Place onto the prepared baking sheet. Evenly distribute the marinara sauce and mozzarella on top of each zucchini slice, and then sprinkle on the Italian seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the cheese becomes bubbly.
Contact: Jamie Patel at jamie.patel@nm.org
VBS will be
July 8-12, 2024
Contact: Jill Gillming at Jill@sotpmail.com
If you attend Saturday Night 5:00 pm church service, you might recognize a face or two.
This picture is a group of the Saturday ushers, excluding Pastor Ryan, who faithfully serve on Saturday’s. Many also serve as Communion Stewards. Some were missing because of work or on vacation. If you are interested in serving on Saturday’s, contact Lead Usher Barb Hoppensteadt.
Contact: Barb Hoppensteadt at hoppen@sbcglobal.net
Now that the weather is nicer, why not take a walk the West end of the Church building and visit our Memory Garden and Memory Walkway. There you will see our 72 niche Columbarium and Memory Brick walkway. There are 3 granite benches for you to relax on. Then you can take a walk on the Memory Brick walkway. There are still spots available in the Columbarium, and we will try to get enough orders for additional bricks later this year. For more information, contact Pastor Mark or Pastor Ryan.
Contact: Ralph Wehnes ralphwehnes@sbcglobal.net