She's READY!

Here's our Conference Registrar, Cheryl Rhodes, with both computers warmed up and ready to go!  Cheryl is a member of the St. Barnabas, Deep River branch and a great friend.  She is also one of the most organized people I know and juggles a full-time librarian position at the high school with her family commitments, presidency of the local cross-country ski association, church stuff AND fitness activities!  She skis, plays tennis, bikes, walks and even gets on the Wii when it's a rainy day. 

Cheryl will be the one accepting your registration forms and fees, so if you have a concern or question about that, send her an email or pick up the phone.  Her contact information is on the registration form.  You will also see her face at the registration desk upon arrival at St. Paul U residence.

Observant readers will notice that Cheryl is sporting a Conference t-shirt.  Our first order arrived last week - most exciting!!  I was impressed with the company's efficiency--from order to receipt was less than 2 weeks - pretty quick!  The price was the cost of the t-shirt as advertised, plus shipping.  There were no further taxes or brokerage fees added so if your branch does a bulk order, there's not too much to add to the cost as advertised.  Check out the merchandise by clicking the tab "Shop for Gear" above.

furthering Mary Sumner's work

Tonight was the first of our weekly prayer sessions being held Wednesday evenings 6-7 pm.  These conference prayer times are being led by Hilary Angell and she has developed a theme for each week.  Tonight's was on Mary Sumner and her vision of MU.  Many of you will be familiar with her personal prayer which is one of my favourites:
All this day, O Lord,
let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;
and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken,
whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe,
or the life I live.  Amen.
I thought touching as many lives as possible for God could be translated into compassion and prayed that Mary's work would be furthered at our national conference as we grow in compassion.  This could be expressed as we consider MU outreach but particularly as we interact with each other, listening and accepting each other without judging.
Please join us in praying for the conference and add your prayers to the comments section below.
Shalom!

Katharine's MU Birthday Bash!

My 50th Birthday Party was our St. Barnabas, Deep River branch's first meeting of the year -- what a lovely way to celebrate!  I had asked for healthy eating tips and recipes as presents and wish to share a few of them with you  here in order to keep you all as healthy as possible for the Conference which is only 8 months away.  How time flies when you're having so much fun:)
Tip #1:  Drink a glass of hot lemon water daily.  Put about a tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of boiling water and have it instead of tea on occasion.
Tip #2:  Serve on smaller plates/bowls.  The quantity we eat depends a LOT on what our eyes tell us -- a smaller amount will look like more on a smaller plate.
Tip #3: Heavy sauces are not needed on pasta -- try this one for example:

1/2 pound pasta (rigatoni or fusilli works well)
1 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 each sweet red and yellow pepper, cut in strips
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 cup finely shredded fresh basil OR 2 tsp dried basil
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
6 black olives, sliced.

Cook pasta, drain and return to pot. 
Meanwhile heat oil in a large skllet.  Cook onion and garlic for a few minutes, add peppers, cook for a few more mninutes, stirring often.  Add tomato and continue cooking until peppers are tender. Add to hot pasta along with basil, cheese and olives; toss well.   
Makes 3 servings.