September Book Club Location - 9/18 @ Joan Martin's

Our wonderful Joan Martin has offered to host September's book club meeting. We will meet on Saturday, September 18th, at 1:00pm.

She will provide drinks. Please bring something to share.

A (Long) Tale of Two Cities:

Okay, so are you having a hard time getting through this long book? If so, this is one time that we will suggest you cheat! If you can read the first chapter and the last chapter, maybe along with the Cliff Notes, that will get you by. We plan to watch the movie, based on the book, during the meeting.

Also, you can download the audiobook FREE at the iTunes store. Search the title of the book and then look under "Podcasts" on the results page. You have to download each chapter, but it is the unabridged version of the book. Those of you who spend a long time in the car will find this perfect.

See you in September!!!

Book Club starts Sept. 18th at 1:00pm

It's that time of year again. The kids are back in school, Fall will soon be here, and Book Club will start up. Put the date on your calendar: Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at 1:00pm.

We would like to know if some of you would be interested in hosting Book Club in your home for a month. We would only ask that you provide drinks and the rest of us can bring food to share. We can also still meet in the library.

We are currently reading "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. It's a long book so if you haven't started reading it, you might want to start. Come prepared to discuss this classic book. The location will be announced at a later date.

P.S. Remember, it is not a requirement of our book club that you read the book. But, you will enjoy yourself more if you do. Either way, come!

Summer Reading Assignment

Summer Reading Assignment? "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. We chose this classic for our summer reading. Pick up a copy of your own or check one out from your local library. You have all summer to read it but don't wait too long!

We sure enjoyed hearing from Ruth Erickson today and her adventures both as a child and an adult living in China as a missionary. Did you know she was in Hong Kong when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong? Dorothy Baumann was only 1 year old when they were taken to a camp. They were among the few that were traded for Japanese American captives. She has quite the story to tell. Jack Stitzel recorded it so you might be able to watch it if you weren't able to make it.

Thank you Bev for hosting todays event. It's always so wonderful to have Book Club in a home.

May Book Club Confirmed for May 22nd at Bev Stitzel's

Mambo's Book Club is in for a real treat Sat., May 22, when Dorothy Baumann's mother Ruth will be sharing some of her experiences as a missionary to China. Time is 12 noon; place is Bev Stitzel's home in the Lee's Crossing neighborhood. If you need directions, please call Bev; don't use MapQuest, etc. - incorrect info. Drinks will be provided. If you would like to bring something to eat, whatever you bring will be welcome. RSVP regrets only.

We are reading NESTS ABOVE THE ABYSS by Isobel Kuhn. If you have a copy and you have finished reading it, would you mind bringing it to church on Sun. to share with someone else. Even if you haven't read any of it, you'll be blessed by the discussion......and it may be even more meaningful to read after you've had a chance to hear Ruth.

Another related announcement: Jack and Bev S. will hold Book Sale #1 this Sat., the 15th, from 8-12, as part of the Lee's Crossing Neighborhood Yard Sale. (At their house.) All these books came from the home of Cindy Simmons' parents. And all the proceeds will go to various mission projects connected with Grace Comm. Church. Book Sale #2 will be held May 22 - before and after Book Club. Free boxes to carry your books home in!

May Book Club meets on May 22nd at Bev Stitzel's home

Next month we'll be meeting at Bev Stitzel's house and will need to meet on the 4th Sat. May 22. We'll be reading Nests Above the Abyss by Isobel Kuhn. Bev has ordered several copies to be mailed to the church office. They should be here this coming Sunday for pick up.

We had a small, but good group in April to discuss the Window Over the Kitchen Sink, and Kathleen gave us a teaser for the May book too. Be sure to try to come in May, as Dorothy Baumann's Mom will be with us to talk about some of her experiences as a missionary in China (the topic of the book).

We'll have more details when Bev returns from her trip (i.e. cost of book, exact time, etc.)

April Book Club - 4/17/10 at GCC @ 1:00pm

Come one, come all and meet over the sink -- I mean at the GCC library and discuss the sweet book "A WINDOW OVER THE SINK" by Peg Bracken. This sweet book was recommended by Jo Peterson many moons ago and I'm personally thrilled that we are finally going to discuss it. I may have an extra copy of it in the library Sunday so come and ask if you'd like to buy one -- it's only $7. Even if you didn't get a chance to read it, you really want to have this one in your personal library.

We will meet at our usual time (1:00pm) in the church library. BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE. See you there!

Doneine Dickinson

e-Shepherd

March Book Club is on March 20th, 2010 @ 1:00pm

Saturday, March 20th Book Club @ 1:00pm in the GCC Library. Bring something to share.

For March: We're making this an Irish Book Club for March 20, and there are lots of choices for what you can read/look up, etc.
1) If you so choose, you could read one or more chapters of HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION by Thomas Cahill. The chapters on (St.) Patrick and on the scribes in the monasteries who preserved so much of the written Word of God are part of our American heritage and well worth reading. This book is readily available at any public library. (Thomas Cahill will be speaking Mon., March 15, at the lst Bapt. Church of Decatur if anyone is interested. Call Bev S.) (If you read from this book, be sure to read the Introduction.)

2) You could read all or part of a biography of Patrick. Bev S. has one available. (And Carla Estelle has done a lot of research on him and I'm sure would be happy to share it.) Or - you might want to research one of the following: The Book of Kells, the Celtic teaching crosses, the hymn, "Be Thou My Vision", Brendan the Navigator who took the Gospel north....or anything else of your choosing. We're just looking at our Christian heritage as it came from Ireland. So have fun.......Erin go bragh.....and Cead mille failte.

For April: A WINDOW OVER THE SINK by Peg Bracken...........This is an easy read but fun; several people have copies, so I think it can be passed around to most everyone.

For May: NESTS ABOVE THE ABYSS by Isobel Kuhn..........We read GREEN LEAF IN DROUGHT by her several years ago - the story of a young couple in China. NESTS is the story of Isobel and her husband as they worked with the Lisu people in China........a remarkable story by an excellent writer. Copies are being ordered soon if you would like one. ****And we have asked Dorothy Baumann's mother Ruth to come and share with us stories of her life in China. You don't want to miss this one.

Also, this message from Bev S: For those of you who read a translation of ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN D. other than the Everyman's Library translation, I do apologize. I had no idea that other translations were full of language that we would prefer not to put in our minds..........so I am sorry. The Everyman's Library edition has very little language and is available at any library. If you were not able to come, you might want to check out the Great Souls video on Solzhenitsyn which is in our church library. All of us who watched it were fascinated with this man's story and how his writing helped to bring down the Soviet Union.

February Book Club will meet on February 20th, 2010

Our next book club meeting will be on Saturday, February 20th at 1:00 pm in the Thelma Stout Memorial (GCC) Library. Be prepared to discuss the book "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Bring something to share but mostly bring yourself (even if you don't get a chance to read the book). Remember, it's not a requirement of this book club. Happy reading!!!

Book Club Meeting of January 16th, 2010

We sure missed those of you who could not be there today. We had quite a wonderful discussion. Several admitted their surprise when the book was announced for this month, but it was the one book that had themost votes. Those of you who had not read it really enjoyed the book. We all spoke of our favorite characters: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Wol (Owl), and of course, Christopher Robin. Did you know that Christopher Robin Milne was A.A. Milne's son? He was born in 1920 and A.A. Milne wrote the books for his son based on Christopher's stuffed animals. They are on display at the Central Children's Room at the Donnel Center which is a branch of the New York City Library.

Some of the quotes from A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books:

“"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”

“To the uneducated, an A is just three sticks.”

“He respects Owl, because you can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right.”

“The more he looked inside the more Piglet wasn't there.”

“When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.”

“When Rabbit said, `Honey or condensed milk with your bread?' he was so excited that he said, `Both,' and then, so as not to seem greedy, he added, `But don't bother

about the bread, please.'”

“'Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?' 'Supposing it didn't,' said Pooh. After careful thought Piglet was comforted by this.”

And our Favorite Quote:

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

If you didn't read these stories to your children, you'll want to read them to your grandchildren or your nieces or your nephews.

Our next book club will be on February 20th. We will be reading "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

First Book Club of 2010 is on January 16th

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The ladies had a joyous time reading part of the book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Thank you Bev Stitzel for putting this together and Sharon Rakness for opening her home. The ladies loved the props, readings and the hospitality.

Lists were tallied and choices were made. The book for this month will be the classic "The House at Pooh Corner" by A.A. Milne.

We will meet at the GCC Library at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16th. Please bring something to share with the ladies.

For our February book, we will be reading the book "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

If anyone has my copy of "Cottonwood Whispers" by Jennifer Erin Valent, could you please bring it Sunday. Thanks!

Book Club is this Saturday, 12/19 at 1 pm @ Sharon Rakness' Home

Come join us this Saturday, December 19th at 1:00pm to act out "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Props will be provided. You do NOT have to read the book to attend.

We will meet at the home of Sharon Rakness who lives near the church. Please bring something to share and your Christmas spirit.

Remember to give Bev Stitzel your top 5 choices from the list of Classic Books. If you have not done so already, please take the time to look over the list now and put in your vote for the top 5 classics you would like to read. Give them to Bev and then she'll take the top 3 to choose from.

See you Saturday.

December 2009 Book Club is December 19th at 1:00pm

Come join us on December 19th to act out "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Props will be provided. You do NOT have to read the book to attend and we have copies of the movie available in our GCC Library (both VHS & DVD formats).

Please bring something to share and your Christmas spirit. The location will be announced when finalized, but we will most likely be having it in someone's home.

I attached a list of Classic Books from Bev Stitzel to the e-mail reminder. Please take the time to look over the list now and put in your vote for the top 5 classics you would like to read. Give them to Bev and then she'll take the top 3 to choose from.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. (Note, I was thrilled to see SO many BLOG backgrounds to choose from that contained the word "Christmas". I love this site: www.thecutestblogontheblock.com

Book Club is this Saturday, 11/21 at 1pm - Angel Tree Time

Once again, Book Club is upon us. Join us this Saturday to discuss this month's book -- 1st & 2nd Kings. Remember, next month we will be doing some sort of dramatization of "The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever". Book, DVD & Video are available from our library.

Kay Toon has asked me to remind you that the Angel Tree ministry has assigned us family members to provide gifts for. For those of you who are new to Book Club, we have been involved in this ministry for the past 8 or 9 years. We got involved in this ministry after the Book Club read "Life Sentence" by Chuck Colson. The website states:

Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. It seeks to transform the lives of these families and to reconcile them to their Heavenly Father and each other.

Website address: http://www.angeltree.org/angeltree-home

(this is part of the Prison Fellowship Ministry)

If you can, please bring a snack to share. Coffee/Tea will be provided. We meet in the GCC Library.

See you Saturday!

NOTE: JoAnn Steinmetz has 4-1/2 days left of work. Yeah!!!!

November 2009 Book Club is Nov. 21st

Book Club will be on Saturdays from now on....... The reason why? JoAnn Steinmetz is retiring!!! So she won't have to work on Saturdays after November!!!! "Way to go", JoAnn! We were so glad you could join us this past Sunday. We missed your smiling face.

We had a great time discussing the book "Cottonwood Whispers" by Jennifer Erin Valent. She is such an excellent writer. Several people told me that they had a hard time putting the book down. Lisa Bryant read through the book in a day. I could NEVER do that. There was a lot of discussion about the character Mr. Poe and some question as to his race. I confirmed with the author that he was Caucasian. Jennifer said she didn't purposely leave a vague description of Mr. Poe but I assured her that it made for a more interesting discussion. There is some excitement about the possibility of something developing between Luke and Jessilyn in Book 3 of this series. I'm sure that whatever the book holds, Jennifer will NOT disappoint. Without giving anything away for those who haven't read the book yet, I think the most intriguing situation in this book was the symbolism of sacrifice and faith. If you haven't read the book yet, please do.

For November, we will be reading "1st and 2nd Kings" from the Bible. Read these 2 books in whatever version of the Bible you choose, and come prepared to discuss what you learned about these Old Testament books. Crack open a commentary or two.There are some in the library for you to check out. Yes, the GCC Library allows reference books to be checked out. We will meet in the GCC Library on November 21st at 1:00 pm. Bring a snack to share. Coffee & Tea will be provided.

For December, we will be meeting to discuss and act out the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" just like we did "Little Women" in the past. This should be fun. We have not set a date for this event yet. We will probably meet in someone's home but I am awaiting final world on those details. We have the Book, DVD & Video in the GCC Library for you to check out.

October Book Club is Next Sunday, October 18th at 1:15pm

This month, we will have Book Club on Sunday, Oct. 18th so that JoAnn Steinmetz can once again join us. (We've missed you, JoAnn).

The library is open after church so we won't be able to get started until around 1:15pm. Bring a lunch or something to share. We cannot set up food & drinks until after 1:15pm so if you bring something that requires it to be plugged in (i.e.--crock pot), you'll have to use the kitchen, etc. until that time.

We are reading and will be discussing "Cottonwood Whispers" by Jennifer Erin Valent. This is a sequel to "Fireflies in December". Come ready to discuss this book. But..... if you haven't read it, come anyway. Reading is not required of this book club. :-)

See you Sunday!!!!

Book Club Starts this Saturday, Sept 19th at 1:00pm

Come one, come all. Book Club is starting!!!!

Join us in the library this Saturday, Sept 19th at 1:00 pm to discuss "The Girls from Ames". Bring your book club suggestions for the following months. What classic should we read this year, what book of the Bible? Non-fiction??? Bring your ideas to discuss.

If you can bring something to share, please indicate it by leaving a comment or by e-mailing me.

Summer Reading - 2009

As you know, May was our last book club until the end of summer. We will start up again in August. We always try to have something to read over the summer and this is the book we chose:

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship by Jeffrey Zaslow.



If you think of a trip we could take or just a meeting for lunch, please give us your suggestions.

Book Club this Saturday, May 16th @ 1pm

Come join us this Saturday at 1:00pm in the GCC Library for Book Club. We will be discussing "Great Lion of God" by Taylor Caldwell. Please let me know if you can bring something for a snack or drink. Thanks. This will be our last meeting until the end of summer so come bringing ideas for a summer read and/or trip.