Phyllis and Tony Andrade led a Sunday School workshop showing the children how to make fish prints. The involved applying paint to a (real!) fish and then transferring that to white T-shirts. They tied in the art lesson with Thanksgiving, making the point that we are fortunate to have access to food not only for eating but for projects. It was a fun time, and the results are very creative and popular. My thanks to CE co-Director Jenny Nelson for these photos.

East Church had a vibrant presence at the 2012 Celebrate Milton festival. Kids were invited to make bead bracelets, while adult visitors were invited to pick up literature, have a conversation, and contribute to a colorful weaving. The final community tapestry is currently on display in our sanctuary. Thanks to Donna and Darwin Stapleton and Mark Seifried for these photos.

On Sunday, September 30, East Church officially commissioned the Pastoral Serach Committee. Sharon presented each of the seven members of the Committee to the congregations with a brief bio, and the Commissioning liturgy concluded with prayer and laying-on of hands. Thanks to Jenny Nelson for these photos, as both the customary photographer AND the church videographer were busy having hands laid on them!

Pastor Mark was blessed with an exceptionally tolerant and cooperative young lady for his first Baptism with us at East Church.

September 9 was quite a morning. We were introduced to Pastor Mark Seifried, our Interim Minister. We celebrated a "Blessing for the Shared Ministry of East Church and Pastor Mark." We had our bags and backpacks blessed. We had Church School Registration. AND we had an Ice Cream Social during Fellowship Hour. What a joyous way to say "hello" to the energy of Fall.

On Sunday, August 5, 2012 Rev. Eric and Rev. Sara Marean conducted their last service at East Church after four years with us as Settled Co-Pastors. The two received gifts of clerical stoles during worship and later during a special coffee fellowship were given a memory book and a video "time capsule" produced by Susan Harvey. Thanks to Susan also for these wonderful photos of a very moving day in the life of East Church.