What's New at Old South?

Old South Church Presents: 
A Virtual Coig Christmas Concert 
To Benefit Ecu Heat
​December 16th 7pm - online
To buy tickets:   https://coig.streamedtoyou.com/login
The internationally acclaimed Cape Breton based Celtic Music supergroup, COIG, will again partner with Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry to bring holiday cheer and an opportunity to support the local Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund ministry. While COVID restrictions prohibit large gatherings, and Canada has closed the border, COIG members so want to be here in Farmington that they offered to perform their concert in Nova Scotia and have it professionally recorded. The concert will be available online to ticket holders on December 16 at 7:00 pm eastern time. There is more than one way to gather together for a good cause!
To purchase a ticket go to https://coig.streamedtoyou.com/login where you will find a link online using a credit/debit card. Ticket price is $20. A link to the Concert will be sent to your email address or Face Book page to be accessed on December 16. With the purchase of a ticket, the concert will be viewable for 48 hours and will not be available to the public on YouTube.
When the concert is held in person at Old South Church, Santa hats are passed for donations to the Ecu Heat Fund. Since we cannot meet in person for the concert this year, you may make a donation through the ticketing website, or simply mail a check payable to FAEM/ECU HEAT to: FAEM/ECU HEAT, P.O. Box 188, West Farmington, ME 04992. All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged. Once again this year the Sandy River Charitable Fund has offered to match $5,000 in donations. Each year COIG has partnered with us, enough donations have been received to qualify for the Matching Grant, and then some.
The ECU HEAT fund serves low income residents of Franklin County with one delivery of fuel per winter, through the “50 for $50” program, administered by WMCA. Applications are available at WMCA, Town Offices, and local churches. Each applicant pays a $50 Share toward the cost of a 50-gallon liquid fuel delivery, or a ton of pellets, or a cord of firewood delivered by that customer’s regular fuel vendor. The Shares help ensure that ECU HEAT is able to help every family that applies once during the heating season. Last winter 786 neighbors in 400 homes throughout Franklin County received an ECU HEAT delivery. Many applicants were older residents living on fixed incomes. Disabled people who live on fixed incomes also need a helping hand, since Social Security checks may be enough for basic expenses in the summer, but don’t stretch to cover the cost of winter fuel. This winter, we anticipate even more people will apply, because so many neighbors are unemployed due to layoffs or COVID-19. Your donation will help some neighbor stay a little bit warmer this winter.
ECU HEAT is a ministry of F.A.E.M., a 501.c.3 charitable nonprofit. Questions? Email: faemofficer@gmail.com. For more information about FAEM ministries, visit www.faemchurches.org.

Ongoing
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Coat and Cupboard | 
Covid Update:  Not opent until further Notice
Our coat re-homing mission provided by our youth. We welcome members of the community to select warm coats, blankets, and more. 
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If you have gently-used outerwear that you'd like to donate, please contact Jodie, or drop off the items at the church (there are drop-off bins in the Vestry and by the Newman Wing door).
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The Pancakery | 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month | 11:30 am–12:30 pm | 
​Covid update: On hold until further notice
​UMF students are warmly invited to a free brunch, hosted by the Jr. Youth Group. We have a selection of "grab-and-go" fare, as well as hearty sit-down favorites. This "pop-up cafe" appears on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the Vestry-side parking lot.

We will not have the Pancakery on Sunday, December 24th.

Retirees Lunch | First Monday of every month | 12:00 p.m.
​Covid Update: On hold until further notice
Join us for a meal and fellowship on the first Monday of every month.
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Old South Community Lunch | 2nd Saturday of the month | 12:00 noon
​Covide Update: On hold until further notice
​Prepare or serve lunch to our neighbors the second Saturday of each month (September through June).  If you can't come Saturday mornings, join the peeling-and-prep party the day before! Please contact Stan Wheeler for more information. 
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Annie's Bean Pole
Covid Update: Annie's continues to operate during Covid. Please reach out if you need to. 
Annie's Bean Pole reopens at Old South! Old South's Outreach, Justice and Witness Program has taken over the operation of Annie's Beanpole, a medical equipment lending library. All equipment is free of charge and with no due dates, to those who cannot afford it. Items include wheelchairs, shower seats, toilet extenders, bedside commodes, bed rails, OT devices, walkers, crutches, and exercise equipment. Hospital beds are not available. Donations of good quality medical equipment are gratefully accepted. Please contact the church at 778-0424 for more information. 
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Clynk bags
Covid Update: Clynk Bags are available in the vestry entrance
Each green bag is labeled with Old South's registration number. Filled bags can be scanned and turned in at any Hannaford Store or the church.
​A portion of bottle deposit funds will be donated to the Franklin Association Honduras Partnership, with the remaining funds designated for the church.