It’s that time again for our annual All Church Family Picnic at Oleta River State Park. We will be flipping burgers, veggie patties, and enjoying the wonderful food that people will share with each other. The kids will be riding their bikes, exploring the mangrove shoreline, while the adults converse or toss a Frisbee. And all northerners new to the area will be delighted to see that in the middle of winter this sort of behavior is encouraged. Come when you can and go when you must. We ask that you bring a bag of chips (or some potato salad) to be shared with everyone. REMINDER: No alcohol allowed as per the rules of the Florida State Parks, which prohibit alcoholic drinks. Due to a restricted budget, the church will also be accepting $5 donations per person for the cost of the pavilion, burgers, drinks and other food items purchased ahead of time. Please make plans to attend, and let us know you attend to do so by signing up in the Fellowship Hall or calling the church office.

Have you ever wanted to test your manly skills by wrestling an alligator? Would you like to prove yourself by going into the wild and being at one with nature? Well, guess what? If you answered yes, you are ALONE. Most of us just want to say we can do those things, but don’t really ever intend to. However, if you would like to go for a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the best of January weather conditions in the Everglades, we have the outing just for you. On Saturday, January 24 join Kirk Arthur and a group of men from CGCC for a nice, but invigorating bike ride through Shark Valley in the Everglades. Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike. There is a bike rental at the park. More details will be given to those who sign up, by contacting Kirk at kirk_arthur@hotmail.com.

Join our XYZ Group on Saturday, January 31, 2009, for a fascinating cruise on the Miami River with Dr. Paul George. (Lunch on your own at Bayside Miami.) Make check payable to CGCC, and mail to: Lillian Kirchheiner, 9038 SW 62 Terrace, Miami, FL 33173. Questions? Call Lillian at (305) 596-7990.

We are pleased to announce the formation of our GLBT Fellowship Group, Friends of Dorothy, at CGCC! This group is being organized to provide programming to our ever-growing GLBT membership and its friends and supporters in the congregation.

Friends of Dorothy wish to thank everyone who participated in the Holiday gathering at Pastor Laurie’s house on December 13 and the outing to the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus Concert on December 20! Look for our next gathering in February!

For more information about Friends of Dorothy, please contact Pierce Withers at 954.980.6708 or at piercewithers@gmail.com

Photos by Robert Klemm.com (www.rk-image.com)