We had a shortened week just before Christmas, so we did not quite make it to see Dave and Sue Parker in Marietta, Georgia. But we are only 50 miles from them so by New Year’s Eve we should definitely be there even with all the forecasted rain.
We added a new walker to our group this week – Ryan Philibert, who walked four times around Grimes Field with Barbara Daley and is inspired to dig out his old Fitbit and start contributing his miles.
With the pandemic escalating, the children will receive their materials (everything but the pizza!), in the mail.
Many thanks to Charlie and Elizabeth Hambrick- Stowe for the December books. We will begin the new year and delve into winter fun with a story and a DYI at home craft about the creativity and kindness shown as a response to the Blizzard of ’78.
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There will be two pre-recorded services posted on our Facebook page. The first service is a children’s service to tell the story in word and song as the creche set comes together. Our traditional service will be adapted as a pre-recorded virtual service, and include scenes and memories of Christmases past.
From 7-8pm, everyone is invited to come to the church front door for a Christmas blessing, music, and to receive an LED candle to bring your light to the world. This will be a masked, socially distanced and brief visit for everyone outside on the front steps. This is not a gathering but a quick stopping by anytime within the hour.
The Christmas tree from the sanctuary will be outside as the bring the church out into the world and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
One of our annual 5 for 5 offerings through the United Church of Christ is The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund. The offering is administered through the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance, the charitable arm of the Pension Boards.
Funds provide direct financial support to those who serve the church and are facing financial difficulties. Active and retired clergy, lay employees, and their surviving spouses may be eligible for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and/or Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks.
To support this offering, special envelopes are available through the church office, or a check can be sent to the church with ‘The Christmas Fund’ in the memo line.
The response to our Capital Campaign Fund Drive to off-set the cost of the new heating system has been incredible! To date, $ 91,380.77 has been received outright, with some $2,300 pledged as future giving. All of this occurring in the midst of a pandemic is truly remarkable.
We know that the overlay of the Covid-19 virus has created additional struggle for many folks. For some of us, it’s a day by day, hour by hour attempt to just maintain. Others of us, however, find ourselves in a position of extending our giving.
For those folks, we offer a couple of thoughts: Even prior to the pandemic, in an effort to simplify our lives, some of us have set aside the shopping/making and have chosen instead to make charitable contributions in someone’s name. The Capital Campaign presents such an opportunity, and if your honoree happens to visit Smith Church, the scope of such a gift will immediately be realized.
Others of us have another tradition ~ that of making charitable donations at year’s end in preparation for tax time early in the new year. Again, this fund would provide the chance for a gift that truly keeps on giving over the years.
Once again, we express our heartfelt thanks for all of the contributions to this project and look forward to the time when all of us may once again gather in the historic building that houses the unique fellowship of Smith Church.
Again, Thanks from the committee.
Pam Cornwell, Barbara Daley, Joan DeBrine, Larry DeLacy, Doug Hatfield, Pastor Donna Vuilleumier
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This Land of Snow – Cross country skiing is like “walking in cursive”. So writes Anders Morley. The author now splitting his time between Littleton, NH and Italy, recounts his trek across Canada on skiis ~ a journey as much into the soul as it is into the frigid heart of sparsely populated interior Canada.
Life’s lessons, an attempt at finding oneself, little known facts about the natural world’s adaptations to winter, gaining a fresh perspective all pop up in Morley’s account. As we settle into the winter months, those who thrive on the out-of-doors, relish winter, are camping enthusiasts, recall youthful adventures that shaped their later adult lives may nod in agreement with Morley’s personal givens and what his life journey provided him.
The date for discussing this book, available in hard and soft cover and on Audible will be announced as well as the format for sharing our thoughts about the book. Look for such announcement. Both of these titles would make nice gifts for the holidays.
On Friday, December 4th, at 3 PM, we will meet to share our impressions of Elizabeth Berg’s novel Year of Pleasures, about Betta Nolan who promised her husband that, upon his death, she would pick up the pieces and move to a small town and create a satisfying new life for herself.
