December 2011 Newsletter
GRACE CHURCH HARVEST FAIR SUCCESS STORY 2011
Our thanks go to everyone who helped make our Fair a great success this year. From people cutting and peeling apples for sauce and dessert for the Luncheon to folks making breads, cookies, cakes, soups, crafts as well as to the many who manned the tables, served the lunches, sold the African Jewelry and more. The Children's Room was very busy with children as well as adults picking up gifts for their families. The dolls and all the handmade clothes were so beautiful and of great interest to all. The book tables were overflowing with reading materials of all kinds. Thank you all for your contributions!
Again this year, we had a lovely Autumn day for our visitors to attend the Fair. Many came to shop and have lunch; tasting one or two of the five delicious soups. A new feature this year was the Silent Auction with brisk bidding taking place on several items.
We are especially pleased to have this large amount of proceeds to share with those in need. The Fair brought us $2,876.95 and along with $3,383 from the Silent auction, giving us $6,259.95 to divide between several local needs and the Bible College in Kasulu, Tanzania. The college is in great need of books for the students as well as improvement of their facilities. We will report at a later date how the proceeds will be distributed.
In addition, $678 were sent to The African Team Ministries for the Jewelry sold during the Fair.
Thank you all for your efforts to make this a great success!
Blessings, Jackie and Gunlög
OlLGA DOBS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Reverend Charles Hoffman congratulating our wonderful centenarian, Olga Dobbs, at a reception celebrating her 100the birthday following the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 20.
Merrill Hall was filled with parishioners, relatives, and close friends of the birthday girl. Her cake (baked by her younger daughter Patsy) was decorated with 100 candles, roses and gold ribbon; the cake was served along with three six-foot long sandwiches and many homemade delicacies.
Many donations in Olga’s honor were received by the Altar Gild for a much needed, new Fair Linen (altar cloth).
WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHTIN SERVICE
On December 11, the second Sunday in December, the national Compassionate Friends has their worldwide candle lighting service to remember all who have lost a child who has died from any cause.
We will hold our candle lighting service at Grace Church at 7:00 pm. We will have a speaker and music. In addition we will speak our child’s name as we light a candle in their memory exactly at 7:00 pm. We encourage you to bring a picture of your loved one to display for all to admire. Anyone is welcome to speak a prayer, poem, or a simple memory of their child. Whether it is very recent or 50 years since your loss you are encouraged to be a part of this living tribute. This activity transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.
This is the first year we are having a community celebration of this type. We hope to make it a yearly occurrence with your help. Please come 30 minutes early to talk with others who have had the same emotional experience. We start the candle lighting promptly at 7:00 pm to create a wave of light around the world.
All are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. For further information, please contact Kathy at bartuskab@yahoo.com.
Kathy Bartus
THE GIVING TREE FOR GRACE CHURCH & OLD SAYBROOK FAMILIES
The Giving Tree has been set up with gift tags for children, teens, and adults. If you take a tag, please plan to leave the item, unwrapped, with the tag, under the tree on or before Sunday, December 11.
It is very important the tags are returned with the various gifts or gift cards. Donations of Christmas gift wrap, bows, tape, etc. are also welcome.
For more information, please call Bunnie Lubs, (860/388-5622).
CALLING ALL ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Our Christmas Pageant will take place at the Family Service at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24. This service always begins the Christmas Eve festivities with a lot of fun and enthusiasm. Our pageant is an intergenerational production. The Church School will be hard at work during Advent assigning parts to narrators, angels, shepherds, wise men, and the entire cast. The principal dress rehearsal will take place in the church on Saturday, December 17, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. If needed, a second pageant rehearsal will take place on Sunday, December 21, following the 10:00 service.
We are always in need of FABRIC AND MEN'S BATHROBES in order to make more costumes. The bathrobes and fabric should be in earth tones (for the shepherds) and white (for the angels). For the wise men, we are in need of SHIMMERING SILVER AND GOLD FABRIC. In addition, we would like to add costumes for more animals in the pageant this year. If you have any creative ideas on ANIMAL COSTUMES (such as donkeys, cows and other animals), please let us know. We have a special need this year for WOOLY FAUX FUR FABRIC in either white or black and some sheep and lamb ears.
If you would like to join us, please speak with Betty Jo Stosse (860/399-6616), Jennifer Benway (860/ 739-4948) or Ellendale Hoffman (860/388-0895). We welcome all children, parents and friends at Grace Church who would like to help us with our pageant this year. The More The Merrier!
SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS CHRISTMAS DINNER
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens will again this year prepare and serve a meal at Grace Church in Merrill Hall on Christmas Day at 1:00 pm.
All are welcome for food and fellowship. A traditional holiday meal with all the fixings will be served and no reservations are required. Please join us for this wonderful family-orientated day.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
On the Sunday after Christmas, the poinsettias from the altar are delivered to parishioners who may be homebound, in a convalescent home, or have experienced a loss during the past year. We are looking for volunteers to deliver the poinsettias. If you think you might be able to deliver one, two, or more poinsettias on Sunday, December 25 or Monday, December 26, please call Lisa Michaud (860/391-1301) to be a part of this special Christmas ministry.
Thank you! Lisa Michaud
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