December 2010

Newsletter
(Copy of articles which appear in
the monthly Grace Church Newsletter)

HARVEST FAIR 2010

Saturday November 13. brought us a beautiful day and a great many people attending the Fair. The first hour of the morning was a little slow, but closer to the lunch hour, people began streaming in! Both old and new friends coming found gifts of food, handicraft, books, dolls and doll clothes, as well as the African Jewelry and a room for children to purchase gifts for their parents.

The luncheon provided four different soups; Corn Chowder, Tomato Bisque, two different Butternut Squash Bisques and Chicken Soup. Also on the menu were beef hot dogs and a luscious Apple Crisp for dessert with Whipped Cream and/or Ice Cream. The guests were pleased with the many choices and enjoyed their lunches.

There were few children, but many interested customers just the same for the small items offered. The book table, which was discontinued a few years ago, did very well once more.

The monies for the craft items are still coming in, we expect to have $ 3,000 to share between: Christ The King Spiritual Life Center for healing retreats for returning Veterans from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan; Mother’s Union of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika; and purchase of a new refrigerator for our kitchen to replace the 20 year old we bought used 10 years ago. The remaining funds will be distributed to the local oil fund for the needy. Our thanks go to everyone who put all their effort into the success of this endeavor.

Blessings, Jackie Phyfe & Gunlög Millet

African Team Ministries

Thanks to all who helped make our annual jewelry and crafts sale a success. A special thanks go to my conscientious helpers: Gladys O'Flyn, Elaine Seaforth, the Rev. Ellendale Hoffman and Marlena Palmer. It wouldn't have worked without them. The proceeds from the jewelry and crafts sale was $1993.00. What a blessing! Thanks for your support. Yours in Christ, Earlene Bell

Calling all Angels and Shepherds

Our Christmas Pageant will take place at the Family Service at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24. This service always begins the Christmas Eve festivities with a lot of fun and enthusiasm. This year's pageant is an intergenerational production. The Church School Director, Jennifer Benway, and her faithful teachers, 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 18, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. If needed, a second pageant rehearsal will take place on Sunday, December 20, following the 10:00 am 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.

If you would like to join us, please speak with either 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 Giving Tree

Grace Church has generously and willingly participated in the town of Old Saybrook's annual Christmas Giving Tree

Program. For the past 15 years I have coordinated the program and prior to me, Norma Bradford led this ministry for many, many years.

Beginning on the First Sunday in Advent, a tree in Merrill Hall is adorned with about 75 tags with gift suggestions for children and youth. Those who would like to participate are asked to purchase the item listed on the tag and return the gift item unwrapped by a certain date (this year that date is Sunday, December 12). Usually, all of the tags are taken and very beautiful gifts are purchased and left under the tree! Donations of wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape are always accepted, too. The parents of the children receiving Giving Tree gifts are then able to wrap their children’s gifts for Christmas and this gives the parents some ownership.

The need is greater than ever and your loving donations help to bring happiness and joy to others who are not as fortunate.

Again, thank you very much for your gifts to the Giving Tree. May your Advent and Christmas seasons be filled with love, joy, and the true meaning of these seasons. Jesus is the reason for the season!

Blessings to you! Bunnie Lubs

Memorial Christmas Flowers

If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one(s) this Christmas, please fill out the form below and mail it, with your check, to the church, or leave it in Chris Hellier’s mailbox. Please return the form, along with your payment, no later than Monday, December 20. For more information, call Betty Salldin (860/399-2402).

Christmas Flowers suggested donation is $15 each. Please make checks payable to the Grace Church Altar Guild.

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 26, please call Lisa Michaud (860/391-1301) to be a part of this special Christmas ministry.

2010 Annual Reports

If you are a commission leader, or the leader of a lay ministry, now is the time to start thinking about your report. They are due by Monday, January 10, to the Parish Secretary, Chris Hellier.

Madison's Change

Madison McWhorter, along with the younger children of Grace Church, want to make a change in children's lives at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Madison's mission, Madison's Change, came about when Madison came home explaining how her school was collecting money for an international fundraiser. Madison's mother, Natasha, told her why not use the change you would give to this fundraiser and make your own change. Madison LOVED the idea. The planning began. At first Madison wanted to gather spare change around the house and call her granny and granddaddy to help her reach her unmarked goal. Quickly her plans and desire grew even bigger.

That evening Madison remembered that a few years back she had met a girl named Katie on Winne the Pooh's playground at Disney World.  During the McWhorter's magical vacation an experience took place that would remain with Madison and her parents for a lifetime.

A group of children, which Madison was apart of, had been playing together on the playground.  For some reason when Katie and her father arrived at the playground, Katie gravitated toward Madison. At first glance Katie's craniofacial disorder sent Madison screaming and running away.  Natasha immediately knew what was happening. Madison had never seen anyone like this and was too young to comprehend what was taking place.  Once Natasha reached Madison she reassured her daughter that everything was okay and that we're all different but the same in God's eyes. Madison and her mother walked over to Katie and her father. Instantly the two girls were friends for their remaining time on the playground. Of course none of the other children would have anything to do with Katie and now Madison.  They had each other. During those moments Katie and Madison were blessed by having met each other.  Truly what a magical day these two young girls had at Disney's Magical Kingdom that day.

Madison knew this was the mission she wanted to take upon herself; to help children like Katie and others who are in a children's hospital facing uncertainties. She wants to bring a smile to children’s faces when receiving a toy, stuff animal, and/or a special gift from the change that fills her three containers at home. One being her original Madison's Change container, her second container represents her Brownie Girl Scout troop who has agreed to collect change as one of their service projects, and now a third container that the young children at Grace Church is collecting change with.  Each child has their personal container which is due Sunday, December 19.

During the coffee hour, after the 10:00 service, Madison will be standing with the Grace Church container accepting spare change.  The first week, November 21, of accepting change was a HUGE success! She would like to say thank you for all the spare change that was given and report that some people even gave dollar bills!

Please help the children at Grace Church raise money for Madison's Change. They want to bring smiles to children who need them during times that no child should have to face. Madison and the rest of these young children at Grace Church CAN make a change!

Natasha McWhorter

Just a Reminder...Newsletter items deadline is the 15th of the month!

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