Foundation of Faith
Stewardship 2008
By now you should have received Rev. Michael Lindvall’s letter announcing the 2008 Stewardship campaign, Foundation of Faith. Thanks to this congregation, last year’s ambitious campaign was a wonderful success. Your pledges helped stabilize the church’s finances and allowed the church to fund important outreach initiatives. With budget gaps met for the time being, the Trustees and Stewardship Committee are now focused on the ongoing challenge of meeting continually rising operating costs.

As Rev. Lindvall’s letter indicated, we are moderating our year-over-year financial pledge goal increase to 6 percent. This percentage increase represents only $140,000 over last year and takes our fiscal year pledge goal to $2.5 million. Although we are establishing a lower percentage increase over last year, our success in meeting this challenge still will require the collective efforts of the entire Brick Church family.

The 6 percent dollar increase is just one of this year’s campaign objectives, and the concurrent goal of increasing pledge participation numbers is no less important. Participation is a sign of communal church strength. Beyond the underlying dollars, pledge numbers demonstrate the commitment of our members to the life and work of Brick Church. Expanding participation reinforces the momentum of The Brick Church’s contribution to the lives of individual members, as well as to the lives of those in our broader church community.

As we enter the joyous Christmas season, the Stewardship Committee asks that you prayerfully consider submitting your pledge to The Brick Church if you have not done so already. For those of you who have already pledged, thank you. All pledges demonstrate commitment to the mission of The Brick Church and are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued generosity and support.

—The Stewardship Committee

The Reverend Neil Gardner to Guest Preach at The Brick Church
On Sunday, December 2, 2007, The Reverend Neil Gardner, Minister of the Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, will be the guest preacher at The Brick Church. The Canongate Parish encompasses the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. When Her Majesty The Queen is in residence at Holyrood, she is a parishioner of the Canongate Kirk, and Mr. Gardner is her minister.

The Reverend Gardner was schooled at Dunbar Grammar until he left that East Lothian town with “highers” in English, French, German, music and history. He went on to study modern languages at the University of St. Andrews and divinity at Edinburgh University. He was licensed by the Lothian Presbytery in 1990 and joined the Royal Army Chaplains the following year. Following his training at Sandhurst Military, he spent seven years with the army, serving as a chaplain. In that role, he was able to travel to Germany and Northern Ireland with the Scots Guards, and to Hong Kong with the Black Watch, before leaving the army in 1998.

He then served as Parish Minister at Alyth, a parish in rural Perthshire, before coming to the Canongate in August of 2006. In his spare time he enjoys music, gardening and, of course, golf.

The Canongate Kirk has had a long relationship with The Brick Church. The Reverend Charles Robertson, who preceded Mr. Gardner as minister of the Kirk, developed close ties with members and clergy of The Brick Church, and preached here on several occasions.

Likewise, both Dr. Herbert Anderson and The Reverend Michael Lindvall have traveled to Scotland to preach from the pulpit of that historic church, founded in 1688 by King James VII of Scotland (James II of England).

Experience the Real Meaning of Christmas at the 20th Annual Deacon Outreach Christmas Party
Join us as once again the Brick Church community extends a warm welcome to the families of the Women’s Prison Association. On December 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Watson Hall will be buzzing with holiday cheer as families are reunited for a Christmas party unlike any other.

Pitching in is half the fun when you help set up shopping malls, booths for arts and crafts, entertainment and, of course gift wrapping! Volunteer forms are available at the Parish House front desk. Gifts can be dropped off unwrapped at the Deacon’s Christmas Party Box in the Garden room of the Parish House.

For more information contact Deacons Pam Ferguson, Neda Navab or Glenn Wittpenn.

Face to Face/Faith to Faith Honors The Brick Church
The Brick Presbyterian Church recently received the 2007 Face to Face/Faith to Faith Award for its generous support of the Face to Face Program. Rev. Michael Lindvall accepted the award, which was presented by Katie Couric, CBS News Anchor and a member of The Brick Church, at a November 5 benefit in Gotham Hall. Rabbi Peter Rubenstein and Central Synagogue were also recognized.

Both Lindvall and Couric were guest speakers addressing the event’s theme, “Peace is Possible.”

“Brick Church’s support for Face to Face/Faith to Faith began long before I became minister of the congregation, ” Lindvall said in his speech. “I have done no more than lend my enthusiasm and support to faithful leaders and members of the congregation who have had the courage to stand with young people from around the world who dare to believe that peace is possible, even in places where hatred and violence have been transcendentalized by religious distinctions.”

Rubenstein, along with Imam Shamsi Ali of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, gave the invocation at the benefit, and Brian Lehrer was also present to interview a panel of graduates of the Face to Face leadership training program.

Face to Face/Faith to Faith is an international multi-faith leadership program run by Auburn Seminary. It brings together youth from countries of conflict and trains them to negotiate conflict in a global community.

Stacie Kallenberg Recognized as “Neighbor of the Year — 2007”
On October 23rd, Brick Church Deacon Stacie Kallenberg was named “Neighbor of the Year – 2007” by The Supportive Housing Network of New York at a Gala at Cipriani 23rd Street. Stacie was nominated by Anne Teicher, Executive Director at Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS).

“Stacie has been a good friend and champion to the tenants of the NCS Residence, which provides supportive housing to 65 formerly homeless men and women. Mostly, by making the tenants a part of her family and the Brick family, Stacie has made them feel welcomed and treasured members of the community, ” Teicher said.

Stacie has been participating in the Friday Night Dinner Program, which provides a meal every Friday night to residents of NCS’s 81st Street Shelter, for the past four years. She is also currently co-moderator of the Board of Deacons, and has taken the program as one of her deacon ministries for the past two years.

Stacie, along with her husband, David, and their 8-year-old daughter, Chloe, hosts the Friday Night Dinner Program a few times each month. They and other members of the church cook, serve and, with their children, join the residents for the dinner. Stacie and David also support NCS by attending the organization’s benefits and contributing auction items. The couple also coordinated a program where Joseph Abbound Inc. donates clothing leftover from the previous season to the gentlemen at the 81st Street Residence. Stacie, David and Chloe enjoy visiting the 81st Residents to see their NCS friends.

Over the past four years, The Kallenberg family has come to think of the NCS clients as their “NYC family.” “It is the best gift I could have ever given Chloe (and myself),” Stacie said. “Chloe has learned from a very young age that no matter anyone’s circumstances, we are all the same and (are) all gifts from God.”

Annabelle to Annabelle: An Intergenerational Interview with Annabelle Christie and Annabelle Clémot
In honor of Annabelle Christie’s 90th birthday, namesake Annabelle Clémot, 12, and her sister Amélie, 10, interviewed Ms. Christie, who has been a member of The Brick Church for more than 50 years. Amélie interviewed the two Annabelles side by side, discussing their common first name and hearing Ms. Christie’s memories of favorite church activities, work, life experience and her childhood.

Amélie: How did your parents choose the name Annabelle?

Annabelle Christie: I was named for my Grandmother who died just three months prior to my birth. My grandmother was named Anna. My mother wanted my name to be a little bit different, so she lengthened it to Annabelle. My brother loved my name so much he always introduced me as Annabelle Christie, the whole name. He was my best friend. When he had his second daughter, he named her Annabelle Christie – and he told me that if I didn’t like the name he chose for her, I should change my own!

Annabelle Clémot: My parents named me after the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, Annabelle Lee, that my Mom loved, and a less well known rock song by Theo Hakola— with lyrics based on the same poem — that my Dad listened to.

Amélie: Do you know a lot of Annabelles?

Annabelle Christie: Not that many growing up, but I think there are three or four in the Brick Directory.

Annabelle Clémot: I know one Annabelle at school and Amélie knows one at Girl Scouts, but they spell it differently.

Amélie: Do you have any sisters?

Annabelle Christie: I have a sister named Helen. She lives in Michigan but spends half the year in Florida. She was born when I was ten years old. I had a brother, Donald, who was born one year before me.

Amélie: What is your favorite memory from when you were 10?

Annabelle Christie: When my sister was born. That and the new piano. They were the big events for that year.

Annabelle Clémot: I can’t remember.

Amélie: What about Church? Were you in Sunday school and confirmation class, Annabelle Christie?

Annabelle Christie: We went to church every Sunday. I grew up in a small town in Michigan. It was called Capac, named for a Peruvian chief. Only 1,000 people lived there. I had one aunt and uncle living next door, and another aunt and uncle across the street. I always tell people I had three mothers. I was well looked after.

I was baptized in nearby Imlay City – but it was really just another small town. We had one church in Capac where I grew up called the Federated Church. It was a combination of worshippers from several protestant churches since there were not very many people in town. We had Sunday school and worship service and there was a social program for children in the evening once a week. I think our youth group was called “Christian Endeavor.” We had speakers come or we would spend time talking together. Our minister was a young man who had spent time preaching at the American Church in Berlin just before the Second World War broke out. He was a very inspiring pastor for us.

Amélie: Annabelle and I were baptized in the American Church in Paris. We had an American minister there too, but I was too little to remember him. Were you ever a girl scout?

Annabelle Christie: I was never a girl scout, but I was in 4-H and I was a campfire girl. That’s what they had in my town.

Annabelle Clémot: I was a girl scout for one year soon after the troop first started at Brick in 2005. They meet on Fridays. Now I do the Friday Night Dinner Program instead.

Amélie: Did you ever get married and have a family?

Annabelle Christie: No, my company was my family. I worked for American Standard for over sixty years, until I was 83! When I retired and was able to go to a Brick Church luncheon midweek for the first time, I met your mother. We sat next to each other and when your mother met me, she told me she had a little girl at home with the same first name as mine. I have been watching you and your sister grow up ever since.

With my work I moved all around the United States. I started in Detroit, Mich., and was transferred to several towns in Texas, and then to Pittsburgh for fifteen years. Eventually the company transferred me to New York and I lived in the women-only Barbizon Hotel at first, like every woman did coming to New York on her own in those days.

Not long after I moved here, some friends from my Presbyterian church in Pittsburgh introduced me to the Brick Church and, just a few blocks away, to the apartment I live in now. My friends lived across the hall from me in the same apartment building for over thirty years. I have lived in my current apartment for as long as I have been a member of Brick. Even if I had to leave for a time for my work, I kept my apartment and my membership at Brick. They were both always waiting for me when I returned.

Amélie: What is your favorite memory of a Brick Church event or tradition?

Annabelle Christie: I was very active in the Business and Professional Women’s Group at Brick in the 1950s. It was a time when most women were home with children and not out working at jobs full-time the way they do today. The group was wonderful for me - we had excellent speakers and dinners and time together in the evenings after work. I continued with that group until I was transferred to Texas for awhile and the group slowly disbanded.

Amélie: Do you have a favorite sport?

Annabelle Christie: Well, I have always loved baseball. Having an older brother does that to you. I still follow Detroit, but I usually adopt whatever team is local to where I am living. I like the Yankees now. My brother used to always say there are really only two seasons: Christmas season and baseball season!

When I was with American Standard, I used to play golf with the men after work. Sometimes we would run out of the office and play just eight or nine holes. They were always surprised by the things I could do. They were not used to having a woman in the office, but we always had a wonderful time together. The company was like a family to me and I still stay in touch with the people I worked with there.

Amélie: Thank you very much for this interview! I will share your memories through The Record.

The Brick Church Christmas Pageant is Approaching
Children of The Brick Church are invited to celebrate Advent and Christmas by participating in the 2007 Brick Church Christmas Pageant. The pageant is an oppor­tunity for children to offer worship leadership in a sacred and festive way. Because so many children are involved in this program, we ask parents to volunteer with prepa­ration and production. Our scheduled rehearsals help children feel confident in their roles as leaders in the pageant, so their attendance is important.

Information and registration forms were sent out in the mail in October. Please return registration forms to The Brick Church, attention Caitlin Sparks, by Sunday, De­cember 2. We look forward to spending time with the children of the Brick Church at this year’s Christmas Pageant. Thank you for your help and support in making this a memorable experience for the children and the whole congregation.

Grace and Peace,

Christy Lang, Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship
Georgia Meeter, Coordinator for Children’s and Youth Ministries
Amanda Smith, Director of Children’s Music Ministries

The Advent Crèche Lighting Service
Sunday, December 2 at 4:30 p.m., The Chapel of the Reformed Faith
All are invited to the chapel for the annual Crèche Lighting service. We will talk about the meaning of Advent, and all families will receive Advent calendars for use throughout the season. We will move together from the chapel to the Garden to light up our beautiful nativity scene and to sing an Advent carol. Afterward we move to our church potluck and the tree-lighting service on Park Avenue. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Christy Lang.

Tell Me A Story: The Brick Church Christmas Storytelling Party for Children
Thursday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m., The Living Room
Experience the wonder of Christmas! Young children and their parents are invited to the annual Christmas Storytelling Party in the Living Room. We will sing Christmas carols, learn the Christmas story, and finish with a light snack. The storytelling party lasts about one hour. Questions? Contact Georgia Meeter.

Youth Scripture Readers Needed
Children and youth in the third grade and up are invited to serve as Scripture readers on Family Sundays. Parents of readers will receive the biblical text in advance via e-mail so that the readers can prepare at home. If your child is comfortable reading aloud and is interested in leading worship in this way, please e-mail Thea Luria, Assistant to the Senior Minister, and include the reader’s name, age and grade.

Youth Scripture Readers Needed
Children and youth in the third grade and up are invited to serve as Scripture readers on Family Sundays. Parents of readers will receive the biblical text in advance via e-mail so that the readers can prepare at home. If your child is comfort­able reading aloud and is inter­ested in leading worship in this way, please e-mail Thea Luria, Assistant to the Senior Minister and include the name, age and grade of your reader.

January 6 is Making the Band Night for Pioneers
Fifth or sixth grade students: get ready to rock. We will gather from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Brick Church for dinner and a night of music-video production like none other. Friends are always invited. The total charge for the season of 5 events is $75 per student. If your student brings a friend who is not from the church, the cost for the friend is only $10. You should have received a registration form in the mail, but if you need one, contact Caitlin Sparks. You may drop registrations off at the church or bring them to an event.

Rock On with the Seventh Grade Fireside Club
Calling all rock stars! Seventh grade students will join the Pioneers for Making the Band night on Sunday, January 6. Come to The Brick Church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for dinner and a music-video production experience like you’ve never seen. Friends from school and the neighborhood are always invited. The total charge for the season of 5 events is $75 per student. If your student brings a friend who is not from the church, the cost for the friend is only $10. You should have received registration forms in the mail, but if you have not received one, please contact Caitlin Sparks. You may leave forms at the church or bring them to an event. We hope to see you there!

Confirmation Class Resumes in January
Confirmation Class is on break in December and will resume January 6. Students need to participate in two Friday Night Dinner Program events, and the Christmas season is a good time to do so. Our FNDP nights this month are December 7 and 21. Please contact Christy Lang with questions.

Facing Faith at Confirmation Class
This past July, Face to Face/Faith to Faith brought students from countries in conflict around the world face to face with other likeable, loving youth—who were their “enemies.” They met for two weeks, overcoming anger, fear and doubts and working to understand how peace could be possible for their countries. Fast forward to November 4, when these students came to The Brick Church to share the following experiences with the 07-08 Confirmation Class:

Palestine: Imagine sitting in school hearing bombs explode and believing this is life for everyone in the world. South Africa: Imagine wearing a jacket and tie, waiting outside of a building while everyone eyes you with deep suspicion due to the color of your skin. Ireland: Imagine living in a Northern Ireland as a Protestant and coping with intense mockery and hatred at school. These are just a few of the compelling life situations of innocent teenagers grappling with discrimination and war.

The leadership and safe communication training provided in this program is essential to turning lives around. A young man from South Africa said he learned to be comfortable with himself which “allowed others to know the real me for the first time, despite my black skin.” A Jewish girl from Jerusalem sat in the meeting beside a Palestinian student who, during the program, gained the confidence to express that she was proud to be a Palestinian. Together these young women developed a new understanding and trust and, like the others, discovered there was more binding them together than not. The American student admitted that before the conference, she did not understand what the conflict in Jerusalem had to do with her. .

“Your president makes decisions that directly affect my life,” the Palestinian student explained to her. The conversation helped open the American student’s eyes to the scope and seriousness of conflicts around the world, and her role in them. .

Confirmation is learning about the church of Christ, whose love extends to all people. At home, the door was opened for Brick Church youth to learn that there are good people on both sides of every conflict and see the church’s efforts to support peace and understanding. This was a valuable lesson. As one confirmand said, his life by comparison is easy, his greatest stress being over tests in school.

Founded more than 85 years ago, the Women’s Association supports and encourages fellowship among church members while providing vital support to a host of worthwhile community organizations that serve women and children.

Women's Association Christmas Party
As your calendar begins to fill during the busy holiday season, be sure to reserve Thursday, December 13th for the Women’s Association Christmas Party (formerly the Very Merry Christmas Tea & Sherry). This celebrated event, hosted annually by Terri and Michael Lindvall, is one of the warmest, most spirited fellowship events of the year. This season’s party takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lindvalls’ home.

Don’t miss this midweek opportunity to toast the holidays with friends new and old, and share in the joy of the holiday season. If you’d like to volunteer to help plan or spread the good cheer, please contact one of the fellowship co-chairs, Lee Ann Alexandrakis, Lucinda Bhavsar, Shannon Henderson and Elizabeth Porteous, or the Women’s Association office.

Better than Fair
Year after year, The Brick Church Christmas Fair continues to grow! Our 64th Fair was an unprecedented success, thanks to The Brick Church’s longstanding community of fellowship and contribution. Thank you for your time, energy and Christmas spirit, and especially for inviting friends and family members to participate in holiday shopping for a good cause – the proceeds will benefit the Women’s Association Outreach programs well beyond the holiday season! Special thanks to the 2007 Fair Chairs – Maryellen Cundey, Stacie Kallenberg, Leslie Weiss and Stephanie Wu – and to all the volunteers and fair-goers who contributed to the success of this year’s event.

Celebrating a Season of Fellowship
Dinner Dance: Friday, January 25th
Our 2007 Fair Season culminates with the highly anticipated Dinner Dance and Silent Auction. Held in the exquisite ballrooms of the famed Metropolitan Club, this elegant evening brings together the entire Brick Church community for dancing and dining. An added highlight of the event is the Silent Auction, whose proceeds directly benefit The Women’s Association outreach programs. For more information, contact Co-Chairs Lucinda Bhavsar and Paige Rustum.

Want to Volunteer on Sundays at Church?
One of the most significant ways to participate in the Women’s Association is by serving on the Chancel committee, which helps prepare communion on the first Sunday of the month. If you can volunteer an hour before or after the service on just one or two Sundays a year – to set up the communion table, prepare communion for service, or clean up – contact Nicole Cunningham, Pam Ferguson, Lindsay Higgins, Mimi Hah or Jayne Napier, or the Women’s Association office.

Advent Potluck Supper:
December 2nd
The Advent Potluck Supper, a cherished and long-standing tradition at The Brick Church, will take place in Watson Hall at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, the first Sunday of Advent. The Potluck Supper directly follows the Children’s Service of the Lighting of the Creche and leads to the Park Avenue Carol Sing and Tree Lighting. All are welcome; we ask only that you make a reservation and bring a food contribution. Call the church at 212-289-4400 or look for the flier in the upcoming Advent mailing to make a reservation. Watson Hall seats only 250, so please reserve your spot early.

Food contributions are important. Those with last names from A – H, please bring an entrée, from I – P, a salad, and from Q – Z, a dessert. Please bring your food contribution, in a disposable container and sufficient for a group twice the size of your party, to the church on December 2nd between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.Volunteers for cooking, set-up, and serving are very welcome! To volunteer, please call Pat Allen at 212-535-0459, Joan Podell at 212-722-7690, or Christie Winmill at 212-876-3375, or email Christie Winmill.

At 6:15 p.m, when the supper concludes, all adjourn to Park Avenue in front of the church steps for words of remembrance and celebration from Michael Lindvall and a rousing Carol Sing with our community. We invite you to make the Potluck Sup­per a part of your celebration of the Advent season.

Dont Forget to Bring your “White Gift” to the Family Carol Service on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, at the 4:00 p.m. Family Carol Service, the deacons will be collecting “White Gifts” for the Booker T. Washington Learning Center’s Twelfth Night Party. Parishioners are invited bring a toy wrapped in plain white paper and place it in the chancel before or after the worship service. These gifts will go to children in need in East Harlem. Please join us in this generous tradition of The Brick Church.

Book Club December Selection
The Brick Church Book Club will read Blindness, by Jose Saramago, for their December meeting. Helen Chapman will host the discussion on Monday, December 3, at 8 p.m. Please RSVP to Helen at 212-369-4272.

Membership Meetings in January
Five times per year, The Brick Church hosts a series of Membership Meetings where neighbors, visitors and members of The Brick Church can learn about Christian faith and worship, the Presbyterian tradition and the history and life of The Brick Church. Those wishing to join The Brick Church must attend all four meetings in the series. Visitors are invited to attend the series as a way to learn more about The Brick Church and current members are encouraged to join these sessions as a way to show visitors that we are a faith community that seeks to learn and grow together.

Please contact Tanisha Carrell (212-289-4400, ext. 230) if you plan to attend the January meetings, or if you need more information. Childcare is available for all the Sunday meetings and upon request for the Saturday orientation.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
The Christian Faith
Sunday, January 13 at 9:50 a.m. or Thursday, January 17 at 6:45 p.m.
This meeting is led by Rev. Michael Lindvall, who will explore the basic beliefs and biblical background of the Christian faith. It is offered at two different times to accommodate busy schedules.

Christian Worship
Sunday, January 20 at 12:45 p.m.
This meeting is led by Rev. Michael Lindvall and Minister of Music Keith Toth. They will discuss Christian worship, as well as the theology and order of worship in Presbyterian churches.

The Presbyterian Tradition
Tuesday, Januray 22 at 6:45 p.m. or Thursday, January 24 at 6:45 p.m.
This meeting is led by Rev. Christy Lang, who will explore the Christian denominations, focusing on the origins, history and current marks of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is offered at two different times to accommodate busy schedules.

The Meaning of Membership
Saturday, January 26
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This meeting is led by ministers, staff, and church members. Participants will learn about one another, about the history of The Brick Church, and about opportunities for involvement at the church.

Received into Membership
Sunday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Those who have attended all four Membership Meetings and wish to join will meet with church elders before the service. During the service, they will come forward together to answer membership questions. The congregation welcomes them during the service and afterward at a special coffee hour.

Primetimers to hold Caroling Event at DeWitt Nursing Home
PrimeTimers invites all Brick Church adults and their friends to join them in bringing Christmas cheer to residents of the DeWitt Nursing Home, 211 East 79th Street at Third Avenue, on Sunday, December 9th, at 4:30 p.m.

After gathering in the Main Lobby, we will be singing Christmas carols and sharing our wishes for a joyous holiday season with patients for approximately an hour. If you can sing well or play carols on a musical instrument, you would make ours a particularly memorable visit.

Beginning at about 6:00 pm we will gather at Annie’s Restaurant at 1381 Third Avenue (at 78th Street) for dinner and Brick Church fellowship. Please RSVP by December 7th by calling the Parish House Front Desk at 212-289-4400 or emailing rsvp@brickchurch.org

Candlelight Carol Service
On Sunday afternoon, December 16, at 4:00 p.m., join us in the candlelit elegance of The Brick Church’s sanctuary for our annual lessons and carols service featuring the professional voices of The Brick Church Choir under the direction of Keith S. Toth. Organist Dr. John B. Herrington III will accompany the choir and play seasonal music on our renowned Casavant Frères organ.

You will not want to miss this special musical event, a Brick Church tradition which has delighted so many for decades. Admission is free. Childcare is available.

For additional information contact Keith Toth.

The Young Adults Group is for members and visitors in their 20s and 30s who strive to serve others while building community and creating lasting friendships within the Brick Church.

Advent Potluck Cocktail Party:
Sunday, December 2, at 4:30 p.m. in The Brick Church Parish House Dining Room

All Young Adult friends, neighbors and members of The Brick Church are invited to our Fifth Annual Young Adults Advent Potluck Cocktail Party. Please RSVP to Bryan and note in your reply what appetizer or dessert you plan on sharing with the group.

Following the reception, we will gather with all the revelers outside for the Annual Park Avenue Tree Lighting and Carol Sing.

Volunteer to Help at the Annual Deacons’ Outreach Christmas Party
Young Adults are needed to assist with the Deacons Christmas Party on Saturday, December 8th. Party volunteers will be needed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Assistance during any part of that time would be a big help and greatly appreciated. Please RSVP to Christina Foxley if you’d like to volunteer.

Young Adults Chat & Chew
On the second Sunday of every month we gather for a light brunch and casual discussion after worship. Through out the year these discussions can take on many forms including discussion of a passage of scripture, a topic relevant to today’s society, or, on occasion we will invite a pastor to lead a discussion on a topic of our choosing.

Join us for our next Chat & Chew on Sunday, December 9. Michael Lindvall will be our speaker. We’ll meet at Coffee Hour immediately following Worship, and then head to Michael’s study. No need to RSVP.