Presentation of the Children s Musical, Don t Be Afraid Brigade Directed by Fran Bader at both services. Advent Candle of Joy.

Transcription

1 Bedford Presbyterian Church Hilltop Crier O Zion, bringer of the good news, up with you to the hilltop; cry to the cities of Judah, Your God is here! 4 Church Road, Bedford, NH Winter 2012/2013 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 7:14 Advent and Christmas Season BPC Highlights Sunday, December 2 Special Lessons and Carols Contemporary Service, 5:30 p.m. Friday, December 7 Hanging of the Greens Saturday, December 8 English Tea and Cookie Exchange Sunday, December 9 Children s Musical Sunday, December 23 Living Nativity, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services Saturday, February 2 Thirsting to be Filled Wednesday, February 13 Ash Wednesday Service Sunday Offerings December 2 Special Lessons and Carols Service Guest Preacher Meg Flanagan, new Hymnal expert from our national offices in Louisville, KY. Advent Candle of Hope. Contemporary Service, 5:30 p.m. December 9 Presentation of the Children s Musical, Don t Be Afraid Brigade Directed by Fran Bader at both services. Advent Candle of Joy. December 16 Special Music by the Hilltop Ringers, Senior and Soli Deo Gloria Choirs Advent Candle of Peace. Peace Light from Bethlehem distribution. December 23 Special Advent Services at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Advent Candle of Love. ChristmasEve Services 5 p.m. Family Service with Candlelighting and Interactive Homily 7:30 p.m. Youth-led Service with Candlelighting 10 p.m. Traditional Service with Candlelighting Advent Activities Friday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. Hanging of the Greens and Making of Wreaths Join us for a potluck dinner for the whole family and end by sharing a time of prayer and hymns for the season. Sunday, December 23 Living Nativity at 5:30 p.m. Beginning with a hymn sing in the Sanctuary. (Details inside!)

2 The Hilltop Crier is published monthly by the Bedford Presbyterian Church, 4 Church Road, Bedford, NH Design contributed by Paula Donovan Olsen, BaileyDonovan Design Printing contributed by Morgan Press, Inc. Interim Co-Pastor The Rev. Michael Carrier Co-Pastor The Rev. Karen J. Hagy Director of Music Barbara Flocco Administrative Assistant Michelle Jones Sexton Al Anderson The Deacons The Board of Deacons ministers to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to those who may be in distress within our church or community. Frank Conery, Moderator Matt Bader Paul Berntsen Ellis Bouchard Roland Bryan Sharon Cowen Emily Costello (Youth) Patti Jones Belinda King Glenn Larson Brian Martel Paul Mikkola Judy Niles-Simmons Bill Plants Florence Temeng Christmas Letter from Your Staff There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men whom his favor rests. Luke 2:8-14 NIV Dear Church Family and Friends, An angel long ago said that Christmas would bring great joy that will be for all people. The Christmas prayer and blessing from your staff at Bedford Presbyterian Church is just that, that this Christmas be a time of joy for each and every one of you. We hope that joy will reside in you as you are busily preparing your homes and hearts for the holidays and holy days. We hope you can leave all stressors behind or at least give them over to the Lord for the time being during the month of December. Instead of feeling the pressure of the holidays, the shopping, baking, parties, too much to do with too little time, we hope you only feel pleasure and happiness. We hope you will come to our Advent and Christmas Eve worship services to be renewed and inspired, that you will come to the Hanging of the Greens, listen to the glorious music and the thoughtful sermons, laugh with the children during the children s musical, receive the peace light from Bethlehem, and come once more to the crèche for the Living Nativity, all the while waiting for the beautiful and holy Christ light to burn brightly on Christmas Eve. May this Christmas be for you and yours a time of enjoyment rather than endurance and may the blessing of the birth of the Christ child be born in you anew renewing you with hope, peace, love, and joy! We thank you for the countless ways you have been a present, a gift to us and to God s church, sharing in mutual ministry doing church in a new and exciting way this year. Your presence here and in the community serving Christ has made a difference to the lives you have touched and have served the Lord well. Thank you for all you are doing for God and for being such a blessing in our lives. May Christmas bring great joy to all of you and God bless you in the New Year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Karen, Mike, Michelle, Al, and Barb BPC s Staff

3 All ladies are cordially invited to The Bedford Presbyterian Women s Fellowship and Ministry Circle English Tea and Cookie Exchange On Saturday the eighth of December At three o clock in the afternoon Bedford Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall Please respond by the third of December to: Fran Gray via telephone: or Bev Hoover via mikebevhoover@yahoo.com Upon request, babysitting will be provided. Thirsting to be Filled A mini retreat for all women - a time for refreshment for body, mind and soul! The Women s Fellowship and Ministry Circle proudly announces a mini retreat on Saturday, February 2 from 9 a.m. 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We invite all ladies to join us as we study Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you, my soul thirst for you. Presenters, Barbara Flocco, Karen Hagy, Beth Richeson, Donna Rodanas and Kim Sampson, will offer insights on body, nutrition, music, Bible study, and worship. Lunch will be provided. The cost for this inspiring retreat is $5.00. Don t forget to invite your female friends to join us. Please confirm your attendance by calling Bev Hoover at or mikebevhoover@yahoo.com. Elders on Session Buildings & Grounds Open Children s Ministry Cheryl Barlow Kristin Rinko Fellowship Nancy Wickwire Finance Bruce Olsen Stewardship Frank Rizzo IT /Communications Don Torbich Membership Cindy Chagnon Nancy Marston Mission Dick Powell George Reese Nominating Laura Wasielewski Personnel Deb McKinstry Planning Larry Cowen Small Groups Ministries Marilyn Brock Worship & Music Charlene Isham Youth Ministry Alicia Wooldridge Clerk of Session Cliff Creel Youth Elder Gina Temeng Ash Wednesday Service February 13 at 7 p.m.

4 Barb Flocco, Music Director Worship & Music BPC is looking for extra Christmas help! Right now just like some other outfits, the choir is looking for extra help for the upcoming Christmas season. If you love to sing those cherished carols along with friends who will cherish having you along, we are the group for you! Come give us a try. We re open for business every Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m. And we love to eat! Openings exist for sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. And even if you don t exactly fit into one of those categories, we welcome you. Another amazing performance by BPC s Senior Choir and the Hilltop Ringers in November. Outstanding performance by Mark Bacon at Veteran s Day worship service, Nov. 11. New members warmly welcomed at Sunday morning worship service. Inclement Weather Closing: Should an event at church be cancelled due to ice or snow, announcements will be carried on the following local media channels: WZID 95.7 FM; WFEA 1370 AM; WQLL 96.5FM; and WMUR Channel 9 or check the church website, bedfordpresbyterian.org Looking for an Archivist If you have a deep appreciation for our history as a congregation, and...like a good mystery and love to poke around to see what you might discover and uncover in unlikely places, and... have a knack for organizing stuff, and...have been looking for a way to serve your church, then, you may be our new archivist!! Yes, we are looking for someone to succeed our beloved Lou Ott and help us maintain our ability to access our rich and wonderful history as a congregation. If you think you might be just the person to serve BPC in this way, please contact the church office.

5 Buildings & Grounds Pastor Hagy enjoying her newly renovated office. Special thanks to Rich Tucker and Cori McGrath of Tucker Library Interiors and to the congregation for such a lovely gift. We have been doing some sprucing up around the church recently. For any who haven t been in the Parlor lately, stop by and have a look. There s a brand new floor and a fresh coat of paint to cheer the place up. If you stop by on Wednesday night about 7:15 p.m., you can hear, (and join with) the choir practicing. They are always looking for new voices. (Hint, hint!) While you re down that far, take a little side trip to the Activity room in the basement. The Middle and High School kids have painted the walls in there and boy does it look nice! I hear Al Anderson and Michael Sampson were slinging some of that paint too. I hear that the kids really enjoyed that experience. Maybe we can find more things for them to paint (Er, ah... have fun with.) Al has also been ripping down some of the shelves in the hallway outside Fellowship Hall, to make room for the Living Room area. It s looking pretty good. Parish Personals Congratulations to Tom and Nancy Crompton on the birth of a new grandchild. Many, many thanks to the anonymous donor for the monetary gift to the music program. Blessings to Jeff Milos and Sarah Taylor on their wedding. Condolences to the Davis family on the recent death of Jenny s sister. And to the Finke Family on the loss of Carrie s father. A letter was received from the Patti and Tim Fader recently. A full copy is available in the church office. (Newest letter on BPC website) Here is an excerpt: We are just starting to get settled in our new are.i must admit it feels like the end of the earth here! After 8 weeks of language study in Nairobi we flew up here to the Horn on 9/1, but our surroundings make us feel like it should be September in Bible times! The people dress and live in dwellings that remind us of pictures from the Bible wealth is measured by ownership of camels, goats, donkey, cattle and sheep.we are grateful for your prayers and the huge encouragement of your financial support, especially as we start in this unusual place. Our love to you. Let s pray for the Faders during this holiday season. Lovely new floors in the parlor. Special thank to the Women s Fellowship and Ministry Circle. A very special thanks to the Women s Fellowship and Ministry Circle for their donation of the room-darkening shades in Fellowship Hall and the new floor in the Parlor! Billy Plants Special Sunday worship service on November 11 honored our veterans.

6 Friends In Faith: Small Groups & Gatherings Winter Faith Exploration Sunday Morning Groups at 9:30 a.m. Science and Spirit Forum In December we will be completing our discussion of Beauty in Science and Spirit by Paul H. Carr: Chapter 8 - The Beautiful Holy Land: Science & Spirit, Chapter 9 - The Beauty of Nature versus Its Utility, Chapter 10 - The Courage to Create Beauty, Chapter 11 - A Beautiful New Story. Appendix D - Science and Religion at the Dawn of the Third Millennium. PowerPoint - Is Religion Irrelevant? Paul Tillich s Answering Theology. We will take a break in January and February. Sojourners In December this Bible Study group will complete its present study of The Psalms and choose its new focus for January and February. We meet in the Parlor and extend a warm welcome for you to join us around the table whenever your schedule allows. Senior community coffee hour group enjoying coffee and treats. Theology Uncorked Prayers & Squares This group meets at different venues We are making pocket squares for to discuss theology in a friendly and our military members and our casual environment. We are taking leadership. We will be making a short break but plan to resume prayer quilts as well. Please join us in early spring. We are looking for if you wish to learn to quilt, if you new theological topics to discuss, so already quilt or would like to join us please submit your ideas. Contact: as we pray. If you would like more Marilyn Brock. All are welcome. information about this ministry please contact Pam Mikkola at Tuesday Morning Bible Study This group meets on Tuesdays in the old Music Room from 9:30-11 a.m. The Prayer Shawl Ministry We will take a break for the holiday We meet the first Wednesday of season and in January will read each month at 10 a.m. in the Parlor. and discuss the book Unfettered Whether you knit, crochet, or crewel Hope A Call to Faithful Living you are needed. Contact Fran Bader in an Affluent Society by Marva J. at or dfrannie@yahoo.com Dawn. Contact: Fran Gray for more information.

7 Friends In Faith: Small Groups & Gatherings Winter Fellowship Singles Group This group gathers for a variety of fun and interesting activities, both planned and spontaneous. Contact: Marilyn Brock Singles, Widowed, Divorced Suppers We meet the third Sunday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at T-Bones in Bedford to share a meal and conversation. Contact: Fran Gray. Adult Senior Retired Couples Group The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at T-Bones in Bedford at 11:30 a.m. for a leisurely lunch. All senior retired couples are invited to join the group. Contact Earl and Charlene Isham to make a reservation so T-Bones will know the number that are attending. Friendship Quilt Guild The Guild meets on the third Tuesday of the month and visitors are welcome. For more information about Guild activities and membership, please contact Pam Mikkola. Sojourners Sunday morning class led by Rev. Mike Carrier. Community Coffee Hour for Seniors This group meets Thursday in the Living Room from 10-11:00 a.m. Join us for sweet treats, coffee, and stimulating conversation. Make new friends and build community. Book Groups Christian Books and Friends This group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at a member s home. We will continue to read and discuss the book, Falling Upward A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr. Contact: Fran Gray. Read Your Own Darn Book Club Why limit yourself to just one book a month, chosen by a majority? Instead, read whatever you like and then meet at the RYODB Club to discuss. We chat about what we ve read, what we liked about it, etc., then toss the books into the swap pile for trading. Bring a good book, leave with another one! It s Win-Win. We have a great time and everyone is welcome! If you are able to host a meeting in the next three months, please contact Nancy Wickwire. Health & Fitness Parish Nurse Program The group meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Youth Activity Room for chair exercises and health checks. Contact our church office. Yoga Yoga meets Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. in the Youth Activity Room. Contact: Donna Rodanas. To reach group members by phone or , log on to MyBPC through the church web site or pick up a Membership Directory at church. For information about any of these groups please reach out to the contact person listed with each description. Marilyn Brock

8 2012 Peace Light from Bethlehem is coming to BPC Sunday, Dec. 16! For more than a thousand years oil lamps have been continuously lit in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Israel. Each year during Advent for the last 23 years, a child from Austria has received the flame from one of these grotto lamps and brought it back to Vienna, where it is then distributed at a Service of Dedication to Scouts from all across Europe. From Vienna, these Scouts take the Peace Light back to their own communities to deliver it, with a message of peace, to churches, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and prisons, as well as to their own families, neighbors and friends to anybody who can appreciate the significance of this gift. Since 2004 Austrian Airlines has flown the Peace Light flame to New York City, so that it can also be shared throughout the United States in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Last year, for the first time, the Peace Light reached New Hampshire and Bedford Presbyterian Church hosted a distribution service, during which local Boy Scouts shared the flame with both our church family and the greater community. This year the Osgood family, representing both Bedford Presbyterian Church and the Boy Scouts of America s Daniel Webster Council, will be attending the Peace Light Ceremony of Reception at JFK airport on December 10 and bringing the flame back to Bedford to share with you! We are excited to announce that the 2012 Peace Light will be available at BPC from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 16! To receive the Peace Light flame on Sunday, December 16: Bring your own oil lantern (preferable) or enclosed candle. Arrive at BPC any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Invite your friends and neighbors. Please help spread the word! Make plans for sharing the flame with others! You might want to buy an extra oil lantern or two Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Scout leaders are asked to wear their uniforms. Anyone receiving the Peace Light flame is invited to keep it burning at home for as long or as short as he or she wishes. However, since one of the goals of the Peace Light project is to spread the flame and its message of peace to as many people around the entire world by Christmas Eve, we ask that you share the flame with at least one other person before extinguishing your own flame (and ask that person to do the same.) If you have questions or need more information on oil lanterns or how to safely transport a burning lantern in your car, please contact Elder Gretchen Osgood at pack114den7@gmail.com. More information on the Peace Light, including photos, press coverage, tracking maps and testimonials, is available at BPC Supports GET REAL The GET REAL Foundation was organized to encourage and balance thought, creativity and action through hands-on projects synergizing and recognizing our broader value to society and our world. The Foundation is now wrapping up Focus Projects for The GET REAL 2012 Barn Sale for Charity took place on a warm August weekend, culminating the year-long collection and distribution of goods to the needy of the greater community. Many thanks to the Acorn family for the donation of space to store and organize our collection. We also thank Patsy Petit for assisting throughout the program. It is with appreciation and thanks to Erasmus Asamoa, Tiffany Coisnard, Eason Cai, Kyle Eno, Kathy and Erica Sherman, Ed, Layla, and Nancy Wickwire, Alex and Fran Bader, Jake and Jen DeAngelis, Michael Rinko, Chip Hagy, Bill Plants, Larry Cowen and Eric Zimmerman, Donna Rodanas and the students of Get Real that we are able to support the needy through the Missions of BPC. The 2012 Mission Garden is wrapping up for the year with a compost pile in the lower corner of the garden to start nutrients cooking for next year s garden. The Boy Scouts Eagle project, with patio and lanai in the upper corner of the field, is also coming to completion and will grace the overlook of garden and Bedford for years to come. We extend much gratitude to Tom of Tanglewoods Garden for his generous donation of seedlings. Special thanks to Jon Wiggin for tilling the soil, and Audrey Schneider for her help on the Sunday farm table throughout the harvest season. Many hands were involved to make our garden grow. We thank Bill and Lynn Plants, the Huberts, Paul Loefstedt, Emily Marston, Michael, Donna, Rex and Vanessa Rodanas, the students of GET REAL and all those who helped support the project. We would love to have everyone get involved to make this Garden Grow even Bigger and better next year! If you are interested in helping in some way, please contact Donna Rodanas ( ).

9 Living Nativity 2012 BPC s Living Nativity, December Casting Call and Volunteers Needed!! Join our church family in celebrating the birth of our Lord! The annual Living Nativity has been a part of BPC s Christmas programming for over 25 years. Beginning with a carol sing and handbell ring in the Sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, it continues with a theatrical presentation of the Nativity story complete with Mary, Joseph, kings, shepherds and angels. We even have animals, including the humble donkey! Look for information on sponsoring some of our animal actors this year. We will need your help to put animals at the manger. The presentation begins on the church steps and ends with hot chocolate and snacks in our Fellowship Hall. Last year well over 500 people attended this annual event from the church and community. It is one of the largest outreach projects we sponsor. Mark your calendars and join us for this beautiful tradition. It happens rain or shine. To make our Living Nativity come alive we need a volunteer cast and crew to be able to present this wonderful version of the Christmas story, so we are calling all angels, shepherds and Wise Men! There are speaking and non-speaking roles. The cast includes Mary (non-speaking), Joseph (speaking), shepherds (non-speaking), kings (non-speaking), Angel Gabriel (speaking) and a host of small angels (singing)! Young adults or older teens are needed to play the roles of Mary and Joseph. We d love to have an older baby, male or female, to play the role of baby Jesus. Adult men and older youth are cast as Kings. Shepherds can be all ages, male and female, and we like to have a few adults involved since the shepherds gather around a campfire. The angel choir can be girls or boys up through middle school age. We need a crew to install our Nativity set on the evening of Thursday, December 22 and helpers are also needed on December 23 to assist with costumes, pass out snacks to the cast and help with crowd control. Please consider being involved in the Living Nativity this year. If you would like to be a part of the celebration contact organizer Gretchen Gray at or gretchengray@yahoo.com. Sponsor the Living Nativity! Creche and Critters Club As an extension of our giftgiving at this upcoming joyous time of year, we invite you to become part of our Creche and Critters Club. Membership is attained by sponsoring the live animal actors in our Living Nativity on Dec. 23. Our goal is to raise funds for the rental of these critters. For a donation of $10: you are a Christmas Chick $10-$25: You are a Bethlehem Bunny $25-$50: You are Gabriel s Goat $50-$100: You are a Delightful Donkey $100 or more: You are an ANGEL Your sponsorship will be listed with thanks in that evening s program. This is one time of year we can bring the gospel to life for the greater community. Donations can be made to the church office. Please mark your checks with Creche and Critters and your pledge number and place in the offering plate at the offertory.

10 Goals and Shared Ministry at BPC Children s Ministry Noah s Ark Class Children are studying how God used animals to teach His people lessons. During the Advent season they will focus on Angels in the Bible. Youth Ministry Reflecting on BPC s Ministry Goals, Marcia Morgan offers thoughts on how each member has gifts that can support the infrastructure of the church. Bill Marston speaks about the need for a BPC youth director. Continuing Transformation at BPC Christmas Eve Youth Sermon We invite any middle school or high school student who is an active church member who would be interested in preaching at the 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service to contact Alicia Woodridge (asap) at or snuvy@yahoo.com. A little more than two years ago, Bedford Presbyterian began an exciting and enthusiastic journey of discernment regarding who we are and what God is calling us to be. It may seem long ago to some, but now it is quite clear how crucial it was to invest so much time and effort, for something so big. Our Ministry Goals, the results of our Mission Study, are transforming who we are, what we do, and how we do it. Looking back, this transformation had roots as far back as the ministry of Reverend Jim Scotland, serving as our pastor from 1959 to Midway through his term, BPC merged the Board of Trustees with the Board of Elders and opened the door to women elders, initiating a new form of lay leadership and congregational engagement. Our next pastor, Jonathan Lange, pushed us further into the transformation, as we entered a 30 year period of change and discernment for God s new calling, with ongoing evaluation of our identity, exploring styles of leadership and stewardship. With the conclusion of our 2-year Mission Study, BPC has found great clarity regarding our identity and new calling, leading this congregation to overwhelming approve a new co-pastor model for pastoral leadership and shared ministry, installing Reverend Karen Hagy as our first co-pastor. Pastor Nominating Committee In October, the Committee On Ministry of the Presbytery of Northern New England reviewed and enthusiastically endorsed our Mission Study Report, approving the formation of the Pastor Nominating Committee. At the writing of this article, the slate of candidates for the PNC are being finalized, and will soon be approved by the congregation and begin their work, searching for and calling a new co-pastor. We are looking for a co-pastor who feels a passionate calling to join us and, like the rest of us, will bring the best they have to offer to do God s good work, in shared ministry together. The Mission Study Report will be published and available for download from the church website. For those who cannot use digital media, printed copies can be requested of the church office.

11 Christmas Wreaths Mission & Outreach The Mission Committee will be selling Christmas Wreaths to help raise funds to support 2013 Mission Trips. Sixteeninch decorated wreaths will be available for $25 and can be picked up at church beginning Sunday, December 9. See the insert in the Sunday bulletin or call the church office to place your order. Wreaths sell out fast so please order early! If you would like to help make wreaths, come to the Hanging of the Greens on Friday evening, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Adopt-a-Family Once again the Mission Committee is sponsoring the Adopt-a-Family Christmas gift giving program. It works like this: Pick a tag from our Giving Tree on Sunday, November 25, December 2 or 9 and choose one of three ways to give: 1. A generic gift 2. A gift card 3. A specific gift An instruction sheet will be provided. Gifts need to be at the church by Friday, December 14 for delivery the week of December 17. We also need volunteers to help deliver gifts. To help with deliveries see the signup sheet in Fellowship Hall or call Amy Jenkins at Special thanks to Larry Cowen, George Reese and Frank Conery (and Dick Powell) for their leadership and hard work in BPC s mission efforts Mission Auction is Sunday, February 17 We are planning an exciting evening of fun and fund raising to support our ongoing mission work! For those of you who may remember, we held a similar auction to kick off our mission work in New Orleans post-katrina. The money raised subsidized our mission trips for six years. Now it's time to do it again to keep up the amazing momentum we've created! We also need items for the auction. In years past, some of the creative and generous offerings were: Weekend in a lake house Week at a timeshare in Aruba Original artwork by professional artists Teeth whitening by a dentist Babysitting by a certified babysitter Use of a pair of kayaks for the weekend of your choice Flying tour in a private plane by a certified pilot Cooking lessons by a professional chef Painting of rooms in your home Landscaping and gardening services Dinners at local restaurants Handmade jewelry Dinner for 4 prepared at your home And so much more! We'll need your participation in both donating auction items, and participating in the excitement and fun of the auction itself! Please call or George Reese with any auction items or questions you may have at , georeese@msn.com. But most of all, we need you to save the date for the Mission Auction on Sunday, February 17! See you there!

12 B e d f o r d P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h 4 Church Road Bedford, New Hampshire fax: Return Service Requested Special Thanks to All! Help for New York and New Jersey in response to Superstorm Sandy Kathy Pawley and her sister drove donated items to a Methodist church in Mamaroneck, New York where the church has relief projects on Long Island and Staten Island. (see above photo) The Deacons made a donation to Brooklyn, NY residents Michaela Olsen and Rob Kovacs to purchase items such as blankets, batteries, cleaning supplies and flashlights in their collections for local supply drives in New York City. Our offering gifts marked Hurricane Sandy Relief went to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) which continues to help with the ongoing relief efforts. You can still make PDA gifts in the offering or at the church office. Thank you! Deacons s Update The Deacons thank the congregation for their generosity during our annual coat drive. Several bags of winter gear were collected and delivered to St. Raphael s clothing pantry to be given out to those in need as we go into the winter season. The Deacons also want to thank the congregation for their continued support of our Thanksgiving Baskets mission. By the time you read this note we will have packed and delivered 225+ baskets that include a full Thanksgiving turkey dinner and food staples to local families in need. We appreciate the financial support the congregation offers the Deacons all year long for this event, the youth who help pack the baskets, the drivers who deliver the basket and all those who help behind the scenes to make this, BPC s largest local mission outreach, a success year after year. And special thanks to Tom Turkey! The Deacons wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.