PILOT P ST PILOT CLUB OF HUNTINGTON, INC. 2015-2016 EXECUTIVE BOARD Eva Lively President Vicki Tambling President Elect Recording Secretary Jan Flinchum Corresponding Secretary Helen Foster Treasurer Jane Norris Directors Two Years: Della Cline Debbie Tabor Directors One Year: Chris Maniskas Pam Rucker Immediate Past President Mary Pat Owen Presidents Message: December 2015 It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and a chill breeze is blowing in this blessed holiday season as the end of a wonderful year approaches. It is a time for laughter, family, friends, gifts, peace and charity toward all whom we meet. It is a time when we gather among our loved ones from near and far, set aside our differences and celebrate the joy brought to us throughout the year. It is a time for one day just ONE day- we leave behind our troubles and make the most of the gifts we ve received throughout the year. Everyone should think of something to celebrate, and here at the Pilot Club, we have much to applaud. Last month we had a fantastic turnout for the Salvation Army dinner, bringing a little slice of sanctuary to those less fortunate than ourselves. It is a time when we should be proud of our accomplishments, and a time to spread our joy. It is a time to remember that what we have in our hearts is worth so much more than what we have in our wallets or houses; what we can give to others can bring more joy than what s been given to us. It is a time for us to bring new joy into the lives of our fellow humans, new life and spirit into the world, and carry on a legacy of hope for our future generations. We, on the Executive Board, hope this season brings you joy and happiness- may your hearth be warm and your holidays wonderful. Eve PS- Don t forget your white elephant exchange gift for the next meeting! Our next meeting is December 14th at Pullman Plaza Hotel; Board will meet at 5:15 pm, Social hour is at 5:30 pm and the Dinner meeting starts at 6:00 pm. Donations will be collected for Branches: Paper products, towels, wash cloths, umbrellas, and liquid laundry soap.
PATRIOTISM Helen Foster MORE PRESIDENTIAL CHRISTMASES PAST Ronald & Nancy Reagan (1981-1989 In 1981, President Ronald Reagan began another custom by authorizing the first official White House ornament, copies of which were made available for purchase. In 1984, the Nativity Scene was allowed to return to the Pageant of Peace. The President recalled that his family never had a really fancy Christmas. During the Depression when they couldn t afford a Christmas tree, his mother would decorate a table or make a cardboard fireplace out of a packing box. Each year at Christmas, Reagan gave a short talk of the true meaning of Christmas. George W. & Laura Bush (2001-2009 George W. Bush was the first president to choose a Yule card with a Scripture. First lady Laura Bush supervised the card selection and picked cards with Bible verses, as she had done when her husband was governor. President Bush gave talks at Christmas in 2001 and 2003 and quoted the poem written by Longfellow during the Civil War (it later became a part of a Christmas carol): Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on Earth, good will to men Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on Earth, good will to men. Barach & Michelle Obama (2009- In 2009, President Obama attended the first presidential Seder in the White House with the President himself honoring the holiday that celebrates the Jews biblical escape from bondage in Egypt. In December 2014, 65,000 guests at the White House viewed 26 decorated trees that took 106 volunteers to do the decorating. Michelle Obama described the 18-foot concolor fir in the Blue Room as the biggest, hugest tree. It was so big, workers had to take the hinges off the front door to get it into the executive mansion. It had 2,000 ornaments. On December 2, 2015, Mrs. Obama welcomed military families to enjoy the White House Christmas decorations. On December 3 rd, the family lit the huge national tree in Ellipse Park near the White House. The family plans to spend the holiday itself until New Year s Day in Hawaii, where the president was born. Helen Foster Merry Christmas Patriotism
CHAPLAINS MESSAGE Margaret VanZandt Third Week of Advent: The Unconquerable Gift of Joy "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, 'Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.' But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.'" (Luke 1:26-32) Happiness is an emotion that can disappear as quickly as it rises to the surface. Joy, however, is a choice. God can give us a gift of joy that is unconquerable. We can choose to live in an attitude of resentment, anger and fear or we can choose to pursue the joy of Christ. So what is the picture of joy in the Bible? Joy is trusting God to handle things when you want to doubt. The key is trust. We need to have Mary's response to the coming of Jesus, "'May it be done to me according to your word'" (Luke 1:38). Joy is receiving what you want to reject. What if the innkeeper had said to Mary and Joseph: "No, you can't stay in the stable!" We find joy in making room for people in need "for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Joy is celebrating when you want to fear. What's the first thing angels say to mortals? It's standard protocol. In just about every divine encounter the angels say: "Fear not." God is not looking for ways to scare us into faith! Indeed, He is called Immanuel- meaning "God with us." He draws near to us to alleviate our fears and worries. He wants us to know that He's going to take care of us no matter what happens. So no matter what you are going through, remind yourself of this simple truth: "Jesus is with me." He is with you in your greatest victories and your most humiliating defeats. Jesus is with you at all times in all things. It is such a busy time of year, but here are some things you can do to experience the gift of joy: Make an inventory of the things that bring you joy. Invite family members to share one thing that they're trusting God to handle. Write a note to someone who is experiencing fear and worry. Let them know you're praying that God will give them the courage they need. Better yet, take the time to share a meal or a fun experience with another Pilot! Don't miss the joy of sharing the experience of Christmas with each other!
BRAINMINDERS PUPPET SHOW Debbie Tabor December 3rd Janey Norris December 16th Pilot Anniversarys Deborah Chapman December 1, 1983 32 years of service Pilots went to Ebenezer Children Center for a BrainMinders Puppet show Tuesday, November 24, 2015. We want the children to understand how important it is to protect their brains by wearing seat belts in cars and helmets when riding bikes or skating. They gave the children BrainMinders coloring books and crayons. Left to right is Janey, Ebenezer Centers leader, Linda, President Eva and Jan. Mary Pat is in the group picture. REVIEW OF LAST MONTH At our November 16 th meeting Della Cline and Donna Mauk installed 3 new members. Left to right: Captain Betty Lester, Katie Flower and Joy Cline. Our project for November was to collect supplies and money for Little Victories Animal Shelter.
The Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving Dinner was Tuesday November 26 th. UPCOMING MEETINGS We will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army s Red Kettle on December 12th. Pilots also are helping to count money from the Red Kettles through the Holiday season. Pilots volunteered to help serve. Chris helped Captain Betty Lester make dressing during the day. Katie s dad, Mr. Flower, cooked turkeys and helped in the kitchen. Pictured above: Kathy, Katie, Captain Betty, Janey, President Eva, Gale, Dale and Katie s friend Darcie helped serve. The Salvation Army has demonstrated for 150 years that ignoring the world's problems does not make them any less real. As Capt. Jerry Lester welcomed droves of Huntington's hungry into the church sanctuary Tuesday evening, The Salvation Army served more than 500 Thanksgiving dinners, with people lined up out the doors of its 3rd Avenue headquarters. "That's what we're called to do," Lester, director of the organization's Huntington congregation said. "The problem that so many people don't understand is that there are people out there who need help. The only way they're going to get what they need if for us to open up our hands and say, 'Here we are; we'll try to do the best we can for you.' January 18 th meeting will be at Pullman Plaza Hotel 5:15 Executive Board, 5:30 Social Time, 6:00 Dinner and Business Meeting Membership Division in charge. Project Ebenezer Denist. Save the date KY-OH-WV District Convention Historical Blennerhassett Hotel Parkersburg, WV April 22-24, 2016 Hosted by Jackson County Pilot Club 2015-2016 Governor Greta Tyler s theme. Save the date The Pilot Club of Huntington will be celebrating their 75 th year of Communty Service. Sunday, May 15, 2016 2:00 4:00 at the Guyan Golf & Country Club, Huntington, WV P. O. BOX 2011 HUNTINGTON, WV 25720 Pilotclub-huntington@hotmail.com