Dear Members and Friends, As I looked out my office window this morning, there are nearly a dozen volunteers working in the cold, loading cars with turkeys, boxes of groceries, fresh pies, and all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving celebration. The True Spirit Coalition food pantry located at our building hasn’t missed a beat through-out the 200 days of Coronavirus Pandemic. We can thank our many community partners and donors for the support that is needed to keep serving our neighbors in need. Especially, let's give Gina Herz (TSC Coordinator) and Brenda Rupp, Deb Enderlin, Sue Clark, Liboria Mendoza, Joan Finlay, Sonia Wagner, Bruce Powers, Biz West, and so many others a huge THANK YOU this year for outstanding service to the TSC and to the Island community. I know, for them, being in service is the thanks they get and it does feel great and do wonders for our spirits, especially in these times. But they do it in our name and to the Glory of God and for that, we need to remember to give thanks! Please keep the following folks in your prayers: Betty Dillon Breeden, Linda and Barry Reap, Kathy Boyd, Pat Cost, Jim Walker (for his son) and so many others who are facing serious health concerns during a time when it's not necessarily easy to receive treatment/tests/doctor visits. Lori Herndon has encouraged us to remain diligent… wash hands often, wear masks, social distance and avoid crowds… and she has also assured us that if we need treatment, don’t wait until it becomes severe. Our health care providers are doing all they can to keep us safe when we visit the doctor or get tests done or if we have to go to the hospital. Please continue to pray for our health care first responders and those in all of the support services. Have concerns about returning to live worship? Please let your ideas and opinions be known to the small committee of folks who continue to work on a re-entry plan (preliminary plan has been approved by Presbytery). Sonia Wagner and Kim Grahsler are elders leading this workgroup. Chikita Wallace, Paul Robinson, Gina Kerley, and Luanne Usinger are anxious to hear your thoughts. Why not give them a call or email them to share what you think. Please watch for news about special opportunities to celebrate Advent and Christmas Eve with our children. Kim Grahsler and Jeanie Collins have been planning with parents and kids to put on a pageant that we can all enjoy on the live stream. There will also be a copy of the 2007 Christmas Pageant available to watch on our website! AND… we hope to have a meditation labyrinth (lit with candles) where we can gather to “wait and pray” and perhaps enjoy some caroling together. If you have ideas about how we can make the season brighter and more meaningful while remaining COVID-19 safe, let me know! Adapting is where it's at!
Please join us LIVE on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am for singing, and 10:15 am for worship. Use this link www.facebook.com/brigchurch.org.
If you haven’t joined us for “virtual worship”, give me a call - you need to join us! The CHURCH WEBSITE is www.brigchurch.org. My email is jrscotland@aol.com. My cell phone is (609) 457-2999.
MEMBER PICTURE DIRECTORIES ARE IN! Drop by the office to pick yours up.
- John
