Thank you Roger and Becky for the gift of another intriguing and artistic banner for the season. Our Advent/Christmas celebration reaches its culmination this Sunday with Epiphany, the coming of the Wise Ones to Bethlehem. These provoking Advent words and Christmas star are suspended beneath the word “Belong.” Throughout the current liturgical year, we will be exploring and encountering our sense of belonging. The twisting of inside and outside edges back upon one another is a visual reminder that our experience of belonging always relates to both what is happening inside us and what is happening outside us, our internal and external journeys.
We Met Our Goal
Thank you, thank you for your support of our Advent Mission Project. We have met our goal of $800 for the transport and processing of all those plastic caps in southern Indiana. There they will be transformed into sturdy and lovely recycled plastic benches for the Monarch Waystation. We look forward to dedicating the benches in the spring.
Christmas Candles
A wide array of candles from many Mayfield homes transformed our altar into a table of light for worship on December 23, 24, and 30. There are still a half dozen candles at church to be retrieved and taken home. Come and find yours.
Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk
This Sunday at 9 am, we will enjoy our fourth confirmation intergenerational labyrinth walk. Our text for this walk is the journey of the wise ones from the east to the Bethlehem stable. Remember these walks are for the youngest among us to the oldest. New walkers are always welcome. Walkers so far have ranged in age from 4 to 70+.
Jane Adeny Memorial School (JAMS)
During January and early February each year we collect the money to cover a year’s tuition for our student at JAMS. Since Anita graduated, we will begin sponsoring a new student this year. $800 is the annual amount for a girl’s tuition. Your gifts sent to the church office or put in the offering plate should be marked JAMS. What a pleasure it is to be a part of such a life-changing educational effort. Check in with Diana if you have any specific JAMS questions. Godspeed to Nelle who returns to JAMS in a few days. She will be there for another three months, continuing to develop their new music program. If you missed Nelle’s interview on WNIJ’s (89.5 FM) Friday Forum on December 28, check it out online. And remember in Anita’s last letter to us, which Nelle carried home in the fall, Anita spoke of the people of Mayfield as important role models for her. In return, I would say that the courage to learn displayed by the JAMS girls is an inspirational gift to each and every one of us.
2019 Bulletins
The sign-up sheet for 2019 bulletins is in the Gathering Area. Bulletins are $7 a week. Let’s see if we can fill up every week for the year.
Annual Meeting Notice
Our constitution requires that notice of the annual meeting be given starting three weeks prior to the meeting. This is the third written notice. The annual meeting of Mayfield Congregational United Church of Christ will be held on Sunday, January 13, following worship. Your attendance and participation are encouraged as we receive annual reports including the 2019 budget and elect new members to the 2019 church council.
2019 Pledges
If you are planning to make a 2019 pledge and haven’t done so yet, you can use the 2019 pledge sheet included with the memo. Please return it to church as soon as possible.
Don’t forget – if you or someone you know might cook with Mayfield sausage during the winter, it is always available for sale at church.