Local Missions
Christmas Activity Report
We are happy that despite the pandemic we were able to do a number of activities we normally do each year at Christmas time.
• The mitten tree was loaded with a collection of beautiful hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. We also had several coats donated. Pastor Marlene delivered them to the school nurse at Clayton Elementary in Vestal the week before Christmas. She was thrilled with the gifts and will work hard to get them to the children that need these things the most. Thank you for your donation!
• The cookie trays were bought this year instead of being homemade because of the pandemic. We did not want our public 6 servants to worry about who had touched the cookies with bare hands. Nine very large trays were bought at Sam’s and contained several different kinds of cookies. Bill Ritter, Pastor Marlene and Mary Shiner had the joy of delivering them to the following people: - 4 Vestal fire stations - Vestal police department - Highway department - EMS station - Vestal town hall - Broome County Salvation Army office The cookies were a big hit as some commented that these were the only cookies they had received. Well done church! And thank you to all who donated money to buy the trays.
• Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. Seven people donated their time to ring the bell for the Salvation Army red kettle drive. Social distancing from the kettle and mask wearing were implemented. We rang on Saturday, December 12 at the Johnson City Walmart and raised almost $500! The day was so much warmer than it had been and the rain did not come until the last person had closed up shop and was on the way home. Thank you ringers! The Salvation Army is very grateful as this year has been very difficult.
• Virtual Christmas Eve Service With the increase in Covid-related illnesses in the area, the Leadership Board in December voted to host only a virtual Christmas Eve Service. If you have not seen it, it is on our website for viewing. Because of restrictions, it had to be done differently but we did not want to forget to pause and remember this very sacred night. Thank you to readers, Larry Garrard and Sue Glann, and to Ron Hirst for not only recording the service but playing the organ as well.
• The mitten tree was loaded with a collection of beautiful hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. We also had several coats donated. Pastor Marlene delivered them to the school nurse at Clayton Elementary in Vestal the week before Christmas. She was thrilled with the gifts and will work hard to get them to the children that need these things the most. Thank you for your donation!
• The cookie trays were bought this year instead of being homemade because of the pandemic. We did not want our public 6 servants to worry about who had touched the cookies with bare hands. Nine very large trays were bought at Sam’s and contained several different kinds of cookies. Bill Ritter, Pastor Marlene and Mary Shiner had the joy of delivering them to the following people: - 4 Vestal fire stations - Vestal police department - Highway department - EMS station - Vestal town hall - Broome County Salvation Army office The cookies were a big hit as some commented that these were the only cookies they had received. Well done church! And thank you to all who donated money to buy the trays.
• Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. Seven people donated their time to ring the bell for the Salvation Army red kettle drive. Social distancing from the kettle and mask wearing were implemented. We rang on Saturday, December 12 at the Johnson City Walmart and raised almost $500! The day was so much warmer than it had been and the rain did not come until the last person had closed up shop and was on the way home. Thank you ringers! The Salvation Army is very grateful as this year has been very difficult.
• Virtual Christmas Eve Service With the increase in Covid-related illnesses in the area, the Leadership Board in December voted to host only a virtual Christmas Eve Service. If you have not seen it, it is on our website for viewing. Because of restrictions, it had to be done differently but we did not want to forget to pause and remember this very sacred night. Thank you to readers, Larry Garrard and Sue Glann, and to Ron Hirst for not only recording the service but playing the organ as well.