This Thanksgiving our family will continue its tradition of gathering with extended family. We alternate: on odd-numbered years, there is a Braden family reunion somewhere in the mid-west; on even-numbered years, we gather with Marge’s family in Dayton. It will be Marge’s first out-of-town trip, but we think she can make it.

Since this newsletter falls in the Thanksgiving season, I want to note some things for which I am deeply thankful this year. Some, as you will see, are pretty standard; others are more quirky, but here they are. I am deeply thankful for:

For God and faith. The wonder of creation, and the ability God has given us to both enjoy and understand that creation, never cease to amaze me. Our fall series on the creation stories in Genesis helped reawaken that sense of wonder. And I rejoice in the good news of Jesus Christ, that God is with us, and calls us to love one another as Christ loves us.

For the family that I have – Marge, Mason, and Andy, and for my mother and siblings and their families, and for Marge’s siblings and families. I rejoice that we enjoy one another’s company, that we can gather without drama or stress, that we love one another.

For the church I serve – that is, for all of you. You have been wonderful to me and to our family during Marge’s surgery and recovery. The quiet faith and dedication of many of our members has been an inspiration to me.

For the nation in which we live – not only strong, prosperous, and free, but dedicated to higher ideals of bringing out the best in its people.

For the care and of modern medicine are well-known to many of you, but we are experiencing them for the first time, and I am grateful for the science and the economics, as well as the individuals and companies, that have made such advances possible.

For the fact that Thanksgiving is not just a Christian holiday. Surfing the web reveals Thanksgiving celebrations among Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and all kinds of other folks (though some folks are giving thanks to no one in particular!). Thus, it can be a time of much-needed unity in our diverse and divided nation.

For the fact "Christian nationalism" – the attempt by some on the Religious Right to mold this nation into a conservative Christian theocracy, as outlined in recent books such as Michelle Goldberg’s "Kingdom Coming" – is waning. I disagree with their theology (e.g. anti-evolutionary "creationism"), and I think the marriage of Christianity and political power is dangerous to both the nation and the church.

As I count my blessings, I am reminded of this Thanksgiving prayer by Samuel Pugh:

When I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;
by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.

Children's Ministries
Linda Hartman

Christmas Musical

The Melodia Choir, Jr. Chorale, and Westminster Choir will present the Christmas musical, "Calling All Angels," at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday morning, December 17. The story embraces the Annunciation, the season of Advent, and the birth of Jesus through drama and song. The cast includes 25 children and youth. Please join us for this special occasion!

New Nursery Attendants We welcome Sara Taylor and Jenny Wall to our nursery team. Under Nursery Coordinator Mary Freed, Sara, Jenny, and Paula Wood are staffing both the nursery and the Sonshine Kids toddlers class next door. We are excited about our nursery & toddler program!

December 3 - 17 The Messiah 
Leader: Starr Robinson
Do you enjoy Handel's Messiah? Come learn more about the Advent scriptures that he draws from for this amazing musical work.

The Brown Bag Book Bunch meets on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the current book. The upcoming selections are:

December	Night	Elie Wiesel
January	90 Minutes in Heaven	Don Piper

Join us in the Reception Room.

 

Presbyterian Women

We commit ourselves:

to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible Study,

to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace,

and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's Kingdom.

Dates for your calendar:

Cookie Walk, Cookie Walk,
Cookie Time is Near!

Dear Presbyterian Women and Men: It’s that time of year when we come begging for your help! The Cookie Walk is Presbyterian Women’s only fund raiser, and as you know these funds are used entirely for mission. What you may not know is that Wabash Valley Presbyterian Women are the fifth highest givers in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

We are extremely grateful for all the help and participation that you have provided to us in the past and hope that you will have the time to help us again this year.

We are planning an all church Cookie Bake on the evening of November 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the kitchen. We always have a great time! We are in need of more cans and will accept the plastic kind as well as the metal ones.

Tell your neighbors and friends about it so we can sell out on Saturday. Thank you in advance for all your help!

Yours in Christ,
Jill Stoll, PW Moderator

     IMPORTANT DATES:
November 28 All Church Baking Night
December 8   Drop-Off Day
December 9   Cookie Walk

Added Bonus:

The Nursery staff has graciously decided to open the nursery (free of charge) during the hours of the Cookie Walk , December 9, from 9:00 until noon, for any families needing to get some shopping done, wrapping gifts, etc. No meal will be served, but a snack will be given to the children. Please reserve your spot by calling 264-3109.

It is not too early to start pulling out your cookie recipes.  Leaves are beginning to change color (and fall, already!); . there's a crisp feeling in the air; we're making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas traveling; might as well get ready for the Cookie Walk!

On your mark, get set, bake! That's right, it's almost time for the Cookie Walk! For those of you who may not know, the Cookie Walk is your opportunity to support the mission of the church and buy some delicious goodies while you're at it. Each family in the church is invited to bake at least 4-6 dozen cookies (more would be wonderful) and bring them to the church on Friday. Then, on Saturday, you can come to Fellowship Hall and choose a fantastic variety of cookies and other items to purchase and enjoy during the holidays. If you don't enjoy baking cookies, we have a specialty table for donations of cakes, pies, breads, buckeyes, candy, etc. We hope you'll join us! If you would like to help collecting cookies or with set-up or clean-up, please contact Suzanne Wyatt or Jill Stoll. We'll see you there!

Church Community Services (CCS), our ecumenical food pantry, distributes bags of food and (as funds are available) assistance with rent and utility payments to local families needing emergency help. Our church supports CCS with regular donations from our mission budget, and a number of our members make individual contributions toward rent assistance (since CCS now incorporates the work of the former Dave's Place). Several of our members volunteer at CCS, and they can always use more volunteers! We collect grocery donations each Sunday on the following schedule:

First Sunday - Fish (canned tuna & salmon) Second Sunday - Spaghetti & Spam (sauce & canned meat) Third Sunday - Oral Hygiene & Toiletries (toothpaste, personal care) Fourth Sunday - Canned Fruit Fifth Sunday - Cleaning Supplies for Faith Mission

Thank you so much for the Caring Card that was delivered to me while I was in the hospital. Your many kind thoughts and prayers are a tremendous help during my recovery.
Sincerely, Jeff Wells

Thank you to everyone who came to John’s memorial service. Thanks especially to Steve for the beautiful service.
Donna Van de Mark and family

Just a note to say thank you for the celebration lunch after church last Sunday. The tables were decorated so attractively, and the food was delicious! We really enjoyed the fellowship!
Susan & Mary Helen Kendell

It was such a nice surprise to be remembered with the "BIG" get well card and thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Jane Lerner

Thank you to all who have prayed for, sent cards to, or visited Marge, or have provided meals to the Braden family. The prayers and care have made a great difference.
The Bradens

Do you have a prayer concern?
Do you know of someone in the hospital, recovering from illness, etc.? Let us know, so we can hold you or your friend in prayer. Contact Pat Van Dyke to be placed on the prayer chain.

Pien Thammavongsa
April 12, 1949 - September 18, 2006

John Van De Mark
October 5, 1920 - October 25, 2006

The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Jan Horner on the death of her mother.

Elders and Deacons – current and ‘retired’: We will be visiting homebound and nursing home residents on Sunday, December 3 following each of the morning worship services. If you are available, would you share an hour of your time to enable our members to receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. If you’ve never served home bound communion, you’ll be paired with an experienced server. Contact Kathleen O’Connell if you can help (kathleenoc@verizon.net).

Baptisms… On Sunday, October 22, Elliott Nix, son of Robert & Kristy, was baptized in the Bridge service. On October 29, Emma, Sarah, and Megan LaLone, granddaughters of Harriet Sloop, were baptized in the sanctuary service.

Congratulations to Patricia Kurtz, MD, daughter of Bob Kurtz, who has been named as a Fellow and Master of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators.

Mark your calendar for an all-church advent supper on December 10, 5-7 pm., with games, crafts, and caroling! This night will have it all - don't miss it!

Stewardship Update… Are you up-to-date in your giving? We are lagging a bit on 2006 pledged giving. Can you help us catch up?

Our November 12 Consecration Sunday had good attendance and an excellent response (as well as a yummy catered brunch). Thank you to all who attended and pledged!

Letters have gone out to those who were not in worship. If you have not turned in your 2007 Estimate of Giving card, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

The Session will be putting together the 2007 budget at its December meeting.

 Newsletter  Deadline
The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on December 10 , and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by December 1.