HELLO!

It was a busy day at Woodlawn. Our outstanding and energetic Outreach Team were there at the front door as 32 households arrived to accept our Christmas offering. There were also 100 shoeboxes for youth and adults. If you see one of our team, chaired by Al and Dawn, please give them a hug from Bethe and a hearty THANK YOU! from me. Meanwhile Kaitlin was on the phone trying to track down the repair folks who can fix our broken electronic sign. Bethe and I decided we needed to invite our community to the upcoming Christmas Eve services. Here is the photo, and facebook video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HUT8GpkZy/

With the clothes, food and gifts we offer recipients of our Christmas gifts we included a letter from the ministers. I share it here, to give you a sense of how we feel about our larger community. You’ve heard me quote Tim Keller, “If your church closed today, ask yourself, would anyone miss you?” I hope this letter offers support, hope and a sense of community. Further, I pray and work for justice, that one day soon, there would not be a need for foodbanks. We pray, we work, for justice, not just us.

Here is that letter:

Our local foodbank, supported by FEED Nova Scotia, and donations from local churches in East Dartmouth, are busy offering food and gifts to persons who need support. These volunteers work hard, and they do it with love in their hearts. We all know this should not be necessary, in a country as wealthy as Canada, no one should need this kind of support. But the reality is we have food insecurity and until that changes we will have foodbanks. Our churches are here to help do what they can.

In churches all over the world Christians will dress up as characters from the manger scene, some will be Mary and Joseph, some the innkeeper, some will be the animals around the food box, some angels. I want to be a shepherd. Shepherds had a hard life, then and now, they work hard, they love animals, they look at the night sky in wonder. And in our Holy and Mysterious story of Luke, the angels come to the shepherds. The message leaves them speechless, overjoyed, and eager to see the Christ Child. Bethe and I invite you to see the Christ Child at Woodlawn United Church any and every Sunday at 10 am, and on Christmas Eve, at 4 pm for our interactive service with children and youth, and at 8 pm for a sermon and Communion. Our magnificent choir of 40 voices will be singing at the 8 pm service. Please join us at the Inn/54 Woodlawn Road.

Advent and Christmas Blessings,

Rev. Bethe Bejamin Cameron & Rev. Kevin Little