Celebrating Light & Joy this Season!
It’s been a tough year for many of us, with high grocery costs, housing, and health insurance, a loss of SNAP benefits, concerns about our immigrant neighbors vulnerable to ICE action, hate attacks, LGBTQ+ rights violations, and the many other concerning facts of life are facing.
Yet if we look, we will find the light of positive change rising up within the darkness. And as we travel into the season of Advent, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, there is reason to be hopeful, and maybe even joyful! At Hadwen Park Church, the calendar is filled with opportunities for community, for reaching out and looking inward, for healing and celebration and love. Come, join us, and we’ll seek the light together!
Staring on November 23, Thanksgiving Sunday, we will welcome at least 15 new members to our church! Later that day there will be a party in celebration of our growing congregation, our music ministry, and other joys!
The following Saturday, November 29, at 10 AM, is the Greening of the Church, when we come together to raise and decorate the Christmas tree, and hang the wreaths and garlands that will signal the start of Christmas season! All are welcome to join in, and maybe enjoy some homemade waffles too : )
Monday, December 8, at 6 PM is the annual Task Force International Christmas dinner and party, with Santa Claus! It’s free, and all are welcome.
We acknowledge that for many, the holidays are times of sadness. While many are celebrating, the loss or illness of a loved one, bad health, job loss, fears of human rights in jeopardy, broken families, addictions, depression, or loneliness can make Christmas an especially hard time for some. Blue Christmas is a quiet service without enforced joy and Christmas carols. Come if this is what you need or if you want to support those who do. Light a candle, pray, cry, be together and be in a safe space. Wednesday, December 10, at 7 PM.
Sunday, December 14, after church (with a baptism!) we will carol to the homebound! This is for ALL ages who want to bring joy to others. So much fun! Join us after church! Then at 2 PM, there is a youth party for HPC teens with Pastor Judy. RSVP to gracelift@aol.com
Monday, December 15, at 6:30 PM is the monthly Gender Roundtable. Great discussions and support, plus pizza!
Ready for some fantastic Christmas choral music? Join us on Thursday, December 18 at 7 PM for a free choir concert, with freewill offering to benefit food insecurity. Great for anyone who loves Christmas carols. Come, and bring friends and neighbors!
Then on Sunday, December 21, our regular 10 AM service is a Christmas Cantata, with soaring music, along with worship. Go Tell it On the Mountain! Later that day at 5 PM, don’t miss the Christmas Pageant! Always so fun, and ALL children are invited to take part – bring your neighbors, friends, anyone! No rehearsals needed. Come at 4:30 for costuming! A cookie party with Santa follows.
On Monday, December 22, the Safe Harbor Support Group for LGBTQ+ people will meet at 6:30 PM. Gather with Pastor Julie for great discussion and a meal.
And finally, Wednesday, December 24 (7PM) brings our Christmas Eve candlelight service. Follow the luminary-lit path and take a candle to help bring light into the church for this all-ages service of JOY!
With support, love and the faith that God is walking with us, we will get through this season together in peace - and just maybe with some joy - and come out stronger!
Christmas blessings,
Karen Methot, Social Media Minister
Find all these events on our website calendar: hadwenparkchurchorg/events