12/22/22 The Beckford Connection

CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR’S DAY SERVICES
All services stream on Facebook Live.

Christmas Eve
5 p.m. Emmanuel
9 p.m. St. Andrew’s
Christmas Day
10 a.m. St. Andrew’s

New Year’s Day, Lessons & Carols
10 a.m. Emmanuel

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM MOTHER KATHY

Friends in Christ,

Christmas Greetings!

For most of us, the beloved symbols and traditions of this holy season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany are at the heart of our Christmas preparations. Without them, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas. Adding our nativity sets to our churches this year has been a wonderful reminder that God is always doing something new in our hearts and lives.

Here in Beckford Parish, we have spent the last year wondering and asking one another what new things God has in store for us as a community of faith. Have you been part of that wondering and some of those conversations? They are ongoing and will continue in the new year.

God sees all sorts of possibilities for us! We might laugh like Sarah or scratch our heads like Abraham, wondering how this could be, but the wonder of the Christmas story is that God is always ready to do something new and life-giving in our lives if we will join with Mary and Joseph and say “Yes!”

I invite you to join us for Christmas services as we celebrate the birth of Christ.  Allow the good news of Christmas to bring great joy to your heart and mind.  Encourage family and friends to join us at Emmanuel and Saint Andrew’s this Christmas so that the miracle of Christmas may be born in them, too.

May we each move through this season with a renewed sense of wonder, hope, and expectation, knowing that God has new and remarkable things in store for us, no matter our station or stage in life. Together let us offer God our own “yes.”

Marty and I wish you and yours a joyful and blessed Christmas.

Yours faithfully,

2022 GIVING TREE

As you wrap up your Christmas shopping and donations, please keep in mind our Giving Tree. This year, we’re collecting donations for pet food to help families who come to Emmanuel’s Table Food Pantry and are taking a collection to support Grandparents as Parents (GAP).

Our furry friends are an important part of our families and those experiencing food insecurity often are struggling to feed their furry family as well. In our area, there are few resources to get pet food, so Emmanuel’s Table has been stepping in to help fill this need.

GAP, a ministry led by Shelia Helsley, is a vital group in ShenCo serving the grandparents serving as parents. These grandparents have been unexpectedly called upon to step up to fill the role of parent to their grandchildren, so appreciate the help GAP provides in offering support in the form of community, education, food, clothing, and more. This Christmas, the GAP families are receiving a Christmas box to help make their Christmas brighter (and ensure there’s something under the tree for everyone).

We’re asking that folks send monetary donations, made out to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and noting that it is for Giving Tree to 122 E. Court St., Woodstock, VA 22664. Or, you can pick items (including gift cards) from THIS AMAZON WISH LIST and have them mailed directly to the church.

Please feel free to share this with friends and family who are looking for ways to give back this holiday season. We’ll be taking donations through the end of January, with monetary donations divided evenly between both groups.