The Citizen, 2008-12-18, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008.The Londesborough UnitedChurch Women along with guestsfrom Knox United in Auburn and theformer Burns UWC enjoyed abountiful potluck meal and seasonal
fellowship at the church on Monday,
Dec. 8. Following the meal a
Christmas song challenge had the
women trying to fit the titles of
familiar Christmas tunes to some
strange wordings.
Members of the Londesborough
UCW executive performed an
entertaining skit about happenings
backstage at a Christmas pageant.
Director Lynda Horbanuik was
attempting to keep things rolling
despite the concerns of the angel,
Barb Bosman, about her halo, the
wise man, Joan Goodall, about her
speech, the innkeeper, Lena Nesbit
and the shepherd, Laura Scott, about
her costume.
Pearl Mason, Betty Archambault,
Erin Yantzi, Kittie MacGregor and
Brenda Radford led in a Christmas
devotion. Scripture verses, carols
and readings brought the message
that the birth of Jesus was the arrival
of a king – a very different kind of
king.
His birth happened in the chaos of
Bethlehem during a time of
enumeration. His birth to a poor,
peasant couple went unnoticed in
that tiny stable. His crib was a
manger watched over by stable
creatures. His first guests were
shepherds and wise men sent by
God.
A different king. He cared for the
common and forgotten in society. He
was a king who valued compassion
and forgiveness, sacrifice and
service. In the chaos of today’s world
the birth of that different kind of king
can be missed also. Like Mary,
people need to ponder His birth.
Today’s world can still look to that
birth for a king to serve; for a light in
the darkness of loneliness, failure,
sadness, etc.; for the peace found in a
manger. Let us remember the night a
star reached down to men.
Kathy Douglas was the guest
speaker that evening. Kathy is the
director of youth ministry for the
Huron-Perth Presbytery. She has
roots in the Mitchell area and for
seven years did youth ministry in
United Churches in Mitchell and
Stratford. Now she will be in touch
with young folk in the 60 churches of
Huron-Perth.
And she is ready! Her energy and
enthusiasm and commitment to the
young people of that area seems
boundless.
Douglas explained that the youth
of today want to love life, love
people and work on social justice
issues. But like others in society,
they, too, have issues and questions
and need a setting in which to
express themselves without being
judged.
Retreats, in the form of sleepovers,
bring young people together in a fun
and friendly setting. Two have
already been held in Huron-Perth
and more events are in the planning.
Several young people from the
Londesborough area attended the
one in Stratford. The events pose a
question, challenge the youth to find
answers and decide how to use what
they have learned in their own lives.
Speakers who have lived some of
these life circumstances/realities are
also part of the events.
The world can be a cold, scary
place for all ages and Douglas
reminded the women that God comes
in the coldest, darkest and bleakest
times. In those times all of us, no
matter the age, need to have faith and
hope, the message of Christmas.
Cookin’ it up
Teag Brohman was one of the Grade 1 cooks at Hullett
Central Public School’s Christmas concert last week. He
and his class took the stage with chef hats, bowls and
spatulas and sang about cooking up Christmas cookies for
the holiday season. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
“What do you like most about
Christmas?” was the question asked
of each class as they came to the
stage during the Christmas concert
at Hullett Central Public School.
Each class from kindergarten to
Grade 5 replied with a song.
The music chosen by music
teacher, Mrs. Barnett, and the
teachers for the enjoyable concert
reminded everyone that children are
the reason behind celebrating
Christmas.
Kindergarten A was all about
helping Santa make toys. Their little
song had four verses which spoke of
tapping, sawing, sanding and
snipping. The children demonstrated
with appropriate small tools as they
sang.
Kindergarten B pupils brought
along their teddy bears, a favourite
Christmas gift, and showed
everyone how to do the Teddy Bear
Twist.
Food was on the minds of the
Grade 1 students who sang about
baking and tasting Christmas
cookies. Each child wore a red
chef’s hat and worked very hard
stirring their batter with a spoon as
they sang.
Nothing gets accomplished at the
North Pole without the elves. Elf
hats and jester collars in red and
green were worn by the Grade 2/3
pupils whose song seemed more
about Christmas fun, fun, fun than
working.
Wearing their work shirts the
Grade 3 pupils were helping Santa
by checking the naughty and nice
list through the computer. They kept
Santa in the know with a song.
The Grade 4/5 class enjoyed the
goodwill shown to others at
Christmas time. In their song, they
encouraged to give the gift of
Christmas spirit this year.
The classes joined in a mass choir
to sing several songs. In one they
told the audience that Christmas is
their favourite time of year. In
another they reminded parents and
grandparents that presents can mean
so much at Christmas. They rejoiced
in another song that the merriest
holiday, the best time of year, has
arrived. The colours of the season
were sung about as well.
Can’t decide what
to give for Christmas?
FOR A BOOK
A gift certificate lets the recipient choose
the book they want.
We have shelves of books to choose from.
Everything from books on trains to
gardening to cookbooks.
The Citizen
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519-523-4792
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
School hosts concert
Despite some snow in the air, theHappy Gang Seniors had 15 tables ofcard players out to their monthly partyon Dec. 12.Helen Dale and Harry Lear tallied
up the most points, 78, to win first
place and another village couple, Jack
and Helen Lee, took second place
with 75 points. Third place money
was won by Dorothy Carter and
Joanne MacDonald with 73 points.
At the end of the 10 games, three
couples had successfully played six
lone hands and shared that prize.
The group’s next euchre party will
take place on Friday, Jan. 9.
60 attendeuchreUCWmeets
Michael Mouse’s Big Adventure
was the title of the white gift drama
presented by the Sunday School at
Londesborough United Church on
Sunday, Dec. 14. Kelsey Falconer
was the narrator for the adventure.
Michael, played by Kalvin
Westerhout, heard from his friend
owl, Melissa Roetcisoender, that a
special baby had been born in
Bethlehem. Although it was a very
long journey for a mouse he finally
arrived outside the stable. He
watched as shepherds and wise men
came and entered the stable.
Michael so wanted to go into.
The animals he asked to help him,
a sheep (Valerie Westerhout), a cow
(Mary Kate Allen), a hen (Nicole
Whyte) and a cat (Damian Riley-
Cronk) turned him away because he
didn’t have a gift for the baby.
Suddenly he noticed a hole in the
stable wall and scampered up to it.
His small body filled that hole and
shut out the wind. He watched as all
the other visitors gave Jesus their
gifts. Joseph and Mary thanked him
for keeping the draft off the baby.
In Michael’s own words, “I gave
Him me, for as long as He needed
me.” Michael gave the gift of self
which is all God asks of any of us.
All the children of the Sunday
school had a part in the drama,
playing shepherds, wise men, angels
and animals of the stable. Michael
and Pam Radford and baby Colton
were the Christmas family.
The children sang songs that
explained scripture readings and
told the Christmas story. For
examples the angels sang, Good
News.
The children were directed by
Erica Horbanuik and their Sunday
school teachers. White gifts will be
turned over to the Huron County
Christmas Bureau.
Lighting the second Advent
candle that morning, the candle of
love, were Steven and Christina
Duizer. Mark and Laurel Mitchell
and Tyler and Jacqui lit the third
candle, the candle of joy.
There will be no scheduled
Sunday school classes for Dec. 21
and 28. There will, however, be
activities for children in attendance.
The senior choir will practise at 10
a.m. on Dec. 21.
Rev. Pat Cook will conduct a Blue
Christmas service on Friday, Dec.
19 at 7 p.m.
There will be a Christmas Eve
Service as well.
This month’s movie night happens
on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The featured
movie is The Polar Express at 7:30
p.m. Arrive early and enjoy a carol-
sing and hot chocolate.
White gift drama at United
SHEAR
TALENT
HHaaiirr DDeessiiggnn
&& TTaannnniinngg
ffoorr mmeenn && wwoommeenn
45 West Street
GGOODDEERRIICCHH 551199--552244--66555555
Walk-Ins Welcome
With a friend
Alex Boven was one of the
younger students at Hullett
Central Public School’s
Christmas concert last week.
He and the rest of his class
were accompanied on stage
by their teddy bears. (Shawn
Loughlin photo)