WITNESSED - seen and heard

Christmas decoration of our sanctuary again displayed the creative efforts of our committee of church women. The many embroidered Chrismons done several years ago by women of the church to decorate the Christmas tree had now become the décor for windows and everywhere, along with candles and greens. And we are told that with many helping hands it was all done in a short period of time between the first service and the Sunday school period. Their efforts are truly admired and appreciated.

The Donegal Society sadly regrets the death of Richard Schwartz who was a very supportive member particularly in creating many artifacts from the Witness Tree wood. Dick had begun this work at the time the tree was taken down, 1991, and continued to the present with carving Celtic crosses, some of which are still available. Dick and his wife Ruth were long time members of First Presbyterian Church, Mount Joy.

We note that Judy Weidman’s grandson, Mitchell Weidman, son of Abe and Monica, was named Elizabethtown High School Student of the Month for November. Mitch has been an outstanding baseball and football athlete. He also has received scholastic awards and was a member of the Homecoming Court. Our congratulations to Mitch and family.

As we welcome all those new church officers who were ordained and installed Sunday, December 13^th, we also thank those whose terms have expired. They are elders Paula Leicht and Leo Balzereit and deacons Suzanne Burger and Deb Esbenshade. Their time, efforts and commitment were appreciated, and we now need to give out support to the new officers.

It was a change (but welcome) to have three men of our church cleaning Hope House to prepare for new persons in need of housing. Judy Kay Bard, also there doing the kitchen, was amazed at how thorough the men were about getting under and above everything. And their skills at repairing and checking items, which usually are a man’s domain, were needed and welcome. It always has been ”so nice to have a man around the house.” The male volunteers were our own Pastor Tom, Jim Boulton and Terry Millard. Thanks, guys.

Friday, December 18, Pastor Tom officiated at a committal service in our memorial garden for Alethia White followed by a memorial service held at Leffler Chapel, Elizabethtown College. While Alethia had not transferred her membership to Donegal, Tom explained that she had come to the church frequently to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of our historic site. He had numerous conversations with her. Alethia, who was married to Don White whom many know as a local CPA, had a passion for history and it was mainly through her initiative that Heritage House, Elizabethtown’s oldest log house, now a museum, had been saved from demolition. It is fitting that Alethia’s final resting place is at Donegal, an outstanding example of historic preservation over a period of soon three centuries.

CHRISTMAS

Long ago and far away a child was born upon this day.

Not in a palace of marble and gold,

Not in a mansion stately and old,

But in a stable…a dwelling for beasts.

In a manger of hay, no trumpets or feast,

A birthplace announced by a bright shining star,

A star of such wonder, it brought kings from afar.

They came one and all to that still quiet place

And looked upon God in a sleeping Child’s face.

Throughout the world, from a million harp strings

Poured a concert of glory and the beating of wings;

A music still heard on this joyful, sacred eve,

If we listen in faith and in faith still believe.

Bea Lotz

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It is fitting to close out 2009 with these words of hope and guidance by Helen Steiner Rice whose simple but meaningful poetry has been highly appreciated during the past half century.

THERE’S NO TIME LIKE CHRISTMAS

There’s no time like Christmas with its meaningfulness

To recall and remember and attempt to express

How much it has meant throughout the year

To have known and been helped by people so dear,

And in the year ahead I hope and pray

God will bless you and guide you every step of the way.

THE CANDLE OF FAITH

In this sick world of hatred, violence and sin,

Where men renounce morals and reject discipline,

We stumble in darkness, groping vainly for light,

To distinguish the differenced between wrong and right,

But dawn cannot follow this night of despair

Unless faith lights a candle in hearts everywhere;

And warmed by the glow, our hate melts away,

And love lights the path to a peaceful new day.