Andover Community Church News for December

Seven members were confirmed at the Andover Community Church on November 14. Front: Tyree Perry, Deacon. Kathy Winkfield, Rita and Larry Rees, Jane Walker, Deacon. Nancy Phillips, Ted and Donna Kendrick, and Judy Evans. Back Row: Rev. Bill Blomquist, Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams, Rev. Cinnamon Blomquist. Photo: Jessika Francesa Gardner

There have been many exciting happenings going on in the church.

Our mission for the months of October and November was Operation Christmas Child. We collected over 60 boxes. It is exciting to know we have put a smile on a child’s face when they receive their Christmas box. For some this will be the only present they will receive.

On November 14, at the Andover Community Church, the Reverends Bill (left) and Cinnamon (right) Blomquist, were installed as Rector and Rector Associate, respectively, by the Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams (middle), Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of New England. Photo: Jessika Francesa Gardner

Another mission this month was collecting cans of gravy for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Franklin. We collected 147 cans from our parishioners.

The clothing shed has been received very well. It is nice that the clothing goes for people in need all over the world, instead of the landfills. The church receives on average $95 a month, all of which goes to local, national, and international mission projects.

As of this writing R&D Paving is ripping up the old pavement and restoring it with a brand new parking lot from the church up to the East Andover Village Preschool. We would like to thank everyone who helped us raise the funds for this project.

November 14 was a very exciting day around the church. We had opened the whole campus for an open house for the installation of our new priest and the confirmation of seven members. The Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of New England, joined us with full vigor and Spirit-filled pomp as he welcomed Bill Blomquist as our new Rector and his wife Cinnamon as Rector Associate. We are very excited to say officially, “Welcome!”

Two things to look forward to.

Christmas Eve Family Service: Christmas Eve services will be held at 4 PM on Friday, December 24. Join us for an uplifting time of Christmas songs, sharing, and even a surprise puppet show. About an hour.

GriefShare: For those grieving the loss of a family member or friend, the holidays can be a difficult time. You may have found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt that you feel. It can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before.

GriefShare is a weekly support group to help you face these challenges and move forward toward rebuilding your life. It will be offered at the Andover Community Hub by several members of the Andover Community Church starting in mid-January. It consists of a video seminar with experts presenting different topics on the grieving process; small group discussion for sharing and reflection; and a workbook to help you sort out your experience through journaling throughout the week. The program is faith-based, but also offers plenty of clinical expertise that is helpful for anyone.

For more information on these and other events at Andover Community Church, visit us at AndoverCommunityNH.org.

We are looking forward to the coming year to see what God has planned for us and the greater Andover community. We wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a healthy, happy new year.