Fall is the beautiful season we enjoy before the advent of winter. However, let’s not go to winter just yet — we all have plenty to get done to prepare for the cold and ice as we pray for a “second summer”!
During these days, we think of our fellow Americans in the southeastern states and the devastation they have experienced from two back-to-back strong hurricanes, Helene and Milton. Many organizations had boots on the ground within a matter of days. We are collecting money to send help to victims through our own Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), which has identified churches in the hard hit areas that will distribute food and supplies.
If you’d like to donate through the church, email our treasurer at craftydonna@nullmetrocast.net. We know many others are doing the same through other agencies and ministries (and bless you all for doing so). God help them, as many have lost everything, including loved ones.
On a happier note, we were pleased to be able to participate in the Andover Fire Department’s Touch A Truck event on October 9. The kids loved the free cotton candy and photo ops put on by our own Donna & Co. It was a fabulous affair, and we hope it will be repeated next year.
The highlight of our month is the rollout of our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. These shoeboxes are stuffed with age-appropriate toys and clothing and shipped all over the world.
Boxes and shipping labels are available through the church if you wish to participate with your family. Each one requires $10 for shipping and needs to be back to the church by November 10. Call the church office or Donna at 603 393-5470 for more information on how to track a box to its destination.
Our last rummage, bake, and ready-made meal sale of this season was held October 26. Thank you to everyone who has supported these sales this year; they will resume next May. However, there will be a Neighbor Helping Neighbor event on Saturday, November 2, 9 AM to 1 PM, at the Grange Hall, and everything will be free!
Our hope is to help those in need. There will be much to choose from in the way of clothing, footwear, and sundries. Please pass the word.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the Twin Rivers Food Pantry in Franklin will be collecting specific items to make up food baskets for those in need. We have been delegated to collect 100 cans of green beans by November 10. There are several communities they serve, including Andover, and they hope to prepare more than last year, as the number of families needing help has increased.
Service changes are coming. Thanksgiving is later this year, November 28, which makes Advent earlier. The first Sunday in Advent is a big one for us. It is the day our Sunday service time changes from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. We’re changing service times to accommodate families with kids who like to sleep in a bit on Sundays.
Our election on November 5 is foremost on the minds of most Americans and every single vote counts. We hope everyone will search out the issues and vote his/her conscience.
As Christians, we are committed to pray for whoever our leaders will be. When it is over, life will continue with our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens — as God calls us to love each other as He loves us. Until next month — peace to all of you in Jesus’ name and have a blessed Thanksgiving.