We invite you to subscribe to the SSJE Advent Calendar.  On every day during Advent, a new gift will arrive in your inbox, offering you a moment of solace and reflection on the true meaning of Advent and the coming Christmas season. Each calendar entry will reveal a special Advent word and meditation, accompanied by a beautiful image. Visit www.SSJE.org/adventword to subscribe. For those of you without internet access, we have a printed copy of the calendar available.

The reflection doesn’t have to stop there. Meditate on the word throughout the day, and see if there is an image that moves you. Take a picture of a relevant image with your camera or smart phone and email it to Lynn (lynn@ccneedham.org). You can also post it on our Christ Church facebook page. We will make our own Advent Calendar with images that everyone contributes. Our own homemade calendar will serve as an opportunity for meditation and a source joy for all of us.

SSJE is the Brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. As you participate in this Advent reflection, your will be joining with your fellow parishioners, the Brothers of the Society, and Episcopalians/Anglicans worldwide. You can view the Global Advent Calendar made with these images on Instagram (#Adventword). This time of reflection prepares us as we anticipate the coming of Christ.

Visitors, join us during Advent and Christmas for services. We welcome all. Families, join our spirited and joyful Children’s Christmas Pageant on December 24 at 4 p.m.  Or, come for our candle-lit and choral Eucharist at 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. For a full listing of all December services, see our attached poster.

The Reverend Nicholas Morris-Kliment was installed as the ninth Rector (Pastor) of Christ Episcopal Church on Wednesday, Nov. 12.  The Right Reverend Alan M. Gates, Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts, presided at the ceremony and officially “installed” the new rector. Read the press release for more information about Rev. Morris-Kliment.

Join us on Sunday, Nov. 16^th from 3-5 pm to make delicious, home-baked apple pies.  

These pies will go to the Needham Community Council, which donates them (along with a full Thanksgiving meal) to food pantry recipients. We have been asked to donate as many pies as possible, so we will need your help! Please bring enough apples and frozen pie crusts to make at least 2 pies/person. We will have all the other ingredients. Our annual pie-making is a great event for families and friends of all ages.  Sponsored by the Charles River Deanery in Episcopal Diocese of MA, this event will bring together people from the Episcopal Churches in Needham, Brookline, Dover, Wellesley, and Newton.Contact the Rev. Lynn Campbell if you have any questions.

See flyer for details: Apple_Pie_Making_Party. 

Help us get ready for our annual Holiday Gift Shop on Dec. 7 (noon to 2:00 p.m.) We need your contributions to our various tables, including hand-made wreathes, jewelry, potted bulbs, arts and crafts, baked goods, and more.  Details on each table, and requested contributions, follow:

Holiday Wreaths:  Select from dozens of freshly made wreaths from simple to ornate!

In preparation for the Holiday Gift Shop wreath sale, we gather to create wreaths and green arrangements to sell.  This year the wreath workshop will be held on Friday, December 5^th, from 9 am to 2 pm.  All are invited to come and decorate wreaths.  Supplies will be provided so we hope you will join in the fun!  Please RSVP to Winnie West or Barbara Brailey.

Jewelry Table:  Choose from an extensive array of eye-popping jewelry items at amazing prices!

Jewelry Donations Needed!  Our jewelry table has been a popular destination and excellent fundraiser, and we need your donations to make it so again this year.  Please donate any jewelry that you have no further use for.  We do well with all types, vintage, costume, contemporary, antique, better jewelry and novelty pieces.  Better items are appraised to ensure the best return for the church.  Tax receipts are available.  Please bring your items to the Christ Church office.

Arts and Crafts:  Tasteful handmade gift items sure to please your friends and families!

Calling all Crafters:  The Holiday Gift Shop craft/gift table is looking for donations:  homemade craft items, such as ornaments, hostess gifts, knitting (mittens especially), store bought items that can be wrapped for gifts, picture frames and any holiday items.  Kim and Jane will transform them into gifts to sell.  Good places to shop are:  Ocean State Job Lot, Building 19, Christmas Tree Shops and the Dollar Stores.  We are looking for donations of the following:  glass ornaments (large or small), new Christmas ornaments, holiday hostess gifts, knitted items, American Girl doll clothing/blankets, 6 pack glass bottles of IBC Root Beer, bottles of sparkling cider, candy (mints, candy canes, chocolate), holiday mugs, plates, napkins, gifts geared towards children, candles and glass candle holders, mason jars, anything new or gently used with a winter or holiday theme.  Please contact Kim Rutherford or leave them in the office marked – Kim Rutherford.

Potted Bulbs:  Find a breath of spring to sustain you through the colder months ahead!

Raffles:  This is your chance to win gift cards and certificates provided by some of our finest local shops and restaurants.

Gallery of Photographs:  For the discerning eye, a collection of original framed or unframed photos that evoke our deep connections with nature and local places.

Coffee Shoppe and Pizza Party:  Help the youth group with their fundraiser by stopping by for a bite to eat while you shop!

Baked Goods:  Enjoy a delicious variety of home-made baked goods made freshly for you! 

Do you like to bake pies, cakes, breads, cupcakes, bars or cookies?  Do you make jams, jellies, chutneys, salsa or fudge?  The bake table needs your help!  Please bring your carefully wrapped, labeled donations to Upper Parish Hall on either Saturday, December 6^th, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm or on Sunday, December 7^th prior to the 10:00 am service.  Sorry, but we cannot accept items that require refrigeration.  Please be sure to specify when an item contains nuts.

A Special Health Note:  Kindly take extra care when preparing and packaging food for sale.  If you are baking something to be sold, kindly wrap each item at home as soon as possible prior to bringing it to the church.  Individual servings of cookies, breads, muffins, etc., for sale at the Coffee Shop should be wrapped or bagged in plastic so that no one needs to touch any food prior to purchase.  Whole pies, cakes, breads, fudge, etc., should be wrapped in plastic and boxed, if possible.  All food handlers should wear food-service gloves.  Of course, Santa will put you on the “extra nice” list if you are not feeling 100% well and decide to leave the baking and serving to others.  Thank you very much for your consideration.

Please come, and invite your families, friends and neighbors, too!  Your participation is the key to making this year’s Holiday Gift Shop a rousing success!  We hope to see you there!

Faithfully,

HGS Co-Chairs MaryAnn Ryan, Emilie Hitron and Rich Gatto