Announcements

“An American Christmas” will be presented by the 30-voice Berea Classic Chorale on Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary The program, comprised of music by American composers, will feature “Gloria” by Randol Alan Bass. Colonial American music will be represented by works of William Billings. Carol arrangements by Alfred Burt, Hal Hopson, Al Fedak, Dan Forrest and Edwin Fissinger are included. The audience will have the opportunity to join the Chorale in several familiar carols.
Admission is $5.00 per adult, children and students may attend free. A reception will follow. The Berea Classic Chorale is an adult mixed ensemble conducted by Larry Brandenburg. The singers, who are from Berea and Richmond, are beginning their 7th year of presenting quality choral music.
Can you help out by offering rides? Drivers are badly needed to help Nurture & Care get church family members to appointments.  If you can help—often or occasionally— please call Mary Lou Wiese at 260-571-4959.
St. Clare Christmas Basket Program! Each year we partner with St. Clare Catholic Church to help provide food staples and children’s gifts for the holidays. In the sanctuary, on the Community Sharing Table,  you will find information about how to provide food for families of various sizes, including a shopping list. Your items, put into a cardboard box (or boxes), along with any toys or children’s books, do not need to be delivered to St. Clare until December 20. We will collect toys and food baskets here if you wish, or would like help transporting your items.  If you wish to make a financial contribution in lieu of shopping yourself, here are the recommended donation amounts: 2 person family: $70; 4 person family: $80; 6 person family: $100; 8 person family: $115.
Room in the Inn is a community-based program that provides shelter to the homeless in the winter months. Several churches each take one night a week to become an “inn” by providing dinner, a warm place to sleep, and breakfast.
Union Church participated last year on Sunday nights and we’re going to do it again this winter. We can use all kinds of help, working with guests, but also with behind the scene activities like cooking, cleanup, laundry and transportation.
Volunteer training is being offered in December; shelters will run from January through mid-march.  If you’re interested in joining this effort, please contact Shirley Carlberg at nonesuch_1998@yahoo.com or 859-985-5501.
Justice Through Bail Reform: an Evening of Faith and Facts December 17, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Too many people in our community are being locked up before they are even found guilty of an offense, with bail set so high they can’t afford to get out of jail. The costs of pretrial incarceration are financial, physical, mental and emotional, and they take a toll on people, families and communities. Join us as we hear testimonials from people who have experienced our unjust bail system and people working to change it. Our faith and the facts point us in the same direction: It’s time for equal justice for all Kentuckians through bail reform.
Light refreshments and Q&A directly following the program. Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 2323 Lexington Rd., Richmond.
Especially in our Prayers… Hank Pinkerton, at the death of his son, Geof; survived by wife, Heidi and his son; and Geof’s siblings.

Coming Up – Mark Your Calendars

Saturday, December 21 Longnight Service, 7:00 pm, Cowan Chapel
Sunday, December 22 Christmas Caroling right after worship – Watch for details.
Tuesday, December 24 Candle-lit Christmas Eve Services at 5:00 pm in the sanctuary (finger food supper to follow) and 11:00 pm in Cowan Chapel