WOO HOO! Once again, we asked, and you responded. Our Giving Tuesday goal was $15,000 and as of this writing on Wednesday morning we have exceeded the goal by $620. We will continue to receive donations through Sunday, as it is nice to have a cushion for the unexpected expenses. We have secured a contractor and he and his crew will begin on Monday, weather permitting. My heart is full and I am so grateful for everyone who supported this endeavor. If you haven’t donated there is still time to do so. We have once more had a miracle on 54 River Road!!!

The season of Advent has begun. This past Sunday was hope/faith. I began a new series called Reel to Real, each week using a traditional Christmas movie and highlighting the spiritual message it contains. The first in the series was Miracle on 34th Street. The film is so relevant, even though it was in 1947 when it was first filmed.

The spiritual message that ran through this movie is faith. Faith being the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things unseen.

There are four main characters: Doris Walker, her daughter Susan, Fred Gailey (a neighbor to Doris and Susan) and Kris Kringle. Doris is a pragmatist and raising her young daughter to be just like her. Now Fred, on the other hand, is an optimist and, although a lawyer, sees the world through the eyes of faith and good. Now Kris Kringle… he is a modern-day Jesus. He promotes love and putting the children before greed. He saw the potential and good in people and worked to draw it out. Like Jesus, he was not recognized for who he was and was falsely accused, as was Jesus.

I strongly suggest if you haven’t seen this movie in a while that you give yourself a treat and watch it. Amazon Prime has it for free, and it is in black and white, which in itself was a treat to watch.

Next week’s movie will be It’s a Wonderful Life… another classic with a great spiritual message.

You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey