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Evergreen Outreach

By Charlene M. Jett
Such a BIG success Monday – indescribably wonderful!  Whoever has even remotely considered cancelling EO should have their head examined after Monday! We had our best Christmas EO meeting ever.
The stage was set for the routine, but it became wonder-filled, joyous and full!

We sang our welcome and outreach songs as Bette Stolte’s fingers also coaxed traditional Christmas melodies out of the piano with flair. First, the Vandalia Long Term Care friends arrived – it has been so long since they have been to EO. Next, Vandalia Rehab arrived and then about two dozen FAYCO friends. We had a full house, plus volunteers, plus pinochle people. We sang “Happy Birthday” to a few friends and started the program.
The Rev. Louis Frick arrived just as I was starting to panic. He took front and center with control and passion.
He immediately delved into the powerful message and meaning behind the birth of Jesus. He spoke about the story from long, long ago, when Mary and Joseph were both put in difficult, confounding circumstances, being unwed and with child.
Now, the Holy Spirit was central in this, too, but God sent angels to explain to Mary and Joseph what was going on. God was using them to change the world! He was sending His son Jesus to show them a new way of life, one of peace, love, friendship and joy.
No more did God want mankind to live in an eye for eye revengeful world. He sent his son, Jesus, to show mankind a new path to a better world. This story is told in the synoptic gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Rev. Frick told us that the first three books of the New Testament were very similar in their account of the story, but John told the story from a more spiritual perspective. John’s account is based more on the spiritual and invisible world. As a symbol of God’s love, his son Jesus was pure and holy in conception, a virgin birth – symbolized by the white of the candy canes Rev. Frick gave away.
The red stripe in the candy cane symbolizes the blood sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our sins.
That’s right – God’s very own son, died because we are poor, frail, weak, human sinners. That’s the way it has been for 2015 years. It isn’t going to change, so, just believe and pray. And that is what Rev. Frick did for us. Thank you, Rev. Frick, for the candy cane story.
Now what to my wondering eyes did appear but Santa Claus, his lady friend “Candy Cane” and two smaller elves known as little EllaMa and Elfis, all in full Santa suit and elf costumes.
Candy was so pretty with her long blonde pigtails, but EllaMa and Elfis gave them a run for their money in the wardrobe department. Monday, everyone except Candy wore a red hat!
What a sight – the production caused riotous laughter and giggles. They always start on the serious side with “Oh, Holy Night,” but quickly sing traditional Christmas songs and carols. I simply could not keep up with all of them. I was busy dancing with anyone who would let me twist their arm!  From”Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer” to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and other Christmas specials. A least a dozen of these whimsical songs brought smiles to everyone in the room.
The situation nearly got out of control with “Rockin’ around the Christmas tree” and “Jingle Bells Rock,” with more than a dozen dancers up front. All barriers came down when Phyllis Rames decided to sit on Santa’s lap! Jeannie had to wait in line!  So you think that that couldn’t be topped – well, you should have see the latest version of the “Chicken Dance,” we were masked with chicken faces!
Completely nonsensical and fantastical – I’ve never really been a chicken before!  I’ve never danced with other “hens!” What is the world coming to – masks for our EO dances. Men in red suits with elves in our church! Ho, Ho, Ho!
Do you think any of this phased the pinochle table? No –  not a blink, not a missed card or point!  I think they must be mesmerized by the cards! Rosamund/ Shirley tied with Mary /Susan, one game each.
It is my Evergreen Outreach prayer that we all share the peace and joy of Christmas in our hearts until the first Monday in January, when we will resume our activities. Stay safe until we see you then! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 

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