The Villager Voice
It’s the time of year when church activity is ramps up for the holidays, so here it comes...
The Valley Shore’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place this Sunday November 19 at the Essex Baptist Church, 10 Prospect Street at 4:00 pm. A number of my colleagues and our congregations will be participating, and it will feature a combined choir from participating faith communities. The offering will support the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantry, and you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items as well. A reception will follow, and if you’re inclined to bring along a few goodies I’m sure they would be appreciated. If you would like to be part of the service but cannot attend, it will be available on Zoom; feel free to call, text or email me for the link.
Speaking of interfaith ventures, be sure to check out my and Rabbi Marci Bellows’ letter in this week’s Valley Courier, addressing the vile rise of anti-semitism in the weeks since Hamas murdered hundreds of Israelis and set off the current conflict in the Middle East.
This Sunday is also Dedication Sunday at our church. We will dedicate and bless our pledges for 2024. If you can’t be with us that day, feel free to mail or drop off your pledge at the church office when convenient. The United Church’s annual budget meeting will be held immediately following worship, we hope you can be part of this.
You all have been incredibly generous with your donations of food cards for distribution among our community for Thanksgiving; we have surpassed our 2023 collection numbers – Sue Germini Humble will bring us the final tally Sunday morning. Thank you for your support of this critical ministry.
And finally, last Sunday’s attendance was at a post-pandemic high (excluding Christmas and Easter, of course): 52 souls graced our sanctuary that morning, a delightful assortment of faces both new and familiar. It was wonderful to be among you all.
Here are the links to Sunday’s bulletin and service:
