Never a Dull Moment

The Fall at Shiloh Church has been exciting, taxing, dizzying and frantic...so, usual. The frantic pace stretches back to the Annual Golf Outing, where Shiloh raised $8,000 for needy families through the Christmas season. Then, in September, Shiloh held its annual Fall Fair. On its heels, we sold pumpkins through our Pumpkin Patch, 75% of the proceeds returning to the Navajo reservation where they were grown. After that, Shiloh geared up for its annual Holiday Bazaar. Craft items of nearly every description were available, as were antiques, artwork, baked goods, along with food, fun and fellowship. On Saturday, following the closing of the Bazaar at 2:00, a crew transformed the sanctuary in preparation for the dress rehearsal for Sinclair Community College's community invitational performance of Handl's Messiah. More than 600 people gathered for that performance on Sunday evening.

Now, because no downtime is allowed, Shiloh is preparing for its annual Christmas Musical, which will be held on Sunday, December 14, at both 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. In preparation, a crew of volunteers is "hanging the greens" for Christmas season. The choirs, bell groups and volunteer orchestra have been busy in rehearsal. It should be a great celebration of the coming of our Savior. We hope that you all join us.

Did I mention that, in the midst of all of this, Shiloh has been replacing its entire sanctuary dimmer system? While Shiloh had planned to go ahead with the project, it was pushed along by a grant from the Fred Luther foundation. Throughout much of the Fall, Shiloh has experienced intermittent outages in lighting service, whether in the chancel/apse area or in the nave. Thanks to the grant, to the hard work of John Rabius, Shiloh's Director of Media Ministries, and to a small group of volunteers, the project is nearing half-way. We are hoping to have the entire project completed within the next few weeks. In case you are curious, total cost of the project should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000, $50,000 of which we received from the Luther Foundation. The remainder has already been raised by Shiloh's Next Steps Team.

I should mention two other features of Shiloh's Advent preparations. Firstly, Bible @ Boston's resumes on Wednesday, December 3. We will study on the 10th and 17th as well, using the curriculum that was written for the UDLLI class: AT THE END: The Revelation of St. John from a Historical/Critical Perspective. We will complete our study in January, as we meet on the 7th, 14th and 21st. Secondly, Shiloh will hold its annual Christmas Eve celebration with a candlelight service of word and carol on the 24th, with an organ/instrumental concert at 7:00 p.m. and continuing with the service at 7:30. Once again, we hope that everyone joins us for this annual highlight.

If you are tired reading about all this, imagine trying to coordinate it all. Truly, there is never a dull moment at Shiloh Church UCC, and I would not have it any other way.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving week. Remember, though, as you gather at your Thanksgiving tables with friends and families, that there are those who are not so fortunate. Keep them in your prayers, and find a way to lend your support this week.