Mennonite Weekly Review

Bonnie Stutzman’s lovely stained glass altarpiece was the visual focus from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany as the congregation sought to see the many faces of God in our lives today. Her work of art is titled “Finger Print on Glass” and represents the finger of God on the window of a church.

“Wise Guys and Starry Skies,” a Christmas musical, was performed Dec. 14 by the children’s choir directed by Judy Bomberger. The story follows the three wise men as they are led to the manger by a star.

An Alternative Giving Fair was held Nov. 23 with eight local agencies represented. Members were invited to make donations as alternate gifts to family and friends.

The annual Christmas Eve “Service of Lessons and Carols” welcomed an overflow crowd to worship through singing carols, hearing the story from Scripture and listening to the choir and organ music by John Fast. With lighted candles raised, we sang “Silent Night, Holy Night” as a reverent conclusion.

On the third Sunday of each month we are bringing groceries and gifts of money for our community food bank at Patchwork Pantry. In November we collected 749 pounds of food and $605 in cash.

On Dec. 3, Park View Mennonite Women were guests of Harrisonburg Mennonite Women. They enjoyed good fellowship while they quilted, knotted comforters and packed MCC AIDS kits for Tanzania.

The MYF served a chili lunch Nov. 16 to help with costs of attending Mennonite Church USA Youth Convention in Columbus, Ohio, next July. They served more than 200 people and raised $1,365.

Births: Valentina LaVerne Pimental, Nov. 20, to Lawson and Mary Yoder; Madalyn Shade, Dec. 1, to Mike and Jane Blackburn.

Ruth Wenger Brunk Stoltzfus, 93, died Dec. 2. Survivors: a son, Eugene Stoltzfus; daughters Kathryn Stoltzfus Fairfield, Ruth Stoltzfus Jost and Helen Greenberg Stoltzfus; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.