Rachel Clark, (630) 607-9938 [email protected] Thank you to all who contributed to a lovely music Sunday at New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. Thank you to the teen’s Sunday school class for leading worship and lighting the first candle, the Prophet’s Candle of Hope, of the Advent Wreath.
Thank you to Laura Hotinger for playing music this morning.
Thank you to the Ukeladies (Karen Duff, Hope Bird, Joann Blouin and Teresa Thompson) and guests (Ray Blouin and Ivan Branch), Rachel, Casey and Calvin Clark, and the choir for providing special music and praise music Sunday morning.
There are numerous activities to participate in this Advent at New Monmouth. The Clark open house is coming up this Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Christmas luncheon will take place in the fellowship hall on Dec. 9 at noon. Anyone can attend. Let Rachel know if you are coming by Friday, Dec. 5. Lunch will be provided by the Tuesday morning prayer group.
Christmas caroling will happen on Dec. 17. Meet at 2 p.m. at church. We will be packing up cookies to take to shut-ins before we leave. Two to three groups will go out caroling and then meet up at Kendal to provide carol-singing there.
During the Dec. 21 worship services at 11 a.m., we will have the pop-up nativity and bell players will play. Please bring a finger food or treat to share after the service for a light reception. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.
New Year’s Jazz Night at New Monmouth is Dec. 31 from 5 to p.m.
Food pantry items needed for December are dried fruit and nuts.
Tim Welsh will need help to move pews out of the sanctuary at some point before the painting begins, date to be determined. Let him know if you are able to help. He also needs help cleaning up trash from the old custodian house site.
The Kerrs Creek Ruritan Club met at New Monmouth on Nov. 18. Our guest speaker was Bev Wirtz. She spoke about her trip to Normandy, Operation Overlord and the Bedford Boys. Nineteen boys from Bedford, ages ranging from 18 to 28, part of Company A, were killed within minutes of hitting the Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Three boys remain missing in action. This was a great talk to remind us all of their sacrifices.
Donations were made to RARA to help feed those in need in our community.
Thanks to all that helped with parking at the Virginia Military Institute football games.
The Brownsburg, Effinger, Natural Bridge, Sam Houston and Kerrs Creek clubs donated dictionaries to third graders at Central, Fairfield, Mountain View and Natural Bridge elementary schools. Many thanks to all the clubs for their donations and delivery.
The Natural Bridge District held its convention at the Boys Home in Covington. Felicia Bush, Janet Drake, Rosanne Mackey, Steven Donald and Roger Williamson attended. A meeting was held and Community Services awards were given out. The club received gold for social development and public service and transportation, silver for community engagement and bronze for citizenship and patriotism.
Officer training will be held on Dec. 13 at Mountain Gateway Community College in Covington.
Christmas baskets will be packed and delivered on Dec. 6 at the Virginia Horse Center. Teams that will deliver need to arrive at 11 a.m.
The following officers for 2026 were installed by Dianne Swink: Roger Williamson and Christy Harris presidents; Rosanne Mackey, vice president; Tim Hodges, treasurer; Janet Drake, secretary; Wayne Spencer, Deb Jarrett and Reid Mackey, directors.
The next club meeting is Dec. 16 at 6:30 and it will be held at the home of Gary & Dianne Swink.
