Fellowship after worship (L to R) Ellen Craig, Jill Ash, and Suzanne Weber

Cinnamon Rolls in the parlor for a time of fellowship for Christmas

Nov. 29, 2009 Advent Stories began at Winchester Friends. 

Above, Mary Clark shared her Advent Story on Nov. 29 of how Christ arrived in her life.  She placed a small wrapped gift on the Advent Tree representing the gifts God gives us and the blessing it is to use them to bless and make God's presence known in our world.

Dec. 6, 2009 Cierra Edwards shared her story about growing up at Winchester Friends, attending Quaker Haven and the influence of many who helped her discover a relationship with Christ. She also spoke about how her father's accident several years ago drew her to Christ for faith and strength during difficult uncertain days.  Her ornament was a post card from Indiana Wesleyan where she plans to attend college with flames (representing her father's accident) and a Quaker Haven logo.

Dec. 13, 2009  Joyce Girton Edwards and Ray Arnett shared their Advent Stories.  Joyce told about her parents witness in her life and the struggle she had when her father died when she was 18 years old.  Her story included several other times Christ made His presence and life vital to her peace and happiness.  Her tree ornament was a Peace sign.

Ray Arnett shared about becoming a Christian out of fear during a revival in the 1930's.  The fear returned a year later and he prayed again for God to come into his life and change his heart.  It was through a personal prayer in private that he found God's presence and peace in a real way.  After Ray married Anna Lou he started attending Winchester Friends.  He shared that it did not take long for him to know that he would remain a Quaker for the rest of his life.  Ray's ornament was a Quaker symbol.

Keith and Judy Kendall in front of the Advent Tree. 

Kendall's shared on Sunday morning, Dec. 20, 2009 about the Advent of Christ into their lives.  Judy told about growing up in a Friends pastor's home and knowing Christ at a very young age.  Before her last year in high school the family moved from a large town where she was very involved to a small Friends Academy in Ohio.  It was there she met Keith, who was there working as a part of his Alternative Service to the Military. Keith grew up on a farm with dedicated, Christian parents who made sure he was in church at every opportunity.  Both Keith and Judy talked about revival services playing a part in a rededication of their lives.  Since Judy grew up in a pastor's home, she wasn't very interested in marrying a pastor.  When they got married Keith was a farmer.  Shortly after their marriage during a time of prayer, Christ spoke to Keith in a very clear, undeniable way calling him into Christian education and ministry.  This call led them to pastor several churches in Ohio and Indiana (including Winchester Friends from 1976-1985) and to spend 9 years in Jamaica as missionaries under Friends United Meeting. Judy's ornament was a musical note signifying the blessing and joy music has played in her life.  Keith's ornament was a collection of medals from Purdue that his father was awarded signifying his desire to excel like his father in Christian living.

Christmas Season = Bread Season

The first week of December found Ferguson's beginning the process of baking a loaf of whole grain bread for every household in the meeting.  Expect a visit soon!

On Sunday night, Nov. 29, 2009 - 40 adults and children gathered at the meetinghouse to tackle three projects:  set out used toys for Wednesday's "Toy Connection" give away to local residents who need help providing toys for children at Christmas; decorating the worship room for Christmas; and home visitation for those unable to be with us in worship on Sunday. 

All enjoyed the evening of fellowship, work and pizza!

Frozen apple dumplings are currently available at the church for $1.50 each.

Below to the left: Neil Brown (far left), assistant in Senator Lugar's office  spoke about the work he does with nuclear nonproliferation. 

Ron Ferguson and Dave Miner (President of the Board of Bread for the World) at the Sept. 30, 2009 Bread meeting at Winchester Friends.  To see more photos and the letter for October, check out Bread....

September 13, 2009 at the Farmland Conservation Club.  More photos here.......

The best community garden in Randolph County

“the best way to fight hunger in the county”

Plots to be available at the Winchester YMCA this spring 

Click here for an application form and to see more photos

Vegetables growing at Lynnview nursery for the best community garden.  Pam ferguson with a photographer from the muncie star press on april 7, 2009