Candice's Comments

During 2012, our emphasis has been on giving and sharing. Together we read Shel Silverstein’s book The Giving Tree, stretching our understanding of giving and loving. Like the tree in this story, God gives and gives and gives. God’s giving is without limits. God wants us to use the gifts entrusted to our care.

We installed 2012 officers, those who said yes to using their gifts of leadership for the ministry of Jesus Christ through Capitol Hill Christian Church. We blessed their commitments, gave thanks for their gifts, and pledged to support them with our prayers, our presence and our participation.

And we shared table fellowship together, eating chili, spaghetti, baked potatoes, fish and potluck as well as the Eucharistic feast of bread and cup.

We shared our building, welcoming a nesting congregation. We gave our love to newly married couples and newly born babies and newly baptized young people.

We prepared together for Trunk or Treat, cleaned carpets, honored graduates, commissioned campers, and gathered prayers and dollars for Mercy Mission to bring Mercy Tennih to Des Moines.

We extended open arms to the bereaved, the home bound, the sick, the hospitalized, the homeless and the hungry.

In December, we brought school kit items as manger gifts for next summer’s mission trip to Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, filled the storeroom of a women and children’s shelter with Christmas presents, and gave food and dollars to feed our brothers and sisters through the DMARC Food Pantry.

As the new year of 2013 approaches, we look to the focus of Welcoming. How might we practice welcome at the Table, in our hearts, and with the resources in our care?

Blessings in the New Year,

Candice