On Sunday, January 24th Father James will hold a meeting of everyone who wants to be confirmed during the Bishop’s Annual Visitation. It is expected in The Episcopal Church that everyone who is baptized will be confirmed. Our Prayer Book rubrics say, In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on hands by the bishop. Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands. (BCP, p. 412) We also use the Confirmation Classes to prepare people converting to The Episcopal Church from other branches of the Faith. Father James would like to meet with all adults and young people who want to attend the Confirmation Classes in the Parlor at 10 AM on Sunday, January 24th. The parents of the young people wanting to be confirmed should attend this meeting. At that time, everyone will receive a syllabus, and we will determine the best day and time to hold the weekly classes.

Thursday, December 24th (Christmas Eve):

• Sung Service of Holy Communion with Christmas Pageant – 5:30 PM
• Christmas Music – 10:30 PM
• Sung Service of Holy Communion, Solemn Procession and the Blessing of the Creche – 11:00 PM

Friday, December 25th (The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ):

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 9:00 AM

Saturday, December 26th (Feast of St. Stephen):

• Holy Communion – 12 Noon

Sunday, December 27th (Christmas I):

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 9:00 AM
• Sung Service of Holy Communion – 11:00 AM

Monday, December 28th (Feast of St. John the Evangelist):

• Holy Communion – 12 Noon

Tuesday, December 29th (Feast of the Holy Innocents):

• Holy Communion – 12 Noon

Wednesday, December 30th:

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 10:30 AM

Friday, January 1st (Feast of the Holy Name):

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 12 Noon

Sunday, January 3rd (Christmas II):

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 9:00 AM
• Sung Service of Holy Communion – 11:00 AM

Wednesday, January 6th (The Epiphany):

• Said Service of Holy Communion – 10:30 AM

Please join us on Wednesday, January 6th at 7 PM in the Parlor to watch “The Nativity”. This is a moving and realistic portrayal of the events leading up to and including the Birth of Christ and the Visit of the Magi. The movie was created and produced about two years ago and was very well received. We will not meet again until January 6th, and we hope many of you will join us at the movie.

Poinsettias are given in thanksgiving for blessings received, in memory of departed loved ones, or in honor of someone special or a special event. The names will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Poinsettias are $8.75 each, and purchase forms are available in the narthex. If you would like to purchase one or more poinsettias for this purpose, please complete the form and return it to the parish office or place it in the alms basin at the Offertory. Please include your phone number on the form.

We need to decorate the Church for Christmas Eve and Christmastide. Each year we hang the evergreen garland, decorate the tree and the Altar, set up the Creche, bring in many poinsettias and transform St. Timothy’s from her solemn Advent violet to wonderfully warm Christmas red and green. We will decorate beginning immediately after the 11 AM Service on December 20th. If you would like to help with the hanging of the greens, please place your name on the sheet outside the parish office.

The Vestry will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 PM in Room 142 of the large school building. Parking behind the Landmark Office Building or in the parking lot for Lassiter Place may be necessary because of the performance of the School’s Christmas Pageant. Please enter the building by the entrances nearest Rowan Street.

The Pastoral Care Committee will meet on Thursday, December 17th at 3:30 PM in the Parlor.

The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30 PM in the Parlor.

The Parish Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 6th elected Donald Reale, Peter Bourey, Stephen Sholtis, Mark McKeown, Peppy Hayes, Stephen Stager, Chuck Baker, Denise Vreeland and Cathy Elsea to the Vestry. We congratulate them and thank them for being willing to provide good leadership for us over the next year. We also give thanks for the work and service than Susan Flaugher has given to the parish after having served on the Vestry for the past four years.

St. Timothy’s parishioners have a long history of being very faithful in giving the actual amount that they pledge. Please make sure that your pledged amount for 2009 is paid in full before the end of the year. If you have any questions about the amount you owe, please contact Debbie Nicholas in the Parish Office at 787-7590.