CHRISTMAS KITCHEN PREPARATION
As the holidays approach the annual Christmas Kitchen has become a not-to-be-missed community event. This one day event includes high quality baked goods, silent auction, youth shopping room, and a visit with Saint Nick! 2025 DATE: Saturday, November 29th
Holding this event requires a lot of preparation. In January/February when the Seville Oranges are in season, we gather to prepare marmalade. Then in the fall, the Christmas Kitchen Cooking sessions begin. These increase in frequency as the Sale approaches. We gather to prepare the things that are top sellers such as fruit cakes and tourtières. No matter what one’s skill level is, there are always jobs one can do. This is a time of fellowship and fun as we work side by side to prepare for the event.
BREAKAWAY WEEKEND
This event has occurred for 20+ years, around the beginning of February at Fair Havens Bible Conference near Beaverton. We had roughly 80 attendees in the last few years. A guest speaker gives three talks to the adults over the weekend while the children have supervised fun. People arrive when they can on Friday night to find a hot-pot dinner waiting. A break-the-ice session happens around 8pm setting the relaxed and friendly tone for the weekend. Fair Havens provides meals on Saturday and Sunday, giving attendees many opportunities for conversation. There is time to enjoy the country air Saturday afternoon, participate in a pick-up hockey game, cross-country skiing, skating on a frozen pond or going for a walk. On Saturday evening the always-entertaining Saturday Night Alive occurs. This ‘talent’ show consists of skits, musical performances and other acts parishioners dream up. An informal Eucharist is held Sunday morning followed by a hot lunch before everyone gets on their way.
