End of Part 1

Perhaps our stay in Newport can be viewed in 2 parts. The first is getting acquainted and settled, the second will be getting down to the task of ministry and building. And these two are separated by a month in Los Angeles playing with our grandchildren. We are beginning the middle part now. Sunday was a good day -- 19 in attendance including a visitor from the neighborhood; our daughter Ginger was visiting from Salem; we received two ladies as members; and we partricipated in Communion. The church was decorated for Christmas with a couple beautiful trees, some wreaths, candles, and all the other little things that make it all look so nice. Saturday evening we had a "Hanging of the Greens" party to put up all those decorations. About a dozen people participated. We had corn bread and chili (guess who made the chili? -- uh-huh, and I'm told it was good!). A retired pastor from Salem will fill in while I'm gone. We are using the advent candles, lighting an additional one each Sunday until Christmas. I lighted the first one and volunteers are doing it the next three Sundays. A meeting of members after church elected people to various church positions -- and the leadership board. They showed ingenuity and determination to make things work and to look forward.

After the meeting, Joyce and I loaded up and headed for Grants Pass. We have a couple frantic days here and then Wednesday morning we turn south for LA (can't wait to see those kids!). I'll add to the blog each week for anyone interested.