Would you like to meet monthly to discuss, learn, do action items, share ideas, and get support for your endeavors to Care for Creation: Our Planet and People? Join the Creation Care Group on Sunday, January 11 from 11:15-12:15 in the lounge, to help plan the next year. If you have any questions, talk to Eileen Anderson. Please join us. Let's shine our light & love in God's magnificent creation. ...  Read More

A warm, satisfied sluggishness settled over Jo. He sighed deeply and sunk into the wooden chair. Not even the wobble from the uneven floor bothered him. The dinner at the tavern had been the most delicious meal he had ever eaten. Even the salad had been amazing, and not just a leafy mess with blobs of overpowering dressing.The clock above the kitchen door chimed. Somehow, over two hours had passed...  Read More

When Harriet finally joined them outside the tavern in the square, Edwin was both relieved–because it meant that Jo would stop his incessant yammering–and guilty. They were both hungry, but she was the one brave enough to go and find work.He looked at the bag of baked goods she had clutched to her chest and for a brief moment considered grabbing it away. He held back his shaking hand. She had work...  Read More

Harriet followed behind Edwin, feeling very much like a duckling following its mother. Her hands were stuffed in her coat pockets, both because they were cold and because she was unsure what else to do with them. Here she was, far from home, all due to her own mistake. A mistake that might cost her her dream job before she even started it.Lost in thought, she ran into Edwin when he stopped. "Sorry...  Read More

Every year, millions of children die from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and undernutrition. Hunger is still causing nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. From this data, we estimate at least 6,200 children die each day from causes related to undernutrition. This is heartbreaking. Feed My Starving Children has sent food to over 110 countries with one goal in...  Read More

Jo bounced down the street, beckoning his new friends on. His shoes splashed up slush from the sidewalk. He was breathless. Even as the clouds lost the orange tint of sunset for the deep purple of twilight, it seemed brighter out."Wait until you see the village square!" His voice leapt and echoed off the houses around them."It sounds lovely." Harriet shook her head slightly, as though he were an o...  Read More

"Are you sure this will work?" Edwin asked as they tromped through the snow. "I mean, will the letter get delivered?""I don't see why the post office wouldn't be open tomorrow. It's not a holiday," Harriet said."Yes, but I need a guarantee that the letter will be delivered by tomorrow night." He turned to Jo. "It has to be, or I don't get my wishes."Jo shrugged. "Probably."Edwin stopped and looked...  Read More

Edwin tugged frantically at the post office doors. The sign said the building closed at 4:30, but it was only 4:50. He shook his head, ignoring the dryness in his mouth. Someone was still in there. They had to be.Next to him, Harriet leaned against the simple stone column that framed the door. She was breathing heavily from the half-mile run from the train station. Her eyes were closed and her hai...  Read More

Jo Vielle leaned against the corner of the second class carriage as the passengers at lunch. Soft conversation was interrupted by the soft clink of silverware. The bowls of soup sloshed gently back and forth with the rocking of the train.While keeping an eye on the other passengers, his focus was mainly on the two teens in seats seven and eight. The pretentious Edwin, with his slicked back hair an...  Read More

Edwin entered the next carriage and closed the door behind him. The cold, rushing air had stolen his breath from his lungs, and now he desperately refilled them. The passengers in this carriage ignored him, not knowing the priceless thing in his pocket.He reached in and rubbed the parchment again. All his wishes, everything he deserved, was still there. Cheap ink on the most expensive parchment in...  Read More

Social wellness is our focus area for December. It's a month that can be filled with social events, family gatherings, or maybe even loneliness. It's a good time to remember that relationships are important to us as humans and a good time to think about how we can improve connections in our lives. See other social wellness ideas on our weekly social media posts and on our Social Wellness page....  Read More

The young man next to Harriet Anessy was an enigma. Edwin acted like an aristocrat with his language and overinflated ego. He had made it obvious what he thought was the vast difference between his class and hers. His pointed nose was upturned at everyone.But his looks told a different story. His coat was worn and patched with disparate pieces of gray cloth. His hair was slicked back with yesterda...  Read More