Karen Bowen – Farmington, New Mexico … The Women’s Ministries team at Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico, led out in an inspiring inreach/outreach program for the women of the church and their invited guests in December 2023.
The “Christ in Christmas” evening had been a tradition at Piñon Hills Church prior to the Covid pandemic. This year the tradition was reborn!
The 10 tables in the fellowship hall were prepared for 100 ladies and were decorated by 10 Women’s Ministry volunteers. The table decorations included tropical, country, winter wonderland, and palatial themes. The personalized place settings utilized special china from grandmother’s day to modern wedding china. Luminarias lined the church driveway, and a winter wonderland scene surrounded the stage.
The young men of the Piñon Hills Church were the waiters, under the direction of Dr. Travis Watson, Maître d’ of the evening. Chef Jon Downard did a superior job of the preparation and supervision of a delicious meal.
The guest speaker was Janeen Peckham Little of the Northern California Conference. The music for the evening was provided by the Youth String Trio and soloist Dennis Berlin and brought Christmas joy to the almost completely full house of women.
Happy guests played games and showed delight as door prize winners were announced. Special honor was extended to the eldest “Mother in Israel,” Shirley Stewart.
The Women’s Ministry team, made up of Jody Roy, Julie Phillips, and Ellen Stromeyer, led the women of Piñon Hills Church in the preparation and execution of this special evening. The guests expressed appreciation and delight at being invited and made to feel special.
The “Christ in Christmas” evening provided a great setting for a gathering of God’s special daughters to contemplate Christ’s love in coming as a Babe in the Manger.
—Karen Bowen is an elder and deaconess at the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.
