|
|
Kim Shrader
Dick Brown
|
The Holiday Program
With the Glendale breakfast room completely full, President Steve Goldfarb opened the Third Annual Holiday Breakfast, calling on Kim Shrader for the Invocation and the pledge to the flag and Dick Brown as the greeter. Dick asked all visiting Rotarians to stand and then asked everyone to turn to the person on their right and give them a hug! Try it! While you’re trying to hug the person on your right, the person on your left is trying to hug you. Man, what a huggable situation!
|
Glendale Wait-Staff
|
Over 200 people registered for the breakfast enjoyed a wonderful Glendale breakfast buffet. President Goldfarb asked the Club’s regular wait-staff to come out and receive a special gift from an appreciative BBRC. Receiving a “tip” for their good work all year long were kitchen crew members Paul Harvey, Luis Manzano, and Francisco Puentes. The wait staff includes Claudia Castillo and Marianne Johns. Our helpers are Nancy Nguyen and Mario Zapata. Doretta Dalseg is at the front desk and coordinates all our communications. Thank you all and happy holidays!
|
Suzanne Goff
|
Suzanne Goff, new BBRC member, played a violin solo, “Cantique de Noel - O Holy Night,” accompanied by her mother, Kathy, on the piano.
|
Santa’s Elves, Phil Salvatori & Wendi Fischer
|
With Jay Powers on the piano, the crowd was encouraged to belt out “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” While the latter was playing, Santa’s Elves – Wendi Fischer and Phil Salvatori – gathered all the children up by the tree, as they anticipated the visit by Santa Claus. Sure enough, he putted around the corner in his chauffeured golf cart and made his grand entrance. There were gifts for all the youngsters and everyone had a grea time. Santa is often seen at BBRC meetings posing as District Governor Bob Wilson. Joann Wilson was a welcomed guest.
Janet DeWater, wife of John DeWater, was introduced by Steve Lingenbrink for brief remarks to herald in the season. Janet spent four years in seminary in California and had her first calling at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. She was then called as Associate Pastor to the Everett Presbyterian Church, which continued until last year. She completed 12 years in this role. “I am currently a Presbyterian Pastor with no church assignment. I’m enjoying my time spent with my children.”
Janet remarked that this was her first invitation to speak to the BBRC, although she has attended several of our breakfast meetings and other special events over the years. “You may have met my robe on a couple of occasions – Judge Jenny has used my robe to bring order to this house!”
Janet observed about the “diverse avenues of faith represented this morning.” She comes from a Christian tradition, but has respect for all the other faiths represented. “I’m drawn to the image of light during the holiday … ’The light of the world,’ as Christians recognize Jesus, while our Jewish brothers and sisters have just concluded their ’Festival of Lights.’ We share many things in our faiths. Think about light …without it, stores, schools, and transportation shut down; but when applied to God’s presence … without the light, WE close down and things become difficult.”
Janet spoke about the conditions in today’s world. “Almighty God, let us do away with the darkness.” She told of the passage in Isaiah where reference was made to swords and spears. “We deal with many weapons … in addition to those for making war, there are harsh words and violence beyond the swords and spears. There’s a blacksmith standing by to pound these weapons into useful tools. We are all looking for a new day of peace. And, in days of uncertainty, the light shines most brightly.”
|
Janet DeWater
|
She told the story of the small Russian orphan named Misha. Visitors to her village told of story of the brith of Jesus … born in a stable and laid in a manger. When the story was finished, the children were asked to make a model of the stable. Misha put two babies in the manger in his model and when asked why, he began repeating the story, relating the events quite accurately. “When Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus asked if I had a place to stay. I could stay with him, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have a gift. What if I kept him warm? Jesus replied, if you keep me warm, that will be the best gift ever. I will stay with him always,” said Misha. Out of despair and darkness came the insight of a young orphan.
The story of “The Trees of the Dancing Goats.” Trisha lives in rural Michigan, growing up with her family and her next door neighbor Cherie. Trisha’s family is Jewish, and in preparation for Hanukkah, her grandfather is carving wooden toys and, particularly, his favorite, The Dancing Goats. Trisha went over to visit her friend Cherie and found the whole family sick. Cherie said, ”I’m so afraid Santa won’t come because we won’t be ready for Christmas … my father is so sick, we don’t even have a tree.” As it turned out, Cherie’s family had scarlet fever and the illness had spread to other neighbors.
Trisha’s family went ahead and celebrated Hanukkah – but grandpa was sad because he knew that their neighbors were ill. He suggested they help their neighbors by cutting down trees for their Christmas. Trish’s grandfather and the rest of the family decorated the trees with the recently-carved dancing goats. They also added more animals and garlands. And, they added a candle so God would protect them. A week later, Hanukkah ended and there was a knock on Trisha’s door. It was Cherie and her mother with a menorah carved by her father. The light of the candle had protected the family and they recovered. The carvings danced together in the warmth of the light.
Shedding light on the darkness is a sure way for us to find our way. Thanks to Janet DeWater for her timely and inspirational message.
|
Madeline Gauthier (L) and Margie Burnett (on Madeline’s left), with Pam Ryan and her family.
|
The BBRC then recognized Pam Ryan, a single mother who has adopted four children. Pam has been selected as the Mother of our Christmas Family this year. Pam thanked God for all of the good things that have happened to her family. “We’ve had great blessing for what’s happened in our lives. I’m fortunate to be able to raise these children.” Madeline Gauthier, Chairperson of the Community Service Committee, handed out gifts to the Ryan family: four tickets to the Sonics game, 6th row seats! They also received gift certificates to WalMart, Penny’s, and Fred Meyer.
Kudos to Nancy Isely-Fletcher and Margie Burnett for their work on the Holiday Breakfast. And, to other members of the Fellowship Committee, thanks for a wonderful morning!
|
