Thanksgiving and Christmas

Church member Cheryl Magrum says that the entire church body is somehow involved with the event, which she says does not require a tremendous amount of preparation and work. “It’s another neat event to invite people to,” she adds.

Christhankmas is in conjunction with the church’s monthly common meals. On the third Sunday, the church hosts a meal after the morning church service. This is an opportunity for the church members to come together, as well as to invite unbelievers. Pastor Miller usually cooks the meals. What makes Christhankmas different from the other common meals is that it specifically celebrates the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

According to Pastor Miller, nearly everyone who attends the church goes to the Christhankmas meal. He says the event has received a great response.

Magrum sees Christhankmas as a low-key affair and a great opportunity for fellowship. She says it is a “non-threatening event to invite people to who aren’t believers.” After being invited, some people have continued to attend the church regularly.

Jane Barton has helped with the meal for the past two years. “It allows me to focus…on what Christ has done for me and to be thankful at the same time,” she stresses. Christhankmas is a time for her to not only be thankful for the cross and what Christ did on it, but for all other blessings as well. Barton also recognizes that the event brings the church body together.

Jamie Hoffman is an editorial intern with the Brethren Missionary Herald Company during the fall semester 2008. A senior at Grace College, she is from New Carrollton, Md. and is a member of the Grace Brethren Church at Lanham. Md. (Paul Mutchler, pastor).