Our church’s Christmas Eve celebration was a close family affair, led by Pastor Kathleen Decker-Szakas and her family and church members with extended families. Even though the service was also on Zoom, it was the first time in three years many of us gathered together in person because of the COVID pandemic that kept us apart.

The service began with the singing outdoors of traditional carols around a fire pit, even though temperatures were below freezing. Luminaries lined the walkways leading to where the carolers gathered. It was a cold, but festive start to the service.

The service moved into the sanctuary with Pastor Kathleen delivering a Christmas message and Matt and Camille telling the Christmas story through scripture readings.

The service ended with the traditional singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight.

Thank you to Pastor Kathleen and her family, to Gail Parker for her organ playing, to Rod and Dotty Frey for providing the fire pit, to Duane and Linda Wakefield for the Advent Wreath readings, to Matt and Camille Braun for the scripture readings, to Carol Hubbard and her family for providing fellowship refreshments and to every one else who contributed in their own special ways. It indeed was a Merry Christmas for the CEUMC church family!