Is the mission of the Toymakers of East Lake United Methodist Church in New Port Richey, Florida. In July, 2007, six retired men started meeting twice a week to make wooden toys to share with children around Florida. Santa’s elves better watch out because these colorful cars, trucks, trains and grasshoppers are tough competition. And smiles they do produce on the faces of hundreds of recipients.

Santa and I have seen it happen over and over as we go to each of the schools we serve in these mountains. So far this month 500 books and toys have been given to children in Pickens, Dawson and Union Counties as well as to foster children in Fannin.

In the eight days before Christmas holidays begin, we will visit five more schools with 800 students. Thanks to all of you who provided books. Thanks also to the toymakers at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, who have sent us several thousand wooden toys over the past few years which have produced many hours of creative play and thousands of smiles. These children go to bed thinking of wooden toys, stuffed animals and beanie babies instead of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Your kindness and generosity have brought much joy.

You might consider starting a toymaker group in your church. All it takes is some caring retired folks who find a place to do their work. Of course it helps if a couple of folks already have experience working with wood. According to Gene Watson, who helped start the Toymakers of East Lake, once they got their building and put word out that they needed woodworking tools and the materials to make toys, the donations started arriving. This year they made 6,000 toys. Just picture all those smiles on the faces of hospitalized children and others with special needs.

And by the way, Gene Watson reports these toymaker groups become great supportive small groups for the participants. If you are interested in learning more see http://toymakersofeastlake.org or www.thetoymakers.org or call The Craddock Center. — TLS

I AM EXPECTING

A larger crowd than usual for “Winged for the Heart”, the program of songs and stories which Dr. Steve Darsey and I present each year on the last Saturday night in January. That will be January 31, at 7:30 p.m. Not that we haven’t had good attendance every year; we have, averaging well over 400.

But this year the crowd will be noticeably larger. Not because of the weather, although it will be a beautiful night — cool but not cold, clear sky, full moon, a million stars, Big Dipper and Little Dipper so close you think you can reach up and touch them. Probably some will be asking to have the program outside, and we would, but the sound equipment fellows say the night air is hard on their equipment. We best stay inside.

And I have to confess it will not be the program itself which swells the crowd, although interest is rising. Word is out that my introductory comments will be on Adverbs. Yes, Adverbs. I don’t know how it is where you live, but around here the interest in Adverbs is near epidemic. I have succumbed to the pressure. I will, of course, tell those present about the Man Made of Adverbs, totally of Adverbs; not a noun or verb in his body, not even a preposition.

The fact is, multitudes will come because of the economy. You see, our program is free, and right now people are looking for free. Sure, we take an offering, but you’ve been in church enough to know how to handle the offering: fumble in your pockets until the basket moves on.
Did I mention we begin at 7:30? — FBC

I KNOW I WILL BE CHANGED                        

By the visit of Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of Children’s Defense Fund of Washington, D.C. She will be here on Friday February 6. In the afternoon she will talk with persons who work with and in behalf of children. That evening she will give a public lecture in the sanctuary of Cherry Log Christian Church.
More details of her visit will be made public soon. I tell you this much now so you can reserve the date. Dr. Edelman is a speaker both inspiring and challenging. Cherry Log is most fortunate to be able to welcome her and will be blessed by her visit. Already groups from great distances have called to say they are coming. They are welcome, of course, but we want Southern Appalachia to fill the room.
Yes, the evening of February 6. — FBC
  
  

“PREACHING THE END TIME”                    

Perhaps the subject attracting the most questions and the most interest among church folk is the End Time. When? How? With what signs and meanings? The Scriptures speak of it often, with different understandings, and in words both familiar and strange. Some ministers seem drawn to the subject; others hope it never comes up. But that the subject is large, complex, and important is undeniable. A sermon now and then is not enough to satisfy most appetites, but some sermons there should be, not to feed curiosity, but to understand why the subject is so important for biblical faith.

And so the theme for the Spring Preaching Workshop is “Preaching the End Time”. The date is March 2, the time is 9:00 am-12:30 pm, and the place is the community room of Cherry Log Christian Church. Continental breakfast and deli lunch are provided and there is no cost. However, to be assured of a place, you will need to register in advance with Tammy at the Craddock Center. Attendance at the Fall Workshop was about 150; we can hardly handle any more.

By the way, if you plan to attend but have to leave before the lunch, please let Tammy know.
I look forward to these workshops very much. — FBC

A STORY THAT WILL WARM YOUR HEART               

Just a couple of weeks ago our furniture bank was almost empty. This had not happened since I have been at The Craddock Center. In fact, just the opposite. Invariably calls of need would come immediately after we received a donation. Most of this year the gifts of furniture have kept up with the needs.

Then what I hoped would never happen did; a call came in from a family who had lost everything in a house fire. This couple raising their 5 year-old granddaughter, needed many items we did not have. But, the first person I told about this need said she would be happy to help with Christmas presents for the family. The next person I talked with said she thought her daughter had some beds. Turns out within a couple of hours we had everything the grandmother needed and more!

Many thanks to those who will help make life a little brighter for this family who has suffered great loss. And thanks to all of you who have helped with the furniture ministry this year. — TLS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, January 31, 2009 ---“Winged for the Heart”,  — 7:30 p.m., Fannin County High School, Performing Arts Center

Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 — Fifth Annual Helen Lewis Lecture. Marian Wright Edelman, the Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. will be the guest lecturer. 7:00 p.m. at Cherry Log Christian Church. Free Admission.

Monday, March 2, 2009 — Spring Preaching Workshop. 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. at Cherry Log Christian Church. Topic: “Preaching the End Time”. No charge but reservations are required.