MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
The West Chapman Advent Christian Church is participating in the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry this year. According to their website, “Samaritan’s Purse staff and partners plan to hand-deliver more than 8 million shoebox gifts to hurting children in more than 100 countries on six continents. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 77 million shoebox gifts to needy children around the world.”
To participate, simply recycle a standard size shoebox or purchase a small plastic shoebox. The box can be wrapped (lid separately), but wrapping is not required.
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. The appropriate boy/girl label must be taped to each box and can be found at several local churches, or by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that would be enjoyable to a child. Suggestions on the Samaritan’s Purse website include: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books. Hygiene items may include a toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb and washcloth. Some other ideas are hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, and watches.
In a separate envelope, donors are encouraged to enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back). Place a rubber band around the outside of each closed shoebox before taking it to a drop off site.
In addition to the items, those that assemble boxes to donate are asked to include $7 or more to cover the cost of shipping the boxes and other project costs incurred by Samaritan’s Purse.
The West Chapman Church will be collecting boxes from now until Sunday, Nov. 14.
Birthday wishes this week go out to Taylor Putnam Jr., Colby Beals, Terry Chasse, Daniel Bridgham, Scott Kenney, Sierra Farley, Crystal Dyer, Joe Powers, Jacob Buck, Caleb Buck, Stacey Wood, Ryan Bernier, Charles Currier II, Stacey Hamel, Jaidyn Blake, Marty Turner, Dustin Graham, Alexis Winslow and Torry Eaton.
Happy anniversary wishes this week to Chris and Kim Woodworth on the 5th and Elvert and Juanita Woodworth on the 7th.
The West Chapman Advent Christian Church will be holding its annual harvest supper Saturday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal with turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls, and pies for dessert.
This meal is to celebrate and give thanks to God for the bountiful harvest He has provided. This will be followed by our Annual Pumpkin Night Celebration.
The theme this year is “Be Thankful” and we encourage everyone to bring a pumpkin decorated as something they are thankful for. There will be singing, impromptu specials and lots of laughter! Come expecting to give and get a blessing!
Pillowcases are now being collected to benefit several local groups including the hospital, fire department, Sister Mary O’Donnell Homeless Shelter, and Hope and Justice Project.
Donations must be 100 percent cotton pillowcases and can be purchased or handmade. Please drop off the pillowcases to Sue Skidgell at the Mapleton Town Office by Friday, Dec. 3. Thank you for supporting this ministry!
The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church will having a community harvest supper Saturday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a pie-judging contest with a prize for the best all around pie. The pies will be enjoyed as desserts for the evening followed by a Thanksgiving feast provided by the church. Salads to share with the meal are welcome. This will be a time of visiting with friends and neighbors and giving thanks for all the blessings of the past year. Everyone is welcome.
The Mapleton United Baptist Church will be having a harvest supper potluck meal Sunday, Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. People are asked to bring their own place settings. Beverages will be provided.
The Baptist Park Praise Team will lead singing and the church youth will provide special music. The Rev. Dr. Gary Johnson, former executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Maine and a good friend of Mapleton Baptist, will be the guest speaker.
The Mapleton Baptist Church is located across from the Mapleton Elementary School and is handicapped accessible.
The Haystack Historical Society will hold its end-of-the-year meeting Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. with a potluck supper. All members and invited guests will enjoy an evening of food and entertainment. Come see the improvements that have been made to the Museum this year!
The United Methodist Church will be hosting its weekly luncheon Friday, Nov. 5 at 11:30 a.m. There is no charge for the luncheon, but donations are accepted. All are welcome to attend.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115, or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
