President's Christmas Message, 2011
President Terri Parrill
My Dear Sisters,
Christmas Greetings to One and All! I have just returned from watching the Christmas Parade in our busy little town. I was touched and very happy to see several floats that depicted the Christmas Story or a biblical theme… despite what we sometimes think, Christmas still has meaning for many around us, it is not all commercial. As I watched our little four year old grandson and the many other children around us, I was touched by their faith and belief that at the end of the line they would see the “Jolly Elf” himself…just as Christians have faith and hope that at the end of our earthly lives we will see our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I was touched as people in the parade sang out Merry Christmas to onlookers…not one person said Happy Holidays…contrary to popular belief, people still believe that “Jesus is the Reason for Season” and so they wish others a very Merry Christmas!
I was touched when a still grieving father whose daughter died in a terrible car accident a couple of years ago, took time out to stop the miniature vehicle he was driving in the parade and asked parents if they wanted to take a picture of their child with him and the vehicle as a little memento… sometimes when we reach out to others, our grief is given a reprieve and healing can take place. I was touched when the volunteers working with the Ministerial Food Bank collected so many bags of food and that the amount collected this year exceeded every other year…Jesus said that when we give to others, we are giving to him.
How refreshing to be reminded in this day and age of the wonderful things that are happening all around us. How encouraging to know that as Anglican Church Women, we are doing many things to help others on a consistent basis, often without conscious thought; we just need to “do it.” I encourage each of us to continue to do for others as much as we are able to; I also encourage you to remember that even though Christmas comes but once a year and it is a time to celebrate, the good news is the love of Jesus stays with us all year long and that is even more reason to celebrate!
May you and yours experience a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year!
In Faith, Sisterhood and Service,
Terri Parrill
National President
Christmas Greetings to One and All! I have just returned from watching the Christmas Parade in our busy little town. I was touched and very happy to see several floats that depicted the Christmas Story or a biblical theme… despite what we sometimes think, Christmas still has meaning for many around us, it is not all commercial. As I watched our little four year old grandson and the many other children around us, I was touched by their faith and belief that at the end of the line they would see the “Jolly Elf” himself…just as Christians have faith and hope that at the end of our earthly lives we will see our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I was touched as people in the parade sang out Merry Christmas to onlookers…not one person said Happy Holidays…contrary to popular belief, people still believe that “Jesus is the Reason for Season” and so they wish others a very Merry Christmas!
I was touched when a still grieving father whose daughter died in a terrible car accident a couple of years ago, took time out to stop the miniature vehicle he was driving in the parade and asked parents if they wanted to take a picture of their child with him and the vehicle as a little memento… sometimes when we reach out to others, our grief is given a reprieve and healing can take place. I was touched when the volunteers working with the Ministerial Food Bank collected so many bags of food and that the amount collected this year exceeded every other year…Jesus said that when we give to others, we are giving to him.
How refreshing to be reminded in this day and age of the wonderful things that are happening all around us. How encouraging to know that as Anglican Church Women, we are doing many things to help others on a consistent basis, often without conscious thought; we just need to “do it.” I encourage each of us to continue to do for others as much as we are able to; I also encourage you to remember that even though Christmas comes but once a year and it is a time to celebrate, the good news is the love of Jesus stays with us all year long and that is even more reason to celebrate!
May you and yours experience a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year!
In Faith, Sisterhood and Service,
Terri Parrill
National President
