From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

Scottish traditional prayer

I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard that little prayer this time of year – a real piece of the Scottish Presbyterian tradition, I guess! Just curious: were you one of those things that went bump in the night in your neighbourhood? I suspect my mother and her siblings were right little terrors in their time.

Considering it’s a festival known for weird stuff, this one is going to be even weirder and, on top of that, we’ll be putting our clocks back an hour, remember? Just what we want: an extra hour of 2020! Never mind. We’ve got lots of things to get done over the next couple of months …

Word is that The GP Studio Productions are focusing the camera lens on Christmas now that Thanksgiving is done and dusted. We’ve got a couple of ideas that maybe you’d like to help with.

Any bakers or cooks out there? I know: silly question. Now that Sharon Beverly has taught us how to make just about the best S’mores EVER, we thought we’d do a little series of Christmas treats. I’m going to do the one recipe I said I’d never share. (Tune in to find out.) I’ve got a few other cooks with their thinking caps on. So, who else is in? Call me (905-932-1897) and I’ll tell you all you need to know! Easy as pie. Ooo, pie! Anyone want to do pie?

And now that the smoke from our Campfire has faded away, we’re working on a little Christmas number – readings, carols, and generally getting into the holiday Spirit. You can be one of Santa’s (that is: Adam’s) Little Helpers by pitching in. Send him (Adam, not Santa) an email – minister@thegp.ca – and get on his Nice list! You’re all on his Nice list anyway. You know that’s how he is!

A lot of Port people were especially nice this past weekend, it appears. The Lions Food Drive for Port Cares came up with an amazing $6695 in monetary donations and – wowza! – 22,672.3 pounds of food. Well done Port Colborne Lions & Lionesses, Optimists, Fire & Emergency Services, Christian Life Assembly, and absolutely everyone who contributed. Let’s keep the good deeds rolling; the Food Bank box is still on my front steps at 39 Division Street, and the need is still great …

And while we’re on the topic of Need, Canadian Blood Services are holding a Donation day on Friday, November 13th from 2.00 to 7.00 p.m. at the Christian Life Assembly. You have to do it ‘by appointment’ so you can sort one out at https://myaccount.blood.ca/en; they still have places for 20 donors. Maybe they should have held it on Hallowe’en; we could all show up dressed as vampire. Maybe next year.

Life in general goes ahead at The GP – both ‘in person’ and in cyberspace. The Bible Study groups are still meeting virtually via Zoom and love to see new faces! Want to join either the mixed group (Wednesday mornings) or the Ladies group (Thursday mornings), or know anyone who might like to look in? Rev Adam can get you all set up – minister@thegp.ca

And Adam still has the coffee on – in person – at The GP every Friday morning. Put on your mask, give your hands a wash, and come on over!

Other than that, there’s not a lot of news except … Linda Caldwell is on the mend and getting good marks from her doctors. If all goes well, she’ll be packing in her wheely-walker next week and graduating to a cane, so this is for her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmqfZ0k2mxQ

Keep safe, keep well, and God bless!

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Jane Thomas