[saymaListserv] Christmas

[Nancy Whitt]

Each year Birmingham Friends Meeting celebrates Christmas by working
together on a project--gift bags for a church for the homeless, AFSC
boxes, etc.  This year we invited families whose parents are working on
their GED's through a World of Opportunity organization.  It felt really
good having a variety of races and economic levels in our meeting house.
 We got to talk to our visitors, who want to come back for a backyard
cookout in the Spring.  We've tried in several ways to become part of
our mixed-race/econcomic community and this one was successful.  We also
give the equivalent of our property tax to our local grammar school each
Christmas (learned this from Nashville FM).  Preparation for our party
is minimal--everyone brings munchies--and we enjoy it.

Also, for First Day for kids on Sunday we have a little boy whose
father is Jewish.  This past Sunday I brought a menorah and read a
wonderful story on respect written by a local muslim woman (three
Christian, Muslim, and Jewish girl are best friends; the mother of one
finds a clever way to serve special food at supper meeting the needs of
each child without embarrassing any of them; it also teaches respect
through the care of cats!).

Am late for an appointment--

Love and peace,

Nancy