Church members celebrated the beginning of the Advent Season at our annual Christmas Festival in the Ministry Center on Sunday, November 27, 2005. This gathering was sponsored by the Pathways Adult Education, the Board of Deacons, and the Hospitality Committee and gave the congregation an opportunity to spend some quality time together sharing refreshments and friendship, as well as view and purchase the beautiful hand-carved olive wood items on display.

The Olive Branch Chapter of Pilgrims of Ibillin is continuing to sell these beautifully hand-carved olive wood items, which come directly from Bethlehem and Beit Sahour - the town of the Shepherd’s Field next to Bethlehem. Proceeds go directly to Palestinian Christians to provide employment and education for the children at Mar Elias Elementary School, founded by Father Elias Chacour. For more information or to purchase these beautiful items, contact Cerena Fischer at 630-289-4942 or by email at cmfischer2@aol.com. You can also view photos and obtain more information on the Bethlehem Imports website - http://www.bethlehemimports.org.