Community
Good Tidings of Great Joy
Tonight the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury takes the form of both a barn and a community center. The animals will not be, well, real animals, but rather small children performing the annual Christmas Eve pageant. There will be donkeys, cattle, sheep and of course shepherds, wisemen, Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus. The kids are members of the West Tisbury Congregational Church which each year creates this tableau for the community.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Kwanzaa was started in 1966 by an African-American professor who wanted to give black Americans a unique way to celebrate their African roots, family life and community. This year the Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP is hosting a Kwanzaa celebration at the Trinity United Methodist Parish Hall in the Oak Bluffs Campground on Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m.
There will be music, food, games and activities for all ages.
Winter Lobster Rolls
Put down the eggnog and dive into a lobster roll. That’s right, lobster isn’t just some summer fling, at least not according to the folks at Grace Church.
On Sunday, Jan. 2 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. they will be serving their standard: lobster roll, chips, and beverage for $15, plus $4 for a slice of pie. Finally, a chance to take part in one of summer’s most popular events, and therefore most crowded, without waiting in line.
Young Wrappers
The Martha’s Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group will be providing Christmas gift wrapping on Saturday, Dec. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Edgartown Federated Church, at 45 South Summer street. Relax with a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and let the wrappers take care of making your presents look perfect.
All donations will go towards the youth group’s 2011 Mission Trip.
Food Pantry Donation
Armen Hanjian of the Island Food Pantry received a generous donation of nourishing food from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon). It was picked up at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Worcester, delivered Saturday evening to the food pantry by Jim Powell and Donna Maurice.
Helpers unloading the truck included students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Kyle Altieri, Zach Lamni, Corey Perotta, Dylan Rice and Kevin Walsh, as well as Ray Bilodeau, Brent Brown and Elders Gallegos and Morales.
Martha’s Vineyard may be 2,550 miles from Christ Roi, Haiti, yet the distance will be bridged with the Vineyard’s Haitian Celebration, a gala event that will raise funds to help get the Port-au-Prince neighborhood back on its feet after a series of devastating events. Throughout a ruinous earthquake, cyclone strikes and a cholera outbreak, the residents of Christ Roi have maintained a spirit of resilience and optimism.