On Christmas Eve, the West Tisbury Congregational Church will hold its annual Christmas pageant and carols service at the Agricultural Hall.

The story of Vineyard Christianity begins in 1642 with Thomas Mayhew Jr.

The younger Mayhew, as he is often referred to in Dr. Charles E. Banks’ three-volume history of Martha’s Vineyard, stepped into the role of Island minister after nobody else could be found to take the job. There were few settlers at the time...

For me, perhaps for you, this is a time for giving and getting. It’s mostly getting for children and mostly giving for adults. As we grow in years, we mature to more giving and less getting. At age 76, I don’t need any “thing,” but I doubt that I’ll outgrow my need to be hugged, to be seen, to be understood, to be valued and affirmed.

The New England Fishery Management Council delayed a decision yesterday on drastic cuts to the ailing groundfishery, amid impassioned testimony from fishermen who said the deep cuts would spell the end of their livelihood. “[The fishery] has been declared a disaster . . . this will make it a reality,” said Frank Mirarchi, a Scituate draggerman. “This means the boats will fail and the families will fail. This will be the end of an era.”

In what fisheries experts are calling an historic measure to curb overfishing, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted late last week to reduce the fishing of menhaden by 20 per cent in the coming year.

The 20 per cent reduction takes effect July 1, 2013.