”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”—a New Year, and a new season for Methodists.
Music, hymns, prayers, communion, and candles took over as preparation for 2014 took place. Liturgy for a New Year, a service of Holy Communion ushered in the New Year in a way many parties do not—a spiritual side. Santee First United Methodist Church held its own version of a New Year Eve party.
”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”—a New Year, and a new season for Methodists.
Music, hymns, prayers, communion, and candles took over as preparation for 2014 took place. Liturgy for a New Year, a service of Holy Communion ushered in the New Year in a way many parties do not—a spiritual side. Santee First United Methodist Church held its own version of a New Year Eve party.
“What happens in a Methodist church stays in a Methodist church,” said Paul Stevens.
What happened first, were rounds of parlor games. Substitute swear words like “Darn,” “Jiminy Christmas,” and a unique pronunciation of “Farkle” were flying during the games.
“A church is a great place to start the New Year…to take time to think about commitments for the New Year,” said Pastor Sandy Olewine.
Many enjoyed the appetizer potluck of cheese, crackers, nuts and hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Earlier in the week the pastor handed out chalk and a sheet saying church members could write “20 + C + M + B + 14” above their house’s doorway on New Year’s Day. This equation means “May Christ Bless this House.”
Watch Time started at 11:00 p.m. and Mr. Jan Ault, provided uplifting hymns, musical rifts, and serene sounds. Upon entering the sanctuary a table displaying resolution cards with words like laughing, planting, and throwing things away were for attendees to pick up, tag one or more, on what they would strive for in the New Year. A quiet resolution time during the watch time was a time for attendees to ask themselves what needed changing or embracing.
