What Makes the Tree
in the Narthex so Special?

Chrismons are handmade Christmas tree ornaments depicting various symbols of Christianity. The name Chrismon comes from a combination of CHRISt and MONogram.  Chrismons are a recent, innovative way to use these ancient symbols at Christmastime.

Chrismons originated with Mrs. Frances Spencer, who began making Christmas decorations from a variety of materials and left-over Christmas paper and decorations in the late 1940’s.  Rather than making the typical secular styles of ornaments, she decided to use the traditional symbols of Christianity in the main liturgical colors of Christmas, white and gold.  In 1957 she coined the term Chrismons for her creations.

The practice of using Chrismons has spread and is becoming an increasingly popular way to retain a sense of the sacred amid the secularization of this important Christian holiday. To preserve the spirit of Chrismons (Mrs. Spencer’s understanding of the nature of Chrismons) they should only be made by hand and given as gifts.

Our Chrismons at OPC were just such a gift from Virginia Teates. We hope you will take a moment to notice the uniqueness of this tree’s message.

Treasurer

As I conclude my first year as Treasurer of Orange Presbyterian Church I want to express my appreciation to Susan Clore, former Treasurer, and the Finance Committee for their guidance through many unknowns associated with the position, and to Karen Seale, Parish Administrator, for her competence with the computer and her understanding of our financial software. Typically, the job is much more complex that I had anticipated, and I could not have done it by myself.

Also, my thanks to the members of the congregation who have paid their pledges, and to committee chairs who have worked within their budgeted amounts. We end 2005 with our monthly expenses paid up to date and a few dollars more than a year ago in our investment accounts.

Challenges for the new year are:

• Covering Willis House repairs and maintenance now that the tenant has moved;
• Unknown increased costs related to a new pastor;
• A dramatic increase in the cost of utilities;
• Covering a 3.4% increase in the proposed 2006 budget.

I am confident that we will work together to meet these challenges and that 2006 will be a great year for OPC!

Gail Chapman, Treasurer

As of 12/25/05
Total income for 2005: $174,986.17
Total expenses for 2005: $167,062.52

THE PASTOR'S CORNER

Dear Friends,

On Christmas Day, the Church celebrated the coming of the Christ-Child. On January 8th, the liturgical calendar of the Church remembers Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his public ministry.

The Presbyterian Confession of 1967 affirms: “By humble submission to John’s baptism, Christ joined himself to men (and women) in their need and entered upon his ministry of reconciliation in the power of the Spirit.” The Confession of 1967 also reminds us that “Christian baptism marks the receiving of the same Spirit by all his people. Baptism with water represents not only cleansing from sin, but a dying with Christ and a joyful rising with him to new life. It commits all Christians to die each day to sin and to live for righteousness.” (9.51)

Since the earliest days of the church, those who would follow Christ have chosen to be baptized just as he was. Baptism marks a turning away from the old life and the beginning of a new life for the one being baptized. Most Christian traditions (including Presbyterians) believe that a person needs to be baptized only once. However, since as early as 1549, the Church has also provided occasions for the re-affirmation of our baptismal vows. Through the re-affirmation, or renewal, of our baptismal promises we celebrate our redemption and our adoption as children of God.

During worship on January 8th, OPC will remember Jesus’ baptism. We will also remember and re-affirm the vows we once made (or those made on our behalf by our parents) at our own baptisms. What we will re-affirm and celebrate that day is that our baptism (whether we remember it or not) was and continues to be “a visible demonstration of the assurance that God knows each one of us by name and has ‘adopted’ us to be God’s dearly beloved children.”(1)

In Christ,
Beth

(1)From Christian Doctrine: Revised Edition by Presbyterian theologian Shirley C. Guthrie.

Special Guest on Sunday, February 5

Bob Pryor, Director of Camp Hanover (our presbytery’s camp for children, youth and adults located near Mechanicsville), will be our preacher on February 5th. Bob will also be available after the service to answer questions and to talk to kids and parents about camping opportunities for next summer.

The Camp Hanover website explains that: “Camping is an integral part of the total church's program of Christian Education… Camping provides a living situation in which Christian principles can be discovered, practiced and tested. The out-of-doors, though it is to be discovered and enjoyed, is not an end in itself, but a means to bring campers and counselors to an awareness of God as Father, Creator, and Redeemer and to help respond in a living way to God's love as revealed through Christ.”

Please join us in worship on the 5th to learn more about outdoor ministry and the excellent programs at Camp Hanover.

Louise Whitaker

William & Sharon Mohrmann

Terrie & Reed Richardson