Dear Friends of The Christian Community of the Pioneer Valley,

During this Advent season, I am thinking back to our first organizational meeting here in the Pioneer Valley. Peter and I and three small children had recently moved from California. It was 1989. Karin and Henning Winter kindly offered to let us stay in their home, while they were away for the holidays. An initiative group met in their dining room during one of the Twelve Holy Nights. At this special time of year, our intentions were spoken out loud, and an idea took shape in the minds and hearts of all who attended.

It was a difficult time. A pillar of this new and enlivened Waldorf and Anthroposophic community had just passed away after a devastating illness. Before his passing, Ekkehard Piening spoke to us about the need for religious instruction for our children. We were all feeling that our own religious life was in need of shoring-up, and we began to prepare. On April 29th, 1990, on an unseasonably warm spring day, we felt truly blessed, as we celebrated our first service in Hatfield, at the
Dr. Hauschka offices. Thanks to Susan and Clifford Kurz, the church had its first home in the valley.

Twenty-one years have come and gone with marriages, baptisms, confirmations, funerals, religious instruction, and communions. These events have been celebrated by many dedicated Christian Community priests: Rev. Jim Hindes served us until 1997, followed by Revs. Arie Bogart, Michael Brewer, Peter Skaller and now Rev. Franziska Hesse. Their dedication to this community and their belief that the Movement for Religious Renewal has a place here in the valley has shown itself well founded. Our prayers have been answered (again!) as we announce our new home at the Dr. Hauschka Center, where we have space to grow and flourish.

As 2011 stretches towards 2012, I hope you will consider joining us on
December 17th, at 10:30 am, for the Act of Consecration of Man. In the course of the coming year, we would like to consider how we might better serve our community and we are open to new ideas! We welcome anyone who would like to participate, at any level. We meet the third Saturday of every month (please consult the schedule, in case of changes to that rule) at the Dr. Hauschka Center, 20 Industrial Drive East, South Deerfield MA 01373.

Blessings to you and yours during this season of Light.
We hope you will think of us. We are thinking of you.

Sincerely,
Sandy Littell

Questions? please call 413-665-0985 or email littell88@mac.com

VISIT www.thechristiancommunity.org/tacberk/pioneer.html