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Latest News at Ballard Vale United Church

 

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

guess dinner guess dinner guess dinner

On April 12th, we had another successful round of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, where great conversation and delicious food was shared. We had four small dinner groups that evening. The hosts were Kathie Robinson & Mark Kane, John & Lorna McIntyre, Deb & Bob Stone, and Sheila & Al Stone.


 

Ice Cream Whoop-Di-Do!

kids with balloons! ice cream - yum! easter bunny & friend
ice cream - yum! ice cream selecting toppings
sharing goodies serving up the ice cream easter bunny & embarrassed brother

On March 15th, a light snowfall didn't keep people away from "whooping" it up at our ice cream Whoop-Di-Do! The toppings were varied and delicious - cherries, strawberries, pineapple, gummy bears, mini-marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce - to name just a few. Everyone enjoyed multiple ice cream flavors, italian ices, and frozen yogurt in Shaw Hall with an atmosphere of lively music and singing. The evening ended with some exciting balloon tag!


 

Guild Sunday!

guild banner women's guild  
guild information Project Linus blanket guild information

On Februrary 17th, we celebrated Guild Sunday. All of the members of the guild wore white corsages, and filled the positions of lay reader, usher, and greeter. We proudly displayed our new quilted Guild banner, Project Linus blankets, and provided food for fellowship.


 

Coffee House with Bob Franke!

coffee house opening act Bob Franke performs audience enjoys the music
intermission Bob Franke and Rev Dr. Deyton guitar

On February 9th, we had a Coffee House with Bob Franke in Shaw Hall. To kickoff the coffee house, Reverend Dr. Deyton played the guitar, while a young member of our congregation sang. Bob Franke performed many of his songs, interspersed with related stories of his life. This evening was a fundraiser for the Samaritans of Merrimack Valley, with the goal of helping them fund a teen suicide prevention phone line.


 

Super Sub Sunday!

sub youth group teamwork preparing the foil
making subs focused sub making youth group leadership at work

On February 3rd, our Youth Group participated in Super Sub Sunday and created dozens of sub sandwiches which were sold to our congregation as a fundraiser.


Breakfast Hymn Workshop!

 

leading discussion listing favorite hymns piano playing
singing hymns mom & daughter  

On January 27th, a large number of us joined Patricia Deyton for a breakfast, where she lead us in a discussion of hymns. We sung verses from many of our favorites.


Yankee Swap & Potluck!

 

potluck dinner yankee swap gifts scooping the Ben & Jerrys
dinner time pumpkin pie - yum! potluck dinner

On January 12th, we enjoyed a Yankee Swap and potluck dinner in Shaw Hall. The delicious meal included lasagna, meatloaf, ham, turkey tetrazzini, pepperoni bread, jello with mandarin oranges, fresh fruit, pumpkin & blueberry & apple pie, and much more. Our pastor provided three, yes three!, flavors of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Everyone seemed very satisfied with the dinner and with their Yankee Swap gifts - not too much swapping took place. Gifts were varied - candles, Christmas dinner plates, Farmers Almanac, stamps, decorative boxes to name a few... The evening wrapped up after Willard gave us a test that had us rank the top 25 Christmas Songs. It turns out that the number one Christmas song is White Christmas!


Christmas Pageant!

 

shepherd two shepherds narrator
practicing drums youth singing parents watching

We practiced several songs and our lines for the Christmas Pageant's dress rehearsal. We had our pageant on December 23rd.


Preparing for the Mission Trip to Nicaragua!

Fundraising

On December 7th, two members of our Youth Group attended their school's craft fair to raise money for the mission trip to Nicaragua.

UMW Dinner photo xmas tree UMW nativity

On the other side of town that same evening, the United Methodist Women shared a potluck meal and enjoyed the hospitality and festive Christmas decorations at the Ely's. We collected donations (school supplies and toiletries) that will be distributed on the mission trip to Nicaragua and also helped set up a beautiful nativity scene.


Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Guess Dinner photo Guess Dinner photo

On December 1st, we had another successful round of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, where great conversation and delicious food was shared. We had five small dinner groups that evening. Here are photos from the dinners at the Silva's and the Morris'.

 


Ballard Vale United Church
23 Clark Road / Andover, MA 01810 / (978) 475-2506 / Reverend Dr. Ed Deyton
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