Morning Glories

Trinity Morning Glories

We are a daytime women’s group here at Holy Trinity.  Our focus is on the spiritual and service to others.  Along the way, we share food, work, laugh, chat and pray together!  Please join us!

Note:  Our meetings will always be the 3^rd Monday at 10:00 (exception: Dec. will be the 2^nd Monday).

 The December 8, 2025 meeting was led by Sue Marakovits, with 40 members and Trevor Smith in attendance. 

 Opening Song: Christmas Carol – Played by Betty Henderschedt

 Diane Czar’s hospitalization was reported by Janis Charvala who offered a Healing Prayer for a Friend.

Devotions: Sue Marakovits asked us when and why we send gifts. She shared family Christmas memories from her past.  She told us that the best present she received as a teacher was a broken candy cane she received from a young boy whose family didn’t have much…a small quiet act of caring.  Sue tied this act of kindness to the Bible.  Brokenness is an opportunity for God to work through us.  He uses flawed people like Moses, David and Peter to achieve his purpose.  Sue wrapped up her devotion this way:  All of us are beautifully broken, perfectly imperfect and beautiful in your flaws.  Altogether, we are God’s gifts to each other.  Sue gave each of us a small broken candy cane and some chocolate bark to remind us of that.

New Business/Old Business:

 Birthdays: December 1 – Barb Fister, Ruthann Reinsmith, Dawn Bowles, Carol Acker; 5 – Linda Heiberger; 10 – Peggy Wuertele; 23 – Joanne Spengler; 26 – Jackie Simone

 Correspondence:  Thanks from Cops N’Kids, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering.  A beautiful Christmas card with pictures from Cay Galgon Life House and a Christmas note with a check from Jackie Simone was shared.

Holiday Hope Chest Boxes: Diane Lindeman told us about her experience of dropping off the Holiday Hope Chest Boxes and Gift Cards with her husband, Tom. She had pictures to share with the group of the drop-off location.  They dropped off 30 Hope Chest Boxes and 48 gift cards totaling $1,105.

 Ongoing: Check out our creative Morning Glories’ Bulletin Board.

 Turning Point used cell phone collection:   Per Linda Wiland no donations this month.

Thinking of You Card Ministry: Once again our tables were filled with Thinking of You cards to sign.   Thank you Sandi Smith, Diane Jones and Trevor Smith.

2026 Murder Mystery Dinner Theater – Without A Cue Productions has changed their booking policy.

We will have to wait until February 2026 to pick a 2026 play.

January’s Bethlehem Emergency Shelter White Crew Men and Women’s Sock Collection:  Janis told us that last year we collected 458 pairs of socks and that our goal in January 2026 is to reach that many or more.  Shelly Burns talked about volunteering at the Shelter, how well organized it was, how nice the shelter was and how she helped serve fruit to everyone who was at the shelter at that time.

Linda Heiberger said she had a computer to donate for anyone who needs one.  Alison Bannerman said that she could use it.

Diane Carfara, per a request from Pastor Brian, asked if 5 women would volunteer to shop, wrap and return gifts for the Children in Need program sponsored by the Catty Police.  Each of the 5 volunteers received a list and money.  Special thank you to them for taking the time to do this.

December’s Holiday Fun:  Our Christmas Elves did a great job again.  First, we broke into teams of 4 or 5.  Ten questions were asked and 3 teams were tied.  After drawing numbers, Team 3 became the winner. 

We then went on to the Regift Exchange (we had all gone shopping in our basements and attics to find the perfect gift).  Everyone was given a number and a chance to pick a wrapped gift or steal a gift from another member.  A Christmas Puzzle, a blue pie plate and a basket of food items proved to be the most popular items to “steal”.  The Elves also had a cute snowman craft to take home and make.  A very special thank you for all the Elves hard work!!!  P.S.  Since we didn’t buy our exchange gift, the Elves had asked that we consider donating $10 to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund; $470 was put in the basket.  WOW!

Beyond Bedtime Pajama & Book Collection: An awesome collection of 81 pajamas and 82 books were collected.  Janis and Jerry Charvala delivered the books on Wed., Dec. 10 to the Volunteers of America Daycare in Allentown.  The personnel there were very appreciative and would like our group to tour the Daycare in the near future.

Distribution of Offering:  Our monetary collection this month was $470.00.  2-$25.00 Walmart gift cards will be sent to Cay Galgon. $100 to a HT Family for Christmas and $310 will go to the Catasauqua Food Bank.

Morning Glories Christmas Picture: Thanks to Lois McAllister for having it taken.  Watch for the great results in a separate email.

Special thanks to this month’s kitchen clean-up volunteers:  Linda Fetters and Santa’s helpers

Closing Song: Christmas Carol Played by Betty Henderschedt

 We all enjoyed our annual Christmas Luncheon Buffet.

Since Sept. 2008, $95,603.74 has been donated to special causes; this does not include all the non-monetary donations that have been made over the past 17 years.

 Future Dates:   

January 19, 2026

Devotions:  Debbie Fry

       Speaker:   ALS – Point Person: Mary Ann Gibbons

Collection: White Socks: Linda Wiland – Point Person

Plan for next 6 months.

Food:  Pizza Party; Desserts: Cookies & Ambrosia/Betty Hendeschedt; Drinks: Sue Stahler

Kitchen Clean-up: __________________/Sue Stahler