IN THIS ISSUE: CHURCH SLATES LIVE NATIVITY page 4
Oxford DECEMBER 12, 2018
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXVIII • NO 46
AUTHOR TALK
Oxford Public Library, 48 S. Second St., Oxford, will host local children’s author Patricia Reese on Monday, Dec. 17, at 4:30 p.m. Reese will read her new book, “The Wash Day Adventure.” Copies of Reese’s books will be available for purchase and signing. No registration is required, and people of all ages are welcome. For details, call 610-932-9625. LIVE NATIVITY
West Grove United Methodist Church (UMC), 300 N. Guernsey Road, West Grove, will offer a live Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. The live Nativity will feature people portraying Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, and wise men. There will be live animals. A simple bulletin outlining the story of Jesus’ birth as found in the Gospel of Luke will be shared. After viewing the Nativity, attendees may go inside the church for home-baked goodies and hot chocolate. The event will include festive music. There will be ample parking. The church is handicapped-accessible, and restroom facilities will be open for use. For directions and more information, readers may call the church office at 610-869-9334 or visit www.westgroveumc.org.
School Holds Turkey Trot pg 4
Decade To Doorways Honors Groups pg 3
Christmas Eve Service Set pg 4
West Grove UMC Welcomes Youth Director By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Melanie Hartley is serving her first Christmas season with West Grove United Methodist Church (UMC) as the director of children and youth ministries. Hartley began the role on July 1. Her tasks include overseeing the Sunday school programs for children and youths, children’s worship and the Confirmation program. She also oversees the youth group for high school and middle school-age students, which meets each Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for games, a lesson, Bible study and discussion. Hartley graduated from Eastern University in St. David’s with a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry. “I’m a lay person. I’m not ordained, but I have an education in programming for kids and youths but also teaching faith and understanding the Bible and talking about theology and things like that,” she explained. Hartley has a variety of experiences working with youths, including a position at St. David’s Episcopal Church following graduation. She then worked with children’s programs at a YMCA in New Jersey and for the last five years was the director of youth and young
Melanie Hartley is the new director of children and youth ministries at West Grove United Methodist Church.
adult ministries at Newark United Methodist Church. “My first experience was as a 17-year-old camp counselor at a Christian camp in New Jersey,” she said. Hartley always felt her closest connection to older children, but it was a job at a summer camp in north Philadelphia that let her know she had a talent for working with younger children as well. “I was working with the elementary-age kids, and it was a really great experience,” she said. “What I took from that was a sense that I can work with kids that are younger; I have a gift for that I never thought I had.” Hartley is enjoying her position at West Grove UMC. “I just really love being a positive part of a child’s life,” she said. “It’s wonderful. The people here are really great. They were very open and welcoming. I really love that it’s a church that’s intergenerational. It’s wonderful to see multiple generations that come together and support one another.” West Grove UMC is located at 300 N. Guernsey Road, West Grove. For more information about church activities, readers may call the church office at 610-869-9334 or visit www.westgroveumc.org or www.facebook.com/westgroveumc.
DECEMBER PROGRAMS
Dog Park Brick Sale Extended Area residents may give a unique gift and support the Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) by purchasing a personalized brick for the borough’s dog park. Bricks can be engraved with the buyer’s name, a favorite pet’s name or a slogan. Bricks will be included in the paving of the dog park Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) vestibule in the spring. To be sure everyone has a chairman Chip Benke (right) cut the ribbon chance to get their order in, brick to open Oxford’s new dog park in May along with OARA treasurer Candace Miller and sales have been extended to Monday, Dec. 31. her dog, River. Residents may support the Earlier this year, the new dog dog park with the purchase of a personalized park opened at the Oxford Area brick to become a permanent part of the paving at the entrance to the facility. See Dog Park pg 4
Folk Club To Present Charlie Zahm Concert “A Celtic Christmas With Charlie Zahm,” featuring holiday songs and Celtic favorites by the popular balladeer, will be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford on Friday, Dec. 14. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Concertgoers are asked to bring a nonperishable food item that will be donated to the Lighthouse Youth Center in Oxford. For the past 15 years, the Friends Folk Club had held concerts at the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse. Last year, the concert series found a new home at St. Christopher’s to accomodate a larger crowd. The first event held at the new location was Zahm’s Christmas concert. In addition, St. Christopher’s offers a sound See Charlie Zahm pg 2
“A Celtic Christmas With Charlie Zahm” will be presented by the Friends Folk Club on Dec. 14 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.
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117 Rosehill Ave., West Grove, has posted two programs in December. Students in grades six through 12 are invited to participate in Gingerbread House Building on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. Participants will use graham crackers, icing and various forms of candy to create their own elaborate gingerbread structures. All materials will be supplied. The library is partnering with a college admission services company to offer a free SAT practice test on Dec. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. Registration is required. Tests will take place in the community room. Test-takers should arrive by 12:45 p.m., as the test will begin promptly at 1 p.m. Participants should be sure to bring a No. 2 pencil and a calculator. For more information, readers may call 610-869-2004 or email kdavis@ccls.org.
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