Christmas Messiah

   The sanctuary was packed at the Evensong service on December 10 for

a special performance of the Christmas portion of Messiah, the great classic by legendary composer George Frideric Handel.  Stanwich Director of Music Randall Atcheson conducted the performance, leading the choir, guest soloists and chamber orchestra while also accompanying on the piano.  The glorious music and voices raised in worship in our beautiful new sanctuary, which sparkled with tiny white lights

and festive decorations of the season, was truly a special celebration.  Thanks to Randall and all the musicians, choir,

tech angels, ushers, coffee hour hosts, parking lot attendants, and everyone

who attended who made this night a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season and God's amazing grace.

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Mission Trip to Kenya

    A few years ago Stanwich was introduced to James and Lucy Njaaga, two servants

of Christ who have given up much of their lives and money to open the the Njaaga Child Hope Center for HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Centre is currently home to approximately 60 children and 15 caretakers, and provides support to an additional 256 orphans that live nearby

the Child Hope Centre.  Stanwich donated funds to provide irrigation equipment,

which resulted in bumper crops that have not only provided food for the children, but also for neighboring villages struck by the recent famine.  To augment this vital ministry, Stanwich and other volunteers raised enough money this past summer

to help pay the down payment on a new

and permanent home for the children. 

   A group from Stanwich traveled to Kenya for 10 days beginning on December 28 to work at the Njaaga orphanage.  The purpose of this trip was to celebrate the great work God has already accomplished there, and also to examine the possibility

of a long-term partnership and future trips

to involve more of the Stanwich congregation. 

   The group spent time with the children, completed some much needed repairs to the orphanage, provided HIV/AIDS education for the community, and met with another organization, the International Justice Mission, which supports orphans and

other disenfranchised people of Kenya. 

    Please pray for the Njaaga family,

the children and staff at the orphanage,

and for God's guidance in how Stanwich

can continue to support them. 

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