Good News - December 2020

This Christmas we are going to have a ZOOM “Family Open House.” From 1-4 p.m. parents, nephews, nieces, kids, uncles, aunts and other family members can come on line to zoom with one another. We are using a family WhatsApp group to inform one another when you are coming onto ZOOM in case there are certain family members you do not want to miss while they are on. Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service The Sauders plan to celebrate Christmas week with a few thousand new friends at a drive-through light show at our church and then retreat together around a fire- place in North Carolina on Christmas night — just the five of us. Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale The Gomez family will be celebrating COVID Christmas at home, together. On Christmas day we will be going to our neighbors and blessing them with some Christmas goodies that my wife will cook up. The Bible invites us to make the most of every opportunity, and we plan to do so that Jesus may be glorified. And of course, I'll eat a lot. That's my personal Christmas tradition, eating. Fidel Gomez , Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood I am excited about getting involved with a virtual gala that Hope South Florida is doing December 18th. The millennials on our Board of Directors have put together quite an extravaganza complete with singing and dancing as well as an auction and personal testimonies from homeless individuals and families that we have helped throughout the year. We have never done this before, and I am so excited about leaving my comfort zone and finding new ways to help people that are really suffering during these difficult times. Fred Scarbrough , DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital & Hope South Florida Thanks for asking! While we will have reduced service time and practice all the CDC guidelines for large gatherings, we are back to normal. We will have 7 serv- ices with the usually Church By the Glades creativity. Christmas services: Sat., 12/19 @ 6:30 pm; Sun., 12/20 @ 10 & 11:30 am; Weds., 12/23 @ 7 pm; Thurs., 12/24 @ 4, 5:30 & 7pm Fred Uhl, Worship Experience Pastor, Church by the Glades We plan to take time to worship on Christmas Eve at church and spend time with family enjoying this special time of year. Even with Covid we still rejoice in the birth of Christ our Savior. George R. Moraitis, Jr., Moraitis, Cofar, Karney, Moraitis & Quailey I honestly never thought about it as a COVID Christmas. I have actually found, even in the challenge of loss for so many, that COVID has made me rethink and recharge many areas in my life that needed pruning. So this year, I think that the creative thing is to slow down and enjoy the moments. What a thought – soooo creative. Germaine Smith Baugh, Ed.D , President and CEO, Urban League of Broward County The first Christmas was problem and pain-filled. Mary, pregnant before the con- summation of her marriage with Joseph, traveled five days up-hill from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They found no room in the public shelter so settled for a stable – likely a cave – where she went into labor with no family nor midwife to assist her. They were forced to take the journey because of the Emperor’s census – for tax purposes! Mary and Joseph were poor, alone, separated, in a dark place. Yet there Jesus, the Light of the World, was born. Covid-19 takes us to the heart of the Christmas story. God’s Hope comes in the midst of our distress. Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University - Florida For Christmas this year, I’m looking forward to taking time off to spend the holidays with my family down in the Keys. Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc. Christmas will be spent with close family & friends as usual. Traditional food, drinks and gifts... Unfortunately this planeddemic has touched way too many lives!!! Christmas and the balance of this year will be spent worshiping and praising God for all we have. Praying for those who have lost so much. Please remember to give when you see a need. You Are God’s Hand extended... Merry Christmas� Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty COVID, SCHMO-VID! It’s Christmas and we plan to celebrate our Savior’s birth- day with the same heart and effort as we do every year. MERRY CHRISTMAS! So there. James ‘JT’ Taylor. , Managing Director, Head of Automotive, Truist Securities Throughout Covid we have slowed down and focused on things that matter most. We discovered much business on our calendar and Covid provided a season of focus. We are leveraging that this Christmas Season to focus on devotional time with God, serving our city, investing in our family, and pouring into our local church. James Welch , Pastor, First Baptist Fort Lauderdale Slow down and get comfy under the tree with a soft blanket, ginger tea and well- written Christmas book like “Holding Heaven” by Jerry Jenkins. Karen Granger, Community Relations Director, Palm Beach County, 4KIDS Palm Beach Wants to Know… H. Collins Forman Cynthia J. Arevalo Deborah Cusick Debra A. Schwinn Dennis DeMarois Dolores King-St. George Don Campion Doug Sauder Fidel Gomez Fred Scarbrough Fred Uhl George R. Moraitis