Good News - December 2020

“We are keeping up our family traditions on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but are limiting our get togethers to just those immediate family – a big change for our Italian family. We’re excited to celebrate the birth of our Savior no matter the circumstances.” Kevin Enders, President, 4KIDS of South Florida Well, I have not really thought about it yet. But, as always will be with immediate family and a cozy Christmas. Hopefully, attend church (at least by zoom), and maybe make some fun Christmas Masks for the family, and perhaps host some "virtual" Christmas parties. Praying that the new year will be filled with all of God's goodness. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary Many things are different in 2020, and Christmas is no exception. I actually think it is a great opportunity to be extra creative in communicating the Christmas story more impactfully through technology. We plan on utilizing tools like Facetime, Zoom, etc., and the focused/undivided attention it affords from the viewer, to re- peat, review and rejoice over what it means for the Savior to have come into the world. Celebrating that our sins are not just "forgiven" but the event which took place in "the House of Bread" (Bethlehem) 2K+ years ago, would eventually result in billions of free one-way tickets to eternity in Heaven! Dr. Michael Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine and Chiropractic Christmas is always our family’s favorite holiday and one spent all together. So this Christmas will really be no different. We will gather at our home, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, and enjoy great food and great company. This year will be especially blessed since my grandson will be at the age to enjoy so many of our family traditions and give us a child-like wonder of the season. Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations Officer, Bass Underwriters We are a family that loves playing games and Christmas always has a homemade themed game competition, we have done take offs on Jeopardy, Price is right and almost anything you can think of. This year the creativity will have to go into over- drive for a virtual competition. The upside is that I am sure it will be the biggest yet since more family from all over can participate. Nancy Robin, CEO/Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Broward County This year the Torch & Trumpet Theatre Company, a performing arts & theater group which I direct, will be presenting “The Gospel According to Scrooge” on December 4th, 5th, and 6th at Community Hope Church East. All social distancing policies will be in place for the performances. Our hope and desire is to bring hope and the joy of Christmas to the South Florida community through this warm and joyous story. Oksana Horton, President/Artistic Director, Torch & Trumpet Theatre Company Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to limit our Christmas gathering to immediate family only, which would be approximately 6 or 7 persons. And Yes, we will be wearing our masks when we are not eating. We believe that this is the best way to come together to enjoy Christmas. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center This year does make it more of a challenge to celebrate Christmas as we have in the past, except that due to COVID, we have become closer to our neighbors and delivery people. We talk to each other quite frequently. More of us are home during the day. We are planning ways to do special things for them with gift cards and food baskets. Many in our neighborhood have been impacted by the loss of jobs. We also are decorating along with many others in our community, earlier and with a bit more pizazz. Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University – Florida Christmas, “the most wonderful time of the year,“ Celebrating Jesus’ Birth. We have such a great Community with so many special ways to celebrate this Sea- son, from to Candlelight Services, to Children’s Choirs, to The Ft. Lauderdale Boat Parade! Our Family favorite is a drive through Tradewinds Park “Christmas Fan- tasy of Lights,” it’s fun, simple, sentimental, and a staple tradition for my family for generations!! Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS Homeschool P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry More than ever, this Christmas is about the little things that are really the big things. Jesus was born in the least dramatic fashion, but we tend to celebrate in the most dramatic way possible. This year, we are being forced to slow down, stay home, and reflect on how blessed we really are. ACOVID Christmas is about loving others and we will take more time to find ways to bring joy to those in need. Robin Martin, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Broward Thankfully, all our immediate family members are COVID free! If it stays that way until Christmas we will all gather at our lake house in Lake Placid, Fla for a family Christmas celebration to celebrate our saviors birth. In order to include extended family and friends, we will do some face timing to spread some Christmas cheer. In the meantime, we will make sure and join with other Church members and local non-profits to make sure donated funds or food are available for others to have a Christmas meal. Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers Morris & Ziegler LLP Wants to Know… Germaine Smith Baugh Gene L. Green Gregg Wallick Helen Wayner James ‘JT’ Taylor James Welch Karen Granger Kevin Enders Dr. Mary Drabik Dr. Michael Rozenblum Milan Stefanovic Nancy Robin