Advent and Christmas came and went in a blur this year, but we don’t want the Advent Dinner to slip away unnoticed.  Calvary Lutheran Church hosted its second annual Advent Dinner to support the Oregon Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul and Calvary’s own Good Samaritan fund.  With more time to prepare and a few changes from last year’s program, this year’s Advent Dinner was a relaxing and enjoyable celebration. 

The evening began in the Courtyard room with socializing, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.  The courtyard room was decorated with silver snowflakes, Christmas lights and lovely poinsettias.  Micah G played guitar and banjo amidst the din of lively conversation.  

Our guests were invited into the fellowship room to the music of Claude Bolling’s “Jazz Suite for Flute and Piano” played by Luther and the Monkey Minds featuring Kayse D on flute.   After that the band broke into “All Blues” by Miles Davis. 

Dinner was served by our amazingly professional Youth group. (You can all put wait staff at Calvary on your resumes and we’ll give you glowing references).   Terri B and her family kitchen staff served up a superb dinner a choice of prime rib, roast chicken, or vegetarian lasagna that was to die for.

Our guest speaker, Norene Goplin, Oregon Synod Public Policy Advocate spoke with passion and the expertise about the issues of poverty in Oregon.  Judy Shilling, from Community Action Organization of Washington County, described the struggles of low income families in Washington County and the ways that Community Action and Calvary are working together to respond to the needs. 

Luther and the Monkey Minds performed more jazz, including "The Christmas Song" sung by Shari Y, "Take 5" with drum solo by yours truly (Pastor Matthew), and an avant garde version of “Silent Night” featuring Dan B on Alto Saxaphone and all guests singing along.

Our excellent MC’s Gary C and Gary D kept the evening lively.  But the reason for the evening was an opportunity to give, and you people of Calvary and friends generously donated over $7,000 to the Oregon Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul and the Good Samaritan fund in partnership with Community Action. 

Many thanks go to LaRayne R and Carol D who coordinated the whole event, and to all of you whose planning, preparation, performance and hospitality made the evening another success.  Thank you to all who attended and donated, and all thanks and honor to our Good Lord who has blessed us that we might be a blessing for other. 

In God's Peace,

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