Good afternoon Ladies.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. That you were blessed with many blessing. I’m truly thankful for our girlfriends group and count each of you as a great blessing in my life.

If you’re a Black Friday shopper, I pray you found all the great bargain, had a fun time, and survived the stores in one piece!! As for me, after too many years of retail craziness, I’ll stay home and read a book. Or shop and order on line. Just not into that craziness any more. It has to be something pretty special for me to go. Though I do go to where my son works at usually for their after Thanksgiving sale. But it’s nothing like other places, No big crowds.

Hopefully you willing be joining us on our continuing journey thru the book “If the Church were Christian “ by Philip Gulley. I must say I do agree with a lot of his points and sure pray that St.John’s is the open inviting welcoming church that Pastor Gulley writes about. It’s sort of funny. When the group decides on a book, and I read about it as I’m ordering it, most times I’m thinking” I don’t know why I agreed to this book. It’s going to be boring and I’m not going to like it or get anything out of it. Just look at that stupid title. This is going to be way above my head and understanding. .”And in all cases so far, I have been wrong. Most of the books I have totally enjoyed. And they were not something I would have picked to just read. And I have gain something from all of them, in different ways. Part of that gaining is from the free conversation we have each week. The free expression of thoughts, ideas, feeling, wishes( for the group, the church, members) experiences, concerns, problems, etc. If you are a reader, and enjoy discussions on what you read, insight from others on the same subject, wanting to express your thoughts, ideas, traditions, with like minded women, join us on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm on zoom for girlfriends. This week Nov. 28th we will be starting the discussion at the beginning of chapter 7 on page 121 and going to the beginning of chapter 9 page 155.

Ladies as after the 28th we will only have 2 chapters left in this read. I suggest we talk some about the next book we will be looking to read—Barb has the list, so what’s next? And as this will take us into mid -Dec and how busy everyone will be, I say we look at starting the new book in Jan.2024? Maybe about Jan.8th? I would also like to suggest that on a Tuesday Dec 12 or Tuesday Dec.19 or Saturday Dec.16th we meet in person for dinner. Just a time to get together and wish each other Holiday joy. If on Saturday, maybe a few members who can not meet with us on Tuesday nights, could come join us? (Jean, Sharon, Marilyn??) Something to think about and talk about.

Barb, Teresa and I will be picking up the Women at Risk pop up shop items on Nov. 30th. If you could help out with the event on Sunday Dec. 3rd it is greatly appreciated. We can you people to help customers, collect payment, show items, and pack up after the event. ( hopping to keep open until the installation service, and pack up after the service. Thought we might get some of the guests for that service to shop?) Unfortunately a few of us have play tickets that can not be changed for that day, so all help is greatly appreciated

Senior gift bag items are due my Dec.9.Will be assembling bags on Dec.9 starting at 1:30p. All are welcome to come help out.

Girlfriends sends prayers to

Sharon on continuing recovery from surgery
To Sharon’s son on his continuing issues after surgery.And her daughter on her upcoming shoulder manipulation.
To Susan on her continued recovery
to the Salsa family in the West Bank
of thanks for Renee’s new career
to Lisa’s Dad over health concerns
for safe passage for Hailey a friend of Derek’s place who is in hospice care
to those who supported Chloe and her class in their performances of Aladdin Jr
to people who have on one to share Thanksgiving with and those in families of strain
to the family of former First Lady Rosalyn Carter on her passing
of strength to former President Jimmy Carter on loosening his wife and life partner
to those involved in the multiple major accidents in our area in the last week/ few days
to the Grand Rapids police on their 2 new police dogs.
to end the strife in Palestine,Garza Strip, Israel. Healing for all in this time of conflict
that the hostages are released and returned safely
continued safety to all the hunters. May you get your “big buck”
for those effected by the bombing on the Rainbow bridge