Sundays are not my best day. I always seem to have a giant to-do list for my weekends, and the weekend days don’t always seem to go as planned. As a result, Sundays can seem overwhelming. I woke up this morning a bit worried about the day in front of me, especially since my increasing age seems to be reflected more and more frequently in aches and pains, most recently in my lower back. Tough to conquer a big to-do list with a bad back! But I had my morning tea, took some ibuprofen, convinced myself that I didn’t have to do everything in one day, and tackled parts of my list, adding in, “Take some time to relax and smell the roses,” or in December, the fresh salt air at South Beach and Edgartown Harbor. I’m finding that it’s important to get outside this time of year, even if the sun isn’t shining, to relax and get in touch with nature and my quieter mind. I highly recommend bundling up and spending some time outside each day if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, as I do. It helps. And our Island is so beautiful, even in winter.
In each town on the Island, Martha’s Vineyard’s Partnership for Health is offering a free one-hour informational introductory session, “My Life, My Health.” In Edgartown, it will be held on Monday, Jan. 9 from 1 to 2 pm at the Edgartown library. Please join them and learn more about this free six-week series on how to become a more effective self-manager and partner with your healthcare provider in managing your chronic condition, or supporting another person who has a chronic condition. Call 508-627-5797, ext. 114, or email ksamways@ihimv.org to sign up for the session or for more information. “My Life, My Health” is partially supported by a grant from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, funded by the Older Americans Act, Title III B&D.
Happy birthday wishes this week go out to Brenda Perry on Dec. 21. Sharing celebrations on the 21st is Bruce Farland, who is celebrating the big 60 this time around. More good wishes go out to Fran Agnoli on Dec. 22, Kelly Hess on Dec. 23, and Charlie King, who celebrates his birthday on Christmas day!
The Federated Church, 45 South Summer Street in Edgartown, will hold several services over the holiday weekend. They will hold two services on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24. The 1828 Meetinghouse will be decorated with wreaths and evergreens, with glowing candles in the windows. There will be a family service from 5 to 6 pm, with many joyful hymns and children sharing the Nativity story. This is a very kid-friendly service! From 10 to 11 pm, there will be a traditional candlelight service with music by the Federated Church Choir, under the direction of Peter R. Boak. On Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, at 10:30 am, attendees may gather round for a brief, casual, and informal service to hear the Christmas story, and request their favorite carols to sing. For more information, call 508-627-4421, email admin@federatedchurchmv.org, or check out its website, federatedchurchmv.org.
The First Baptist Church and Community Baptist Church will also be holding services this weekend. Christmas Eve services will be held at the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head in Aquinnah on Dec. 24 at 5 pm, and at the First Baptist Church on Spring and William Streets in Vineyard Haven at 7 pm. The First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven will also offer a Christmas day service at 10 am on Dec. 25. For more information, call the church office at 508-693-1539.
Catholic services will be held at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. There will be a Christmas Eve Vigil Mass on Dec. 24 at 4 pm, a Brazilian Christmas Mass at 7 pm, and Christmas day services at 9:30 am, 11 am, and 5 pm.
Do you have a sewing machine at home that you just aren’t really ever going to use, but you don’t know what to do with it? Specifically, do you have a good, heavy-duty machine that could withstand frequent use by kids between the ages of 10 and 14 who are learning to sew? If so, think about donating it to the Edgartown School Family and Consumer Science Department. Teacher Sarah Vail is looking for some sturdy machines to keep honing those sewing skills! If you’d have a machine you’d like to donate, you can call Sarah at the school at 508-627-3316.
On a similar note, Ms. Vail is also looking for someone on Island who repairs machines. She has a few that need a little work, and taking them off-Island can be a bit of a drag. Do you know someone here that repairs? Let Sarah know by calling her at 508-627-3316.
This year, Hanukkah begins at nightfall on Saturday, Dec. 24, and continues through Jan. 1. My sister and her family celebrate Hanukkah and will be here this year, so we will light the menorah Saturday evening and proceed from there to wait for Santa and the magic and wonder of Christmas. I wish everyone a magical holiday season, whatever holiday you may celebrate. Enjoy your family and friends. They are our true gifts.