December at MASON 2020 A Christmas Message from Larry Monroe It is hard for me to believe that 2020 is coming to an end and Christmas is upon us. The challenges of this year and the constant weight of the pandemic and world events have in some ways left me feeling a bit robbed of the festive joy I typically experience leading up to December 25. It’s as if I suddenly awoke from a deep sleep and realized Christmas is here. Perhaps you can relate. It has been an unprecedented year on so many fronts. There is so much uncertainty in the world. Today I want to encourage you with a message of hope, that in spite of the chaos that spins around us there is a reassurance and confidence that the world can’t comprehend. We don’t have all of the answers to the world’s troubles, but we can know the One who does. Soon the entire globe will celebrate a baby born miraculously of a virgin mother and laid in a lowly manger. The Son of God was sent as a gift, the supreme expression of love who grew to be a man and who willingly gave His life as a ransom for the sins of the world. We have hope in Him, not that we will live lives without turmoil, confusion, stress and challenges, but hope in that the toils and troubles of this world need not define us, nor will they be our final story. For many, Christmas will be different this year. Many will be without the usual gathering of loved ones and friends. Kathy and I want you to know that as you celebrate our Lord’s birth this Christmas, our prayer is that in the midst of it all God will bless you with peace and joy through His Son Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas, Larry Tree of the Month Spruce trees are a type of coniferous evergreen in the Pinacea (or pine) family. These large trees grow up to an average of 60 to 200 feet tall. Spruce trees sport four-sided needles that are attached in a peg-like fashion to its branches. They are used as a Christmas trees, lumbar, pulpwood (to make paper), and medicine. Fresh spruce shoots are an excellent source of vitamin C. In fact, Captain Cook used them to make spruce beer to prevent scurvy. Native Americans used spruce roots to weave baskets and bind birch bark for canoes. In Hopi legend, Salavi, a revered ancient chief, transformed himself into a spruce when he died, making the trees sacred. Spruce trees are native to North America and thrive in temperate climates. They Spruce Tree can live to be around 200 years old. However, Old Tjikko, a Norway spruce located in Sweden, is thought to be the world’s oldest living tree-at 9,550 year-old! 1 Birthdays, Celebrations and Updates December December Birthdays Anniversaries This information is for Christian Village at Mason residents. This information is for Time Warner/Spectrum Christian Village at Mason residents. Billing Questions Call (877) 772-2253 and mention you are a CVM resident. This may better assist the Spectrum representative to help you with your concerns. CVM Transportation Transportation services are available to all CVM residents. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Grocery Concierge Cards - $25 for 12 round trips For errand (non-medical) trips within 5 miles. Pickups Appointments by Mile or Hour For medical appointments or other trips that would Please turn in one list per week into the Front Desk not qualify as a concierge trip. (4 or 5 items). Due to increased number of lists submitted each week and limited staff, you may • $2.00/mile from drop-off and pick-up not get your groceries until Friday. We will try to • $25/hour for the driver to stay with you accommodate you in a timely manner. Please give list Scheduling Transportation and money to the Front Desk or call Transportation Call 701-3415 to schedule an appointment at (513) 703-3415. 2 Chaplain’s Corner BY CHAPLAIN TOM MOLL Worship Services Prayer List Join us at 10:15 a.m. for worship every Sunday If you have a prayer request, drop it off in my office, morning on Channel 1851. You will be able to listen e-mail me at [email protected], or leave to beautiful hymns and Christmas carols, observe the a message on my phone (513) 701-3406. Please Lord’s Supper, and study God’s Word. We are now allow me to pray for you. able to have up to ten people from the apartments In Memory of: Jeanne Brand, Robert Campbell, Joan attend services in the chapel (and can add additional Cawdry, Filomena Dechellis, Robert Johnson, John services if needed). Moorhouse, Betty Moyer, Ruth Schnier December messages will focus on the birth of Christ, what it meant to people then, and what it means for us LITTLE BABY IN A MANGER today. Little baby in a manger, Nestled in a bed of hay, Communion Sets Available Do you know what lies ahead Communion cups and wafer sets are available in the As You’re born on Christmas Day? outer lobby on Fridays and Saturdays for pickup (or we will deliver to you). It has been encouraging to see Little baby in a manger, so many sets taken every week. Thank you for your With your parents standing by, desire to remember the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross Do you know the world You came for by partaking of these emblems of His body and His One day will demand You die? blood. Little baby in a manger, Offerings Having no place in the inn, December is often marked by a generous spirit Do you know the price You’ll pay of giving and a desire to bless others. One of To redeem mankind from sin? the ways that you can express thanks to God for His indescribable gift is through offerings for our Oh, love beyond all other loves, Compassionate Care Fund or for the Stone Center. A love we cannot understand, You may put your gifts in the basket in my office or drop them off at the front desk. You know! And still you come To lay down Your life for man. Bible Studies Little baby in a manger, Bible studies will not meet in December but will Nestled in a bed of hay, begin again after the first of the year. If you have a We praise You for the sacrifice begun suggestion for what you would like to study, please feel free to let me know! As You’re born on Christmas Day. Kay Moll 3 Social Services BY HEATHER CARTER, LSW, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES Podiatry Audiologists Services Due to restricted visitors in the main building, Dr. Norman will be in the Village Clinic on 1/7/2021 for audiology visits have been canceled. If you are having Garden Home residents for podiatry services. Please difficulty with your hearing aids or would like to speak contact Dr. Norman at (937) 431-4749 to schedule an with the audiologist, you can contact Hear All Hearing appointment time. at (513) 801-9322. The Well BY KYRA SCHROER, DIRECTOR OF FITNESS & WELLNESS It is hard to believe that I’ve been the Director of the four wellness areas and we celebrated successes Fitness & Wellness at The Christian Village at Mason along the way or identified barriers to success. Fast for almost 2 years. This will be one of the many things forward five years and I was doing similar work with I’ll list on my “grateful list” for our family Thanksgiving adults as a health coach for Tri-Health. Zoom call. I never imagined that the pandemic I thought as winter approaches it might be a good would hit in early 2020 and close the fitness center. time to remind you that I am here to support you in It has been very difficult for many in this community your wellness goals. We all have to be creative in the which makes the wellness part of my job even more social fitness area. I’ve never been on a Thanksgiving important. My background is kind of broad and I Zoom call but if I set my expectations low and have feel like many things I’ve done have led me to this an attitude of gratitude it might be kind of fun. I would community, and this role in particular. Wellness encourage you to think about setting a small goal encompasses much more than fitness and mind, body, in one of these areas (mental, physical, social, and and spirit can’t be separated. spiritual) since they work together for overall health. I One hat I’ve worn as a volunteer is Personal Fitness am available by phone (513) 701-3455 or email kyra. Merit Badge Counselor for my son’s Boy Scout troop. [email protected] if you need to talk it I’m a proud mama and must brag that Ryan made through with someone. I’ve found that most people Eagle rank in 2013. The badge that I taught these already have the answer they just need someone to teenage boys is called Personal Fitness not Physical listen while working out the details. Fitness because the physical part was included but it involved much more. These soon to be young men had to explain reasons for being mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually fit. They also had to set goals in each of these areas that were Specific, Measurable Attainable, Realistic and Timely (SMART).