Wesleyan Village, 23053 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL

34601

352-799-1644 www.wesleyanvillage.org

WESLEYAN VILLAGE Don Maness

President Gladys VanDonkelaar

Director of Support Services

Gloria Berridge Treasurer

Sharon Smith Assistant to the Treasurer

Randall Schenkel Event Coordinator

Kellie Hoch Property Manager

Caroline Staley Administrative Assistant

Kristi Prada Receptionist Claude Hill s

Director of Buildings and Grounds

Wesleyan Village is a Christian community for senior adults where residents can live in a safe, clean, wholesome and attractive environment that con-tributes to their spiritual, physi-cal, emotional, and relational wellbeing

Wesleyan Village, 23053 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601

352-799-1644 www.wesleyanvillage.org Mailing address—8225 Wesley Dr. Brooksville, FL

34601

Connie and I are looking forward to another Florida Christmas.

Florida Christmases are so different from the other places Connie

and I have lived. Before Florida, we experienced snow on a few of the

Christmas days starting from the Christmas song “I’m Dreaming of a

White Christmas” to so many children hoping and wishing for a

snowy Christmas. We know that for countless millions of people, the

Christmas season means nothing more than parties, gifts, decora-

tions, and time off from work. For followers of Christ, the blessings

of Christmas may be filled with Joy, Love, Peace and Hope.

It is easy to get out of sorts during the Christmas season with so

many things to do in preparing for Christmas. Therefore, I would

like to take one aspect of Christmas and amplify….HOPE. Christ

means hope—to a person who may be struggling with an addiction,

disappointment of life, unfulfilled dreams, health issues, financial is-

sues, loved ones who have not accepted the gift of Christmas (The

Christ), you may plug in your own issue. The Christ of Christmas has

brought us HOPE; “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you.” ~ Psalm 33:22

Usually at this point in the newsletter, I would provide a list of

announcements to highlight significant happenings within the

Wesleyan Village. On this occasion, the words of the prophet Isaiah

ring true today as the words announced the coming of the Messiah,

our Hope.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it with justice and right-eousness from

that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

~Isaiah 9:6-7

Connie and I wish you a blessed Christmas; may you personally ex-

perience or re-experience the HOPE of Christmas.

Don Maness President

Another year will soon be completed on our journey here on earth. We will busy ourselves with many things in De-

cember. The “Merry Christmases” will be heard in the air accompanied with the sounds of seasonal music. Christmas pageants, advent, cantatas, caroling, friendly gatherings (parties) and of course our Christmas meals will be among our busied activities. IT”S CHRISTMAS TIME once again. In our merr iment r emember those who rejoice in Chr ist our Redeemer , but car ry hear taches of events of this past year. We reach out to all those who carry burdens of past events and enfold them in our love and compassion. We welcome many new residents who have joined the Wesleyan Village family this year . We cher ish these new friendships as all walk together in our Christian journey. Together let us be alert to offer helping hands to one anoth-er.

Dhis new season holds many new adventures: Christmas programs at Brooksville Wesleyan Church and Idlewild

Church, Theatrical presentations, Ladies’ Teas, Potluck Dinners, Red Hat Ladies, Golf League, Camp Meeting, Mu-sic and Variety Nights, Instructional Classes, Weekly Van Shopping Day, Day Trips, State gatherings, Bus Trip, Strawberry Social and Auction, Golden Anniversary Celebration, Artists (White, Stevens Family and Barber Shop Quartet), Bible Conference, Craft Show, River Paddle Boat Ride, Some Enchanted Evening Banquet, Ladies’ Lunch-eon at Word of Life, Men’s Fellowship Meetings, President's’ Coffee to mention only a few. Each week groups meet in various venues to play table games, complete picture puzzles, play pickle ball and shuffleboard, exercise in the swimming pool, water aerobics, morning exercises, table tennis and numerous things where we learn from one anoth-er and enjoy the fellowship. Special Christmas and Easter Dinners are always a special time at Wesleyan Village. (Calendar of events are published on the Wesleyan Village Website (www.wesleyanvillage.org) and in printed form in the office.”

Being planned are two more exciting adventures: 1. A trip to Israel in the fall of 2019, 2. Sail and Sing Cruise in the

beginning of 2020. Information is available in the Event Coordinator’s office for both events.

A Chaplaincy program has been instituted for Wesleyan Village Residents. As you need this service you may call

the office (352-799-1644) and request a visit from the Chaplain on call.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

From each of your employees

At

WESLEYAN VILLAGE

2018

POTLUCK PROGRAM

ARTISTS December 20 — David Boyer

CHRISTMAS CONCERT January 24—Johnathan White

February 21—The Stevens Family March 22—Barbershop Quartet

MICKEY MOUSE Pays a visit to Wesley-an Village during the November 5, 2018

Music Night. Mickey and all the

Musketeers showed up and were quite the hit.

Our Mickey Mouse was none other than our own

Bettieann Liddle

A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT by Robert Deimel © 2017

The memories of Christmas past, of music, friendships sworn to last; Of stories, presents, songs and rhymes, and hopeful thoughts of future times -- These all conspire to contradict the seeming lack of Christmas script; the absent smiles, the hectic pace, The angst of now forgotten grace. They linger in my memory -- A vague remembrance of the mirth; But mirth with depth, and faithful friends Whose love portrayed their priceless worth. Those memories of Christmas past Were always filled with lights and sounds Of music, joy, and images of Christ whose grace could know no bounds. But now it seems that these are gone: heartfelt prayers of real concern, Scents and colors of the trees, the warmth and glow when candles burn. There's little music now, it seems, Reminding us of manger scenes, An angel with his clarion call: "A Savior's born, God's gift to all." Be not deceived by missing signs of Jesus' birth amid the fray Of hurried shoppers, harried crowds and everyone who's lost their way. The angel's call is clear and true: "The Savior comes with life for you." Grasp on to Him, accept His gift And blessed you'll be with life anew!

Used by permission

THE LEGEND OF THE

CHRISTMAS SPIDER

(A folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine)

nce upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily

cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... The day on which the Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left.

Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.

T'was the Christmas eve at last! The tree was deco-rated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room... so the crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw every one of the pretty things. At last they satisfied themselves com-pletely of the Christmas tree beauty.

But alas!! Everywhere they went they had left their webs, and when the little Christ child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spi-ders, for they were God's creatures too, but he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for the little children, wouldn't feel the same, so He touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling, shimmering, silver and gold!

Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our Christmas trees, and according to the legend, it has been a custom to include a spider among the deco-rations on the tree.

December 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 MUSIC NITE

Dining Hall Band 6:45 pm

Program 7:00 pm

4 DRAMA TEAM

PRACTICE Elliott Center

3:00 pm Dietetic Meeting

Dining Hall 2:00 pm

5 6 LINE DANCING

Elliott Center Sec. 1-9:15 am

& Sec. 2-10:15 am Fellowship Com

Piatt Room 2:00 pm

7 PAYMENT DUE

FOR “CINDERELLA”

8 IDLEWILD

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Ticketed event Lutz

4:00 pm

9 10 RSPF

Exec. Com. Piatt Room

3:00 pm

11 DRAMA TEAM

PRACTICE Elliott Center

3:00 pm MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON Piatt Room

8:30 am-2:00 pm

12

13 LINE DANCING

Elliott Center Sec. 1-9:15 am

& Sec. 2-10:15 am

14 PRESIDENT’S

COFFEE Dining Hall

9:00 am

15 MARY POPPINS

Ticketed Mt Dora Ice house 2:00 pm

16 BWC

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

6:00 PM

17

18 RSPF

COOKIES For Shut-ins

Dining Hall 1:30 pm

DRAMA TEAM PRACTICE

Elliott Center 3:00 pm

19 LADIES’ TEA

Tea Room 2:00 pm

BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY December/June

Dining Hall 12:00 pm

20 LINE DANCING

Elliott Center Sec. 1-9:15 am

& Sec. 2-10:15 am

POTLUCK Dining Hall

5:30 pm Salad & dessert

21 22

23 24 25 CHRISTMAS

DINNER Advanced Tickets

Needed $9.00

Dining Hall 12:00 pm

26 27 LINE DANCING

Elliott Center Sec. 1-9:15 am

& Sec. 2-10:15 am

RED HAT LADIES

28 29

30 31 GOLF LEAGUE

BEGINS 8:30 am

Brooksville C.C.

OFFICE AND VILLAGE SERVICES CLOSED

WESLEYAN VILLAGE DAIRY QUEEN PARTY

December 18th Brooksville DQ 5:00—7:00 pm