​​The bags for the Isla Vista Youth Project  were organized and gift-tagged and LuAnn delivered them to the preschool.  We had about 40 bags and at least $400 in gift cards.  GPC folk were very generous and we know how much the recipients appreciate our efforts, so a big thank you to all who participated!

​December 23 was an intergenerational service featuring slides, music, readers, singers and people who helped form tableaux to illustrate the Christmas story. Many thanks to Aspen, Amelia, Noella, Ernie, Jeannie and Dean for reading, to Aspen, Amelia and Noella for singing, to Damon, Colin, Avery, Owen H., Lyla, Billy, Ronan and Owen N. for donning costumes, to Charlie for the slides and hymn words, and Julie for the music.  The many in attendance enthusiastically consumed the coffee, hot chocolate and cookies available afterwards.  Thanks to all who brought those cookies, especially Norma.

​Happy New Year to all of you. May it bring more peace to our Earth and be a happy, healthy one full of adventure for you.  Remember to come to GPC on January 6 for your new Star word.
Alison

​In October, Lillian and Matthew Joiner helped with handing out Bulletins and Nursery coordinator Ashley Adams kept them company.

October was a fairly quiet month as you were all busy with sports and school activities.

Our Halloween cookie/pumpkin decorating and card making event was well-attended by a multigenerational and creative group.  Thank you to Norma for providing delicious cookies.  She uses 5 pounds of butter and 3 ½ hours of her time and we are truly grateful.  Almost every one of these was decorated (a few were consumed beforehand!) and they looked beautiful.  We had plenty for delivery to homebound members.

Thanks to Marilyn, Alison and Jeannie for setup and cleanup help, Sue, Alison, Marilyn and Bertie for delivery help, and to Lorraine for managing the icing table.

We are still discussing the Advent season services.  Stay tuned for up-to-date information as soon as it is available.

Be well as we rush towards Thanksgiving! Blessings,
Alison

Do you have a Ready Home & a Ready Heart? Provide local kids with a loving home today! Our Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services offers: "Our Kids. Foster + Adopt + Mentor."  If you would like to participate, you can get ​information at the church office​.

​The GPC LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE - Is organizing a group to promote our landscaping and opportunities for a meditation experience. Our quiet corner of Goleta, next to a busy shopping center, offers a restful, quiet and reflective experience. Many already come to our picnic area and benches around the property to relax, reflect and pray. We are planning additional places of interest on front of the property, the patio and back area. Please send your ideas to Alan Scholl, alanscholl8@gmail.com. Our group meets occasionally in the picnic area to discuss and plan improvements to our facilities. Ask Alan for details about the next gathering. If you wish to assist with weekly morning work days, please contact Alan on Sunday.

​POINSETTIAS - The poinsettias that will decorate the sanctuary during Advent will be available for dedication on Trinity terrace

​​Refugio Sanchez, pastor of a thriving church in Orange County, emigrated from Mexico to the U. S. and subsequently learned how to build bridges between cultures. His workshop is one of eight in the 17^th annual Santa Barbara Mission Conference, which takes place Friday evening, Feb. 1, and all day Saturday, Feb. 2, at First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara.

Register by going online at sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a brochure at any of our partner churches: the Presbyterian churches in the tri-counties, Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, Oceanhills Covenant Church, Montecito Covenant Church, or Trinity Lutheran Church.