Celebrating Christmas in the Distant Members Fellowship

Christmas is a festive season. The members of the DMF were all in a jubilant mood when we gathered online on December 17, 2023, for the Christmas program.  The organizational ingenuity of the Program Committee under the leadership of Brenda Bedell and Florence Fonderson was demonstrated once again.

After Brenda Taylor introduced the guest speaker and Jacqueline Weni read the scripture, the guest speaker inspired the gathering.  The guest speaker was Rev. Dr. Kemah Gueh-Thoronka, a minister and attorney whose parents, Rev. Dr. Daniel and Sis. Musu Gueh are staunch lifelong United Methodists.

Rev. Dr. Thoronka spoke from Isaiah 9:6 and focused on the portion which described Jesus as “the Prince of Peace.”  She connected the text to the Liberian situation and reflected on how those Liberians in exile in America experienced peace when they legalized their statuses in the United States with the accompanying benefits, while those Liberians in the motherland embraced hope for a better future, adding Christmas is not just a holiday but a celebration.

Following the inspirational message, the northeastern, southeastern, and central regions participated in the tree-lighting ceremony which commenced with respective groups from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island representing the northeastern region following one another, sang a Christmas carol, lit their tree to applause, and sang another carol. The tree-lighting celebrations were interspersed by an online Christmas Bingo game, which Brenda Bedell conducted with order and grace.

A Christmas hat contest, announced weeks prior to the Christmas tree-lighting program, was also held.  Cecelia Dunn-Kai and Annette Kpoto were voted as the winners of the contest.

Following the benediction, members lingered in the chatroom to enjoy a time of camaraderie and friendship. The Christmas tree lighting service was just one demonstration of the festive nature of the season. Rev. Dr. Gueh-Thoronka was right. Christmas is truly more than a holiday; it is truly a celebration of a season and of life.