It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The song with that title talks about kids jingle-belling and folks greeting each other with heartwarming phrases like, “Be of good cheer!” Here in Pennsylvania, winter is around the corner, and the night time temperatures are dropping lower and lower.

Pastor Belita D. Mitchell preaching during Advent 2015, Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren.

bcmPEACE is grateful for the Harrisburg Food Ministry, Central PA Food Bank, and Christ Community Church’s warm clothing drive, and other agencies throughout the area who are giving away coats, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens to under-resourced neighbors in our community. We seek to practice that level of generosity all year long, not just at Christmas.

Winter Coats, Scarves, Hats, and Gloves ready to be distributed on Friday, December 11, 2015.

Brethren Community Ministries, now known as bcmPEACE, partners with Samara to offer parenting classes, local food banks to distribute food weekly, Agape-Satyagraha and On Earth Peace to teach local youth how to effectively resolve conflict and eliminate violence, the PSU Extension and EFNEP to provide food and nutrition courses, Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren to offer opportunities for worship and Bible Study outside of a traditional Sunday morning format (in English and Spanish), and many other wonderful benevolent agencies in our community who assist with housing placement needs, utility discounts, and other financial aid.

Sister Waverly Chadwick ending her weekly Friday morning Bible Study with a closing circle of prayer and praise.

The most wonderful time of the year? Any time our volunteers and staff are partnering with other churches and organizations to improve the quality of life for the good people of Allison Hill and the Greater Harrisburg Area. Be of good cheer! Thank you for your ongoing prayers, volunteer hours, and financial contributions. Be the Peace! @bcmpeace #BeThePeace