News & Events
Friends of the Creche Board Minutes
May 6, 2021
Present: President- Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed (2022), Vice President-Michelle Devitt (2021), Membership-Marilynn Gillespie (2021), Secretary- Helen Holder (2021), Web Master, 2021 Convention Chair- Neil Allen (2022), Judy Klein (2023), Alvin Strong (2021), Sue Parker ( 2022), Barbara Olson (2022), Ellen Mintz (2022), Frank Walkingshaw (2022), Kathy Cousins (2022), Carol Williams (2022), Marguerite Sullivan (2023), Treasurer-Toni Conway (ex-officio), Creche Herald- Michael Whalen (ex-officio), Archives— Rita Bocher (emeritus), Holly Zenger (emeritus),
The meeting was called to order by President Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed and Michele Devitt opened with prayer.
Minutes from the November 21, 2021 meeting were approved.
Treasurer Toni Conway presented the 2021 financial report and budget. She had also prepared comparisons of income and expenses for 2017-2020. These reports are included in the secretary’s book. The financial report and budget were approved.
Marilynn Gillespie reported FOTC has 328 members. Paying for membership with credit cards has worked well. A list of non-renewing members was sent to board members in case any could contact individuals and encourage renewal.
The Creche Herald’s price has continued to be about $12 per year. Future issues will feature German nativities, Creche Herald’s 25 years and advent calendars. Articles and photographs are needed. The Meet a Member column by Marguarite Sullivan is a success. She welcomes names of people to be interviewed. Please include the reason why you think they would be of interest.
Rita Bocher has discovered a list of the founding members of Friends of the Creche and pictures of the first convention. She will make them available to Neil Allen and Mike Whalen for possible inclusion in the blog and the Creche Herald.
Ellen Mintz would like to have suggestions for the Convention/Annual Meeting Guidelines which have been emailed to all board members. Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed suggested that we each fill out the sheet as though we were suggesting our town for a meeting to see how it works.
The Zoom special event was a success. There were 65 connections and 5 requests for the video. Feedback provided some ideas for future programs such as how to put a value on a collection or how to get rid of a collection. Neil Allen has found that both Google searches and Facebook referrals bring people to the web site. The Instagram site is still not under the board’s control.
Neil Allen has continued to work on the 2021 Portland convention in spite of closures due to COVID. It was moved and seconded that registrations will be accepted up to a number that can meet the CDC/state requirements in place. If meeting in person is considered too big a risk, the convention will move to an on-line format.
There will be 4-5 board seats available to be filled at the next election. Helen Holder, Michele Devitt and Marilynn Gillespie have agreed to run for reelection. Alvin Strong will retire from the board. Barbara Olson would appreciate any names of people she could contact and encourage to run.
Comments about the November 2020 Zoom FOTC Annual Meeting were favorable. A gift of California wine and a thank you note were given to Brent Devitt, George Holland and Michael DeSanctis for their work in presenting. It was moved and seconded that $200 be given to the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center for hosting the Annual Meeting as well as the board meetings and the special event.
Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed will send out E-Blasts with FOTC news 3 times/year. Marilynn Gillespie will print and mail them to those without email addresses or any who notify her they would prefer mail.
Neil Allen and Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed will work on a special Zoom event for August. They plan to feature Portland and surrounding area attractions.
Bylaws changes were tabled until the next board meeting.
Board members should send possible July dates for the next meeting to Sydne. At that meeting the decision whether to hold the Portland convention in person or via Zoom will be made.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Holder
Secretary
US Exhibits (2019 Dates - No 2020 Dates available)
California
13thAnnual Nativity Exhibit
Mary & Joseph Retreat Center
5300 Crest Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes,
Friday, December 6 to
Sunday, December 22, 2019
No admission, Focus on Joseph
Santa Clara
Our Lady of Peace Catholic
2800 Mission College Blvd.
Check for dates and times:
408-988-4585
Connecticut
Knights of Columbus Museum
1 State St.
New Haven, CT
Nov. 15 to Feb 2
Christmas in Europe
Georgia
Moore Methodist Museum
FREE ADMISSION/DONATIONS ACCEPTED
100 ARTHUR J. MOORE DRIVE
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA 31522
LOCATED NEXT TO LOVELY LANE CHAPEL
AT EPWORTH BY THE SEA
912-638-4050
MUSEUM CURRENTLY CLOSED.
REOPENING OCTOBER 2021.
EPWORTH BY THE SEA RESORT IS CONTRACTED FOR THE SAFE LODGING OF THE
SALVAGE CREW OF THE GOLDEN RAY SHIP WHICH CAPSIZED IN ST. SIMONS SOUND IN 2019.
NO VISITORS ARE ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY AT THIS TIME.
Illinois
Franciscan Nativity Festival
December 6 (2-7pm)
December 7 noon to 4
December 8 noon to 4
Chiara Center
4875 LaVema Road
Springfield, Illinois 62707
Louisiana
Friends of St. Alphonsus International Creche Exhibt
2025 Constance St
New Orleans
Sundays - Noon -4 p.m., M-F 10a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. - 4 p.m.
Begins Dec 1, 2019, Closes December 8
Contact: bcomiskey@bellsouth.net
Complimentary Admission
Massachusetts
Attleboro
La Salette Shrine Light and Creche display
Nov. 28-Jan 5
5 to 9 daily. Donations welcome
Michigan
Saline
Holy Faith Episcopal/Lutheran Church
6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd
Dec 7, 10 to 5 pm
No admission, ample parking.
Midland
The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints
1700 W. Sugnet, Midland, MI
900 Sets from around the world
Dec 6,7 & 8 - 11 a.m.-9p.m.
Dec 7 @ 7 p.m. Christmas Concert
MCFTA Camerita Singers & The Covenant Ringers of Memorial Presbyterian Church
No Admission Charge
New Mexico,
Albuquerque
Sandia Presbyterian church
Old San Ysidro Church
966 Old Church Road
Corrales, New Mexico 87048
Dec 14 & 15, 10-5 pm
505-205-9180
Ohio
Dayton
University of Dayton Marian Library
A Labor of Love
Dec 2 through Jan 12
Check link for times and more info.
https://www-staging.udayton.edu/marianlibrary/art-exhibits/at-the-manger.php
Pennsylvania
Harrisburg 18th Annual Creche Festival
Colonial Park United Church of Christ
5000 Devonshire Road (717-545-3782)
Dec. 6, 1 PM - 7 PM, Dec. 7, 10 AM - 7 PM, Dec.8, 8-4
Tennessee
Collierville
Bible Museum on the Square
Mid November through early January
Texas
Bethlehem in Denton (Between Dallas and Oklahoma)
Over 3,600 depictions of the Infant Jesus and company. Viewings daily by appointment only. Groups up to 10 persons maximum. (Phone: 940-231-4520 jkmk@grandecom.net - www.bethlehemindentonco.com)
Well spring United Methodist Church
(Nativities on display from many countries
Georgetown, TX 78633
6200 Williams Dr.
Fri. Dec. 6, 3 to 8 pm
Sat Dec. 7, 9:30 am to 8 pm (no admission fee)
Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ELCA
Year ‘round Joy to the World collection
W 156, N8131 Pilgrim Rd
Mon-Thurs. 1-3 pm Sun 7:45 -10am
Guided tours by apt 262-251-2740