An Assemblage of Joy in Sisters

Every first Thursday there's an assemblage of Sisters women-folk who gather at Sisters Community Church for brunch, fun, games, joy, music, and visiting with friends.

Last week's gathering was geared to Christmas. Trudie Vlach, Kim Hosang and Wendy Bachmeier gave a concise and artful presentation on how to make low-cost Christmas gifts from things you have laying around the house, some of which you might be prone to throw away.

The gift-making ideas were followed up by a piano recital by Judy Boersma, after which soprano Janie Buell offered up her musical talents with joyful Christmas melodies.

With all the ladies seated at the brunch tables, a small bell was started around while Blanche Tadlock read the "Christmas Story," but with a twist. She accented the words "left," and "right" each time those words were spoken, the bell moved in that direction from one person to another. The woman at each table holding the bell at the end of the story traded it off for a gift.

Near the end of the mornings festivities, the High Desert Bell Choir took to the floor and played Christmas music on their tonal chime, which brought Christmas cheer flowing through the church and the women's hearts.

Perhaps the bell choir's contribution to the morning's good feelings and Christmas spirit can best be summed up with a reminiscence from Trish Liddell - a multi-talented musician in the bell choir who often plays for the women's Assemblage. She will be performing with the bell choir in conjunction with the High Desert Chorale in the upcoming concert to be held in Sisters Community Church:

"I always enjoy performing for the ladies' Assemblage. I love sharing my musical talents - especially at Christmas, because I know people are uplifted by the spiritual music. Christmas music helps people forget about the busy hustle and bustle that occurs this time of year, and just think about the wonderful gift of God's Son."