Serving the Community: One Club’s Traditions From delivering bread to signing songs, these club members share the Savior in meaningful ways by Karen Moniz The Pioneer Girls of West Congregational Church, Peabody, Massachusetts, look forward to serving each year in several exciting community service projects that have developed into club traditions. In the fall, the club members participate in the nationwide Make A Difference Day*. Over the past five years, projects have included: To break the cold of winter, the girls celebrate Sunshine Day in February. Taken from the Pioneer Clubs resource book Parties and Special Events (catalog #2721), this day involves bringing boxes of cheer to shut-in, sick, or grieving members of our community. No other event, however, brings more anticipation than the annual Christmas Signing at the nearby New England Home for the Deaf. For one month, the club members learn sign language signs (taken from an easy signing book) for six Christmas carols and selected Scripture from the Christmas story. Early in December, the girls arrive at the Deaf Home, dressed in holiday colors and bearing homemade cards and bundles of sugar-free candy. They present a mini Christmas program, alternating carols with Scripture. The elderly residents watch with delight at the gift being presented to them, amazed that a group of hearing children would learn sign language and visit them. After the signing, the girls greet each person, using simple signed greetings. This unusual experience has impacted our club members more than the residents of the home. For many, like eighth-grade Challenger Rebekah Alexander, it is an opportunity to overcome their shyness of the elderly. “The first time I went [to the Deaf Home] I was very shy,” says Rebekah. “Through the years I have become less shy of them. I like to see the deaf people signing along. I love to see their faces look so happy!” For Trailblazers Katherine Drake and Katie Grayton, the event brings deep satisfaction. “I’m very happy to make someone else feel they have meaning in life,” says Katherine. “Jesus works through me to the people. Just a smile and some simple sign language—that makes their day!” Katie recalls, “I think we got the message of Christ’s love out to them. It was a good experience for us, too. I had an awesome time and I am looking forward to going back again this year!” Parents chaperoning the event are always moved to see the way God uses their children to cross the huge communication barrier with the love of Christ. This is a community service project that brings instant gratification. This and our other service projects are creating impressions on the club members that will last a lifetime. Karen Moniz serves as the club coordinator at West Church. * See www.usaweekend.com for details. People in countries other than the USA can also participate.  Left: Making bread for firefighters and police officers. Right: Signing with a resident of the Deaf Home.
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