After a summer hiatus, the Verse Speaking Choir resumed third Sunday readings at services in September. In addition, the choir participated in the October 2nd World Communion Service at McCarter Theatre, the opening event of the 250th Celebration of Presbyterianism in Princeton. Five members of Nassau Church joined the choir for this presentation of Psalm 111.
In our continuing effort to serve in secular venues, two members of the choir joined the director in Readings Over Coffee at the Princeton Public Library for a Thanksgiving program. Barbara Brown and Shirley Satterfield participated in stories from several different cultures and were very well received by a large audience.
Verse Speaking read at Witherspoon’s Christmas Bazaar, and will read at Christmas at Witherspoon, Lessons and Carols, Kwanzaa, and at First Church in Trenton.
Generous participation in the October event given by Brenda Chapman, Bernadine Hines, Grace Kimbrough, and Paul Stephens moves us to invite members and friends to join us again for a special program: Nassau at Six on February 19, 2006. The choir and director will perform, with dancers, in readings celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Verse Speaking Choir, Black History Month and the 250th Anniversary Celebration. The choir rehearses on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. No special preparation is needed to join. We hope that many who have been considering it will join us for this special program and warmly thank those who have been with us in the past. For further information, please do not hesitate to call the director (609-452-2855).
Respectfully submitted,
Cecelia B. Hodges, Director
“What have you heard about your friends in New Orleans?” is the question many of you have asked since the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, the news is not good. While our friends managed to physically survive the hurricane and flooding, their homes, for the most part, are beyond repair. Those who have ventured back to survey the damage have decided that their only option is to relocate outside of flood-prone New Orleans. When recounting their personal experiences, my friends still say that the entire experience is unbelievable and feel fortunate to be alive. Sadly, one of the friends who did escape the devastation told me of the death of his father who was hospitalized prior to the hurricane and was not rescued and evacuated.
Two of our friends, a couple we had breakfast with recently, summed up the situation by saying, “We are thankful to be alive” and we pray for those who are still suffering. I ask you to pray for all who were affected.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Floyd
Perhaps the send-off of “bon voyage” is a bit early. Nonetheless, we are finalizing the details of a gala cruise to the Caribbean when the salutation “bon voyage” will be in order. Some may recall when Witherspoon launched its first cruise in 1970. The ship was the S. S. Bremen, a vessel that had been converted to a cruise ship that by today’s standards was little more than a freighter.
Many of you and our friends in the neighborhood have asked about a cruise for 2006. You can now “save the dates” of August 25 through September 3, 2006. These are the date of our gala ten-day/nine-night cruise to the Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Explorer of the Seas,” departing from Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne, NJ. We will visit St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee, Hispanola. Our all-inclusive rates per person are: inside cabin $1,199; promenade, $1,299; outside balcony, $1,599. An early reservation with a deposit of $200 will assure you of the best cabin choice. Contact Jim Floyd for details (609-921- 8429).
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Floyd