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The Christmas Fund Special Offering
The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.

United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity for many years. This year, your care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Parkway will receive donations for this special offering through the month of December.
Worship Experiences
Anticipating Sunday
Second Sunday in Advent, December 5 at 11am
In Sanctuary Worship Service
(seats still available)

This Sunday we light the candle of Peace on the Advent wreath, paying attention to what calm feels like in our bodies, to prepare us for the work of compassion and non-violence. We read the call of John the Baptist in the wilderness to prepare the way in Luke 3: 1-6 with the image of mountains and hills made low and valleys lifted up. We are invited to consider what clogged interior space, zig-zag stories can be tenderly prepared to receive re-birthing in the God-with-us Presence in our lives personally and collectively.  An ensemble will offer the Godspell Prepare the Way of the Lord and another ensemble will offer Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. Lisa Wishon will share the hymn All Earth is Waiting and our co-chairs of the Justice Team will light the candle of Peace.
Pre-register for In-person Parkway Sunday Worship services in our Sanctuary
  • Registration is limited to no more than 35 individuals with a small number available for walk- in visitors. 
  • Masks are required and available to those entering without one. 
  • Maintain a six-foot distance between households and use every other pew. 
  • Singers in an ensemble are limited to six. 
We are continuing to live stream our services through Zoom
and Facebook Live. 
Pre-register below for upcoming services
In Preparation for the Congregational Annual Meeting after worship Sunday, December 12
We ask for your prayers as our Finance Team and Church Council face challenging questions in proposing a 2022 Ministry Plan with a significant current deficit. We are working on preparing technology so those in the sanctuary and on Zoom will be able to participate in the congregational meeting
Third Sunday in Advent
December 12
Congregational Annual Meeting Immediately Following Worship
We light the candle of Joy on the Advent wreath and continue to read the prophecy of John the Baptist expressing the fruits of metanoia -- for turning toward, of mind-expanding, soul- opening preparation (Luke 3: 7-18).  We will recognize leaders who are ending their terms of service.
Advent Devotionals Are Still Available

If you would like to get this year's Advent devotionals, copies are available in the Parkway narthex or click below to download.  
For those participating in Advent Conversation Partners
December Special Gatherings: PUCC Upcoming
  • Church Council - Wednesday, December 8, via Zoom at 7pm
  • Choir Practice - Wednesday, December 8 & 15, 7:15pm
  • The Weary World Rejoices Advent Event - Saturday, December 11, 2-4 pm  Experience a Christmas Tree trail walk, folk-style carols, kid-friendly bird feeder craft, and hear-shaped LOVE pretzels.
  • Congregational Annual Meeting - Sunday, December 12, following worship. We will vote/approve the 2022 Ministry Plan and Nominating Committee’s recommendations for Council Officer & Members and for Committee Leadership.
  • Environmental Team - Tuesday, December 14, 7pm. Our team will meet virtually to explore next steps as a result of the conversations in table talks for an action plan in 2022. 
  • Winter Solstice Service - Saturday, December 18, 5pm 
  • Candlelight Christmas Service at Wentz Memorial UCC - Sunday, December 19, 5pm 
HOPE - Redeemer Presbyterian Church:
In a spirit of HOPE there will be hot apple cider or coffee, cookie decorating, a take home craft, and live music.

PEACE - Ardmore United Methodist Church:
Enjoy spiced tea or Cheerwine, cookies, the Bell Choir, Choral, Instrumental Music, and a a PEACE craft.

JOY - Ardmore Baptist Church:
You will find hot chocolate, live JOY-ful music in the courtyard, and a nativity art project.

LOVE - Parkway United Church of Christ:
Experience a Christmas tree trail walk, folk-style carols, kid-friendly bird feeder craft, and heart-shaped LOVE pretzels.
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Winter Solstice Service
Saturday, December 18, 5pm  


We will gather in the grass lot around a fire for the Winter Solstice service, a brief time of ritual, taking stock of the past year, and awaiting the return of the light.
Christmas Eve
Friday, December 24, 5pm  


Christmas Eve service outdoors around the parking lot with five accessible stations, carol singing, the sharing of the birth story, and brief interpretations based on our connections to creation.
Parkway Group Gatherings in December
Contemplative Prayer
Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm
Every Wednesday evening at 6:15, friends from Parkway gather for some time of reflection and stillness. After we check in with each other, we are guided to ponder a Scripture or a poem together. Then, for about 20 minutes you could turn off your video screen and read, or leave your screen on and enjoy the sweet peace of praying silently with a group of friends. Just before 7pm we close by saying the Lord's Prayer together. Please feel free to come whenever you can! Just click on the link for contemplative prayer.



Men’s Group
December 3 and 17 at 12pm
Women’s Group
December 7 and 21 at 11am
PUCC’s Women’s Nurture Group meet virtually via Zoom the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Judy Aanstad sends out the link ahead of the meeting to those who attend.  If you haven’t yet participated and want to be included, contact Judy at jaanstad@triad.rr.com.

This group is open to any women who wish to create closer relationships with others within a spiritual context.


Singles Group
December 12 at 4pm
Singles will meet at Lisa Wishon’s home for appetizers and visiting. 2089 Salisbury Square. Please RSVP to Lisa at llwishon@gmail.com
Parkway Book Club
December 7 at 7pm (Online)
The Women’s book club is meeting the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom to discuss books selected to read by the group. During this meeting we will discuss China Dolls by Lisa See.
Contact Lisa Wishon for more information.
Women’s Whimsical Pod
December 14 and 28 at 11am
This group focuses on laughter, meditation, and self-care. For more information about joining this group and to get your Zoom link contact: Cynthia Drew
News and Work of the Church
It’s Barbara Bryant’s
100th Birthday
Monday, December 8, Barbara Bryant will celebrate her 100th birthday. If you would like to wish her a Happy Birthday Day, please send her cards to:
Barbara Bryant
6107 Salemtowne Drive,
Winston-Salem, NC 27106.
The Personnel Committee of Parkway UCC
The personnel committee of Parkway UCC wants to report to the congregation some what we have been doing this year on your behalf.

In 2021 your Personnel Committee:
  • Reviewed and improved consistency and clarity of all employee job descriptions.
  • Worked with the Church Council to develop a written contract with Tobe Jackson.
  • Developed policies and procedures for personnel matters.
  • Formally reviewed the work performance of all church employees.
  • Met jointly with Pastor Craig and the Pastoral Relations Committee to enhance communication and coordination.
  • Reviewed the Call Agreements for Pastor Craig, Andrea Simmons, and Michelle Johnson.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for Personnel, please talk to Michael Lange (Chair), Anne Herndon, or Sean Nelligan. Thank you.
Ten Tips for Resiliency to Help You Through the Holidays
The basics. Sleep well, eat well and exercise (as much as your schedule allows!).
Compassion. Be compassionate to others and to yourself. Research has shown that compassion might stimulate the vagus nerve, which lowers your blood pressure and heart rate and makes people feel more at ease.
Gratitude. Being thankful and returning kindnesses can benefit your health. Take time to send a thank you note, or surprise someone by paying it forward. Gratitude is contagious!
Laugh a little. Laughter triggers biological mechanisms that improve both your physical and mental health. If you’re feeling brave, Dr. Gérin-Lajoie recommends trying laughter yoga.
Take a deep breath. Take time to breathe, especially during an emergency situation or a busy day. Full, deep breaths help your brain fully process information.
Unplug. We constantly react to the technology around us as it beeps and vibrates and asks for our attention. Make a conscious decision to designate specific times to check and respond to email and text messages, especially during busy times.
Restore your brain and body. When you rest, even briefly, biological mechanisms begin to repair wear and tear on your brain and body. Consciously schedule time to do something you like every day, preferably something that makes you feel relaxed.
Positive thoughts. It’s important to acknowledge negative feelings but spending as little as 30 seconds a day focusing on something positive or happy can change your mood. When you’re in a good mood, you’re more likely to notice the good things happening around you.
Seek out awe. Feeling inspired – whether by a beautiful landscape or by an incredible person – makes you feel more connected to the people around you and can increase satisfaction with your life and your desire to help others. Don’t underestimate the power of goosebumps!
Connect with people. Working with people you like and who inspire you helps you become resilient.
Polluted Democracy: Fossil Fuel Money and Congress
Free Webinar
Not everyone has an equal voice and vote in our democracy when campaign contributions make the playing field of electoral races vastly uneven.
What's the current reality of how much influence fossil fuel money has in politics? How do fossil fuel corporations and their executive leaders funnel money to candidates? What's the impact of this? And, most importantly, what can we do stop the fossil fuel industry from polluting our democracy? These are matters that relate to core values of fairness, justice, and love of neighbor in the face of powerful forces that continue to damage and threaten people and planet for the sake of profit. The webinar will feature three panelists from some of the leading organizations addressing fossil fuel money and Congress.
Parkway United Church of Christ
1465 Irving Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
336-723-1395 Office: parkwayuccofwinstonsalem@gmail.com