The Auburn Homes & Services
Resident Newsletter
December 2021
In this Newsletter:

  • Resident Christmas Eve Worship Services
  • A Chaska Tradition, live Nativity Scenes
  • Christmas Tree Decorating in Waconia
  • Toys for Tots Toy Drive
  • Auburn Home Staff Member Retires
  • Holiday Visitation Guidelines
  • December Resident Activities
  • The Pastor's Corner with Reverend Doctor Jennifer Moran
Resident Christmas Eve Worship Services
We are delighted to be able to offer Christmas Eve worship services in person in our chapels on both our Chaska and Waconia locations.
While we would typically welcome families to these services, your loved ones and our staff's safety continue to be our number one concern, therefore, we cannot invite family members or friends to celebrate with us in worship. We pray that this time next year we will be able to welcome all of you into our chapels to worship the birth of Jesus Christ together.

In Chaska, Reverend Doctor Jennifer Moran will be preaching and accompanied with worship leadership assistance from Pastor Charlie from Chaska Moravian Church, at the following times:

9:30am—Courts residents and staff
10:15am—Manor residents and staff
11:00am—Talheim residents and staff (masks, distancing, and attendance cap of 20)

In Waconia, Chaplain Alan Hairsine will be preaching and leading worship with Larry Groves accompanying at the following times:

10:30am—Meadows residents and staff
11:15am—Home residents and staff

If you have any questions, please contact Reverend Jennifer Moran at (952) 361-0316 or Pastor Alan Hairsine at (952)442-6719
Chaska residents perform a live Nativity Scene
for residents and staff
A long, standing tradition on our Chaska campus is a live performance of the Nativity Scene by our residents for other residents and staff. Sadly, last year due to the pandemic, we were not able to honor this beloved custom, but with the current guidelines by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services for infection prevention, we were once again able to enjoy our residents celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Auburn Courts residents taking part in the
live Nativity Scene
Auburn Manor residents with their rendition
of the Nativity Scene
Auburn Meadows and Home residents help make
the holidays bright
Residents of Auburn Meadows and Home helped decorate the beautiful trees placed around their buildings to bring the Christmas spirit alive for all to enjoy.
Auburn Courts resident starts "Toys for Tots" toy drive
Judy, a resident in Auburn Courts, replied, "I already have everything I need and am blessed...this year I want to give back", when asked what she wanted for Christmas this year.

This declaration warmed the heart of Jamie Saastad, Courts Life Enrichment Manager, and she moved forward, along with Judy's recommendation, to hold a toy drive to receive donations for "Toys for Tots".

KARE11 invited Jamie and Judy, along with two other residents, Christian and Shirley, and Judy Gustafson, recently retired employee of AHS who now assists with resident activities, to their 5pm news broadcast on December 12th to chat about why they are holding a toy drive. The group had a wonderful time and Judy became an instant TV favorite talking about her many years of donating to "Toys for Tots" and the value of seeing a child's smile.

We would like to thank the many residents and family members that have participated in the toy drive and especially to Judy whose big heart is loved by all!
Jamie Saastad talking about AHS and why the residents decided to conduct a toy drive.
Courts residents stand proudly next to the "Toys for Tot" toy drop-off tree after a shopping trip to Target to purchase donated toys.
Judy being interviewed by KARE11 anchorman on the 5pm news.
These toys are sure to bring big smiles to the faces of children of families in need in Carver County.




Jamie S. and Rebeckah E., Courts staff members have some fun with the over 70 toys donated and collected for "Toys for Tots".
A farewell to a good friend ~ 23 years of service
Doug Schmeig, has provided service to our Auburn Home residents with integrity and compassion for 23 years and today we say goodbye to him as he starts his next journey into retirement. Family, past and present staff members, and residents gathered to wish him well. What Doug loved most about his job was the residents. He will be dearly missed.
Auburn Homes & Services Holiday visitation guidelines
With Christmas and New Years Eve only 1-2 weeks away, we thought it would be helpful to remind everyone about our current visitation guidelines and what to expect if one of our residents/your loved ones leave the building for a short or long duration of time. Our guidelines come directly from the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Click here to review our Holiday visitation guidelines.
December offers so many celebrations and activities for our residents; from holiday lights tours, Christmas worship services, outings to Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster, Christmas parades, baking cookies, Christmas parties and playing Elf Bingo, just to name a few, there's so much fun to be had!

Check out your resident's December Activities Calendar to see which ones are available to them by clicking on the appropriate link below:


Want to know what activities are available by location at the beginning of the month? Go to our website and click on your locations web page to find a downloadable activities calendar for the month.
The Pastor's Corner with
Reverend Doctor Jennifer Moran
Reverend Doctor Jennifer Moran

Moravian Star
December 2021

Dear Auburn Family and Friends,

Greetings to you in this season of Advent! We have lit the candles of hope, peace, and joy these first three weeks of Advent, and give thanks to God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, God with us! This Sunday is the fourth and final Sunday in Advent when we light the candle representing love. God’s love is ours abundantly, a love most clearly shown in the birth of our Savior.

When I think of God’s love embodied in the baby Jesus, I always remember one Christmas when our oldest daughter was around six years old. We had just celebrated Jesus’ birth at the Christmas Eve service at church. Everyone else had left the building, the lights were all off, and the quiet hush of the winter air had fallen. As we were all walking out the door, Emily suddenly ran back into the dark church. She came hurrying back, holding the baby doll from the manger scene. She exclaimed, “I want to bring baby Jesus home with us!”

Emily understood the message of Advent and Christmas. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is always with us. God invites us stay close to Jesus and bring him into our homes and our hearts. As Jesus remains close to us, his love lights our paths through all the challenges and joys of life.

I’d like to share the verses of a beautiful Christmas hymn that captures the joy of Jesus’ love for us. The tune is the same tune as “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,” another beautiful Christmas hymn.

Love Has Come
Love has come, a light in the darkness!
Love explodes in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it.
Hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high!
Love is born! Come share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of His mother.
What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers.
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
Love has come, He never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us.
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas.
Love! Love! Praise to You, God on high!
Words by Ken Bible
Music: French Carol Melody, attr. to Saboly, 17th c.,
arr. by Ken Bible
© 1996 by LNWhymns.com. CCLI Song #2060820.

May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas!
In the Spirit of Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jenny
The next Resident Newsletter will be emailed out on
January 15, 2022.

 If you have a loved one with a unique talent,
history or great story, let us know!
or call Michelle Yelich at (952)361-5076

Have a great rest of the Month!
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