Welcome
It is with great excitement that we welcome Rev. Dr. Joel Miles and Rev. Ruby Miles to the South Atlantic Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Rev. Dr. Joel Miles has been appointed as the new Presiding Elder of the Lancaster District, Pee Dee Conference
The Season of Gratitude
Next week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA, let’s remember that one of our greatest strengths is the ability to choose gratitude. By actively choosing to be grateful, we open ourselves to the abundance that the universe has to offer. Have you ever noticed how we physically close ourselves off—like crossing our arms—when we feel anger or disagreement? In doing so, we block ourselves from reaching out or receiving the wisdom and blessings available to us. Embracing gratitude for what we already have can serve as a doorway to even more blessings. It also brings peace of mind in the present moment. Take a moment to list all the people and things you’re thankful for, and you’ll soon feel the positive shift in your life.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Media Ministry
Song of The Week
Sunday, November 24 On The Hill
Sunday #2 of Conference Year 2024 - 25
Sunday School - 9:45 AM
Adult Lesson 13
Psalms of Thanksgiving and Praise
General Lesson Title: God's Promised Presence
Topic: Wonderful Marvelous
Background Scripture: Psalm 139
Home Daily Bible Reading
Friday, November 22 Matthew 18: 15 - 20 Where Twoor Three Are Gathered
Saturday, November 23 Matthew 28: 16 - 20 I Am With You Always
Sunday, November 24 Psalm 139: 1 - 12 God Searches and Knows Us
Steele Hill will ring in the Season!
Everyone Is Invited!
(The Steelers played in the Snow Bowl Thursday Night, The Panthers play the Kansas City Swifties! There is no need to rush home for the 1 PM games!)
Purchase A Poinsettia
Steele Hill will be the host of this year's Community Watch Night Service. We are working in conjunction with White Oak, North Corner, Mt. Tabor, and El Bethel. There will be a Combined Mass Choir providing music. The rehearsal dates will be announced. Stay tuned! Thank You!
In Rev. Fite's heart, he is a proud North Carolina Central Eagle! But, since he is now in South Carolina State Bulldog Country, "What Can We Say?" How about, "Get Up For The Bulldogs, Everybody Get Up!" BTW, Maybe next year Eagle Fans! In the meantime. Watch the Bite of the Bulldog! Looks like the golf team may be better...
In The Community
Area Christmas Parades & Events
Town of Waxhaw, NC
Waxhaw's Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m. in downtown Waxhaw featuring local school marching bands, entries and floats by 70 businesses and members of the community and an appearance from a special guest from the North Pole! Announcers cover the entire parade route to make sure that you hear all of the details surrounding the fun entries passing by.
Note: From Santa's Helpers: When leaving church on Sunday, December 8, if you usually go through downtown Waxhaw via Highway 75, please take an alternate route!
Celebrate The Holidays In The QC (Charlotte, NC)
courtesy of qcitymetro.com
As the holiday season approaches, Charlotte transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festivities that cater to all interests. From dazzling light displays and festive markets to engaging community events, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays in the Queen City.
Annual Black-owned Holiday Marketplace
Shop at more than 40 Black-owned businesses at an annual holiday pop-up store that began in 2021. CLT Black Owned and QCity Metro host the store, which helps Black entrepreneurs test-drive the retail experience for one weekend in December each year. The store features a hot chocolate bar, photos with a Black Santa, shopping in nearly every category of retail and more.
What we love about it: It’s a unique concept designed for the community to get holiday shopping done while supporting local, Black-owned businesses.
When: Dec. 5, 6, 7
Where: 3550 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Average Cost: FREE to visit; retail costs vary. Photos with Santa are as low as $20.
Light the Knights
Light the Knights at Truist Field is one of Uptown’s ultimate winter activities. Guests can experience ice skating, light displays, over-the-top Christmas trees, shopping, snow tubing and more. There’s also a holiday walkthrough that includes lighting throughout the stadium, snacks and a choreographed show. Light the Knights is open as late as 10:30 p.m. on some days.
What we love: It’s for the whole family (all ages)
Average Cost: Admission $10, Admission with ice skating and tubing $40
When: Nov. 27 to Jan. 3
Where: Truist Field, 324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Carowinds Winterfest
Winterfest at Carowinds offers ice skating, live holiday shows, a daily parade and more in a winter wonderland theme. Guests can expect rides, activities, a curated holiday menu — with cocktails available — and a giant Christmas tree.
What we love: There’s something for everyone — cocktails for the adults, cookie decorating for kids and lots of photo opportunities for the whole family.
Average Cost: Admission starts at $19 for young children and $29 for people over 13. Food, ice skating and some other special activities inside vary in cost.
When: Select dates Nov. 15 to Jan. 4, 2025
Where: Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Boulevard
Happy Mindful Holidays
It's the most wonderful time of the year… Until it's not.
For many, the upcoming holiday season is a gaping reminder of the hole in your life because someone you love has crossed over into the land of the ancestors. There is a part of you that enjoys the "holly and jolly" that usually engulfs our culture from November 1-January 2 of the following year. The other part of you is desperately wishing that you could turn back the hands of time and get a do-over for that time when you didn't go home because you thought that you would have plenty of time to spend another holiday season with your loved One. Or it may be regret at the things said or left unsaid. I, too, understand this feeling and have experienced its dichotomy every year for the past thirty years. During the first 28 years since my mother passed, my father was still here. Twenty-eight is not thirty. The last two years have been without my dad.
Mindfulness has helped me navigate the happy/sad pendulum that swings our emotions during the holidays. Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Mindfulness encourages rejecting the tendency to label situations and activities as "good" or "bad ."Instead, mindfulness enables us to be present in the moment. To be present in the moment is more than physical proximity. It is engaging your five senses senses in the moment that you are in. What are the sights and sounds and smells and tastes around you? Is there anything to be gained by engaging with Cousin Clarence, who is mostly quiet and usually sits on the edge of all the activity? What about the kids and the music they listen to? What they're listening to may have a question that they may want an answer to. What can you find that can ground you in the moment you are in? This is just the way I have learned to navigate the holidays. Find a way that works for you.
The website Green is the New Black offers ten tips on practicing mindfulness during this holiday season.
Cultivate an attitude of Gratitude. As believers, we already know how an attitude of Gratitude can enhance our lives on a regular day. During the holidays, when we make our lists and check them twice, don't forget to look back over your life and think things over. When you do this, you can say, "The Lord has been kind." Gratitude reminds us of our bounteous blessings.
Celebrate the Joy of Giving. I know that we give on the holidays. Some of us give ourselves right into bankruptcy. But what if you give of yourself and not of your substance? What would that look like for you? Who would you help? How would you help them?
Power Off. Put the devices down and give some face time to the people around you, not those not there. The latest trend will still be trending after you have fully engaged in the present. (What a gift!)
Take some time for Reflection. Because the holiday emotional pendulum does swing back and forth, please don't deny yourself the opportunity to reflect on how it used to be. Don't remain in that reflective place until it starts interfering with your present in the moment you are in. Don't let Reflection lead you to "shoulda, woulda, coulda.
Quality Time Over Quantity Time. The amount of time you spend engaging during the holidays is less significant than the quality of the time spent engaging in activities and with people. Choose activities that enhance your overall experience of the holidays. Sing with your children/grandchildren. Make Cookies. Tell Stories about the holidays that you remember. Share time and space with the people who matter to you without a specific expectation. Allow the moments to develop organically.
Communicate Mindfully. Mindful communication involves being fully present, listening actively, and expressing yourself with empathy. As you engage in conversations during holiday gatherings, practice mindful communication by giving your full attention to the speaker, speaking with intention, and being aware of your body language.
(Items 6 - 10 Continued from Last Week)
Establish Mindful Routines. We all know that holidays can be chaotic.
Establishing mindful morning and evening rituals helps you handle the chaos. Begin your day with a few moments of quiet reflection, deep breathing, or meditation. In the evening, unwind with calming activities such as reading, gentle stretching, or a gratitude practice.
Mindful Travel. Travel is also a considerable part of the holiday season. Flight delays and cancellations are a thing. If you'd like to travel commercially or privately, please be careful and intentional when choosing flights and travel times. Traveling takes you out of your comfort zone, and mindfulness helps manage the stress of it all.
Take a WUSAH When You Need To. Sometimes holidays can cause you to people too close to the sun (that's what I call it). You become overwhelmed with the activity, all the noise, and all the smiling and laughing that comes with peopling on that level. Take a moment away from the noise. Take some deep, cleansing, steading breaths. Trust me, it works.
Set Realistic Expectations. We all know that some of our families put the fun in dysfunction. Don't go expecting The Brady Bunch if you know your family is Meet the Klumps. Focus on the essence of the season—connection, joy, and Reflection—rather than getting caught up in the pursuit of a flawless celebration.
We at the Star of Zion pray that this holiday season will remind us of the bounteous blessings that are ours because we have put our faith in the One who always causes us to triumph. Happy Holidays.
By Dierdre R Parker, Entertainment and The Arts Editor (starofzion.org)
"Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us".
Text Us: Text Us: 833.546.7832
Join Us
Sunday School: 9:45 AM (All Classes)
Worship: 10:40 AM
Bible Study
Fite-ISM #10.1 Thanksgiving Is Thursday! Yes, we will be having Bible Study on Tuesday, November 26. Just leave your butter on the counter for a hour to get room temperature!
Mid-Week Inspiration
Thank You for Reading
Steele Hill Media Ministry
Contact: fwitherspoon@steelehillamez.org
704.488.5008
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