St. Nicholas Fesitval in Brookline, NH

This past Saturday was the feast day of St. Nicholas, yes that St. Nicholas…the good old jolly gift-giving Bishop (not elf) himself. As one might guess, it is a very important day for St. Nicholas House led by the Rev. Brian and Jackie Barry in Brookline, NH. Not only is St. Nicholas the namesake for their wonderful ministry of hospitality and prayer, but his feast day, December 6th, is also the anniversary of the commissioning of their ministry by Bishop Andrew of the ADNE. To celebrate, the Barry’s, along with their faithful team members of Dcn. Josh and Rebecca Eipper, thought it would be great to host their first ever St. Nicholas Festival. Brian and Jackie invited Dandelion Ministries to come up and help put on the festival.

Heading to the ferry to cross the Sound and drive north

It was quite a wintry day in Brookline with a few inches of snow on the ground, but that made the warm and cozy space of St. Nicholas House’s recently renovated barn (renovated by the Barry’s themselves by the way) all the more welcoming to folks. Brian and Jackie said they were so blessed to see all sorts of people show up from the different connections God had given them over these 5+ years of ministry in the Brookline area. It was a chance for them to see the fruit of all of God’s faithful work through them there.

The day began with Rebecca Eipper leading everyone in carols with a band of kids (and big kids Josh and Sean) on various stringed instruments. Then Fr. Barry with his brigade of children actors put on a play of the real story of St. Nicholas reminding us all why St. Nicholas was such an inspiration for their ministry of celebration, gratitude, and gentle strength. The space was then quickly transformed into a version of St. Nick’s workshop where Kate and some of the St. Nicholas House team led everyone in candle making and Christmas card making. The activities were so engaging that the time flew…some of the guests sat for a couple of hours making things. As is always the case at St. Nicholas House you could always take a break and go feed the goats and chickens too.

Having Dandelion there to help run the arts and crafts time enabled Brian, Jackie, Josh, and Rebecca to spend time with their people…to have conversations and not worry about running everything like they normally do. They had space to connect. We had a feast of soup, pizza, and cookies and closed the day with a communion service giving thanks for the Lord’s faithfulness. It was a joyous day and a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in Brookline.