Presbyterian Mission Agency O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

A Letter from Paula Cooper, serving as regional liaison for East Central Africa

December 2020

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Dear friends,

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

We are sending you this Christmas letter to thank you for all of your love and support that you have shown us and our partners throughout this challenging year. We and our partners from East Central Africa wish you a harmonious holy season! May your holidays be filled with love and shalom.

Rev. Paula Cooper and other mission co-workers at the Africa area gathering in Johannesburg, February 2020. Photo by a mission co-worker.

Seminarians’ wives and children gathered for fellowship at my home in January 2020, in Lusaka, Zambia. Photo by Paula Cooper.

Dancing with youth after a worship service at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, where I preached, in Kitwe, Zambia in 2018. Photo taken by church member.

Dancing with church members of the Church of Central Africa Westlake Hills Prayer House - in the Kanyama community of Lusaka, Zambia - as we celebrated the birth of the church, Pentecost Sunday. Photo taken by Kingsley Chirwa.

. Cutting the birthday cake for the children as we celebrate the birth of the Church on Pentecost Sunday in May 2019 at the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Westlake Hills Prayer House, in the Kanyama community of Lusaka, Zambia. Photo taken by Kingsley Chirwa.

My sister, Renee, (in Christmas hat) and cousin, Anissa, (in elf custom) preparing Christmas dinner at Renee’s home in King of Prussia, PA. Photo by Paula Cooper.

My sisters Renee and Terri Lynn and cousin, Anissa, preparing Christmas dinner. Photo by Paula Cooper.

My great nieces opening Christmas present at Renee’s home and nephew, Dion, assisting his niece (one of my great nieces). Photo by Paula Cooper.

My sister Renee (back row) and her Sunday school class performing a Christmas program. My great niece is in the red and black dress. Photo by Paula Cooper.

Christmas tree in Renee’s home on Christmas Eve. Photo by Paula Cooper.

. I attended the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale Christmas concert at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA. The choir was founded and conducted by Dr. Donald

Luke 2:9-11 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

My friends, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall by His Word our darkness dispel!”

Grateful for your friendship,

Paula

Rev. Paula V. Cooper

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Tags: Africa
Tags: Christmas Greetings, kenya, malawi, PC(USA) partners in East Central Africa, rwanda, zambia
Tags: Paula Cooper