STEVE & FRANCESCA CRANE FAMILY

CHRISTMAS 2017

When Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14 NRSV).

We are at the end of another disturbing year for this world. The news is full of wars, hate, bigotry, prejudice, abuse, killing, lying, lust, greed, envy, pride, . . .; The list could go on.

As an adult, Jesus taught, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus’ peace is needed more than ever. We wish you the peace, grace and love of God this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.

David continues working at Brian’s House Enterprises. He is capable of simple tasks such as sorting hardware and punch cards; these give him a sense of purpose and work place involvement. Earlier this year David was among the protestors at a rally in Harrisburg when the State of Pennsylvania was seeking major changes that would have essentially shut down vocational training centers like Brian’s House. Fortunately, the law was corrected.

The Book Family Farm continues to patiently work with David as he learns to care for horses, ride and enjoy animals. His niece, Hannah, is constantly there to encourage him. His sister, Bethany also helps.  David enjoyed two weeks of vacation at Jaycee Camp in Effort, PA again this year. We are thankful for his caring counselors, Zac and Paige.

Francesca (aka Missy) returned to Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties in April as Interim Executive Director. The organization is going through major changes that resulted in uniting with Good Samaritan Shelter to form a new group, Bridge of Hope @ Good Samaritan Services. She continues finalizing details and will continue through March. She works as an Adjunct Professor at Eastern University as needed in the areas of Nonprofit and International Leadership Development.  She completed her term as President of Coatesville Rotary Club in June and continues serving on the executive committee of the Chester County Advisory Board for Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

Steve continues in ministry as chaplain at Norristown State Hospital. It is a challenge and a joy to minister to the patients in this forensic psychiatric setting. At The end of February he completed his interim pastoral ministry at GraceCrossing Community Church in Phoenixville. It is nice to sit among the congregation at Ridgeview Mennonite Church on Sundays when he is not in Norristown. In December he will begin serving an 8 month interim as conference minister of the Atlantic Coast Conference of the Mennonite Church USA.  He will serve six churches in New York City. Recently, Steve was accepted to serve on the West Brandywine Township Zoning Hearing Board. He completed a term on the Board of Directors for Tel Hai Retirement community, but continues to help with the Tel Hai Ukulele Band. He also joins Walt Kinsey for music programs at local institutions as he is able.

We continue to enjoy our new home. We had the kitchen remodeled in the Spring. Thanks go to Kyle King, Building Contractor for his work. Steve enjoys the additional yard work and flower beds. We were happy to be able to make a few visits to Steph and Ben and our 3 creative granddaughters, Morgan, Maya and Mercy, in Evanston, IL. They joined us in July along with Bethany and Steve, and Daniel and Hannah at our Pocono mountain cottage. We held “cousin camp” with a lot of fun and activities.

The God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:33)

We are thankful for your friendship, letters and caring.

Sincerely,

            Steve & Francesca

                   and David

STEVE & FRANCESCA CRANE FAMILY EASTER LETTER 2017

We wish you the blessings or our risen Lord this Holy Week.

We are getting settled into our new home. We moved in at the beginning of October and are still making some improvements. Our kitchen remodel will be completed this week! It will be great to be back in the kitchen after a month. Thanks – Kyle King, Building Contractor! David enjoys his new room; the house is all one level, so he won’t fall down stairs at home again.

David continues working at Brian’s House Enterprises. Recently the State of Pennsylvania was proposing major changes that would have essentially shut down vocational training centers like Brian’s House leaving David without a job. He joined us along with many of his co-workers at a Rally in Harrisburg at the State House. He was also able to meet our Representative, Harry Lewis. It was a good day, the proposal was changed to give workers like David a choice and we all had a new experience.

The Book Family Farm continues to patiently work with David as he learns to care for horses, ride and enjoy animals. His niece, Hannah, is constantly there to encourage him as well.

Francesca (aka Missy) . . . has returned as Interim Executive Director at Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties. The organization is going through some major changes that will help them to serve more families more efficiently. It is an exciting time.  

She continues to work as an Adjunct Professor at Eastern University as needed in the areas of Nonprofit and International Leadership Development.  Her term as President of Coatesville Rotary Club will continue through June 30^th. She looks forward to several visits from Steph’s family and enjoys having Bethany’s family nearby.

Steve continues in ministry as a part-time chaplain at Norristown State Hospital. It is a challenge and a joy to minister to the patients as they go through a challenging time in their lives. The ministry includes several worship services, Bible studies and counseling visits each week. It’s also great to share this work with Steve’s brother Bob, who has many years’ experience as a chaplain to psychiatric patients.

This week Steve held a service remembering the Passion of Christ with criminal psychiatric patients. It was moving to have the patients participate in the dramatic reading of Matthew chapters 26 & 27. Many were in tears when Jesus was beaten and crucified. It was sad to end the readings with Jesus dead and in the tomb. We concluded by remembering that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning, that in the midst of our darkest moments, we have the promise of new life in Jesus.

At The end of February Steve completed his interim ministry at GraceCrossing Community Church in Phoenixville. It was a great joy to minister to this wonderful church family during their time of transition. Steve greatly misses the comradery and fellowship that was shared. Congratulations to Pastor Dan McDowell who will be officially installed as pastor on May 7. Steve will take a break from official church ministry for a while, enjoying sitting among the congregation at Ridgeview Mennonite Church.

Sincerely,

Steve, Francesca & David

“Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about.” (N.T. Wright in Surprised by Hope)

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
(Pope John Paul II)