Bible study group wishes best for local service workers

PINE PLAINS — Living Water Church’s Pine Plains Bible Study Group held its first New Year’s Party at the Country Kettle cafe on Wednesday, Jan. 7.Country Kettle is located at 2938 West Church St., in the former Occasions space. The business moved from its previous location next to the clock tower in December.The party marked the group’s first weekly meeting of the year at Country Kettle. According to Bible Study Leader Erin Clancy, the focus of the party was to give best wishes and a safe new year for community agencies — like the Pine Plains Highway Department, Pine Plains Central School District (PPCSD), local government, police, fire and EMS companies and “really anyone who does a service to Pine Plains and the surrounding area” — in 2015.The group prepared and distributed 20 signs for different recipients of the prayer among the attendees.Living Water Church Pastor Derek Duncan prayed for each subject of the signs.Living Water Church members also meet regularly on Sundays at the main church in Lagrangeville.A total of 16 people attended the party despite zero-degree weather, Clancy said, including two members of Dutchess County’s Disaster Action Team (DAT).The DAT members parked an American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle in front of the building, as such space was left open for on-duty agencies to stop by. Resident Debbie Tenore won the party’s ugly sweater contest. Attendees split into men versus women teams for a local trivia contest. The men’s team won and now holds the group’s “Pine Plains Clock Tower Award” until next year’s party, Jan. 6. Country Kettle owners Joe and JoAnn Herald donated chicken and soup for all those who attended.Pine Plains Highway Superintendent Heather Wilson could not attend but thanked the group on behalf of her department.“I would like to thank [Living Water Church’s Pine Plains Bible Study Group] for honoring the services that we provide to Pine Plains residents and also for praying for the peace and safety of myself and my crew,” she said in a statement to Clancy. The group will continue to meet on Wednesdays at 7 p.m and hopes to collaborate with area churches and other entities in community efforts such as the Attelbury Schoolhouse restoration and the United Methodist Church’s Food Locker drive. Clancy encourages residents of all towns within the PPCSD to attend.For more information go to www.facebook.com/PinePlainsBibleStudy.