Angela Merkel 1/1/2016 - "Wir Schaffen Das" (we can do this!)

www.reuters.com Online edition of International Press Service =
BERLIN (Reuters) – German society and the economy stand to benefit from the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, repeating her optimistic mantra “we can do this.”
In her New Year address to the nation, Merkel acknowledged that the integration of migrants, many of them Muslims fleeing war in the Middle East, would cost Germany “time, strength and money.” But the country was strong enough to cope, she said, pointing to low unemployment and rising wages.
“I am convinced that if we tackle the formidable task posed by the influx and integration of so many people in the right way today, then this will represent an opportunity for us tomorrow,”Merkel said in the text of a speech supplied by the government before she spoke.
“It’s true, we live in challenging times. But it’s also true that we can do this, because Germany is a strong country.”
Germany has taken in just over a million migrants this year, far more than any other European country. Merkel is one of the few European leaders to welcome them, arguing that Germany has a duty to shelter people fleeing conflict and persecution.
She has repeatedly rebuffed pressure to clamp down along German borders, telling Germans “wir schaffen das,” or “we can do this.”
This stance led Time magazine to name Merkel its “Person of the Year” earlier this month. But at home, where local communities have complained of being overwhelmed by the influx, her own popularity ratings and support for her conservative party have suffered.

Shelbyville IL New Year's Eve 2015 - New Year's Day 2016

from www.lakeshelbyville.com/


New Year's Eve dinner and music at VFW Post 4829 at 513 S. Cedar Street in Shelbyville, IL. You must sign up for the meal by 12/26. Steak Dinner is from 5-7:30 p.m. with DJ starting at 8 p.m. There will also be a kids' menu.

Prairie Du Rocher -- Southern IL community needs help with sandbags

posted at IL Great Rivers Conference list serv and e-notification:

The Village of Prairie du Rocher is requesting help filling sandbags tomorrow morning, Thursday December 31, 2015.  Those from the Illinois Area (United Methodist congregations) wishing to help should come to the work area, which is located behind the American Legion Building.  If possible, please bring a shovel/s with you and dress for the weather (boots highly recommended as the area is wet).  Prairie du Rocher is located approximately1 hour south of St. Louis, MO in Randolph County, IL.

Bunny Wolfe
Coordinator, Missions and Outreach
EMAIL for further information to bwolfe @ IGRC dot-org


Alexander County Highway Department is requesting sandbagging assistance. Additional sandbagging is needed along the Ley Small levee.  Volunteers are to call the Alexander Highway Department at 618-342-6208 for additional information on up to date volunteer need and where to report.  The Mississippi River is expected to crest early next week Jan. 4 - 8, 2016.
Bunny Wolfe
Coordinator, Missions and Outreach
bwolfe@igrc.org

Alzheimer's Organization benefit (Jan. 1 - 3, 2016) in Peoria, IL restaurants

from ALZ dot-org list serv e-mail notification:

Start off the New Year with a great meal! Join the Alzheimer’s Association this upcoming weekend for their monthly Bob Evans Fundraiser. All day long from Jan. 1- Jan. 3, 2016 dine out at a Bob Evans Restaurant in Peoria, East Peoria, or Pekin, IL to have 15% of your meal cost benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

During the Battle of Britain (World War II) -- on this date in history (N Y Times)

from List Serv / E-notification from New York Times dot-com :

ON THIS DAY

On December. 29, 1940, during World War II, Germany began dropping incendiary bombs on London.

Thank you Visitors to this Google BLOG -- first started in 2007

http://faithfor2008.blogspot.com/


"Searching for Faith and Understanding"
Timothy J. Shaw


Today December 29, 2015 you have brought the page views and visits to the Blog to ninety-thousand =

Pageviews [Dec. 1 - 29, 2015]      2,301

Pageviews all time history

90,033 Pageviews on Dec. 30, 2015 - 108 Pageviews today  (Jan. 1, 2016)  - 154 Pageviews yesterday  (Dec 31, 2015) -  146 Pageviews in New Year (Jan. 3, 2016) 107 pageviews on Jan. 8, 2016 (Friday) 112 -- since blog started 90,999 JANUARY 2016 Tuesday Jan. 12 Pageviews today     101; Wed. 1/13/2016 Pageviews 105; Sunday 1/24/2016 Pageviews 129; Monday 1/25/2016 Pageviews 100; Wed. 1/28/2016 Pageviews 131; Thurs. 1/29/2016 Pageviews 102; Sunday 1/31/2016 Pageviews 103 Monday 2/1/2016 pageviews 103 Wed. 2/3/2016 pageviews 112. Thur, 2/4.2016 pageviews 112 Friday 2/5/2016 pageviews 104 Sat. Feb. 6 Pageviews 104 Monday Feb. 8 Pageviews 120 Tues. 2/9 Pageviews 120 Thursday 2/11 Pageviews 102 Friday 2/12 Pageviews 146 Saturday 2/13 pageviews 148 Thursday 2/18 pageviews 116 Monday 2/22 pageviews 100 Friday 2/26 pageviews 103 Monday 2/29 pageviews 126 Friday 3/11 pageviews 114 Wed. 3/16 pageviews 154 Friday 3/18 pageviews 110 Thurs. 3/31 pageviews 160

Flood Waters on highways (40 and 51) -- Fayette County, IL

Posted at Vandalia Radio website (6:45 a.m. Dec. 31, 2015):

Route 40 now open, 51 south of Vandalia, IL remains closed

U.S. Route 40, between Vandalia and Bluff City, re-opened yesterday afternoon (Wed. 12/30/2015) to traffic after waters receded. U.S. Route 51, from Route 40 to Country Road 900 North, remains closed this morning (Thursday 12/31/2015) due to water on the roadway.