The dog ate my homework, or something like that! I posted my completed blog this morning and only the title showed up.
I wrote just after returning from the gym to which I went without my "partner in crime" this morning. My wife Ruth decided that slugging boxes of food up stairs at St. John's church all day would be her work-out for the day.
The staff and a group of volunteers are putting together the hampers of food and toys for those who have lived in the Bethesda House shelter or used their outreach services during the year. These hampers make a huge difference to women and children who often leave abusive relationships with little more than the clothing on their backs.
Fortunately the community is very generous. Schools, service groups and churches all contribute to make Christmas meaningful for those who are struggling with the loss of the familiar at this time of year. When the choice is made to leave, it often means taking a drastic downturn in financial well-being.
It's hard to imagine that shelters such as Bethesda House have only been in existence in Canada for approximately 35 years. Before that people had to live with domestic violence, often with disastrous results. Then there was the shame of admitting abuse which was often accentuated rather than alleviated by the church.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this important cause and many others. Generosity is a form of prayer, but I would encourage you to keep in your prayers all who are vulnerable and lonely at this time of the year.
3 comments:
I love to see the generosity of people. Every year, the church here in Stoughton adopts a large family from the Salvation Army. Our job is to buy gifts for each person in the family, and to put together a large food hamper. At our White Gift Service, people offer toys and food or financial support. I wish there was a way we could continue supporting this anonymous adopted family in some way throughout the year.
The generosity of people is amazing. On Sunday a plea went out for the Christmas baskets that the Congregational committee puts together every year for those with community care (shut ins) We were astonished when we took in $450 during coffee time! We put the baskets together last night and these folk will be very well looked after. Thank you to all of those generous givers!
You're right Deb about the need to do this all through the year, but it is heartwarming that people "wake up" to compassion.
Nancy, not only were people generous once again, but the group that puts the baskets together deserve praise!
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