Generosity

Today an impressive gang of children and youth will lead our White Gift service at St. Paul's. Last week about 50 kids and leaders vacated the sanctuary to get ready, which was almost a quarter of the congregation! Again this year the gifts will go to the Salvation Army, the organization which distributes food on behalf of our local ministerial, and Bethesda House, the shelter and outreach centre which supports women and children in crisis.

People are generous at this time of year and often enquire about supporting a household in need. A couple of reminders. First, that teens tend to get short-changed in the outpouring of Christmas generosity. Literally tons of toys and clothing are given for young children through various agencies. Little ones are cute and cuddly and Christmasy, the puppies of our generous impulses. Teens not so much, but they often feel displacement from home and familiar surroundings very deeply, and are keenly aware of what they have lost. 

One of our members is collaborating with co-workers to team up with teens through The Refuge in Oshawa. Clarence, the director there, recently became our second Gathering Place chef, and he seems like a great guy. The "about us" link on the website says:

The Refuge is a Christian charitable organization dedicated to showing Christ's unconditional love, kindness, and offer grace to homeless and street youth in the Regional Municipality of Durham regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, life situation, or creed.  http://www.refugeoutreach.com/

Whatever you choose to do, act on your generous impulses, whether it is Christmas or any other time of the year.

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