Christmas is coming and one sure sign of Christ’s love drawing near is the ever growing collection of Teddy Bears on the steps of the chancel as parishioners add new, loveable bears that will be given to young children in the Foster Care System. Thank you St. Michael’s for your thoughtful, generous response to children who need our love, support and encouragement.
We, the members of St. Michael’s have an even greater opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community and I’m so excited to share the good news with you!
Every year the Midtown Child Welfare office employees host a Holiday Party for the children and families they currently serve in the Foster Care system. The Holiday Party is an opportunity for children in Foster Care to experience the joy of the holiday season with their parents, siblings or other family members who they are not able to be with on a daily basis. Traditionally this party has been held at the same office where children and families meet for supervised visitations, and even though the Midtown Child Welfare employees do their best to provide a wonderful holiday party for the children, they are often doing this on a shoestring budget, in an office environment, and if truth be told, most of the time subsidizing the party out of their own pockets.
This year St. Michael’s is thrilled to be partnering with the Midtown Child Welfare office to provide the space for their Holiday Party on December 22nd – which will include games, crafts, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, gifts for the children and even a live band playing Christmas music!
One very important component of this party is the opportunity for parents not currently living with their children to have the chance to give their child a toy – something they may not be able to afford on their own. At the Holiday Party, there will be a “Toy Closet” with toys and bears that parents can “shop” for an age appropriate toy for their child. These presents are given at the party and sure to make each child feel the love and joy we hope all children can experience during the holidays.
I invite you to expand your Christmas wish list to include the children in Foster Care who will attend the Holiday Party at St. Michael’s on December 22, 2009! While shopping for the perfect, cuddly Teddy Bear, please consider purchasing a toy for a young child to help stock the “Toy Closet” at the Holiday Party. Toys don’t have to be big, fancy or electronic to be “just what they’ve always wanted!” Here are a few suggestions: a baby doll, toy cars or trucks, a bag of building blocks, balls of all sizes, board games, a classic children’s book or sturdy board books for toddlers.
I rejoice that St. Michael’s is a place of overflowing hospitality and that we are able to provide a welcoming place for this special Holiday Party! This is just one example of the many ways our community, through stewardship of God’s gifts to us, can share the good news of God’s abundant love with our neighbors.
Please bring Teddy Bears and new, unwrapped toys to the church by December 13th and add your gift to this joyful, visible example of God’s love in the world! Your generosity will make a difference in the life of a child whose family is in crisis and who, this holiday season is in need of our love, support and encouragement. Thank you!
Leslie Sackett
Associate for Ministry with Children and Families