I hope I find you all well in these unusual times. It’s the point in the year when we focus on Operation Christmas Child and the Marys Meals Backpack project. Operation Christmas Child sends gift filled shoe boxes to children in need in the world at Christmas time and the Mary’s Meals backpack project provides school equipment and clothing for children living in Malawi who need these things to get an education. St Lukes will be continuing to support these initiatives. However due to the current restrictions it will not be possible to have a packing Sunday where the church gets together to pack boxes and backpacks ready for sending to children in need in different parts of the world and so Fiona Pulle and I will be working together to coordinate events.
This year we will only be able to collect completed boxes and backpacks, therefore our launch date for these projects will be on 27th September which is earlier than normal. We have decided on an earlier start date so that everyone has extra time collecting things they need to complete their box or backpack. Leaflets for both projects will be available from church or myself and we can also drop off empty shoe boxes or leaflets if required. You can also get the information on packing a shoebox from: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/how-to-pack-a-s hoebox/ or alternatively you can pack an online shoe box if you prefer, details can be found on the same link.
To pack a Mary’s Meals backpack all the information you need can be found on this link. https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/the-backpack-project Remember that this initiative encourages recycling so equipment and clothing does not need to be new.
I know that we have some busy knitters and those that sew at St Lukes and we would be happy to accept your beautiful work for sending in additional boxes Fiona and I can make so that children will receive your lovely gifts. Also if you would like to make a monetary contribution towards buying items for additional boxes and backpacks Fiona and I make or towards postage then please provide this in a sealed envelope by 25th October.
Our shoebox and backpack finale will be on 1st November 2020 and the church hall will be open from 8.30 – 9.30 to receive your boxes and backpacks.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of these projects, children in need will find excitement and joy in receiving a shoe box or backpack filled with love.
As the protocol for the reopening of the Methodist Church Hall to groups is, as yet, unknown, we’ve opted for a socially distanced open-air icebreaker in September. This will be a walking treasure hunt, of less than 1.5 miles around the village, followed by an opportunity for ad hoc refreshments at a central location. Please meet in the shopping precinct alongside the sensory garden at 2:30pm on Saturday, 19th September. You may wish to bring your own pen and clipboard. Please contact Barbara Smith on 537301 or at barbara.smith47@hotmail.com if you would like further details.
Looking forward to seeing you all again after a six-month gap.
Lord God, Creator of all people, may your son who suffered the inhumanity of the cross, comfort us in our anxiety and in our horror, in times that take our breath away. May your Holy Spirit inspire us to repentance and to action in dismantling the virus of racism from within the Church, our nation and our world. Amen
Rev Canon Jeremy Blunden, Rochester Diocese bishop’s advisor for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)
A photographer was badly hurt this morning when a huge block of cheese fell on him… Everyone posing for the wedding party picture had tried to warn him!
New Shrub Trimmer
I bought a new shrub trimmer today. I proudly showed it my son.
“Have a look at this!” I said.
He replied, “That’s great dad.”
I said, “It’s cutting hedge technology!”
Recommended Author
I asked the librarian to recommend an author who writes dinosaur books. “Try Sarah Topps,” she replied.
Floral Delivery
I sent a clown to deliver some flowers to my wife… I thought it would be a romantic jester!
The Garage Mechanic
I was so worried that the garage mechanic would rip me off because I confessed I knew nothing about cars… Imagine my relief when he said I only needed indicator fluid!
Wrong Answer
My wife asked me what would stop the stairs from creaking… Apparently ‘Slimming World’ was not the right answer!
Shakespeare
Student essay: Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, but he mostly lived at Windsor with his merry wives. This is quite usual with actors.
Have A Nice Day
Why is it that saying: “Have a nice day” sounds friendly, but saying “Enjoy your next 24hours” sounds threatening?
Writing home
A boy was sent by his parents to a school a long distance from home. He had been strictly enjoined to write home regularly and tell them all about himself and his new life. At the end of the first week, his first text arrived: “There are 370 boys here. I wish there were 369.”
As you get older!
As you get older the pickings get slimmer, but the people don’t.
Carrie Fisher, American actress, writer and comedian.
Sources : Association for Church Editors, Parish Pump and various internet sites!
