Blessed are the Givers and Grateful are the Recipients

There’s a card I like to send that has the above sentiment; it is meant to be sent in response to one thing we are specifically thankful for, but I believe it is the sentiment that applies to every moment of our lives. We are always recipients, and may we be blessed to be “givers” when we are able. And while we are in the traditional season of giving, Christmas, and have passed through the traditional season of thanks, Thanksgiving, at an active, loving, mission-minded church like Shalimar UMC, we remain year-round in a season of thanks and a season of giving. And we live that out each week at our Blessing for Children outreach ministry for children in need. The givers show up each week with donations of the new items we distribute and with gently used children’s items that are the extra blessings in our Treasure Chests that our families can take home as needed. The givers volunteer to serve each week to put a face on God’s love as their servant hands and hearts take care of the needs. The givers pray for this ministry and the families that request specific prayers. The givers give to this church so that the missions of this church can be funded. They offer to this particular ministry or other ministries within the church that touch their hearts to support the mission. The givers are the families we serve who receive the items their children need, and then the next time they are in need, they arrive at the #10 2nd Street house with their children’s outgrown clothes or toys or books. These gifts and their blessed givers relive needs, offer a warm welcome and encouraging words, share and pray in a family’s troubles or joys, and are always breathing God’s love over all of us who are the grateful recipients. Thank you for your continued support of our Blessings for Children’s ministry and all the missions that our church undertakes during this Christmas season and every season!

If you would like to join us in helping our area’s children in need at Blessings for Children, here are some ways to consider:  
 

• Please pray for the ministry and all who participate. Be on the lookout for families you can refer to us for assistance.
  
  
• Consider donating items we distribute to the children: diapers (size 4, 5, and 6 in particular), pull-ups, wipes, school supplies, children sized t-shirts, socks and underwear, children’s toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lice treatment kits, and toilet paper. A complete list of items we distribute can be found at shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children. You can donate items by stopping by the #10 2nd Street house behind the church any Wednesdays from 11:30am - 3:30pm.
  
  
• Children’s bibles, bible stories, and activity books are always a joy to receive and distribute. Spanish language Bibles are always needed!
  
  
• A financial gift designated to Blessings for Children through the church allows us to replenish the needed items we distribute weekly.          

               
New volunteers are always welcome, with no regular commitment required.

For additional information
Mary Jane Robertson
Email: mjr53@cox.net
Visit: shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children
Phone or text: (850) 499-6173
Open every Wednesday 12 - 3:30 pm