Tuesday 22 December 2020

Blags, Bags And Boxes Of Blessing

The "Christmas Lunch" plans are well under way, to take meals out to people who will be on their own on 25th. Ferndown Council, and the Ferndown Coronavirus Support Group have helped with publicity, and Sainsburys and Tesco generously helped with food. Rick and Angela, two key members of our Lunch Club Catering Team are the meal - and a number of people will be working, under strict covid-safe conditions in the church hall and kitchen, on Thursday and Friday to get everything ready. 

One of my jobs has been 'blagging' - and M&S have given us a whole load of their classy thermal bags so we can safely deliver the hot meals. I usually get this sort of thing by asking politely, whilst wearing a winsome smile - it is much harder when you have a mask on!

Our 'diners' will receive a main course, turkey with all the  trimmings [and yes, we are catering for vegetarians] follow by Christmas puddings and custard. My other job was to prepare some after dinner chox-in-a-box.

I designed this and photocopied it onto thin card, then using my £5 bargain WRMK box maker, I made the boxes, and popped a couple of sweets in each. Here are just some of the finished boxes, along with pictures of the construction. Bob has produced special Christmas cards too

I really hope that those people in our community who are on their own are blessed by these meals. There will not be an opportunity for the distributors to stop and have a chat, or give a friendly hug [and even their smiles will be masked] But delivering them a carefully prepared meal is something we can do to show them they are not forgotten, and share God's love in a practical way.

Thank you to everyone who has made this idea a reality



9 comments:

  1. Being able to bring a meal to someone who will be alone, otherwise, is such a kind thing to do. I've taken holiday meals to friends who are alone and I've had meals brought to me, in turn. It's a blessing to be able to participate.

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    1. I hope your Christmas goes well, Bless - and that things are not too turbulent for the USA over the next few weeks

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  2. This is a wonderful thing to hear!

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    1. I was equally glad to hear that as you 2 are self-isolating, your neighbour included your needs in her online grocery order. Small acts done with great love...

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    2. Lorrain is a wonderful neighbour. She popped a card through the door when we first moved here and she introduced herself at 7.30 in the morning during my first morning of walking to the station as she goes for an early morning walk. She's watered our plants when we are away, taken in parcels and took me to her church with her once- she and her husband Martyn are lovely - I really like them!

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  3. Better be sure you-know-who in the government doesn't hear of this, or you will be branded as making a "political stunt" along with Unicef!
    Bless you for doing this, the world is a better place because of acts of kindness, compassion and practicality like yours.

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    1. I'm afraid my feelings about Jacob Rees Mogg's words and actions cannot be typed here. I am sorry that the man who says he is a practising Catholic seems totally unaware of what Jesus said in Matthew 25;36-40.

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  4. I don't know he final count as yet but last night my church did their regular Monday night Out of the Cold supper - and last night's was a Christmas dinner - and yes - with a vegetarian option.
    450 Gift bags were also prepared to give out - any left over will be taken to a couple of other Outreach operations in the downtown area that we serve.
    Even though the whole province is going into a total lockdown as of midnight Christmas we plan to continue on with the breakfast and dinner programs. I'm on a Zoom meeting this afternoon to go over what we can and cannot do under the latest protocols.
    I'm sure your lovely meal will be much appreciated - especially this year - a big thank you to all the volunteers.

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  5. Serving others is what this life is truly about. Bless you!

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