That time of year again
Time to brag on my folks again. Last month we provided boxes of Thanksgiving food & grocery gift cards for 40 needy families at Burbank School. This was an increase over last year when we did 33. At the last minute, the guidance counselor called to see if we could add 5 more to make it 38. The actual list came with 40. So that Sunday at worship I told the congregation how many more we were adding, and said "if you have a couple bucks extra to throw in the offering today it will help." Well, those 130 or so people threw in about $1250 extra bucks. That's twelve hundred fifty....not twelve bucks and fifty cents.
Because of that we've also been able to provide winter coats and boots for several children, as well as lots of hats, mittens and scarves. And I told the social worker at Burbank we can do more if they need them, plus we could do extra Christmas gifts.
Which brings me to today. It was shopping day for my confirmation kids. Last year I had volunteer youth come in on a Saturday to shop for our share of the Burbank list using the money from Thrivent Financial. This year I decided we would take our whole confirmation class on a Sunday instead of having regular class. They loved it! Or to quote one 7th grader, "That was funner than I thought it would be!"
Imagine, if you will, 7 middle school and 2 high school youth unleashed in Target for a 45 minute shopping spree to buy 59 gifts. They each had a list of names, genders and ages, and a spending range limit of $20 per gift. There were also four other adults along to help "guide" and buy some more boots, but our kids really did all the choosing and shopping on their own - and finished well before their time limit. The bigger challenge was the wrapping party back at church.
My confirmation kids have been really amazing for me this fall. Our class has been heavy on service for the whole semester (goes with the curriculum series on "My Faith" as we talk about faith in action, not just words.) We've done a 5 mile CROP walk to help feed the hungry, participated in the stewardship lunch & discussion (mixed in with the adults for the discussion groups... of all the horrors,) sorted food for the Thanksgiving baskets, and now shopped for the gifts. I told them next semester they'll have to get used to normal classes and discussions again. That's going to be a tough adjustment for all of us, I must say.
It has been a long day again, but when I see the bags filling my office waiting to be delivered, it's worth it. These are the kinds of things that make my job a gift.
Because of that we've also been able to provide winter coats and boots for several children, as well as lots of hats, mittens and scarves. And I told the social worker at Burbank we can do more if they need them, plus we could do extra Christmas gifts.
Which brings me to today. It was shopping day for my confirmation kids. Last year I had volunteer youth come in on a Saturday to shop for our share of the Burbank list using the money from Thrivent Financial. This year I decided we would take our whole confirmation class on a Sunday instead of having regular class. They loved it! Or to quote one 7th grader, "That was funner than I thought it would be!"
Imagine, if you will, 7 middle school and 2 high school youth unleashed in Target for a 45 minute shopping spree to buy 59 gifts. They each had a list of names, genders and ages, and a spending range limit of $20 per gift. There were also four other adults along to help "guide" and buy some more boots, but our kids really did all the choosing and shopping on their own - and finished well before their time limit. The bigger challenge was the wrapping party back at church.
My confirmation kids have been really amazing for me this fall. Our class has been heavy on service for the whole semester (goes with the curriculum series on "My Faith" as we talk about faith in action, not just words.) We've done a 5 mile CROP walk to help feed the hungry, participated in the stewardship lunch & discussion (mixed in with the adults for the discussion groups... of all the horrors,) sorted food for the Thanksgiving baskets, and now shopped for the gifts. I told them next semester they'll have to get used to normal classes and discussions again. That's going to be a tough adjustment for all of us, I must say.
It has been a long day again, but when I see the bags filling my office waiting to be delivered, it's worth it. These are the kinds of things that make my job a gift.
posted by Kris at 12/07/2008 05:10:00 PM
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