A Season Of Giving

Christ Church was busy in our “neighborhood” of Temple, Texas during the Christmas Season. In very special ways, we touched lives and added a highlight to the Christmas Experience for many. 

If you glanced in our extra Sunday School room, you saw it filled with Potato Sacks full of gifts specific for children who were able to experience “special” because their special requests were “heard by Santa” and fulfilled by special elves. (They received these gifts directly from their parents.) Christ Church furnished over 20 bicycles to children who are peddling them in their neighborhoods now. We are extremely fortunate for our very special organizer: Suzanne Boyer. Please add thoughts and a word of “Thanks” to her….and to our special delivery team that included Maya and Isaac and Cindy and David. 

During the same week, Kerry Hancock’s Feed My Sheep Sandwich “Packers” added home baked Christmas cookies to the monthly “Sack Lunch Delivery.” Having a home baked, custom decorated Christmas Cookie adds a connection to those who are struggling with homelessness or other struggles. The men and women know that there is someone who values them in a simple and special way. 

The next experience was the great outpouring of Grocery Bags full of canned goods, kitchen staples, and a few special treats for Christmas. I know that many experienced delights when they joined the “drive through” for their CTLC Christmas Bags. (And a who is close to our church received a box of Pineapple, a King Cake, and 4 bags of canned goods and meat…just because Earl, the Head of Churches Touching Lives for Christ, acknowledged the need for extra after learning that over 5 children under the age of 13 lived together with their parents and shared openly with each other.) 

Christmas Dinner at the Kyle Hotel has been a special part of the experience of Christ Church, and especially the DOK, for the last 3 years. This year, the experience was especially rich because of donations from DOK members. Deacon Becky’s office was full of special items: Dish Towels for those who came for dinner; At least 2 pairs of socks for each; writing tablets with markers, hygiene items, individual gifts and more. Our Christ Church Knitter group knitted a kitchen cloth for all and added dishwashing liquid. Beverly Custer provided her favorite dish “cozies” for each. 

Those were all delivered to the Great Room/Lobby of the Kyle by a great group of Elves.” Included in the deliveries was a Gourmet Christmas Dinner prepared by our own G A Whitehead and some special help (a 3-day process!) Dessert was a “Signature” Pumpkin role…topping off a full dinner of Baked Ham, Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Casserole, and more. It was a feast that will not be experienced with such delight anywhere else. 

*And some elves showed up from our Christ Church Youth Group and friends…ready to serve the full plates and deliver Gift Packages to each of the Guests. Fr. Keith and Fr. Dan took places on the serving line. Diners were serenaded by a very special Minstrel and his guitar. All joined in sharing smiles and music as we sang Christmas Carols. This event will go down in history as one of the most special experiences Christ Church has been involved in. 

*Soon to be delivered will be the shower bags that DOK is furnishing and filling for women who use “The Well” at Feed My Sheep as their special place during their daytime experience. Each will get her “own” bag with hygiene items and washcloth…a highly valued personal possession when housing is not a consistent expectation. (It comes with a personal storage space at “The Well.”) 

Thank you to all who provided the specialness for so many during this Holiday Season. Please feel free to contact me if you want to join in any of our activities in the year ahead. 

The Rev. Becky Sparks, Deacon

becky@christchurchtemple.org