Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
November 2016
Extraordinary Gifts
I can't remember the exact date but I do know I inwardly groaned the first time I heard a radio presenter reminded us it was only 'xyz' shopping days to Christmas! The annual challenge of finding Christmas gifts for all our loved ones is looked upon by some with joy and by others as a real challenge and chore! My problem is that I know I already have far too much and there is very little more I need and I suspect that for many grown-ups the feeling is shared. What most of us would give our right arms for is world peace, and end to poverty, .....
I am therefore very inspired by the concept of "Extraordinary Gifts" from the wonderful Methodist Charity "All We Can" (what you still think of as MRDF!). The idea is you contribute a sum of money to provide someone in need in another country with something really important to their survival and you then get a certificate to give to Auntie Flo (or whoever) telling her all about the gift.
Examples of some of the gifts are :
- materials to build a bee hive in Ethiopia
- a goat and training for a family in Burundi
- seeds for a family in Ethiopia
- a piglet and training in India
- school books and materials for a year for two children in Nepal.
.... and that is just some of them!
I'll leave a catalogue or two lying about at church for you to look at and to make use of in case this 'no stress' way of Christmas present hunting appeals to you.
All Blessings