November was a month of cheerful giving for Outreach! Our focus is our Bridge of Hope Thanksgiving dinners. Food stuffs for ten meals are collected and donated to the Good Samaritan drive, to feed families that might otherwise not have a delicious turkey day like so many of us enjoy each year.
Trick or Treat for UNICEF was a great success – we raised over $140.00 to donate to the cause. Our youth learned about the work UNICEF does and collaborated as a team to collect coins for a donation. After services the church gathered for a spirited Halloween coffee hour. The kids enjoyed some sweet treats – and the adults enjoyed them too!
Outreach also continued to collect items for the Coventry Food Pantry. I cannot recall a single month when we have not been able to donate to our local food drive. I am putting out a call of appreciation to our congregation for this dedicated support. Another standing tradition was again joyfully delivered: our monthly Atkinson meal. I am glad to announce that we have also added some new opportunities for our church to get involved with Atkinson. A paper sign-up sheet will now be posted by the Upper Hall, where people can select a dish to contribute. This is a great time ask others what they might have cooked in the past and get to know more about Atkinson as a whole. Also, it’s a great time to collaborate with a neighbor and plan to cook together.
Lastly, we have also added a new volunteer option for Atkinson: a ride along! This sign-up is the perfect opportunity to ride with the driver and see Atkinson in person – get an idea of the location and drive, as well as see the delivery process in action. Currently, staying on to help serve the food is optional. The driver takes the meals to the Atkinson center, and the center will collect the food from the car trunk and then take it into the kitchen. Ride along allows new volunteers to see this happen, so everyone can feel confident to sign up as a driver. In the words of Ecclesiastes 4 – 9, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
I encourage everyone to delight in our Lord this season, and I send well wishes to you all!