Christmas Box Scheme brought festive cheer in Bradfield St George and Little Whelnetham
Alongside a £400 grant from our Growing in God growth fund, private donations are partly responsible for the initiative and have allowed the community to make and deliver 250 boxes.
In an effort to spread comfort and community spirit, the Christmas Box Scheme focused on giving each household in the area a Christmas box, filled with edible goodies, fairtrade tea, candles and useful resources such as a list of numbers of charities and foodbanks, as well as a prayer card. Also included was a piece of fabric that people were invited to write a prayer on and return, with the hopes that an altar cloth could be stitched together in time for Easter.
The project was very well received, with plenty of positive comments and feedback. Emails and letters were also received, with comments such as;
“Hi ladies, Thanks so much to the church for the Xmas box, it has made my day. Very thoughtful indeed. Yesterday we received a gift box from the church and diocese. Many thanks it was a kind thought at this miserable time. Thank you all for the package from the church. Please find my prayer cloth enclosed.”
Currently, eight prayer cloths have been returned, seven of which are from non-church households. Donations to the Church were also given, although these were completely unexpected.
The project featured on Radio Suffolk with an interview with the Revd Richard Stainer on 20 December at 6.35am.
Further details area available in our press release here.
