Storehouse and Starter Packs - a year of giving

STOREHOUSE

Storehouse seeks to help those who, for many reasons, may have a shortage of food or basic household items. Thanks to the faithful giving of Link members during this year we have again been able to supply food parcels and Asda vouchers whenever we have received a request to help someone facing crisis. A typical food parcel contains basics such as teabags, coffee, sugar, salt, tinned goods, pasta and rice and pasta/rice sauces, breakfast cereal, biscuits, toiletries and household cleaning items. For the first time this year we have also supplied packs of nappies and basic baby requirements to help single mothers facing very difficult circumstances.

During 2011 Storehouse has supplied:

• Food parcels - 2 to contacts of Link Church members; 8 to outside agencies (Women's Aid, Your Oasis)
• Asda vouchers - £180 in total to Link Members, contacts of Link members and outide agencies
• Baby packs - 1 (with £20 Asda voucher) to contact of Link member; 2 to Women's Aid

We also collected again for Christmas Hampers and this year gave three to Women's Aid and one to Link Church friends. Each hamper contained a selection of basic food items and Christmas treats. With each hamper we gave a £10 Asda voucher.

Even after all this giving we still have 2 food parcels stored and money in the account, ready to meet emergency needs. We are aware that the Christmas period can bring its own difficulty and crisis to many people, and our contacts at Women's Aid know they can call us at any time should a woman in their care need this kind of help.

We can only meet needs through Storehouse as we become aware of them. Do you know someone in need? Please speak to Jackie or Ruth.

STARTER PACKS

Through our contacts with Women's Aid we also provide Starter Packs to women who are moving into their own accommodation. In these circumstances, women can receive grants to help with the purchase of furniture etc, but these cannot be used for the basic household essentials which we would all struggle to do without. Each Starter Pack contains essential items such as crockery, cutlery, saucepans, a toaster, iron and kettle. During 2011, there has been a constant demand for Starter Packs and we have given out at least one per month. There have been times when the lack of these items has been the only holdup to a woman finally moving into her accommodation and it has been necessary to put a pack together very quickly indeed! If you would like to know more about the Starter Packs, please speak to Jackie or Mo.

These vital ministries could not do so much without the regular giving of the people of Link Church. Those of us responsible for handing over the food parcels and packs hear so often that they are going to meet desperate needs and of how people have been touched by the kindness and love shown to them through our giving. If you have given in any way to Storehouse or Starter Packs during this year, be encouraged to know that your giving is making a huge difference to many lives.

"A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11: 25 (NIV)

Christmas Services

Christmas is fast approaching and it is too easy to get caught up in the hectic round of preparations for the festive season! Let us all take time in the next couple of weeks to remember how Jesus our Saviour came into the world as a tiny baby, born in Bethlehem. There are a couple of services coming up where there will be the opportunity for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. Invitations are available in Priory Lane so please do invite your family and friends to come along.

Sunday 18th December, 10.30 am -

This will be a real family event where everyone can relax and enjoy being in church while we explore the joy that comes in the message of Christmas.

After the service we will have lunch together and invite our visitors to stay. Soup will be provided but please bring bread, fruit and cakes to share.

Saturday 24th December, 7.00 pm -
After all the busyness, this will be a time to reflect on the Christmas story with carols and readings.

AGM

The letters AGM are not known to raise any level of excitement and enthusiasm.  They are an essential part of the life of any charitable organisation, accounts, trustees reports and such need to be covered.  We met as a church last night.  Someone today was heard to comment that it had been the most enjoyable AGM she had attended in a long time!  Why?  It was not because there were any clever presentations or any grand giveaways! There was some real celebrations though.......


Around 40 children will be receiving school uniform this week, already to start school maybe even for the first time in January. After much work, our project to support orphans in Zimbabwe is now fully operational.. We thank God for this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of some special kids.


Our accounts are in the black.  In a year where many organisations are having to report a loss we are in surplus, not huge surplus, but surplus.  We thank God for his provision this year in our individual lives and in the life of our church.  Building works completed and paid for!  Starter packs and food parcels donated to people all through this year.


For Street Pastors, and Healing Rooms, Talk Matters and Choices.......
For Messy Church and the planning of Alpha Expresso


For our youth home group and kids programmes.


For our building that we are able to share with community groups. Thank you God, and show us how to increase this.  
For people who work hard in our building on upkeep and special projects. We thank God for willing hearts to serve.


For sharing lives with friends in Athens USA, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Brazil.
For community groups and prayer groups, for our weekend away and people just there to listen and encourage.  Thank you, God.


So lots to be thankful for, to celebrate and to believe for more in 2012.  
Any amens to that?