Note from Bethel
Dear Friends,
It is unusual for us to send a plea via our updates, but Christmas is coming and the needs of the families we serve are great at this time of year. I am new as a long-term volunteer to this ministry. A recent graduate fo Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, my heart led me back to the Mississippi Coast and to Bethel's Hurricane Katrina Minsitry, as many of you have been led. I believe this to be God's call for me at this time. I will continue to serve here as laong as there is a need for my pastoral services. I was shocked to find that recovery, though on-going is so slow. As families move back into refurbished homes, many are without furniture and household necessities as all of their resources have been used up in the rebuilding process. People are sleeping on floors as there is no budget for beds or bedding. Something as simple as a dining table can change the way a family lives together in their new home. We are still being asked for food and continue to serve 30 to 50 clients every day in our medical clinic.
People have been so generous in contributing money and supplies to support our ministry here, but it is hard for those who are far away to appreciate how the needs continue. We are planning a Santa Shop in which parents can come to choose toys for their children, and a separate shop in which children can shop for their parents. As we receive applications for families who are already our clients for rebuilding and support, we begin to understand the needs which extend beyond the immediate need for shelter. So many people were coping with immediate physical needs last Christmas there was hardly an opportunity to celebrate. For many this will really be their first Christmas since Katrina. The stories we hear are heartbreaking. As families have lost everything, so the children in those families have lost toys, books, other items of comfort and meaning. The opportunity is great to begin a relationship with families who strive to recreate a home for themselves and their children.
There are several means of creating those relationships. We have families to adopt for Christmas and through the year as they continue to rebuild home. We would be delighted to provide contact information if you or your congregation would like to sponsor a family for Christmas or longer. Several congregations in South Carolina delivered toys for our Santa Shop, but as applications come in, the need is greater than our supply. $100 Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears and Visa gift cards always touch the hearts of parents struggling to meet their family's expectations and allow families to meet their specific needs.
You have always been so generous in the past, we know you will want to partiacipate with us in supporting these families. Please call or e-mail us soon for information, and feel free to pass on this e-mail to anyone who might be interested in adopting a family or supporting our Santa Shop.
Blessings,
Barbara Punch
Pastoral Assistant
It is unusual for us to send a plea via our updates, but Christmas is coming and the needs of the families we serve are great at this time of year. I am new as a long-term volunteer to this ministry. A recent graduate fo Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, my heart led me back to the Mississippi Coast and to Bethel's Hurricane Katrina Minsitry, as many of you have been led. I believe this to be God's call for me at this time. I will continue to serve here as laong as there is a need for my pastoral services. I was shocked to find that recovery, though on-going is so slow. As families move back into refurbished homes, many are without furniture and household necessities as all of their resources have been used up in the rebuilding process. People are sleeping on floors as there is no budget for beds or bedding. Something as simple as a dining table can change the way a family lives together in their new home. We are still being asked for food and continue to serve 30 to 50 clients every day in our medical clinic.
People have been so generous in contributing money and supplies to support our ministry here, but it is hard for those who are far away to appreciate how the needs continue. We are planning a Santa Shop in which parents can come to choose toys for their children, and a separate shop in which children can shop for their parents. As we receive applications for families who are already our clients for rebuilding and support, we begin to understand the needs which extend beyond the immediate need for shelter. So many people were coping with immediate physical needs last Christmas there was hardly an opportunity to celebrate. For many this will really be their first Christmas since Katrina. The stories we hear are heartbreaking. As families have lost everything, so the children in those families have lost toys, books, other items of comfort and meaning. The opportunity is great to begin a relationship with families who strive to recreate a home for themselves and their children.
There are several means of creating those relationships. We have families to adopt for Christmas and through the year as they continue to rebuild home. We would be delighted to provide contact information if you or your congregation would like to sponsor a family for Christmas or longer. Several congregations in South Carolina delivered toys for our Santa Shop, but as applications come in, the need is greater than our supply. $100 Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears and Visa gift cards always touch the hearts of parents struggling to meet their family's expectations and allow families to meet their specific needs.
You have always been so generous in the past, we know you will want to partiacipate with us in supporting these families. Please call or e-mail us soon for information, and feel free to pass on this e-mail to anyone who might be interested in adopting a family or supporting our Santa Shop.
Blessings,
Barbara Punch
Pastoral Assistant
posted by Kent at 10:36 PM
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