#ChristmasIsNotCancelled.
News about our plans for Christmas 2020 from the Ministry Team.
The nights are drawing in, the weather getting cooler, and as this year will be different from all others, the Ministry Team have already been planning the BV Christmas. Obviously we don’t exactly know how things will look in two months time, but we are planning for various scenarios! What you do need to know is that this year we will bring you the Christmas story as never before, and share the real meaning of the season with as many people as we can. The Comms team will meet soon to help bring these plans to fruition.
This year we might not be able to celebrate in the ways that we have done previously, but we have God’s love brought to us in the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. That is a gift that we must cherish not only at Christmas but every day. If the people around us don’t share this joy, Christmas 2020 might seem bleak. It’s up to us to let them know that #Christmasisnotcanelled, and that God’s love endures through all the trials of life.
Christmas Giving
The Christmas season at Barclay Viewforth is not just about parties and having fun! We do actually take time and effort trying to support the communities around us, near and far. This year we are going to do that differently, but hopefully enable people to participate.
Blythswood Shoebox appeal
The past two years, not only have we gathered shoeboxes, but also been a sorting centre for the area. If you have volunteered at this you will know how busy the church was, filled with willing hard working volunteers. After some consideration, we have decided not to be a sorting centre this year and we are not collecting shoeboxes. Apologies if you have been busy buying and making stuff already, but we don’t want anyone to feel pressured into having to shop for these items in this difficult time.
Bethany Christian Trust
For a number of years we were a night shelter for the homeless in our city. More recently with the opening of Diadem, better facilities were available, but our members continued to provide help. With Covid-19 restrictions Bethany are having to find new ways to work and support our homeless community.
Food bank at Bruntsfield Evangelical Church
Winter might be a time where we encourage people to bring more donations to church to support the work of the local food bank. The food bank continues to operate, but member have to take donations directly there on a Friday morning.
Because of the restrictions in 2020 we have decided to offer these three organisations financial help through the giving of our members. To enable this we will set up a giving page, separate from the church, and monies raised will be split three ways and given to the above to enable them to keep blessing others this winter. What we ask is that the money you might have normally spent on filling a shoebox, or buying for the foodbank go into this fund. More details will follow, but if you want to give but are unable to do so online, please contact the office.
This Christmas season we want to bless others, but at the same time keep our congregation safe and well. And of course, all these ministries would appreciate ongoing prayer for the work that they carry out.
