Serving Schools this Christmas
While social distancing measures remain in place, churches across the country are continuing to serve their local schools in new and creative ways.
Steve Younger, minister at High Blantyre Baptist Church, put his artistic skills to good use by painting some 'sleeping baby Jesus stones' that he then gifted to local pupils with the challenge of constructing a Nativity scene or story around the gift. Steve’s idea is a simple and effective way of engaging young people with the story of Christmas.
Steve also serves as the School Chaplaincy Project Leader for CVE Scotland and he recently shared some other school Christmas ideas that you can read here.
In another part of the country, Barbara Sweetin, the minister of East & Old Parish Church in Forfar asked her congregation to donate selection boxes for their local primary school. They managed to gather an amazing total of 420 boxes with each pupil at Strathmore Primary along with staff members receiving the chocolate goodies.
The gifting of chocolate tied in with Barbara’s virtual School Christmas message. She explained to pupils, “Jesus was a wonderful gift that God gave to us at Christmas time, and as a congregation we wanted to give you a gift too.”
Members of the congregation also knitted some angels for school staff members as a token of their appreciation for their hard work during this difficult and challenging year.
The Rev. Sweetin said, “We think the teachers, no matter where they are, are angels for the work they’ve been doing so well, especially since the lockdown started in March. We wanted to thank them, especially in these difficult times when they are so many different rules and regulations. It’s just wonderful that they’ve continued to do the work they do. “
Knitted angels have been a popular way of showing appreciation this year. Members at Townhill and Kingseat Parish Church did something similar, dropping off over 300 angels with a card from the church to their local primary school and care home.
While Christmas is usually a time where churches are involved in hosting school concerts and participating in school services, a lot of that hasn’t been possible this year. Liddesdale Parish Churches were keen to maintain their close connection with their local community. Working in partnership with Newcastleton Primary as well as community groups they hosted a Christmas reflective space to showcase the work and talent of pupils and local residents. The exhibition included painting, drawing, creative writing, sculpting , photography and more.
It’s great to see the different ways churches have continued to serve their local school communities in this challenging season. All these ideas encourages us to start with our own talents and abilities, and to consider what we have that can be used, whether that’s time, money, talents or space. And while these ideas have be born out of the pandemic, they are ideas that can always be used in future years too.
