“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt 5:16
Select the "Re-Track" option
Love Christmas 2021
The challenges of the last 18 months mean it’s been a particularly tough season for some groups in our society. As local churches, we want to step forward this month to share some light and love to some in our town by gifting them with Christmas boxes filled with goodies this December.
It’s been on our heart to express our love specifically these groups of people:
The elderly, who can feel especially isolated at this time; families that we’ve connected with through local schools unable to have the sort of Christmas many of us will enjoy, to those impacted by domestic violence through Families First and to the homeless and refugee clients we serve through the King’s Arms Project.
Will You Help Us?
You can take part with us by filling a box for one of these groups of people. You can be as creative as you like in filling your box but below we show you some ideas of what you could put in them.
Please note - Don’t tape them closed as we’ll be including some Christmas booklets and information about King’s Arms and other local churches involved.
Please also avoid alcohol, age specific toys, size specific clothing and perishables.
We want you to pick up / fill or give us the contents of one or more Christmas parcels, approximately the size of a large shoe box and deliver them to King’s House. The boxes will be marked so you know which of our four groups will be receiving your parcel. Empty boxes can be collected on a Sunday from church or from the Re-track office during the week (10am to 2pm) between 14th-28th November. Then bring them back by Sunday 5th December to allow us to complete and distribute them. These can be left on the table next to the bookshop in the coffee shop.
If you have questions please call or text Gaye Coulson on 07754 508648 or email re-track@kingsarms.org
Some ideas for your boxes...
KAP CLIENTS (Red dot on box for men, green dot on box for women):
Christmas treats like chocolates, biscuits and mince pies
Socks
Woolly Hat
Deodorant
Shower gel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Chocolate
Hand warmers
Body spray
Gloves
Scarf
Torch
ELDERLY (yellow dot on box for women, blue dot for men):
Christmas treats like chocolates, biscuits and mince pies
Individual Christmas puddings
Wax-covered Cheese
Chutney and crackers
Small pots of jam
Speciality tea / coffee / drinking chocolate
Bubble bath
Hand cream
Body lotion
Nice soap
FAMILIES (orange dot on box):
Fairy lights
Christmas crackers
Christmas treats like chocolates, biscuits and mince pies
Chocolate coins
Chocolate orange
Christmas pudding
Special cordial/squash
Christmas pasta shapes & sauce
Shortbread
Scented candle
Festive tea towel
Bubble bath/bath bombs
Vouchers
#LoveChristmas
This initiative is in partnership with churches across the nation aiming to reach over 1,000,000 people this month with #lovechristmasLYN.
As a church, in faith, we're hoping to give out 500 to those in need around Bedford.
Families
You can fill a box yourself by picking one or more up on a Sunday or from the Re-track office during the week between 7th-21st November. Then bring them back by Sunday 5th December to allow us to complete and distribute them. Decorate them however you would like and you’re also welcome to include your own card, should you want to write a personal message.
OR just bring a bag of goodies and leave on the table by the bookshop in the coffee shop and we will put them in the box.
What if I can't make a box?
If you prefer to simply make a donation toward this cause you’re welcome to. Visit kingsarms.org/donate and make sure you select the dropdown saying 'Re-track: Love Christmas'.
What about COVID?
To reassure people in these strange times, King’s House is a COVID secure venue and we will make sure everything donated has 48 hours untouched before distributing as per the government's guidelines.
I have more questions...
If you have questions please call or text Gaye Coulson on 07754 508648 or email re-track@kingsarms.org
Let’s #lovechristmasLYN and make the most of this opportunity to see a Tsunami of Love continue to spread across our town.