Gingerbread and Generosity appeal to give Houses of Hope this Advent
Welcome to Gingerbread and Generosity – a new Advent project in association with SAMS Ireland, Bishops’ Appeal, and the Board for Ministry with Children and Families (BCFM).
We hope that families, children’s groups, church groups and perhaps some schools will be excited to take part in this new Advent programme within the Church of Ireland. During the Advent and Christmas season, we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ. And each year we remember that when Jesus was born, it was in a stable because there was no room in the inn.
The Son of God knew what it was like to be homeless, to be vulnerable. Jesus gave up all the glory of heaven because he loved us, every single human person who has ever lived. He came to give us hope and a future.
“This Advent and Christmas season, we invite you to include Gingerbread and Generosity as part of your parish and family celebrations,” says Hilary McClay, Education Advisor with Bishops’ Appeal. “With our theme – Houses of Hope – we are sharing the message that everyone needs a place to call home, and by focusing on two projects in South America where people who are homeless are cared for and supported by the local Anglican Church, and vulnerable young girls get a safe place to live and to recover from previous trauma.”
Resource Packs
To help bring the project to life, we have created two themed resource packs – one for churches and one for families. Both can be downloaded from the Church of Ireland Children and Families Ministry website at THIS LINK.
Within the church pack, there are outlines for services which could also be used in schools and in Sunday School contexts. We hope that children will be keen to get involved, and to pray for those who need a safe place to live – a House of Hope.
What could be more Christmassy than gingerbread men and gingerbread houses! Inside the packs you will find a variety of activities that you can use at home, at school or at church – please use them as they work best for you.
As part of the project there is a competition for the best gingerbread house we can find! So there is plenty of fun, along with the serious message that there are people who need a bit of help so that they have a House of Hope. Families are invited to share photos of their gingerbread creations for a chance to win a £50/€50 One4All voucher.
Each pack is filled with creative ideas, recipes, templates and activities to help you celebrate Advent with joy and purpose.
Support
A small amount of money can make a big difference and bring comfort and dignity to someone in need. For example, in Chile £16/€16 provides a quality blanket to keep someone warm through the cold nights. £10/€10 buys a T-shirt. £11/€11 gives someone a special Christmas meal with chicken, potatoes, rice, and a small gift. £5/€5 provides a simple but nourishing lunch of chicken, rice, and dessert. £5/€5 buys a toiletries pack. £5/€5 enables a child to receive a small gift, a reminder they’re not forgotten. £4/€4 buys underwear.
In the Safe House Project in Brazil, £7/€7 covers the cost for a girl’s food for the day. £7/€7 buys a basic item of clothing. £10/€10 covers the fuel needed to get the girls to school for a week. £30/€30 provides a session with a psychologist.
Your family and your church have the opportunity to make a donation (of £10/€10 or more) via the Bishops’ Appeal donations page by choosing the Gingerbread and Generosity option. All the money raised will be sent via SAMS in the new year to support these two projects in Chile and Brazil.
Watch this space
More stories will be shared over the coming weeks to help promote the appeal – so look out for these across the Church of Ireland’s websites and social media channels.