Keep the Record Rolling 2020
From Karen Cooney:
Last year, our son-in-law Brooks was given the “12 days of Christmas.”
If you would like to get involved with the 2020 version of the 12 days of Christmas, we would love to have your help! You can contact us to have an item dropped off, you can give right in the area that you live in, or you can make a donation to Ripple of Us through Threshold Ministry (Canada Helps, e-transfer, credit card, etc.) with a note saying it is for 12 Days of Giving. Mark raises part of his own funds for this ministry, so the designation is important.
The backstory:
PART ONE: Brooks, my son-in-law, is very near and dear to all of us. When I ask him what he wants for Christmas (or any other time) and he tells me the same thing. “I have all I need; spoil my girls, or do something else.” Unless it is cookies. Then he is happy to tell me what he wants :).
Brooks, as long as I have known him, has had the kindest of hearts and he has come by that honestly. Brooks has and has had a rich family heritage — many well-lived lives that have left a strong and beautiful legacy.
Brooks’ dad passed away two years ago — December 1, 2018. He also lost his beloved Papa in the summer of 2018 and his beloved Gaga passed away February 2019. His beloved Nana and PawPaw Reid passed years earlier. He speaks of each of these people with such a beauty — often bringing me to tears. These people left a huge hole in the lives of the Record family (and beyond). However, I believe that Brooks’ compassion for others has grown ever more deeply. He sees pain that is not spoken and needs that are not expressed. He will never be the loudest one in the room, but he will be, guaranteed, the most observant one.
Through a series of events and conversations, which I know have been “not by chance,” the 12 Days of Giving began last December — 2019.
PART TWO: My husband Mark is all about community. He was in full-time church ministry for 30 years. Over those years he had numerous calls from people in need. So much of the time there was not the time or resources to fully provide for these needs. His yearning for “community” grew evermore.
We had multiple conversations, with various people, about what it would look like to “pastor” in a community but without a church building. Weird, I know, until Covid hit; now it seems less weird perhaps!
Through these conversations and many other life events, God was knitting together a beautiful tapestry. As his time in “pastoral church ministry” was ending for this season, our Father was leading Mark into “next.” Earlier this year, Threshold Ministres invited Mark into their fold and Ripple of Us was born. “In each of us is a desire to make a lasting impact on our world. Often, we do not know where to start — even when there are many possibilities. At Ripple of Us, we believe the best way to leave a mark is to Start Small. Our mission is to equip people with the ideas and resources required to make consistent ripples within society. Tiny deeds become a growing force for good.” This is from the Ripple of Us website and some was written by Brooks!
Mark says it well, “Our desire is to make a great difference by meeting the most practical needs of those in our communities through small, incremental steps taken in love and with compassion. Through these steps, our ultimate goal is to share the love of Jesus, who came to earth in what you would consider the ‘smallest’ of ways. Yet he created ripples of mercy and grace that are still impacting lives today and will for eternity, and together we will see God do great things!”
So, here we go! 12 days of Christmas giving 2020!
Each of the following gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, will be given in love, beginning a ripple.
You are receiving this as I am inviting you to be a part. A little last minute, but after the past 24 hours of seeing God’s hand working in the “meanwhile,” I know every spot will be filled — and beyond!!
If you would like to take part, send us a message on Facebook or email Mark at mark.cooney@thresholdministries.ca.
Sunday, December 13
On the first day of Christmas my community gave to me birthday gifts for one who was lonely.
We have an “adopted” family member who resides in a nursing home. No visitors were allowed, but gifts were. We hoped he loved them! We know that many nursing homes have ideas of what you can do over the holidays!
Monday, December 14
On the second day of Christmas my community gave to me two birds for cooking.
We know that many are facing challenges this year, we will be delivering some turkeys around town!
Tuesday, December 15
On the third day of Christmas my sweet community gave to me three boxed treats.
Ripple of Us wanted to thank the volunteers of Inner City Youth Lunch Connection program for their many hours of service to local schools in our community. So we will be delivering some Tim’s treats for coffee time — Covid style!
Wednesday, December 16
On the fourth day of Christmas my community gave to me four packs of diapers.
Every pregnancy care centre, or similar program, can always use diapers! We will be delivering to the door!
Thursday, December 17
On the fifth day of Christmas my community gave to me five families “starred!”
Let’s go to our neighbours with some Christmas Cheer! Ripple of Us is going to take treats to our neighbors. I am sure your neighbours would love to hear from you — from a distance!
Friday, December 18
On the sixth day of Christmas my community gave to me six pairs of socks!
Socks are needed at shelters, food banks, etc. This is a small start thing, but remember, tiny deeds become a force! We will be taking socks to Outflow.
Saturday, December 19
On the seventh day of Christmas my community gave away seven letters written!
Would you reach out to 7 people — write a letter, send a FB message, send a text...just send someone a thank you? Just a word of encouragement, some affirmation, or a prayer. I know we all need this right now!
Sunday, December 20
On the eighth day of Christmas my community gave to me eight acts of service!
Will you carry out some act of service on this day? We need to do this within the boundaries set forth by the government regarding Covid guidelines.
Monday, December 21
On the ninth day of Christmas my community gave away nine cups of coffee!
I am sure many of us will be out running around and doing last minute errands, and will be buying a coffee — would you buy one to give away? This will look different this year depending on where you live and the Covid restrictions in place. We will be giving a few gift cards out in uptown SJ!
Tuesday, December 22
On the tenth day of Christmas my community gave to me 10 blankets for warming.
Many shelters, and similar programs, can use warm blankets. If you would like to help us here in SJ with single-size blankets, let us know!
Wednesday, December 23
On the eleventh day of Christmas my community gave away 11 books for reading.
There is a great project being launched in January of 2020 that is a partnership between Pennies and Sparrows and the Family Connection Program - Inner City Youth Ministry. They will be preparing boxes for 20 families and delivering them monthly during the school months. These boxes will include all the items needed for a great family night...snacks, a storybook for bedtime, a board game, etc. Ripple of Us wants to give these programs a great start! If you would like to donate a new storybook or board game (see day 12), let us know! We can arrange for pick-up for a drop off to Threshold Ministries. If you would like to donate money to this cause, we can shop for you! See options for giving above.
Thursday, December 24
On the twelfth day of Christmas my community gave to me twelve board games for families (see day 11)
