Update Tuesday - Dec.

December, which brings with it the beginning of the Christmas season, is definitely upon us.   Our decorations are up, radio stations are beginning 24hrs of Christmas tunes and the malls are getting busy (so they tell me!).  The calendar has also become packed to overflowing.  Although I try not to get carried away by many of the trappings of the season, there are a few things happening in our Fellowship that I am happily anticipating and for which we would ask for your prayers.

First, we have our annual winter coat and blanket drive.  We will be doing our first LoveLoud outreach and handout on December 16th, during which we will be giving out coffee, sandwiches, coats and blankets to the cities less fortunate.  We have had some "Christmas in August" donations, including hats, mits and scarves, that we will be delivering and we are currently gathering clean blankets and warm coats.

Secondly, and something new for this year, is that we will be preparing a number of Christmas baskets.  Specifically, we will be putting baskets together for a number of the individuals that I meet with every Monday morning.  Meeting with them each week gives us a unique opportunity to know them better and thus to serve these neighbours in a more personalized manner.  We will be gearing each basket to one of our friends specifically. 

Lastly, we will be hosting a Christmas dinner with our Fellowship on December 19th, to which we are encouraging our people to bring a friend.  Prayerfully, this will be an opportunity to introduce a few new people in our circles of influence to our Fellowship.

We are also already looking ahead and working on a LoveLoud Valentine's event, but I will share that at a later time!