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Paula Donnelly

12/22/2020

 
Ordinarily our Christmas season does not bring to mind the story in Matthew (14:16-21), of the loaves and fishes. To me the two are linked in my heart forever. For several years I had the privilege to coordinate 35 churches for Loaves and Fishes Too at the Dorothy Day Center in downtown St Paul. Each day a different church would arrive with the supplies and volunteers to prepare an evening meal for three hundred guests, most of whom lived on the street or were living in homeless shelters. In the traditional Christmas story Epiphany comes with the arrival of the Three Wise Ones bringing exotic gifts for the New King. Of course, at Christmas time each church not only served the meal but arrived with gifts as well for their guests,  not so exotic but needed things like hats, mittens, socks and toiletries.
 
The second year I coordinated we worked hard as a staff to enhance each volunteer's experience to see beyond the generous charity they offered to understand that the giving was a gift to each person who was fortunate enough to be the giver and volunteer. In the fall before the Christmas season an idea was hatched and shared with many of the churches who embraced the idea and made it a reality. We would give the “Gift of Giving” to those guests of ours so that they could experience what we experienced every evening. Churches were invited to be involved in multiple ways – donations were collected to build a store of simple gifts from which our guests could choose and send to their family and friends. Volunteers signed up to person the store assisting guests in choosing, wrapping, and getting “UPS ready” the packages, money was donated for materials and postage. Guests were given a shopping time slot and the only thing the guests needed was up to three addresses for up to three gifts.
It was a huge success as hundreds of guests were able to send gifts to family and friends. Packages were mailed all over the United States, to Europe, Africa, Central, and South America. I was honored, and as I said, privileged to be a part of the “Gift of Giving." It had a dimension rarely seen in charity, the dimension of dignity and the partnership in the joy of giving.
 
Dear God,
Help me to be a “wise one” during this season of giving. Show me the ways I can give, not exotic gifts, but share the gifts of the spirit you have given me with all those I travel with in this most blessed time – the Christmas Season.

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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy