[YES UPDATE] December 22, 2009
The biweekly email sent to all who said "YES" at our annual missions conference.
Integrate [One Families Christmas Reflection by Karen Elliot]
There are certain things in every household that are “non-negotiables.” In our home we call these “the Elliott Fabulous Four”: no disrespect, no ingratitude, all doors are open (unless you’re in the bathroom), and no deceit of any kind. As a result, with some theological questions that naturally arise, we don’t “do” Santa. After all, Jesus gave us the money for any gifts that we buy, so He deserves all the credit!
The children only get three gifts from Rich and myself. I mean seriously…they can’t get more than Jesus did. That just doesn’t seem right; however, the in-laws and grandparents seem to think that one from them isn’t enough, so we just let that go. We believe in “keeping the peace on earth.”
One new tradition we’ve begun to establish now that Philip and Mary-Jane are a little older is the “Christmas Mommy/Daddy Date Night.” Rich takes one child and I take the other. We go in separate cars, take one child out for a special one-on-one dinner, and then that child goes shopping for their brother or sister. That’s the only thing they may think about that evening—their sibling. Plus, it gives us some nice, isolated time with one child. That in and of itself is such a gift for them and for us.
In addition to giving to each other, however, we also try to give to an “Angel Tree” or something like that. Rich and I have been doing this even before we had our own children, and it’s such a privilege to help someone who literally can’t get out to buy their child a present. It’s a way of helping a fellow parent keep their dignity and be able to provide for their child in such a special way.
Also, to further this idea, we often ask Philip and Mary-Jane to give something away if they receive a new gift. This isn’t always easy for them, but one time Mary-Jane got a new toy, and I told her that she must go and get something to give away. She turned from me disheartened, but then moments later returned with her favorite doll—a shiny, golden dressed Sleeping Beauty. She cried while she handed it to me, but honestly, I couldn’t take it. Her act of that “first fruits” love convicted me so much. I went back to her room and we chose something just as nice, but something that wasn’t her favorite. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that, and perhaps I projected my own sinful, inability to give away my very best, but her act alone was a gift to me and a reminder of the fact that in Christ, God gave us His very best. I need to do the same.
Give [Genorsity at Christmas]
In the midst of hard economic times we are called to praise God and to trust in him. As we end our calendar year 2009, we have much to be grateful for. We also have much to pray for. Our budget deficit looms large at the end of the year. Realistically unless we see extraordinary giving beyond what we received last year we will end the year with a large deficit in our missions budget. (Currently projecting a $170k deficit)
God is faithful and we will weather this storm due to faithful saints who have gone before us and left us a legacy of a mission’s endowment as an emergency reserve for years like this. However in looking at next year’s budget the Missions Committee has determined that to be the faithful stewards that we were appointed to be we cannot continue to draw down and deplete our endowment which we rely on to take care of retired missionaries and extraordinary projects. This deficit will mean some fairly severe cuts and reductions in next year’s budget.
We do invite you to remember to fulfill your missions pledge. But in the spirit of Christmas it is not just our church that could use generosity;
World Relief is an organization that was founded here at Park Street. Consider a Christmas gift to those living in vulnerable and war torn places by making a gift at www.worldrelief.org/christmas.
Daybreak Pregnancy Resource Center www.daybreakinc.org counsels and supports women in crisis pregnancies in helping making the choice for life and resourcing young mothers. To give contact info[at]daybreakinc.com
Operation Christmas Child – Our Family Ministries are putting together shoe boxes for kids in war torn places. To get involved contact kperkins[at]parkstreet.org
Prayers of Praise
At this joyous season it is good to reflect on all that God has done this past year—and to give thanks for the ways that He has blessed us.
Join with us in giving God thanks for:
* the opportunity to celebrate our bicentennial by welcoming home all of our current long-term missionaries for our missions conference
* having many retired missionaries join us for the missions conference
* short term teams sent to serve in Yemen, Dearborn, Michigan, Kazakhstan, and right here in our own community of Boston
* individuals that participated in missions trips to China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Thailand, & the Ukraine
* the commissioning of Damian, Grace & Moses L.—new long-term missionaries to Kazakhstan (http://www.parkstreet.org/give)
* the appointment of Kristi Vrooman—new mid-term missionary to Cologne, Germany (http://www.vroomvroomvroomvroom.blogspot.com/ )
* the birth of Kara to Andrew & Sophia S., our missionaries in Singapore
* 1025 Park Streeters said “YES” to getting involved in missions by praying, giving, and integrating
* for lives touched and changed through the work of our missionaries
* for God’s provision for our missions program, despite this year’s economy
