Christmas Generosity

We are blessed to be a blessing! Over the month of December, we as a church had several opportunities to show love and generosity to our neighbours. We’re so very excited for how you all jumped in and gave generously and selflessly, and for how God is going to use the ways that you’ve allowed God’s blessing to bless those around you. Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month:

NORTH DARTMOUTH COAT DRIVE — This past November, Deep Water joined the North Dartmouth Coat Drive. Together with a few other churches, community organizations and local politicians, we were able to get coats and other much-needed winter gear to 230 people.

As a direct result of being involved with the email threads for this event, a need became apparent at Harbour View Elementary School. The Head of School for the group of schools of which HVE is a part reached out, and after a few phone conversations it was apparent that the students weren’t the only ones in need. In addition to 6 students at the school getting the various winter gear they needed, a plan was made to bless the teachers and staff with a luncheon on the last day of work before the holidays. The school has close to 70 staff, and food trays and treats were prepared and delivered on behalf of Deep Water Dartmouth. This was a beautiful journey and a privilege to be a part of. Plans are in the works for an ongoing partnership to help the school and staff with their practical needs.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR WISH LIST — We continued our Love Your Neighbour Week Wish List over the month of December, and were so blessed by the many individuals who participated. Almost every item on the list was spoken for, and the gifts were wrapped and delivered to one of our ReachOut volunteers, who surprised the two families with the gifts a few days before Christmas. One family was aware that they might be receiving some donated items, but the other family was completely amazed. Both were immensely thankful for the gifts and love that they received this Christmas season.

OPEN ARMS CENTRE WIST LIST — The Open Arms Centre has been one of our ReachOut partners for several years. They’re a women’s and children’s centre operating in Uniacke Square, and offer after school care, homework help, bible studies and life skills classes to women and children in their community. Most Christmases, our Upstream families partner with them to provide Christmas stockings for the kids, but this Christmas they gave us their own Wish List. Together we provided them with an entire trunk full of baking supplies, $350 in gift cards, a brand new stand mixer and 8+ bags of snacks and craft supplies!

CR CHRISTMAS DINNER — This one wasn’t officially a part of our Christmas Generosity campaign, but you guys showed up here too! We had Christmas dinner dishes, desserts, drinks and treats donated by members of our Care Team as well as a few other generous donations. The original plan was to eat together in person, but we had to change things up a little bit because of Covid restrictions. Volunteers from Deep Water packed meals into takeout containers and gave out 15 meals and gifts to members of our CR family. We had bunches left over and delivered those to the folks living in Peace and Friendship Park and dropped the rest off at the Salvation Army Centre on Gottingen.

Thank you so much for all of the ways that you were a blessing this Christmas!