Yesterday was a truly hectic but very blessed time as the community showed its support of the Goldthorpe Christmas Market. Many have said they have never seen our community room so full and certainly it was a busy afternoon and evening.
Such events could not happen without the tireless work and unstinting support of volunteers who gladly give their time, money and effort to make such times a success. Their ideas, ingenuity in fund-raising and dedication make it a pleasure to work with them. We don’t have photos for all the people who worked behind the scenes (please don’t be offended if you’re not on here… you’re probably camera-shy or too busy to be snapped), but here are a few photos of those whose dedication made yesterday such a resounding success. We salute you and want you to know that God sees your efforts even when we don’t.
Volunteers contribute so much to our society, not only in terms of the hours they put in or the effect they have on the economy or the difference they make to individuals. It’s very easy to be disengaged or apathetic, to feel that there are so many problems that our ‘little bit’ doesn’t make any dent into problems as a whole. But as yesterday’s efforts showed, every little bit does help and there is tremendous power in working together cheerfully and unselfishly. Lailah Gifty Atikah says “Good deeds awaken the good spirit of every soul.”
God’s people serve others out of the overflow of what they have received from God. Jesus said, ‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ (Matt 10:8) People give generously and freely out of the overflow of all God has given them and it’s a privilege to work with such people. Our prayer is that the money raised (£500!!) will help those struggling financially at this time and give them a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons. Christmas is the time when we remember how God came to us when we were desperate, how He embraced our humanity and worked to bridge the gulf that sin had created between us and God. We long to help others so that they too may know His all-encompassing love and grace. We thank everyone for their help and pray each one will know God’s abundant blessings on their lives.