general church advent pack - mary's meals...advent is the time when we wait expectantly for the...
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DONATION DOUBLED
EVERY DONATION DOUBLED
From 28 September until 28 December, 2015, the UK Government will DOUBLE ANY DONATIONS you make to Mary’s Meals.
ADVENT CHURCH PACK
Introductory Note
Mary’s Meals Fact Sheet
Get Involved — Pray, Act, Give
Hope
Peace
Joy
Love
One More For Christmas
The work of Mary’s Meals was born in a shed. A lopsided, tired looking
shed in a very remote part of Scotland. This shed, however, has become
the HQ of a global movement that is now feeding more than one million
of the world’s poorest children every school day; God uses the weak things
of this world.
The work of Mary’s Meals is beautifully simple. One meal every day for a
hungry child in school – what could be more simple than that?
This daily meal attracts chronically hungry children into the classroom,
where they receive an education which can, in future, be their ladder out
of poverty.
There are 300 million chronically hungry children in the world. Around
59 million children are out of school because of hunger, and thousands
more still attend school too hungry to learn. The work of Mary’s Meals is
only just beginning.
Advent is the time when we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ;
the one who brings Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to a hurting world. This
advent season we invite you to walk with us on our journey to bring the
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love given through the fi rst Christmas, to some of
the world’s poorest children.
May God richly bless you
during this advent season.1 Corinthians 1:27
Ways to
We’re calling on you to Pray, Act and Give
this Advent
For each week of Advent we have included a passage from the Bible, a prayer, and
devotion, which can be used for reflection. These are linked with a case study so you
can see Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace in action through Mary’s Meals. We’re asking your
congregation to pray for Mary’s Meals this Advent so that we can reach many more
children with a life-changing meal at school every day. Please see our interactive
resources online, including footage from the field and PowerPoint presentations.
Please visit:
www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/feed-our-future
Each weekly Advent reflection is accompanied by a Mary’s Meals case study
demonstrating Hope, Love, Joy or Peace. We’re asking your congregation to display
our Advent poster and use our pack to raise awareness about Mary’s Meals.
If your church would like to give to Mary’s Meals we have resources to inspire you,
please read on for ideas. You can also visit our website:
www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/feed-our-future
We also have a simplified Advent reflection for
children, with enjoyable and engaging activities.
Mary’s Meals is working to bring about the following changes in the lives of communities:
We select schools in the
poorest areas where
hunger levels are high
and enrolment is low.Thanks to your donations, we provide food, cooking facilities, equipment, volunteer training and project monitoring.
Children are given support to complete a full course of
primary schooling.
Child hunger at school is reduced and more children attend and progress within primary education. Their health and wellbeing improves.
Community volunteers manage and deliver
school feeding projects.
Community support for education increases. The local economy is boosted. Governments support and replicate effective school feeding programmes.
How we
OURFEED
FUTURE
EVER
Y
DONATION DOUBLED
EVERY DONATION DOUBLED
93p of every pound donated
goes towards our charitable activities
It costs just £12.20 to feed a child TWO children for a whole school
year. You can help Mary’s Meals by getting involved – remember every penny
helps and from now until 28 December 2015,
the UK Government will DOUBLE ANY DONATIONS you make to Mary’s Meals.
illionmThank you
for changing the lives of more than a million children!
SO MUCH
Seven-year-old Livinesi is one of 1,500
children at Chirimba primary school who
recently began receiving Mary’s Meals
bringing them hope for a brighter future. The
school is in the Machinga district of eastern Malawi.
Little Livinesi lives with her three sisters, who are so enthusiastic about
their education, they have decorated their home with pictures of the
alphabet and sums. Beatrice – the eldest of the four – gets her younger
siblings up and ready for school each day.
She speaks of the benefi t Mary’s Meals has for the younger girls: “Having
food at school has helped the children a lot. They are energetic and alert,
and can concentrate. They are not gloomy anymore!”
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Many people confuse hope with wishful thinking, for there is something
within the human being that always wants things to work out well.
The Christian idea of hope is found in the Christmas story. It accepts
the harshness of the stable and a manger for a bed, the roughness of the
shepherds and the indiff erence of the majority of people who could fi nd
no room in their homes nor their hearts. The Christmas story faces the
harshness of life, yet it is a story of hope, because behind the scenes, God
is at work.
The writer of the carol ‘O Little town of Bethlehem’ captures something of
this sentiment with the words ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in
thee tonight’. Christian hope is diff erent from wishful thinking. It is a hope
that faces the fears and realities of tough situations with a fi rm belief that
God is at work.
Mary’s Meals seeks to bring hope to the lives of
children like Livinesi.
bringing them hope for a brighter future. The bringing them hope for a brighter future. The
Heavenly Father,
In the darkness, let your light shine. Let hope come, let it be our companion
in the days ahead. We pray this Christmas time for those who have lost
hope, and those for whom the future seems cold and dark. Let us remember
that you are at work for the good of those who love you. May this Advent be
a time when we receive words of hope, and may we also bring hope to the
lives of others.
Amen
For nothing is impossible with GodLuke 1: 37
Varney is 16 and lives in Liberia. He was just
a small child when rebels chased him and
his family from their village. They attempted
to recruit his father and grandfather to fi ght and when they refused, they
cut off his grandfather’s ear and set his father on fi re.
Fortunately, no one was killed, but life was very hard. Varney’s family moved
between refugee camps, struggling to fi nd enough food for them all.
Varney recognises the importance of this food, “I remember a time when I
went to school and there was no food, learning was very hard.”
Varney hopes to complete his schooling and fi nd a good job. He says that
his mother and father have worked so hard for him that he wants help them
too. “My hopes for the future are a peaceful Liberia, everyone says Liberia
has the chance to become great, for that I hope.”
Heavenly Father,
So often we speak of shining light in dark places, but so often we ignore the
cries for help—there are so many of them from many diff erent places.
But you Lord have given us a responsibility. It was Christ himself who said,
‘Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you
do for me.`Help us to see the face of Christ in those who call to us for help.
Help us to reach out to those who need light in their darkness, and through
us may the light of your Peace and Love shine.
Amen
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Not everyone welcomed the birth of Christ. Herod, the Roman-appointed
king of the Jews, ordered the execution of all young male children under
the age of two—an act so barbaric it is diffi cult to fathom. Atrocities are still
happening around the world today, where innocent lives are lost and God’s
message is forgotten.
But there is hope, for Jesus taught “9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5: 9-10)
Mary’s Meals provides daily meals in school for
children in tumultuous situations, such as former
child soldiers in Liberia, and Dalit children—lower
caste children—in India who would normally
be excluded. We reach children suff ering the
devastating eff ects of gang violence in Haiti and
those living in war-torn nations like South Sudan.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who
are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5: 9-10
Dixon lives in the Lirangwe area of rural
Blantyre with his siblings, Welozumi and
Junior. They attend Makelenge School and
Dixon says, “I love it very much. There isn’t enough food for us all at home,
and don’t want them to have any excuse not to attend school,” he says.
Dixon has a positive outlook and says with a smile, “I enjoy attending school
with the other children and eating the hot porridge in the mornings.”
“I am able to concentrate in class a lot more now, I want to become a driver!”
As for his brothers, Dixon has dreams of them becoming a teacher and doctor,
respectively.
“If they continue to attend school and receive Mary’s Meals daily they can be
the best people in life. They’ll be able to do jobs that help others around them!”
Loving God,
Thank you for the Joy that has been given to us through your Son, Jesus.
Thank you for the value that you place on each and every one of your
children, and that you care for those who are marginalised and overlooked.
Help us to be part of the Good News. Let us share what Christ has done for
us with others, so that they too may come to know your Joy.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Have you heard the Good News?
For many years the people had waited, but now was the time. Imagine the
joy the shepherds must have felt when the angels sang the news that the
Messiah, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, had been born in Bethlehem!
The shepherds were poor. They were uneducated. They were social
outcasts. Caring for sheep made them ceremonially unclean and, as such,
shepherds were not allowed into the temple courts or to be an active part
of synagogue worship. Surely for the birth of the Messiah, God would have
invited political infl uencers and religious insiders? Yet, God chose to reveal
the birth of His Son to the meek and the humble, to those whom society had
overlooked. This is the Good News and Joy of the Gospel; the last shall be
fi rst, the poor shall be rich, the humble shall be exalted.
Mary’s Meals seeks to bring joy to those who are
marginalised; those who feel like they have been
overlooked and forgotten. What great joy can be seen in
young faces as they line up with their mugs to receive
their daily meal of likuni phala porridge, knowing that
kind strangers are generously contributing to their future.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fi elds nearby, keeping watch over their fl ocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrifi ed. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been
born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will fi nd a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Luke 2: 8-12
Dixon
At Mary’s Meals, we often speak about the
many little acts of love that make up our
work—from the volunteers who help with
the everyday running of the charity to our supporters —everyone can do
something to make life better for the many hungry children in this world.
One such child is Shazia from Malawi. Shazia is fi ve years old, but already
she has lost both her parents. Unfortunately, her story is not unique– it
is estimated that one million children in Malawi are orphans and one of
the biggest challenges they face is hunger. But there is hope, Mary’s Meals
provides Shazia and thousands of other children in Malawi with a nutritious
meal everyday in school. It means Shazia has one fewer thing to worry
about and can concentrate on her learning, she loves to recite her ABCs!
Shazia exclaims, “I like porridge!”
She loves going to school and can now attend every day knowing she will
receive a big mug of porridge and an education which can be her escape
route from poverty.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of love that was given to us through the birth of
your Son. Help us to walk in your love and to show compassion to our
neighbours near and far. Help us to look to you always and to magnify your
presence through our actions. Let our lives refl ect the beauty, love and
humility of Christ and let our lives be fi lled with many little acts of love.
In your name we pray,
Amen
Shazia
Little Acts of Love
The Christmas story speaks to us not simply of a journey from Nazareth
to Bethlehem, but a journey that begins in the heart of God, a journey that
weaves its way through the Old Testament, and eventually comes together
in the birth of a Child. The Child that was destined to die on a cross as the
Saviour of the world.
Refl ecting many years later on the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus,
the Apostle John says; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The fi rst Christmas was an act of love. At Mary’s
Meals, we talk about ‘little acts of love’. These
simple acts, such as praying and giving, can make
the world of diff erence to the lives of chronically
hungry children.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Mrs Zolongati is one of the kitchen
volunteers in Mlemeka Primary School in
Malawi. She says, “Mary’s Meals isn’t just
about food for the children or even better health. To us in this community
it’s a symbol of progress. I can cook for the children of my community each
morning so they can eat, learn, and be independent.
She speaks these words with a huge smile as she ladles out porridge to a
long line of children laughing children, sharing stories over a big mug of
warm and nutritious likuni phala.
Mary’s Meals has, at last, just arrived at Mlemeka Primary School in a very
remote district of Malawi and already, hungry children who have never
attended before are arriving at school. It is a cause for huge celebration! Mrs
Zolongati exclaims, “It shows life!”
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of Christmas. For the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that
is given to us in Jesus Christ. Thank you for the continual invitation to sit
at your table, to enjoy your company, to celebrate your goodness. In this
coming year, may we make room for others throughout our daily lives. May
your Hope, your Peace, your Joy and your Love fl ow through us and touch
the lives of others.
In the name of the One whose birth we celebrate,
Amen
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overfl ows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning!
One of the great traditions of Christmas day is the gathering of the family
to share a meal. In the Christian tradition meals are important. Psalm 23
tells us that God has prepared a table for us. This Christmas we are invited
to God’s table not for turkey or roast potatoes but to feast on the one who
is the Hope of the world, the Prince of Peace, our Joy and strength, and the
eternal gift of Love.
As you gather round your table, enjoy and give
thanks for the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of
Christmas. As you celebrate with those dear
to you, spare a thought for children like
Livinesi, Shazia, and Varney that you have
met through our Mary’s Meals Advent
refl ections.
Would you have room to invite one of
them to your table this Christmas?
Mrs Zolongati
Ways to get
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DONATION DOUBLED
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Feed One More for Christmas
Why not feed One More For Christmas? Buy a virtual plate
at the Mary’s Meals Christmas table and the UK Government
will match your spend to provide two of the world’s poorest
children with meals for a whole school year. See our website
for more information.
Have a Bake Off - Coff ee Morning
Host a Bake Off /Coff ee Morning event with other members of your
congregation. Whatever baking receives the most donations wins!
If you raise funds before 28 December 2015, your donation will be
doubled so we can reach TWICE as many hungry children with
Mary’s Meals.
Host an Event
Plan a soup Sunday, a knit-a-thon, host a frugal lunch or simply
get sponsored for running, cycling, dancing or if you’re a
chatterbox, get sponsored for staying silent! You can even create
your very own double your donations fundraising page at:
www.marysmeals.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising
We hope you enjoyed our Advent Pack,
if you would like to learn more about
Mary’s Meals please visit our website:
www.marysmeals.org.uk
www.marysmeals.org.uk
© Mary’s Meals, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, United Kingdom, PA33 1AR
Registered Charity: SC022140 | Limited Company: SC265941
marysmeals
/marysmeals0800 698 1212
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