Goodness Weekly 12.5.22
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
— Antoine De Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince
Message from Jess:
Let’s talk about joy. I know we’re going out of order from the traditional weekly Advent themes of hope, peace, love, and joy, but can you talk about joy too much? Nope, didn’t think so.
It would be nearly impossible to have experienced the Camelot Affordable Christmas event this weekend and not talk about joy! Somehow in a matter of a few hours a school gym was transformed into a toy shop—shelves full of gifts were stocked, 100s of pancakes were made, dozens of eggs were scrambled, tables were wrapped in butcher paper, and gingerbread decorations were everywhere. The school cafeteria truly looked like a Christmas wonderland and even smelled like the warmth of maple syrup and hot cocoa.
It would have been very reasonable to expect stress and tension in this. It was an unbelievable undertaking by a group of staff and volunteers. There were backup plans in case things went wrong with the affordable gift shopping, or we ran out of toys, or we ran out of eggs.
But there just wasn’t any of that. There was just absolute joy.
Joy in the team we named “The Breakfast Club” who showed up at church first thing in the morning to start cooking. Joy in the crew who stayed at the school until 9:30pm on Friday night and then showed up at 8am the next morning. Joy in the faces of the children who saw their cafeteria transformed into a magical place by the Camelot Family Specialist who gives everything she has to these families. Joy in the eyes of parents who saw the exact gift their child had on their Christmas list and could afford to purchase it. Joy as a mother wrapped presents with Kathy and Glenna and shared the story of how she once worked as a gift wrapper at Macy’s and wrapping was her favorite. Joy in kids creating a special ornament gift for their parents, and covering pancakes in whipped cream and sprinkles.
I am learning that the secret to joy is presence. Whether it was a volunteer serving as a personal shopper, a game leader, a gift carrier, a gift wrapper, a breakfast server—each person was fully present and exercising their capacity for joy by looking another person in the eyes, saying their name, talking about their children, and sharing stories. We have to show up for joy.
Marilyn McEntyre writes, “When we consent to joy, there is a lingering joy that stays with us after the encounter, the way the scent of jasmine lingers long after it’s gone.”
I will continue to experience the joy of Camelot Christmas, as I remember the faces of the people I met, and the way I witnessed the care and presence of the friends I already knew.
I invite you this week to be present with people wherever you encounter them, even if only for a moment. Notice how your joy increases with your presence.
Love, Jess
What’s Good:
There was so much goodness at the Christmas for Camelot event this past Saturday! There were 33 families who were able to shop for affordable Christmas gifts for their children and we also gave gift cards to 19 Afghan refugee families to purchase coats, shoes, and basic necessities. We’re so grateful to the 20+ volunteers from our community who helped to make this happen along with everyone who purchased gifts for the event.
Our friend and owner of Rose Hip Coffee, Katie Best-Richmond, opened her new brick & mortar shop this past week! Go check out Rose Hip Market at 120 Olmos Dr. off the roundabout in Olmos Park next to Feliz Modern. Come shop beautifully crafted items along with local grab & go foods and your favorite coffee & baked goods!
Upcoming Events:
Shop our local makers market and also participate in walk up-workshops with artists to make your own special gift for a loved one or yourself!
Walk-up workshops will include:
Ornament making and origami with Crafty Fox Box @thecraftyfoxartbox
Family Photography with Miss Mae Photography @hey_miss_mae
Bouquet arrangements with Our Flowers @our.flwrs
Cyanotype with Art by Moogs @artbymoogs
Mosaics with Sugarloose @sugarloose
We’ll also have greeting cards and gifts by Artsy SATX @artsysatx, giftable sensory boxes for kids by JuJu & Shi's Wondershop.
Grab a coffee and pastry from Rose Hip Coffee and bring your kiddos for storytime, cookie decorating, and a community craft.
Click HERE to sign up!
Looking to volunteer to make Parents Night Out a success? Click HERE!
Sunday, December 11th, 4:30pm Chapel Worship & Liturgy
Wednesdays at 7:30pm Youth Group at The Stirmans
Saturday, December 10th, 9:30am - 12pm Christmas Work-Shop-Til-You-Drop
Friday, December 16th, 6pm - 9pm Parents Night Out
Sunday, December 18th, 5:30pm Christmas Caroling *immediately following worship
Morning:
In the sacred space
of Advent time
I allow of sense of your presence,
or not,
to come and be what it is
without meeting my expectations
In this awareness I find peace in the truth that
you are God
and I am not.
Amen.
Evening:
Your presence carries me through each day as I work,
and watch, and wait for you.
Thanks be to you, God of all creation, for all you have made,
and all you have shown me.
May I be a conduit of your love
and generosity and care in your world
Amen.
