101 Turkeys and More to Come

Above is a photo from our Thanksgiving Basket Drive last Sunday. Margie Polishuk, our drive organizer, expressed her gratitude for all of you: “Thank you for the generosity of St. Bartholomew’s again this year. We supplied 101 Thanksgiving baskets with turkeys and pies to the families in transitional housing in Escondido. The families were so excited and happy to get these meals!” The goal was 100 baskets, and I love that we topped the goal with 101!

Now, we turn to Advent and Christmas. Everyone knows how commercialized Christmas has become, but do you realize to what extent Advent calendars have been commercialized as well? About 15 years ago, businesses saw an opportunity, and now the classic Christian Advent calendar, so long used to count down to Christmas, is a common marketing strategy. The themes are endless: shortbread, fishing lures, WWII aircraft, Highland cows (my favorite), horror rubber duckies, Bonne Maman jams, bath bombs, Keurig cups, and many more. Even Burger King has its own Advent calendar!

In keeping with our theme of 101 Thanksgiving baskets, let’s swim against the tide of commercialism and begin our countdown on November 30 with a Reverse Advent Calendar. “Reverse” means that, instead of taking items outof the receptacle, we put items in, to help others! This Advent, those items will be food items for families at Interfaith Community Services—the same people we supported at Thanksgiving.

To assist you, the kids in Children’s Chapel have assembled and decorated Reverse Advent Calendar boxes for you this Advent. Come see their work and pick one up after services! It’s such a joy to see the Good News from St. Bart’s continue to flow into the community.

Blessings,

Mother Nina+