Churches' festive surprises for YMCA residents

2009: A group of Norfolk churches showered YMCA Norfolk Faith Development officer Alexis Lloyd with gifts of toiletries and cash for YMCA residents during a recent visit to their services.

 

When the Brundall Benefice of Anglican churches’ Mission Group decided to sponsor YMCA Norfolk for one year, vicar the Rev Linnet Smith invited Alexis to join the congregation at a gift service at St Laurence Church, Brundall on December 6.

 

At the service, attended by church members and local Scout and Cub Scout groups and their families, Alexis was presented with large piles of toiletries for YMCA Norfolk clients. During the year the church had already made a cash donation for the benefit of YMCA residents.

 

Alexis spoke of the work of YMCA Norfolk during the service and as she was leaving the hall, one of the children put a folded £10 note in her hand – which went to a resident at St Giles whose trainers were well past their sell-by date!

 

But the surprises did not stop there as Alexis and Rev Linnet went on to St Michael and Angels Church Braydeston where more toiletries and another generous cash donation were received. 

 

“This is a small congregation who are very committed to the community and like the St Laurence congregation are very keen to help the young people that YMCA works with,” said Alexis.

 

Following the surprises at Brundall and Braydeston, Alexis and Rev Linnet’s last port of call was All Saints Church, Postwick. Here Alexis attended Morning Prayer and received more generous donations of toiletries.

 

“At each service the congregations were not only generous, but welcoming and very interested in the work of YMCA Norfolk,” said Alexis.

 

“This Christmas and throughout the coming months, many of our young people will benefit from these most generous donations provided by very compassionate and outward-looking congregations.”