To launch the Kindness Project, Ali shares a little about it. We’ll be inviting you to be part of the Kindness Project through Lent.
You can hear her explain a little more on the introductory video on our YouTube Channel by clicking on her image alongside or by clicking here.
Week 1 (21st February 2021) – Facing the Wilderness – Knowing God’s Presence
This week Alice shares her thoughts on a video on our YouTube Channel that you can watch by clicking on her image alongside or by clicking here
Creative piece – Write a card to someone who is isolated this week. You might choose to write to someone in one of the care homes in our parish. This is how you could do it:
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- Send it as an unnamed card in an unsealed envelope, so that the manager’s can decide who might appreciate the card the most.
- Include a short message, perhaps mentioning that you are a member of St Andrew’s or All Saints church, and that we are thinking of them and praying for them.
- Post the card in a second envelope addressed to the manager to one of the many care homes in our area. Some examples (with addresses) include:
a. Storer Court, 3 Geraldine Road, Malvern, WR14 3NT.
b. Hastings Care Home, 130 Barnard’s Green Road, Malvern, WR14 3NA.
c. Blossom House, 5 Avenue Road, Malvern, WR14 3AL
d. Wishmoor Rest Home, 21 Avenue Road, Malvern, WR14 3A.
Reflective piece – as you go on your daily walk be reminded that God’s presence goes with you – Psalm 23
Week 2 (28th February 2021) – Facing Failure – Knowing God’s Grace
This week Lis shares her thoughts on a video on our YouTube Channel that you can watch by clicking on her image alongside or by clicking here.
Creative piece – Pray about who might need some encouragement, who feels like a failure, who is facing disappointment. How could you encourage someone this week?
Some ideas include sending a simple text, to encourage them, a bunch of flowers picked from your garden, a chocolate bar or a packet of sweets or a small toy you no longer play with. Tell that person it is to bless them and encourage them.
If you can’t think of anyone specific continue to pray as you prepare your gift and write a label to indicate this is a gift from St Andrews or All Saints. Make it clear the gift is not something lost or forgotten but given intentionally to encourage the recipient. Leave it someone where it may be found- on a park bench or on a doorstep of a neighbour, on a supermarket shelf at a takeaway counter.
Reflective Piece – Quietly think about someone you might have failed or who might have failed you. In the quiet, say out their name and ask for God’s forgiveness and restoration for you and for them.
Week 3 (7th March 2021) – Facing Fear – Knowing God’s Power
This week Helen shares her thoughts on a video on our YouTube Channel that you can watch by clicking on her image alongside or by clicking here.
Creative piece – Our theme this week is ‘facing fear’ and knowing God’s power. So many people in our community are fearful due to the pandemic but this week we are particularly thinking about local businesses, many of whom are struggling to keep going and are fearful for their future. How can we encourage our local businesses?
You could write a note or card with some words of encouragement and/or positive feedback for a local business and then post it through their door or maybe bake a cake and drop it off to them, with a message to let them know we are thinking of them and praying for them. Let them know that your message comes with love and blessings from All Saints or St Andrew’s.
Reflective piece – (you will need a shawl or small blanket) In Psalm 46:1 it says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Take your shawl or blanket and wrap it around your shoulders, and sit quietly and prayerfully and tell God your fears. Allow a feeling of calm and peace to fill you. You might like to pray for the businesses that you have reached out to, that they too may know God as a refuge and their strength. As you take off the shawl and fold it up, imagine folding up your fears and concerns with it and leave them for God.
Week 4 (14th March 2021) – Facing Fatigue – Knowing God’s Strength
This week Ali shares her thoughts on a video on our YouTube Channel that you can watch by clicking on her image alongside or by clicking here.
For this week of the Kindness Project we are thinking about offering others strength in their fatigue.
Creative piece – We invite you to make a chord or friendship bracelet by plaiting three threads, yarns or string together. Then you can give it to someone you know who is fatigued letting them know that both you and God are there to offer strength. Let them know it comes with love from St Andrew’s and All Saints too.
Reflective piece – On your daily walk you might like to pray for schools or shops as you pass, where people may be feeling fatigued, and ask for God’s strength to help them through the day.
Week 5 (21st March 2021) – Facing the Future – Knowing God’s Hope
This week Lis shares her thoughts on a video on our YouTube Channel that you can watch by clicking on the image alongside or by clicking here.
For this week of the Kindness Project we are looking at the future and the hope we have in God and Jesus. We have two ideas to help you focus on this.
Creative piece – Buy some bulbs/seeds/use left over seeds you may have sitting in your shed. If you don’t have any and cant buy any, come along to St Andrew’s church and pick up something up to plant. There will be bulbs and packets of seed for you to take home and plant. You may want to plant something for someone who needs to know God’s hope for them or for a loved one. As they watch the plant grow they can be reminded of God’s love and the hope he brings. You might want to put a little card or label with the pot with a verse on it. Some ideas of verses are below .
Reflective piece – Light a candle and sit quietly allowing God’s hope to fill you as you look ahead. You might find it helpful to meditate on a verse. Some ideas of verses are below.
Versus:
Jeremiah 29: 11, Psalms 31: 24 Psalms 71:14
Romans 8: 37 – 39, Romans 12: 12, Romans 15: 13
1 Peter 1: 3 – 5