On 18 December, the vicar of St John’s Church Stoke, Guildford, visited the Children’s Continuing Healthcare team of nurses, to deliver presents from his congregation to fill 25 bags of gifts for each child to be handed out in time for Christmas.
Vicar, Mark Woodward starts planning for the event in September by visiting the Children’s Continuing Healthcare team, to talk about the work of his congregation and the local community projects they like to get involved with and support. This year the congregation decided to continue to support Children and Family Health Surrey’s young people and their families, with this wonderful gesture of goodwill.
Interim Director of Children and Family Health Surrey, Sarah Baker said:
“Christmas is a very special time of year for all children and it is a great privilege for us to work with Vicar Mark Woodward of St John’s Church Stoke, Guildford and his congregation to deliver these wonderful presents to the children in our care.
“Reverse Advent is such a simple but effective idea. Apart from the gifts and excitement of Christmas, it is also a time to reflect, be grateful, offer kindness and to give back to the community we serve. Thank you to the congregation of St John’s church Stoke, Guildford.”