Christmas Angels

Last year, our friends and parishioners knitted tiny Christmas angels in memory of our daughter Annie, who died of natural causes in June 2020 aged only 41.

In the aftermath of Annie's sudden death we were still trying to make sense of our loss. Annie worked for Church Army in Sheffield and was involved in several street evangelising and outreach projects in the city centre. It helped to continue some of her work, including inviting people to knit angels which are then blessed and distributed around the city centre with a tag saying, "You are not alone. God came because he loves you. Take this home as a reminder."

The response was fantastic - more than 200 angels winged their way to us, bringing the Sheffield total to 600. People loved the idea of brightening someone's day and said that as they knitted they prayed for whoever would receive their angel. Many asked if they could knit again this year.

Our focus last Christmas was on the people who might receive an angel. We didn't anticipate how much joy it would provide for the people who were knitting the angels, many of whom were elderly, some living alone. It was a wonderful life-line in those lonely days of enforced isolation. We weren't sure whether there would be any interest in doing this for a second year, especially as none of our knitters are Sheffield based. We sent out an appeal once again and this time we collected 300 angels!

Other parishes around the country might like to take up this idea next year to help spread a little Christmas joy. Here's a link to a simple knitting pattern:www.christmasangel.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Christmas-Angel.pdf

You can read more about this project and about Annie's life in a book I've written drawing on her writings and contributions from friends and colleagues, with a foreword by Ellen Teague. I've adapted some of her material for Advent and Lent reflections for NJPN and Pax Christi. Annie was a scripture scholar and teacher, working for Church Army from 2016 until her death. Church Army writes: "our community share Annie's heart for nurturing people in their faith and with a special mission for the marginalised and vulnerable."

There is no charge for the book but donations can be made to Church Army to support their work. If you would like a copy please send your full postal address to: adaringadventure@hotmail.com

LINK

See a short video about the angels: www.facebook.com/kinder.kalsi/videos/281007370552763/?d=n