Easter Greetings Shared by Doorstep Delivery

Central Methodist Church in Chesterfield has delivered Easter goody-bags to around 200 local people.

In recent years volunteers from the Church have gone into the town centre to distribute Easter eggs and information about the good news that Easter brings.

This year, with lockdown continuing, it was decided to share Easter greetings by sending small gifts to those with whom the Church has contact through its various outreach activities, and to those in the Church who have been particularly isolated by the ongoing restrictions.

Apart from Easter eggs, the goody-bags contained craft activities for families with children and, for older folk, small pot plants were included. The bags also contained Easter greetings cards and palm crosses which would normally be distributed among the congregation on Palm Sunday.

Recipients of this year's goody-bags included:

• Families with children and young people in Church.
• People who have been to 'Messy Church' at Central.
• Clients of the Church's Centrepoint day-care centre.
• 'Regulars' at Cornerstone, the Church coffee bar.
• Those who are brought to Church on the community bus for 'bus tea' before evening worship.
• 'Regulars' at Friday lunchtime services.
• All the residents of Harehill Court which is home to several church members.
• Other Church members who are isolated at home or out of touch with the Church family.

Many of the volunteers who delivered to people's doorsteps reported that the gifts were greatly appreciated. It was clear that the closure of church activities has resulted in a real sense of loss, and many are looking forward to returning as soon as possible.

Our photos show the goody-bag production line at Central just before distribution began.