We kicked off the holiday season in style these last few weekends with four different events in Detroit. They left me with such warm fuzzies that I had to share so you could join in the festive fun next year!First on the docket was Noel Night http://www.detroitmidtown.com/05/noelnight.php, a fantastic evening in the cultural center area that features shopping, performances, carriage rides and free admission to over 30 institutions. The crowd favorite is ending the evening with a group sing-a-long of Christmas carols led by the Salvation Army band. Besides our layers of clothes that night for warmth we were aided by our full bellies after a great barbecue dinner at Slow's http://slowsbarbq.com/ for our friend Kim's birthday. And to our fellow suburbanites, I promise you that it is indeed worth the trip!
Next on the calendar was the opening performance of the internationally acclaimed Mosaic Youth Theatre http://www.mosaicdetroit.org/ , who had a weekend of shows called Woodward Wonderland, and I have to tell you that it was so much better than the Radio City Rockettes Christmas show we saw a few weeks back! Fueled by the premise of youth leadership through the arts (and the sad fact that 70% of Detroit Public Schools do not have music or arts programs), the 11-18 yr olds in the vocal & theatre groups truly blew me away by their homegrown talent. Move over American Idol! I bet even one of their stories would be more interesting than one of those silly teens that rollerskates into the audition room of that show. But I'm a sucker and will still watch it, so let's move on. The next day I left the hubby at home sick and joined a small group of volunteers at our church to support the efforts of Central Detroit Christian http://www.centraldetroitchristian.org/ , a faith-based organization who needed help at their annual Pride for Parents store that allowed moms & dads to holiday shop for their families. Basically these were garage sale prices, but all the items were brand new (and are donations)! What a fantastic idea.
Then this past weekend was our last opportunity to volunteer at the Detroit Rescue Mission http://www.drmm.org/, an organization that turns 100 in 2009, a wonderful testament to their service to the homeless and needy. We've been helping serve dinner monthly for the last couple of years, and our church will continue to serve there in different capacities like facility work and in the medical clinic, but there was a touch of sadness that it was our last time in the kitchen wearing those lovely hairnets :). (Jodi - in the spirit of your indulgent kindness we served up several Christmas cookies to each person, though this was mostly due to the fact that Sarah decided that she alone would bake 9 dozen!)
So, yes, Virginia, there is a Christmas, just as real as the joy in discovering the million points of light in the seemingly dark city of Detroit, if you're willing to open your mind & heart to it.
Reflecting on all these events makes me hope that we can all take pause this Christmas season to find the real spirit of family & faith in each of the things we do this holiday season (but of course even as I type this I am making mental notes about all the last-minute items I need to pick up at Target today!). What do you say, friends? Let's make the effort together.
Next on the calendar was the opening performance of the internationally acclaimed Mosaic Youth Theatre http://www.mosaicdetroit.org/ , who had a weekend of shows called Woodward Wonderland, and I have to tell you that it was so much better than the Radio City Rockettes Christmas show we saw a few weeks back! Fueled by the premise of youth leadership through the arts (and the sad fact that 70% of Detroit Public Schools do not have music or arts programs), the 11-18 yr olds in the vocal & theatre groups truly blew me away by their homegrown talent. Move over American Idol! I bet even one of their stories would be more interesting than one of those silly teens that rollerskates into the audition room of that show. But I'm a sucker and will still watch it, so let's move on. The next day I left the hubby at home sick and joined a small group of volunteers at our church to support the efforts of Central Detroit Christian http://www.centraldetroitchristian.org/ , a faith-based organization who needed help at their annual Pride for Parents store that allowed moms & dads to holiday shop for their families. Basically these were garage sale prices, but all the items were brand new (and are donations)! What a fantastic idea.
Then this past weekend was our last opportunity to volunteer at the Detroit Rescue Mission http://www.drmm.org/, an organization that turns 100 in 2009, a wonderful testament to their service to the homeless and needy. We've been helping serve dinner monthly for the last couple of years, and our church will continue to serve there in different capacities like facility work and in the medical clinic, but there was a touch of sadness that it was our last time in the kitchen wearing those lovely hairnets :). (Jodi - in the spirit of your indulgent kindness we served up several Christmas cookies to each person, though this was mostly due to the fact that Sarah decided that she alone would bake 9 dozen!)
So, yes, Virginia, there is a Christmas, just as real as the joy in discovering the million points of light in the seemingly dark city of Detroit, if you're willing to open your mind & heart to it.
Reflecting on all these events makes me hope that we can all take pause this Christmas season to find the real spirit of family & faith in each of the things we do this holiday season (but of course even as I type this I am making mental notes about all the last-minute items I need to pick up at Target today!). What do you say, friends? Let's make the effort together.
1 comment:
Cookies for all I say!! Thanks Liv for your leadership and servant heart......gonna miss those hairnets and aprons!! Love and Merry Christmas. xox
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