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"By loving your neighbor, you prepare your eye to see God.” St. Augustine
During Advent Season, SJTW's amazing faith community comes together to bless fellow parishioners with thoughtfully prepared boxes. These “Blessing Boxes” offer a reminder that they are loved and deeply valued.
For Janet Bartels, this ministry goes far beyond delivering gifts. It’s about bringing joy, hope, and compassion to others. Reflecting on her first experience, she shares, “The first year the Blessing Box ministry was in place, someone close to me was in need and received a Blessing Box. It was received with joy and surprise. It was a much-needed bright spot during a dark time.” Inspired by this, she joined the ministry to help extend that same joy to others. Janet now works closely with a team, selecting items for each box, wrapping them with care, and even personally delivering some. “The recipients are so surprised and touched that the church would do something so special for them,” she says.
Janet is also active in SJTW's hospitality, Sharing and Caring Hands, and kitchen help ministries. She believes that her involvement has strengthened her relationship with God. Working on behalf of the church has occasionally pushed her out of her comfort zone, which she views as essential for growth. After 30 years as a parishioner, she feels ministry has helped her come to know others on a new, more personal level. “You have to make an effort to build relationships,” she says. For her, this sense of community is one of the most rewarding parts of ministry.
If you know someone who might benefit from a Blessing Box, Janet encourages you to consider nominating them. “I believe that people can be significantly impacted through one random act of kindness,” she says. Church staff handle all nominations with care and respect for privacy, ensuring confidentiality when needed.
Your generous support of Commitment to Parish Life (CPL) helps ministries like Blessing Boxes thrive, bringing love and hope to countless lives. To learn more about CPL, please visit www.sjtw.net/commitment-to-parish-life. ;