Embrace Sunday: Brunch + Build

Sunday, November 30 | Normal time (10:15 am) and place (121 Sheldon Ave SE)

November 30 is the fifth Sunday of the month, which means it’s an Embrace Sunday! Join us at the standard service time (10:15 am) and place (121 Sheldon Ave SE) for Brunch + Build. We’ll gather for a breakfast potluck and use the morning to build meal kits and wrap presents for local GR neighbors in need. We’re partnering with Arbor Circle for the second year in order to help meet some of the needs in our community!

There are a few ways you can join in:

  1. Bring a breakfast dish to pass for the potluck! Allergy cards will be available to fill out upon arrival. If you’re bringing something, please let us know what by filling out a quick form here.

  2. Bring a gift to wrap and donate. A full list of gift ideas is listed below (keep scrolling). Arbor Circle is asking for gifts for:

    • Parents awaiting reunification with their families

    • Kids who utilize any of their services

  3. Attend and wrap/build the gifts being donated, as well as build meal kits (food for these kits will be provided by City Chapel). The meal kits will go to families in need this holiday season. Especially with the recent reduction in SNAP benefits, many of our neighbors will benefit from shelf-stable meals in their pantry.

Arbor Circle is a local nonprofit whose aim is to advance mental wellbeing through counseling and supportive services in partnership with people and communities. They support children, youth, and families through various avenues such as counseling, substance use treatment, foster care support, and more. They are one of West Michigan’s most comprehensive providers of such services and we’re grateful to partner with them this Christmas season. If you’d like to learn more about their mission, visit their website here.

If you’d like to bring a gift to donate to an Arbor Circle family, please reference the following list for ideas.

For parents:

Hobby items to keep them busy and creative:

  • Yarn + crochet hooks

  • Diamond Dots

  • Puzzles + puzzle books (crossword, sudoku, etc)

  • Coloring supplies

  • Pots for plants and dirt

Cooking items:

  • Cooking utensils and pans

  • Crock pot

Self care items:

  • Face masks/eye gel patches

  • Body wash, lotion, facial cleanser, etc

  • Nail polish/grooming kits, hair supplies, etc

  • Candles

  • Journals/planners + nice pens

  • Mint tea, hot cocoa, etc

  • Christmas stockings or cosmetic bag to stuff them in

  • Cozy blankets

For kids:

Crafts/hobbies:

  • Paint sets, colored pencils, etc.

  • Kits that include paper/pencils, art books, craft kits

  • Journals, art paper, etc.

  • Beads

Developmental play:

  • Puzzles

  • Playdoh

  • Stacking toys

  • Lacing beads

Family Engagement:

  • Card games, board games

  • Science kits

  • Books for family story time

Gift cards

  • Movies

  • Activities

  • Restaurants

  • Meijer

  • Target

See more ideas on Arbor Circle’s website here.