Christmas at the Cathedral

Brendan Murphy on November 30, 2017

Christmas at the Cathedral Welcomes Small Steps Nurturing Center

To volunteer at Christmas at the Cathedral, click here.

By Mandy Giles

 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Romans 12:11-13

 

Christ Church Cathedral has a long history of sharing with the Lord’s people who are in need, and no event demonstrates this hospitality more than Christmas at the Cathedral.  Through this treasured tradition, Cathedral family members volunteer our time and funds to welcome and feed those in the surrounding community. This year, the Cathedral has chosen to partner with Small Steps Nurturing Center to host its students and families during this annual celebration.

Small Steps offers a high-quality education, social and emotional support, a nurturing Christian environment, transportation, and nutritious meals to children ages two through six living in poverty.  It operates two preschools in the First and Fifth Wards of Houston five days a week, 10 months each year, at no financial cost to the families it serves.  The median annual family income for this year’s newly enrolled Small Steps families is approximately $15,600. 

As part of the Small Steps development staff, I am particularly excited about the Cathedral’s new partnership with Small Steps. Every day I witness students and families in poverty being nurtured in their social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.  Just like Cathedral parents, Small Steps parents want the best for their children, yet most struggle to provide basic needs for their families. Experiencing the “Winter Wonderland” of Christmas at the Cathedral will provide cheer to our families who have extra challenges during the holiday season.

This year’s event is on December 9 from 3:00-6:30 p.m. and will feature games, prizes, crafts, a photo booth for holiday keepsakes, and real snow! Santa and his elves will be on hand to celebrate as the event ends with a seated dinner and caroling. 

Volunteers are needed from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to set up games and tables, welcome guests, lead activities with the children, and prep and serve food. To sign up for a shift or for more information, click here or contact Robert Flores. Thank you for serving the students and families of Small Steps!