by Sylene Argent
Last Wednesday evening, Essex United Church and St. Paul’s Anglican Church teamed up to host another “Thrive: A Living Manual for Families event;” this one with a Christmas theme.
Everyone, any age, was welcome to celebrate the holiday season at this fun event, which took place inside Essex United Church’s hall. Those who attended were able to play a trivia game, make gingerbread houses, and enjoy treats and holiday music.
Earlier this year, Essex United Church and St. Paul’s Anglican Church teamed up to offer the unique “Thrive: A Living Manual for Families” program to the community to create a platform where young children, pre-teens, teens, and adults could have some fun, prepare a tasty dinner, and discuss difficult topics and navigate through challenges.
The program is administered through the website www.facebook.com/ThriveFamiliesManual/
Reverend Chris Brouillard-Coyle, who is of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, said the opportunity to discuss current issues takes place on the Facebook page. Topics could include, should youth learn to write cursively or current news issues.
“It is interesting to see how the conversation goes,” she said. “Sometime, [the topic] seems to hit home.”
Both churches were fortunate to get a grant to launch this program. It is hoped it will be able to carry forward, and that other groups in different areas will start similar forums.
In the near future, fundraising events will be held to help raise donations so the program can continue. Recently, gift boxes were made and decorated, which were sold at a recent St. Paul’s Anglican Church pasta dinner as a fundraiser for the program.