Silent Night …
December has been far from silent for Micah. It’s no bad thing. It’s a sign of the generosity of faithful supporters and the kindness of strangers. We’ve benefitted from individuals and staff teams who can access various employer-schemes which enable them to give time to projects in the community. There’s been a backing track to the last few weeks and it’s not just been Christmas music in Micah’s storage room. An audible sound of goodwill, perhaps, or the stress for those challenged by poverty and social injustices. On reflection, it’s probably a mix of both – and more.
I first started thinking about the Christmas Carol ‘Silent Night’ when talking about the work of Zarach for whom Micah provides a Liverpool Hub. Through this collaboration, an average of 8 beds have been delivered per week to children experiencing bed poverty. For every bed delivered, 1.3 children are lifted out of bed poverty (due to sharing beds etc.). I think of those children who are enjoying sleeping in their own bed for the first time this Christmas. I wish them a silent night and peaceful Christmas.
For those who have been helped by Micah this year, whether through attending the Recruitability programme, gaining confidence and life skills, securing employment, volunteering or pursuing further learning opportunities, may you also find peace and a sense of accomplishment as the year draws to a close. 96% of you stayed for the whole course and that is a big achievement. I hope you feel you have a building block on which to start 2026.
For those who have been given food parcels or attended one of Micah’s community food markets this year, I hope that you have been helped at the times that you needed support most and found a welcoming community. At Micah we are all too aware of the scale of food poverty in the UK and know that systemic change is required, but we hoped our desire to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly provided some light in dark times. May that light be a comfort now and in the future.
For our staff and volunteer team, you may well have a silent night out of sheer exhaustion, but I hope there’s a sense of achievement thrown in there too. You’ve all played your part. May we benefit from the silence and be energised for the year ahead.