it was an exciting day
A Stirrup Cup is a convivial drink shared among the riders before the start of the foxhunt. The ceremony originated from the English royalty tradition of offering a “parting cup” or a drink when departure for theirPregnant Wedding Desses was imminent and their feet were in the stirrups. The traditional Stirrup Cup is usually port or sherry.By 3 p.m. Sunday, a line of people encircled Stockbridge Avenue United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood.
It wasn’t a service or famous speaker that brought them out, but an opportunity to fill some basic needs through an event called “A Kalamazoo Christmas.”
For four hours, the church took in the struggling and homeless of Kalamazoo and offered them a hot meal, warm clothes and Christmas presents for their children. The free event was a way for the congregation to show their concern for the residents of Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods.
“Especially at this time of year, if we can lighten the burden a little, they can take the extra money and pay necessities or do something for the family,” said Rev. Ron Slager, pastor at Stockbridge Avenue UMC.
More than 300 volunteers gave their time. Drop boxes for donations had been placed at nine member churches, as well as the Wesley Chapel on Western Michigan University’s campus, to help collect the necessary items.
About 1,000 toys were donated from Toys for Tots. Some 500 pounds of ham from Sara Lee, 1,000 pounds of potatoes from Walther Farms and other donated food made the free meal possible.“Things are kind of hard right about now,” said Stonna Jackson, who said it was “the grace of God” that brought her to the event. “This is a good program. They are really blessed by all the donations they receive and it helps the community so much.”
Jackson brought her 9-year-old daughter, hoping she’d find a new jacket and some Christmas gifts.
For the Northeastern Elementary school student, it was an exciting day. “I was happy when my mom took me here because I was glad to get my new coat,” she said.
“A Kalamazoo Christmas” — now in its sixth year — has grown steadily since its inception in 2005 by Jeff McNally, who owned a restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo. The First Congregational United Church of Christ had served as a second location for the event in the past, but this year it was all up to Stockbridge Avenue UMC.Last year, about 1,200 people were served just at his church, Slager said. They were expecting more this year, especially after hearing that the Salvation Army experienced a 40-percent increase in demand for its annual Plus Size Wedding Dressesdistribution.
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