--- title: Supporting Children At Christmas description: Explore how Gemma Services creates a sense of community and support for children during Christmas. Get involved today! --- [![New-Church-Live-Logo-White](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/New-Church-Live-Logo-White.png?height=45&name=New-Church-Live-Logo-White.png)](https://newchurchlive.tv/) - [WATCH](https://newchurchlive.tv/watch/) - [READ](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv) - [LISTEN](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/podcasts) - [EVENTS](https://newchurchlive.tv/series/events/) - [GET INVOLVED](https://newchurchlive.tv/give-volunteer/) - [ABOUT](https://newchurchlive.tv/about/) - [ABOUT](https://newchurchlive.tv/about/) - [Who is Swedenborg?](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/emanuel-swedenborg-founder-of-the-new-church) - [About Pastor Chuck](https://newchurchlive.tv/about/#get-involved) - [CONTACT](https://newchurchlive.tv/contact/) [DONATE](https://pushpay.com/g/newchurchlive?src=hpp) ![podcast-icon--secondary](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hubfs/Icons/podcast-icon--secondary.svg) #### PODCAST ![headphones-icon--secondary](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hubfs/Icons/headphones-icon--secondary.svg) #### 11:16:22 # Creating Community and Supporting Children at Christmas ![woman-speaking-on-microphone](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/woman-speaking-on-microphone.png?width=826&height=450&name=woman-speaking-on-microphone.png) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fresources.newchurchlive.tv%2Fsupporting-children-at-christmas) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fresources.newchurchlive.tv%2Fsupporting-children-at-christmas&title=&summary=&source=) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/home?status=https%3A%2F%2Fresources.newchurchlive.tv%2Fsupporting-children-at-christmas) [mailto:?subject=Podcast%20LP%20Amanda%20Bryant%20from%20Gemma&body=https%3A%2F%2Fresources.newchurchlive.tv%2Fsupporting-children-at-christmas](mailto:?subject=Podcast%20LP%20Amanda%20Bryant%20from%20Gemma&body=https%3A%2F%2Fresources.newchurchlive.tv%2Fsupporting-children-at-christmas) ### Creating Community and Supporting Children at Christmas with Amanda Bryant from Gemma The Christmas season is filled with holiday cheer and festivities. NewChurch Live seeks to offer support, care and connection to others in all things we do. This Christmas we will be supporting children once again through Gemma services and their holiday wish list program. In this episode Pastor Chuck interviews Amanda Bryant, senior development officer at Gemma services, or as the children call her, head “elf” in Santa’s workshop. [See the Sign Up Genius](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA9AF2AABFB6-gemma) to get involved. ![Screen Shot 2022-11-15 at 9.17.25 AM](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.17.25%20AM.png?width=812&height=708&name=Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.17.25%20AM.png) ##### Amanda Bryant #### About the guest Amanda Bryant is a Senior Development Officer at Gemma Services with more than fifteen years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. She joined Gemma in 2014 and is responsible for managing the agency’s volunteer program, fostering congregational partnerships, and coordinating the donation of gifts in kind (aka “stuff”). Amanda can be reached at [Abryant@gemmaservices.org](mailto:Abryant@gemmaservices.org) or 610-825-4440 x3307. ### In this Episode We explore Gemma services and what they do for children, youth, and families. How they support the emotional and behavioral challenges of families through their 3 core programs. How Amanda serves in her role as senior development officer coordinating volunteers and supporting the gifts-in-kind program and their capstone event each year culminating in donating gifts to over 250 children allowing them to feel the magic of Christmas. ### Episode timeline 00:46 Gemma's 3 core programs and a summary of what each one does. 02:19 The Christmas program and Amanda's role in its success. 03:33 Amanda's "why" and what the kids reaction typically is to the program. 04:44 The humanity of the wish list items - allowing families to experience the normalcy of the holidays. 06:01 The concept of "the better angels of our nature" and where Amanda sees that in other people. 09:21 What has been Amanda's best day of work? 12:04 The little echoes of love the children feel and how that allows love to flow through us. 12:40 How to get involved and learn more. ### Key takeaways from this episode include Why she feels as though her role is one of the most important in helping children feel loved and cared for. How Amanda experiences “the better angels of our nature” and where she sees that in other people. Amanda’s best day of work.   ## “When they wake up Christmas morning they experience...that they are loved and that there are gifts waiting for them” ### Additional Resources [Gemmaservices.com](http://Gemmaservices.com) [**info@gemmaservices.org**](mailto:info@gemmaservices.org) [**Abryant@gemmaservices.org**](mailto:Abryant@gemmaservices.org)   ### Subscribe for ## Podcasts ### Latest Insights [![Help Carry New Church Live into the New Year](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/eliyah-reygaerts-_kDvbRPX77c-unsplash-1.jpg?width=596&name=eliyah-reygaerts-_kDvbRPX77c-unsplash-1.jpg)](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/help-carry-new-church-live-into-the-new-year?hsLang=en) [Faith](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/faith?hsLang=en), [Community](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/community?hsLang=en), [Service](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/service?hsLang=en), [Support](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/support?hsLang=en), [Connection](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/connection?hsLang=en), [Hope](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/hope?hsLang=en), [Gratitude](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/gratitude?hsLang=en), [Online Church](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/online-church?hsLang=en), [Purpose](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/purpose?hsLang=en), [New Church](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/new-church?hsLang=en) ### [Help Carry New Church Live into the New Year As we come to the close of this year, we find ourselves filled with gratitude.](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/help-carry-new-church-live-into-the-new-year?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/help-carry-new-church-live-into-the-new-year?hsLang=en) [![Nature of Jesus](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/max-beck-c72eCrOstC4-unsplash.jpg?width=596&name=max-beck-c72eCrOstC4-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/the-nature-of-jesuss-life-and-the-christmas-season?hsLang=en) [Christmas](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/christmas?hsLang=en), [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/emanuel-swedenborg?hsLang=en), [Swedenborg](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/swedenborg?hsLang=en), [Jesus](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/jesus?hsLang=en) ### [The Nature of Jesus’s Life and the Christmas Season The Christmas season is upon us and we find ourselves surrounded by symbols of light, love, and joy. 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And,...](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/the-nature-of-jesuss-life-and-the-christmas-season?hsLang=en) [Read More](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/the-nature-of-jesuss-life-and-the-christmas-season?hsLang=en) [![nature of God](https://resources.newchurchlive.tv/hs-fs/hubfs/v2osk-1Z2niiBPg5A-unsplash.jpg?width=596&name=v2osk-1Z2niiBPg5A-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/the-nature-of-symbols-or-god-in-nature?hsLang=en) [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/emanuel-swedenborg?hsLang=en), [Swedenborg](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/swedenborg?hsLang=en), [God](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/god?hsLang=en), [nature of God](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/nature-of-god?hsLang=en), [God in Nature](https://blog.newchurchlive.tv/tag/god-in-nature?hsLang=en) ### [The Nature of Symbols or God in Nature For many of us, just being in nature is a spiritual experience, regardless of the landscape we feel called to. 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