Gifts with strings
From Grace service 'The Gift' February 2009
Gifts sometimes have 'strings attached' - because gifts create relationship, they can be used to trap or coerce people into obligations or unwelcome situations. Some gifts have to be refused, because the relationship they create is dangerous or inappropriate.
We created a cats' cradle of strings across the church columns - tangled in these were small gifts [Rubik cubes, Kinder eggs, sweets] on one end of a string with a brown envelope on the other end. In the envelope was the hidden message of the gift which is less pleasant:
Now collect the rest of the series or your kids will be unhappy
Now promise you love me
I expect you to turn a blind eye
Just sign right here
Thankyou for accepting our offer. Unless you cancel in writing within 14 days, the annual fee of £72.30 will be charged to your card
We're sure you will tell everyone how generous we are
We're too busy to spend much time with you
Terms and conditions apply
Now stop bothering me
REPENT! For the hour of judgment is at hand!
Now give me that contract
Now sleep with me
I expect you to put me first
Now phone our premium-rate number to find out if you've won a prize
If you leave me I'll never forgive you
Welcome to our friendly church community! We always need volunteers for the coffee rota and church cleaning!
Welcome to our church! We expect members to give regularly through the stewardship scheme.
Now give me something expensive in return
Leave your partner and marry me
You scratch my back I'll scratch yours
Give me the job
Buy everything from us
Don't expect me to do the washing up
Terms and conditions apply
We have the right to use your name and photo in our advertising
I will expect you to return the favour when I ask
Please don't sue
The congregation climbed into the cats' cradle web to get the gifts - they followed the strings from the gifts to the envelopes, and opened the envelopes to read the message. When the gifts had been untied from the strings, they gave them to one another.
