C.A.R.D.S. C.A.R.D.S. spells—of course—cards; however, it means much more for those involved with the ministry started by Dave Rattray at the Yakima Church eight years ago. On the first Sabbath each February, approximately 300 dozen (yes, 3,600) cookies (mostly homemade) are brought to the church. Following potluck, Rattray, who along with his wife, Lynn, has already done many hours of preparation work, sets up an assembly line. Four or five dozen cookies and a small gift, are carefully layered in each box, padded with mini marshmallows, sealed, labeled, and then mailed to approximately 75 young people. This year two committed teachers from Yakima Adventist Christian School, Rachel Riegert and Alison Riegert, organized some parents and the first- through fourth-grade students in decorating special, heart-shaped cookies to include in the boxes. The teachers’ focus for the month of February was friendship and loving one another. All those who received one of the boxes with a colorful, heart-shaped cookie knew the teachers, children, and parents who participated in this project thought of them with much love. C.A.R.D.S., which actually means, “Caring and Remembering Daughters and Sons,” originally targeted those ages 16 to 25 who were away at academy or college. As the program developed, it included those who had graduated from high school but were still living at home. Later, those away in the armed services were added. Married couples are included, too, if they are in school or the military. In fact, if a member of the congregation has a relative or friend in this age group who needs encouragement, they’re added to the list. Rattray has even been known to break his age rule and send them to “youth” over 50. February is not the only month the young people receive mail from their Yakima Church family. Once a month, October through May, church members are asked to choose one or two names, and beautiful, handmade greeting cards are sent to grateful recipients. A small gift is sent in November. The C.A.R.D.S. program provides a link to “home” and a reminder to those who are away that their church cares and hasn’t forgotten them.
C.A.R.D.S.
C.A.R.D.S. spells—of course—cards; however, it means much more for those involved with the ministry started by Dave Rattray at the Yakima Church eight years ago.
On the first Sabbath each February, approximately 300 dozen (yes, 3,600) cookies (mostly homemade) are brought to the church. Following potluck, Rattray, who along with his wife, Lynn, has already done many hours of preparation work, sets up an assembly line. Four or five dozen cookies and a small gift, are carefully layered in each box, padded with mini marshmallows, sealed, labeled, and then mailed to approximately 75 young people.
This year two committed teachers from Yakima Adventist Christian School, Rachel Riegert and Alison Riegert, organized some parents and the first- through fourth-grade students in decorating special, heart-shaped cookies to include in the boxes. The teachers’ focus for the month of February was friendship and loving one another. All those who received one of the boxes with a colorful, heart-shaped cookie knew the teachers, children, and parents who participated in this project thought of them with much love.
C.A.R.D.S., which actually means, “Caring and Remembering Daughters and Sons,” originally targeted those ages 16 to 25 who were away at academy or college. As the program developed, it included those who had graduated from high school but were still living at home. Later, those away in the armed services were added. Married couples are included, too, if they are in school or the military. In fact, if a member of the congregation has a relative or friend in this age group who needs encouragement, they’re added to the list. Rattray has even been known to break his age rule and send them to “youth” over 50.
February is not the only month the young people receive mail from their Yakima Church family. Once a month, October through May, church members are asked to choose one or two names, and beautiful, handmade greeting cards are sent to grateful recipients. A small gift is sent in November.
The C.A.R.D.S. program provides a link to “home” and a reminder to those who are away that their church cares and hasn’t forgotten them.
Dave Rattray assists member Jim Eslinger and a young visitor as they seal the cookie boxes.
Yakima cookie decorators, from left front: Josh Chronister, Austin Jennings, Ryan Carey, Aimee Adkins, René Titus and Brittany Blackburn.
These decorated cookies were made by students from YACS in grades 14.
