The Toy Service at St Mary’s is one of those cherished Rye traditions at which the church is fuller than ever — not just with people, but with generosity and teddy bears. Each December, as children carry their gifts to the front of the church and adults quietly lay their own offerings beside them, something profound happens: the whole community becomes the giver.
Children learn that Christmas is about sharing what we have so others may feel joy, too. A small toy placed on the table becomes a symbol of hope for a child who might otherwise wake to very little. It turns compassion into something you can hold in your hands.
This service is important because it binds Rye together: families, visitors, the congregation, long-time residents and newcomers — all offer kindness to children they will never meet. In a world that often feels hurried or fractured, the Toy Service slows us down long enough to remember that community is built through giving.
St Mary’s has always been a place where faith becomes action. The toys gathered beneath the great arches echo the Christmas story itself: love arriving in humble places, carried by ordinary people doing something extraordinary.
For the children who receive the gifts, the Toy Service brings joy and for the children who give them, it plants seeds of empathy.
Chris Emson said, “All the toys kindly donated today will go to local children, which is an important part of our service: locally donated and locally received.”
Linda Estrada, who led the service, reminded people, “Advent is a time of reflection. Everyone should take time to sit and slow down and think about the wonder of Christmas. It is all about discovering the wonder of giving. We are so grateful to all those people who have donated today to make a child’s Christmas more special.”
Image Credits: Shelley Jebb , Kt bruce , Jess Angell , Kt bruce .