Below you’ll find the show notes for episode 93, Newborn and Grief Baskets: Loving Our Ladies in Times of Joy and Sorrow, from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Podcast.

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Newborn and Grief Baskets: Loving Our Ladies in Times of Joy and Sorrow

I’m excited to continue our series on loving our ladies today as we talk about newborn baskets and grief baskets.

In full transparency, these baskets are not something we do at my church through our women’s ministry, but through the deacon ministry. But they could easily be a project under a women’s ministry program, if the Lord leads.

Newborn Baskets

In addition to serving on the women’s ministry team in my local church, I also hold the title of deacon’s wife.

A couple of years ago, our pastor asked the wives of our deacons to come up with a way we can bless new babies in our church family.

Identifying the Need

As we began working on this project, we realized we would need to establish a way to communicate a need. We average about 500 attendees each weekend between two services. We all know how much trouble asking a woman if she’s pregnant can be!

Our Preschool Director lets us know when she finds out about a new pregnancy and the church admin who coordinates the prayer list sometimes shares birth announcements.

Basket Distribution

Right now, I’m the central contact person. When a need is known, I share that information with the other deacon’s wives on a GroupMe thread that we have set up. I post the details and whoever would like to take the basket responds.

We store the supplies for these baskets in plastic totes in a closet at church so any of the deacon’s wives can put one together when the need arises.

Each tote is labeled with reminders of what they need to include in each type of basket. I reorder and refill supplies as needed.

What’s in the newborn baskets?

We use plastic storage baskets lined with tissue paper to deliver these 6 things:

1. A baby board book – Psalm 23 (about colors)
2. A custom-printed diaper bag tag (it’s really a luggage tag) that has our church logo and the words “loves me” beneath the logo.
3. A white onesie with our church logo and the words “loves me” printed on them in a gender-neutral color.
4. The book 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids
5. A packet of scripture prayer cards (I recommend using a handful of these.)
6. A baby-theme congratulations card (we sign the cards with our church’s name)

We typically try to reach out to the new mom after things have quieted down a bit. If preferred, we’ll do a porch drop off, but we love to offer to stop in for a visit. Sometimes we’re able to rock the baby for a bit or help out in some way.

The women in our church have loved these newborn baskets! It’s a great way for our church to celebrate with each family.

Grief Baskets

While we were only asked to deliver newborn baskets, we approached our pastor about also doing grief baskets. He thought it was a great idea and had a book suggestion for us to include. As you might imagine, we distribute a lot more grief baskets than we do newborn baskets.

While both baskets celebrate life, grief baskets require a bit more finesse. Everyone handles grief differently. Most of the time, we drop grief baskets off on the porch. A personal connection helps us to get in the door and offer our condolences in person.

Just like with the newborn baskets, I work with our church admin and keep on eye on the prayer list for grief basket needs. She’s often able to share more information that helps with the delivery. Typically, we limit grief baskets to the loss of a spouse, parent, or child.

What do we include in the grief baskets?

1. Journal (two options, one for women and one for men)
2. Grief book – Pastor has recommended Red Sea Rules. Sometimes we include Life Can Be Good  Again (especially good for widows). You’ll see some additional grief book suggestions including some for children here.
3. Candle (not always for the men)
4. 4×6 framed scripture verse from Not Consumed
5. Healthy snacks
6. Sympathy card

You could also include tissues. Books can get expensive quickly. I order several when I see a good sale. Like the newborn baskets, all of the items are placed in a plastic wicker basket lined with tissue paper.

Miscarriages

Unfortunately, we’ve had the need to deliver a couple of miscarriage baskets. Often we don’t know, but when we do, we try to love our ladies well. The miscarriage baskets contain two books, Held (for the moms) and Ours (for the father).

You can purchase beautiful prints and notecards from Sola Gratia Co. that acknowledge miscarriages. Be sure to read the story about the watercolor heart that dried and looks like a baby in the womb.

Romans 12:15 reminds us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” These newborn and grief baskets provide a way for us to do just that.

We rejoice over new life and we weep with those grieving.

I’m grateful for the opportunities God has given us to love the people in our church. Our pastor has received lots of positive feedback about our deliveries.

I want to invite you to prayerfully consider if and how newborn and grief baskets could be a way your church loves well. Again, this might not be done through the arm of your women’s ministry program. It may be a better fit for a care ministry or another group such as the deacon’s wives. Or maybe, you take these ideas and deliver a care package to people you know when the need arises.

Here are today’s Toolbox Tasks:

1. Talk as a team and decide if there’s a need for newborn baskets and grief baskets in your church.
2. If so, make a plan for what you’ll include and how you’ll distribute them.

I pray that every recipient will be blessed by the basket you give.

I’ve compiled a list of resources on Amazon for newborn baskets here and grief baskets here.

You may also want to read:
Leading Through Tragedy: How to Support Your Community During Difficult Times
Caring for the Needs of Your Bible Study, Discipleship, and Small Group Members