From Hannah - September, 2008

This summer brought unexpected and wonderful developments to The Blessing Cup.  First and foremost, I invited a dear friend, Deb Flynn, on board as a partner in the organization.  Deb brings to The Blessing Cup not only a love of the products and the mission, but a keen business sense in marketing, product distribution and packaging.  She founded her own very successful gift basket company, 4 Sisters Gifts.  While continuing her own business, she is graciously stepping into the future of The Blessing Cup in her spare (!) time. 

The scope of The Blessing Cup is changing now.  Initially, I saw it as a way to distribute affordable art to people while bringing in revenue to children and teens at risk.  Since moving to Berkshire County, Massachusetts, I am envisioning something different.  You know, God has a way of putting in our path people or situations that wake us up to new realities. 

As an artist and as an Episcopal priest in a large parish, I keep meeting awesome women in transition who are looking for stability, safety and purpose in their lives.  Some are leaving abusive relationships and are in safe housing as they figure out the next steps of their lives.  Others are in between welfare and gainful employment.  Still others have experienced chronic or debilitating illnesses that have forced them into being homebound, with little opportunity for socialization. 

At the same time, I read about the Women’s Bean Project in California and began to translate the concept to The Blessing Cup.  Sometime in the near future, Deb and I will be launching The Blessing Cup Project with a plan to employ women in transition to help create our products and learn marketable skills.  We envision forming a safe environment for them to come together and support one another as they grow into a future with hope.   To borrow a phrase from author Eugene Peterson (The Message), the effort will be a ‘long obedience in the same direction.’ 

So join with us!  Help the collaborative effort by purchasing some of our newest products, especially the blessing bags™.  Each is handmade.  Deb Flynn is the contact person for all our products and she can be reached at:  Deb@theblessingcup.org  or  4sistersgifts@gmail.com.  Remember, ‘When we live with grateful hearts, we have more than enough.’

With blessings

The Rev. Canon Hannah P. Anderson
Artist & President
The Blessing Cup