Missions News for Christmas
As we look forward to Christmas and all the joys of the season, it is important to remember that many in our world, both local and across the sea, struggle every day to make ends meet and can barely imagine how to provide extras at Christmastime. Mission is what we are about at Calvary, why we follow Christ and all that he asks of us. Loving God and loving our neighbor. There will be a number of opportunities during Advent to share our abundance with those in need – in big and small ways.
✱ Christmas Day gift bags for patients in hospital are a way to remember that not everyone is able to be home for the holidays. This will be a fun family project! See Deacon Jacque for details!
✱ Through Education=Hope we are able to assist children in Haiti, as we did last year, to go to school and have a better chance to improve their lives. There are energy shortages and major protests in nearly every town, making it difficult to get medical care, attend church or school. We still have hope for the two children we sponsored last Christmas, that they can continue their education and have a better life in the future. We have current photos of the Laguerre children and information on how you may assist them again this year.
✱ The Daughters of the King will sponsor the Angel Tree and Mitten Tree providing Christmas gifts for children in “our own backyard.” Ten children from the Head Start class located at Calvary will be the recipients of gifts this Christmas thanks to the generosity of Calvary members. So be sure to look for the Angel Tree coming next Sunday to learn how you can help bring joy to a child for Christmas.
A line from the motto of the Daughters of the King is: “I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” All of the above needs, and the many other requests we all receive at this time of year, can frankly seem overwhelming! And we all have different abilities to help. The people we hope to assist this year have real challenges every day and holiday time brings added pressure and anxiety- especially for those with children and those who face illness. While we can’t do everything, each one of us can do something! And it is a blessing not only to those who are helped but to the helpers as well.