Christmas is just around the corner, and here in the western Christian world, gift-giving has become a hallmark of the season. Gift-giving is wonderful and can be a wonderful way of showing our love for one another. But when thinking about showing our Christian love, many of us now think in terms of the good works our Christmas dollars can do. We ask, do our loved ones really need more stuff? Do material gifts embody the Spirit of Christmas? If you’re thinking along these lines, here are some ideas for Alternative Giving this Christmas season: HEIFER INTERNATIONAL: This organization supplies farm animals to poverty-stricken families/communities, which gives people a hand-up versus a hand-out. The testimonials of families who now have a means of supporting themselves are truly moving. Just $20 buys a flock of chicks, $30 a colony of bees, $60 a trio of rabbits, or buy just a share of a sheep, a pig, or a goat for only $10! Tree seedlings for deforested Haiti are also available this year. Check out this amazing program at their website: www.heifer.org. Also see table in the foyer during Advent for Gift Cards you can send in a loved one’s name. NOTHING BUT NETS: Just $10 can supply an insecticide-treated bed net that will protect a family of four from mosquitoes in malaria-ridden countries. What a difference this can make: the difference between life-threatening illness and good health. Send a Net, Save a Life. Check out their website at: www.nothingbutnets.org and see table in the foyer during Advent for Gift Cards you can send in a loved one’s name. SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREWS HUNGER RELIEF MINISTRIES (Potato Project, Harvest of Hope, and Gleaning Network: This organization is supported by United Methodists (Advance #801600), Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists, Episcopals, and many others, and helps feed hungry people right here in the U.S. See the table in the foyer for both giving info as well as Advent Devotions. COMMUNITY AT CHARTER HOUSE: To help support homeless neighbors here in Addison County as they transition to work and paid housing or other permanent living situations, write checks through the end of this year to MUMC Outreach Team with Charter House on the memo line. JEREMIAS FRANCA/MOZAMBIQUE HOSPITAL AT CHICUQUE: This mission is one near and dear to the hearts of many in our church who have supported the UMCOR Hospital Revitalization Program, specifically the United Methodist Chicuque Rural Hospital in Chicuque, Mozambique, Africa, and its administrator Jeremias Franca. The need for quality health care and its funding continues in this corner of the world where average life expectancy is 49 years. To see photos of Jeremias and patients, a description of the work at this hospital, and more, go to www.new.gbgm-umc.org/work/health/hospitals/chicuque/ To give, use UMCOR Advance #982168, Hospital Revitalization. Or make out your check to UMCOR and send to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Be sure to include Advance #982168 on the Memo line of your check.
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Middlebury United Methodist Church 
