And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:40)

"Christmas Families" is Immanuel's ministry to share a spirit-lifting Christmas with families and children who struggle in life. Child Protective Services provides us with a list of families in need of assistance, who are "adopted" by Immanuel parishioners and families. Our goal is to bring the good news of Christ's coming and God's love in a very tangible form – a toy to grow with, clothing to keep warm in – to another family, transforming a bleak Christmas into the light of Christ present. 

CLICK HERE
​to read a special meditation by Dagobert Soergel on Immanuel's Christmas Families program.

CONTACTS
​Dagobert and Lissa Soergel
(703-823-2840, 703-585-2840, ds@dsoergel.com; 703-869-9848, lissa@whollygenes.com). 
​Linda Serabian
(703-683-5226 X17, 703-836-4670 Home, serabian@somaarchitects.com),
Connie Kurz
703/370-0062 <cgkurz@aol.com>
Tom Cuddy
<twcuddy@hotmail.com> cell 703-967-7660,
Nancy and Jim Wise
​<jrwise52@hotmail.com>

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We are gearing up to do this again in the 39th year of Christmas families.  What can you do to help?

• You can sign up to buy gifts for a family, or part of one, before or after each service on Nov.24, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8, or in the Zabriskie Narthex in between. Ingathering and blessing at the Altar on Dec. 15.
• In addition, used computers (in good working condition, with or without an offer of set-up and some initial orientation), will find eager fingers and minds. Also very welcome are used bicycles, good used toys and children’s books, calendars you receive in the mail, and gently used clothing and blankets (for children and adults), especially warm winter coats and clothes to wear to a new-found job. (Please label packages of clothing as to kind and size.)
• Connie Kurz and her team buy children’s books in quantity very cheaply. The books will be on display in the Parish Hall on Sunday, Dec. 8. You can select some books (2 – 3 for each child) for your adopted family. Connie will prepare a set of books for each remaining family.
• ​If you prefer, you can contribute money and we will do the shopping for you. Please make your check out to Immanuel and mark it "Christmas Families". Gifts bought with contributed money will be wrapped on Sunday, Dec. 15, after the 8 am and 10:30 am services. The special offering on Dec. 15 is dedicated to Christmas Families.
• Help needed: fix bicycles (starting now; the experts will show you how) (Tom Cuddy), books (Connie Kurz), arrange and tag toys (Sa Dec. 14, 9 - 12, Linda Serabian)). prepare Parish Hall (Sa Dec. 14, 9 - 12, the Wise family), organize gifts at Human Services (M Dec. 16, 9 12) (Linda).