Christmas Families
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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)
For many families at Immanuel it would not be Christmas without bringing 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. We will have about 100 families designated by Child Protective Services and 10 – 15 families from the Alexandria Community Shelter. You can sign up to buy gifts for a family, or part of one, before or after each service on three Sundays, Nov. 19, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, or outside the parish office in between. In addition, used computers (in good working condition, with or without an offer of set-up and some initial orientation), 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, are very welcome. (Please label packages of clothing as to kind and size.) All contributions will be collected and presented at the altar at the services on Dec. 17; or you can bring them to the parish office. 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. 10. You can select some books (2 – 3 for each child) for your adopted family. We 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 during the forum hour on Dec. 11. The special offering on Dec. 17 is dedicated to Christmas Families. There are many opportunities to help. We urgently need helpers for fixing bicycles (starting now; the experts will show you how), Internet and in-store shopping to take advantage of Black Friday sales, arranging and tagging the toys (Sa Dec. 10, 9 am), sorting gifts (M Dec. 12, 9 am), data input. See, call, or email Linda Serabian. Let us brighten many children's Christmas, bringing them some of the joys and opportunities of God's new creation, a light in our own celebration. |
ContactsDagobert and Lissa Soergel - 703-823-2840, 703-585-2840, ds@dsoergel.com; 703-869-9848, lissa@whollygenes.com Ashley Chappell - ash22301@yahoo.com Linda Serabian - 703-683-5226 x17 703-836-4670 (home), serabian@somaarchitects.com Connie Kurz - 703-370-0062 Julie Bruns - 703- 534-7913, drbruns@bellatlantic.net |