Sylvania First Alternate Giving Fair
ALTERNATIVE GIVING... THE TRUE CHRISTMAS
For several years, Sylvania First United Methodist Church has offered their congregation a means to give Christ-honoring gifts to their friends and family. Instead of gifting the usual tie or pajamas, people choose to donate to one of several outreach projects as an alternative gift. The Outreach-Missions committee chooses local, national, and international Christian charities to benefit from this program. Then on the first Sunday in December, church members are given the lists of charities and are welcomed to attend “The Alternative Giving Fair” in the Fellowship Hall. Inside, there is a festive atmosphere with music, decorations, and refreshments. The congregation is invited to shop at display tables for such charities as St. Paul’s Homeless Shelter, the Friendly Center, the Gideons, Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti, and the Heifer Project International. People then check from a list of charities they wish to support, write one check for their entire list, and then receive donation Christmas cards to give to their loved ones. This year we have also expanded the giving opportunities by including a method via our church web site.
When the church first started the alternative giving fair, people were very confused. Are we buying things from these charities? When children were told that they were buying chickens from Heifer International for a gift for Grandma, they wanted to take home chickens. With publicity by the Outreach-Missions committee, staff and clergy, everyone has learned that these are donations to honor that someone special, a way to Rethink Christmas. To learn more about organizing a giving fair, call the church office 419-882-2205 and visit our website www.sylvaniafirst.org.
