Alternative Christmas

Christmas 2005

This is the time of year we give special thoughts to the needy people in our community and the wonderful outreach projects of our churches. Please come with open hearts and checkbooks to the Alternative Christmas Market in the Fellowship Hall between services Sunday, December 4. This year you will have the opportunity to support our youth by purchasing goodies at the bake sale, and "buying" the talents of a high school youth as they auction themselves off in support of their annual family adoption project. You can also buy your choice of animal from Heifer Project International and purchase building materials for Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity. In return you will receive a card to give your recipient telling them the items have been donated in their name as a Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

Our two Christmas trees will again decorate our Fellowship Hall. One, The Giving Tree, will be in support of Inn Vision. You may donate cash or checks or items themselves for their use. Needed items include warm things like socks and rain ponchos, and personal items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoo. Things are needed for men, women, and children of all ages. The second tree is the White Angel Tree which will support the children of Santa Maria Mission. Select an angel and purchase a gift. These are wonderful opportunities to do things for others right here in our community.

We will also have the opportunity to support Africa Team Ministries by purchasing jewelry and other items in their support. Past years experience tell us these are beautiful gifts to give with pride or to give a gift to ourselves. We will also have Beneficio Coffee available for purchase or order and if any Entertainment Books are left, they will be available too.

Please be generous to our annual outreach fundraiser!

Mel Stonehocker 997-2130
Phyllis Green 268-6506

Don't give the same old tie or bottle of lotion this Christmas. Give a gift of the heart that helps someone else throughout the coming year! Alternative Christmas is always held the first or second Sunday in December. During coffee hours Joint Venture ministries sell crafts, baked goods, calendars and other items to help various charitable projects.

This year we will have various giving opportunities and items to buy to support the following charities:

Beneficio Coffee - Phyllis Chai will host a table selling Beneficio coffee. This is a faith-based business. It's MORE than fair trade, in that the Costa Rican coffee bean farmers are paid "up front" for their beans, unlike the practice of other companies; Beneficio also gives back 20% of the profits to the farmers, to help improve education, healthcare, and other programs in their communities. On top of the 20%, Beneficio gives an additional 10% of the profits to outreach programs for non-profit organizations. A purchase of Beneficio coffee would make a great hostess gift and also is an idea for a Christmas stocking-stuffer.

Entertainment Books - The Senior High Youth Group is donating the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.

Angel Tree for Santa Maria Urban Mission - SMUM's transformative programs equip individuals to become more self-sufficient. Its emergency support programs assist individuals with the basic necessities of life. All the programs are offered free of charge to individuals on an as-needed basis regardless of their race, age, gender, ethnicity, creed, or religion.

InnVision - The Giving Tree - The "lucky" homeless of our community are in shelters, but not everyone can find space in shelter areas.

African Team Ministries - will be selling jewelry to support orphan schools of East Africa.

Heifer Project - provides animals of all types including bees, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, and heifers to people all over the world. The animals are used to improve lives by providing income and future food. All types and sizes of animals are available as "gifts.

Gift-wrapping and babysitting reservations taken. SHYG will be babysitting and gift wrapping at the church so get your reservations in now! Middle School Youth will be gift wrapping and will also be taking orders for pies. Let us do your wrapping work for you!

When you do your Christmas shopping at our Alternative Christmas you're giving twice.

If you would like to assist in Alternative Christmas, or have another organization that you would like to present at Alternative Christmas, please call Mel Stonehocker.