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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
On Sunday, Camille Wescott, who is the chair of our mission team, introduced a new collection we are doing this Christmas season rather than what we have done in the past with Medanales. This year we are partnering with McCurdy Ministries in Espanola, which is a United Methodist ministry. We have made this change for several reasons.
First, a huge thank you to Linda Leschnitzer, and everyone who helped her coordinate this program over many years. But, with the current make-up of our congregation, and the others with whom we partner, it was becoming bigger than what was possible for us to handle. Last year we paired down the number of families, and we still had a number of families that were not selected that Linda had to do special purchases for. Additionally, the time commitment required of many people was not decreasing, and was increasing in some areas.
We have been in conversation for several years about the best way to handle this ministry moving forward and wondered if there was some way to transition to doing something different and more manageable. It was then the Rev. Tiffany Hollums took over as director of McCurdy and began imagining new ways for them to serve the community. Amongst the many that have been implemented is a free store at Christmas that would allow families to come in and “shop” for the items that they wanted to give at Christmas, as well as to have access to food, household items and clothing.
That seemed to match to a large degree what we have been doing with Mendanales, and in conversation with McCurdy, and then with Medanales, this was a way that we could continue to serve that community by their participating in programs at McCurdy. And we could reach even more people through this important Christmas ministry.
Overall, the themes are still the same, purchasing food, gifts and household items for families. But, rather than having only one specific family, and having to do all three, you can now focus on a particular area of interest to you. You can, of course, still do all three. But if you would prefer to just do food and household items, you can. If you just want to buy gifts, you can, and they do not need to be giftwrapped. That can be for multiple age groups, of you can focus on a particular age group. What this looks like is up to you to decide.
But, we do ask that whatever you had normally budgeted for Medanales, to keep that same amount in mind at least for this year. In the newsletter you will find a list of recommended gift ideas, the food they are requesting and the household items needed. The gift list will also be available in the worship guide now through the deadline of December 6. And at the back of the sanctuary, you will find cards with the household items requested for cleaning, babies, hygiene. While they will take individual items, they give each of these as packages and so the preference is to purchase them as a complete package.
We are excited about this new way to continue the ministry that we have been doing with Medanales for a very long time, and to allow us to serve even more people and through a ministry that can continue to serve these families throughout the year, rather than just as Christmas. And we hope you will continue to participate at the same levels you have done in the past.
If you have any questions about what’s happening, please talk with Camille Wescott, or contact the church office, and if we don’t have the immediate answer we will find out for you.
Blessings,
John
ps - Missions is also planning a work trip to McCurdy in 2027, so keep your eye out for more information after the New Year.
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