Are you looking to give something other than “stuff” this year? Do you struggle to find the perfect Christmas gift for someone who seems to have everything? Are you part of the ‘buy nothing’ movement? Our Board of World Service has just the gift for you! Choose one of the missions below, make a donation, and receive a stunning Christmas Card and mission insert to give to that tricky person on your list. Your gift enriches another’s life and you model the spirit of charitable giving this holiday season.
To purchase online, first download this order form, then CLICK HERE to make your payment (choose “Gifts the Grow” from the drop down and note your mission choice on the “memo” line), and finally drop off your form at South Church when you pick up your gift card.
To purchase in person, stop by Fellowship Hall after worship each Sunday during Advent to purchase these special gifts.
Habitat for Humanity (Lupine Road)
More about Habitat here
Your donation will help pay for materials for the building of “The House the Faith Built”, the first Habitat homes built in Andover.
Heifer International (trees)
More about Heifer Int'l here
Heifer International works in 21 countries around the world alongside local farmers and business owners. In your honor, a fruit or nut tree will be planted in a developing community and the recipients trained on how to grow and care for them. Your gift contributes to a healthy, productive future while fighting poverty and hunger.
Youth Mission Trip (tools)
More about the trip here
To purchase hand tools, safety equipment and power tools for South Church Youth Mission Trips to build and repair homes in Virginia and future youth mission trips.
Wells Bring Hope (Niger)
More about Wells here
Help provide clean drinking water for villages in Niger, West Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world. 100% of your gift goes directly to digging a well which helps eliminate water-borne diseases and reduces the child mortality rate by 70%. You are helping save lives by providing safe drinking water.
TiPalmiste Orphanage (Haiti)
More about TiPalmiste here
Opened in 2011, after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, through Vision International Missions, to provide housing, support and education for homeless children and children who lacked proper care. Your gift will help provide materials, supplies and vocational services to help prepare these children for life as an adult.
Communities Together (Hancock Courts)
More about Hancock here
An Afterschool program at Hancock Courts and Stadium Courts in Lawrence, MA. Donations will be used to purchase children’s books for both locations as well as help purchase a computer for the Hancock Courts location. Your gift helps students learn and grow in a safe and caring after school program.
It’s times like these we learn a fundamental truth: The Church isn’t a building.
While we long for the day we can return to our sanctuary and welcome back our AA meetings and food pantry, we remember that despite the privilege of having a building to share, the Church was never about a building. It’s about the connections we make with one another and with God, and the ties that bind us together in service to the world.
Whether you are young or old – or a little bit of each, queer or straight – or a little bit of each, male or female – or a little bit of each, calm or nervous – or a little bit of each, we will continue to be faithful in finding ways to be Church for one another.
Worship
Until we are able to gather again in person, worship will be available via live-stream every Sunday at 10 AM on our YouTube and Facebook pages.
Digital Gatherings and Offerings
Just because we can’t gather in person, doesn’t mean we can’t gather together and grow in faith. From storytime to bible study featuring the staff and members of the congregation, our online opportunities to gather together are listed here.
The best way to keep up with everything going on at South Church, is to subscribe to our weekly email. Sign Up Here
We are in unprecedented days. Our prayer is that each of you might find moments of peace, beauty and love in the midst of the worry and fear. And that through connecting with one another, and with God, we might lift each other up until we gather together again in body. If there are additional things you would like to share or ask, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
