Christmas Outreach

Looking for ways to make Christmas special for your own family and for others in our community? There are many ways to reach out to others during this time of year. From Toys for Tots to adopting shut-in senior citizens for Christmas, let’s join together as a church body to bless those around us in these difficult times! Below we have compiled a list of ideas.

1. Email a card or encouraging verse using free Dayspring Ecards.
   
   
2. Give to organizations that are out working to feed the hungry, free the captive and preach the gospel. Check out these gift catalogs:
   Samaritan’s Purse
   International Justice Mission
   Compassion International
   
   
3. Give gifts to children in the hospital through Holiday Trees of Hope.
   
   
4. Have your family pick out toys to give to Toys For Tots.
   
   
5. Buy gifts for your loved ones from places like Feed My Starving Children or Amazima Ministries, where your gift goes to provide meals and support women and children around the world.
   
   
6. Give local restaurants business by ordering meals online and delivering them (or having them delivered) to those who need a break for a meal. (Busy families, those dealing with illness, shut-ins etc.) It’s a win-win!
   
   
7. Say hello and ask how people are doing when you’re in the stores. Masks cover our smiles and make us less likely to talk, so counter that with some proactive chatting. It can turn someone’s whole day around to have someone ask them how they are and offer some words of encouragement.
   
   
8. Send thank you notes or restaurant meals to our local frontline workers like police officers, firefighters, emergency services and hospital workers.
   
   
9. Hand out extra cards this year to those you love, to extended family members, neighbors, co-workers and teachers. Check with local nursing homes and churches to find people who are shut in and in need of some encouragement and send them cards, letters or notes if mail is allowed. Or go beyond cards and purchase small gifts for those you know who are struggling this year. Make it even better by purchasing from local shops.
   
   
10. Buy groceries or supplies for shut-in or ill neighbors.
    
    
11. Get some good use out of our ever present cell phones and call your family and friends to connect. Call local nursing and care homes and see if any residents would appreciate someone calling to check in.
    
    
12. Spend some special quality time with your own family. With everyone at home for most of 2020, it can get weary to be around only each other. So, organize a special game night or baking challenge. Create some joy in the middle of the crazy!
    
    
13. Create a family prayer list or journal to pray for those we know facing hardships, for those in leadership positions and for the big challenges we are facing as a nation and world.
    
    
14. Adopt a family in need of some extra support this year for Christmas through the Wright & Sherburne County Christmas Angels.