As we prepare to experience again the coming of Jesus this Christmas season, we encourage you to think about alternative ways to gift your family and friends. With so many people hurting locally, regionally, and globally, what better way to celebrate God’s love than through alternative gift giving. There are two programs through Lake Deaton for your consideration.

Christmas Wish Tree - this year, our Lake Deaton Church family will be supporting the Self-Sufficiency Program at the Wildwood Resource Center. Through a series of classes and individual coaching, women with children who are unemployed and even homeless are given the tools to help them break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient. This is truly a “hand up” and not a “hand out”. Our own Helping Hands ministry uses this program for all applicants for their reconstructed houses.

Because of the pandemic and safety concerns, we are unable to participate in the purchasing of gifts for children in the Wildwood area. The Resource Center asked us to consider supporting the Self-Sufficiency Program instead and, after seeing the difference it is making in the lives of people like Shasa and Thomasina, we knew this is what God was calling us to do. Make a contribution and we’ll provide a card you can use to give someone for Christmas! Hang one of the beautiful ornaments on your tree made by Catherine and Denny Dugay, coordinators of Christmas Wish Tree.