Because December is such a wonderful time of giving, we have two “Missions of the Month” for December – The Angel Tree Program and the Presbyterian Children Homes and Services (PCHAS) Ornament Tree.

For 2.7 million children in the U.S. their lives may be filled with the abandonment, loneliness, and shame that comes from having a mom or dad in prison.  For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration.  Angel Tree^®, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ.  This unique program gives us an opportunity to share God’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners at Christmas time.

Every year, our church receives the names of about 20 children who live in the zip codes around our church.  Through contact with each of the families, we determine items that the children need or want.  In addition to two gifts designated from the parent, each child receives a gift from SBPC.  Each family also receives a generous food basket.  We will be collecting nonperishable foods for these baskets, so watch for collection bins outside the church office.   This year we have 24 children and nine families! Tags will be available beginning on Sunday, December 8th, before and after worship, as well as on Wednesday, December 11th, at dinner.  Be sure to pick up one or two! Here’s what you do:  select an angel tag (or two).  Purchase the gift (in the $25 price range). Wrap the gift, sticking the tag to the front of the package.  Please return the gift to the church office no later than Sunday, December 15th.

We are collecting food for Angel Tree Food Baskets, to be shared with families this Christmas. Here are some suggestions:

So, watch the ads, or just pick up one extra item the next time you go to the store. Your gifts will be much appreciated. Please direct gift questions to Laurie Mitchell and food questions to Linda Crawford.

Our other “Mission of the Month” is the PCHAS Ornament Tree.  Instead of buying toys for the needy children at Christmas time, we opt to give monetary donations.  These generous gifts allow PCHAS to serve approximately 5000 children and families each year. During Advent time, we hang ornaments on a Christmas tree.  Each of the ornaments has a PCHAS tag attached with a suggested donation amount.  You take the ornament home with you and leave the donation in the basket provided.  We will donate the entire amount to PCHAS at the end of the month.  (If you pay by check, please make checks payable to SBPC and put “PCHAS Ornament Tree” in the memo line.)

December Mission Updates & Opportunities

Seafarers’ Boxes Updates and Thanks – Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual packing and wrapping of the Seafarer’s Boxes on Sunday, December 1st. We had a total 158 of boxes that were delivered to the Houston International Seafarers’ Center. A special thanks to Laurie Mitchell who coordinates this mission initiative.

Blood Drive Update – Thank you to everyone who participated in the Blood Drive on Sunday, December 1st! We had 12 participants and collected 6 units of whole blood.

Peace and Global Witness Offering – Thank you to everyone who gave to the PC(USA) Peace and Global Witness Offering this year. We received $5,392, which is a significant increase from last year! Spring Branch as a congregation chose to give our local portion of this offering to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.