St. Luke’s 17th Annual Alternative Gifts Fair
Sun. Dec. 6th and 13th following both services – Johnson Hall
“Joy to the World, the Lord is Come”
Share the joy this Christmas by choosing gifts for family, friends, neighbors, teachers or colleagues that help one more child sleep in a safe shelter with a full tummy, one more family add to its herd or flock or one more community have safe drinking water from a nearby source. This year we have opportunities to share the joy, locally and globally, with the lasting changes made in the lives of the poor that are provided by the 20 organizations at the AGF. And share the joy in the face and heart of the recipient of the gift cards or small gift items from each of these organizations. It’s a chance to give gifts of love, hope and healing in a hurting world. Information on each of the organizations is available at their websites as well as at the tables on the 6th & 13th. The following organizations will be represented.
Advent Calendars – Jay Sidebotham’s annual Slow down. Quiet. It’s Advent. Calendars will be available beginning Nov. 21st in the Sprague Room for $2. All proceeds go to the Belize Teams.
Bishop’s Blend Coffee – is fair trade, organic and shade-grown coffee made especially for Episcopal Relief and Development. All proceeds go to ERD.
Bone Marrow Registry –The National Marrow Donor Program will be enrolling potential donors for potential future donations. To become a member of this registry, and potentially save a life, all you need is an ID, a signed consent form and agree to have the inside of your cheek swabbed for a DNA sample. You must be in good health and be between the ages of 18-60. The Donor Program will be here Dec. 6th. See Bob or Ginny Atwell for more information or email them at ncatwell@verizon.net.
Church World Service – better known to us through the CROPWALK, CWS works in partnership to assist people in the world's poorest countries to find effective ways of tackling poverty and injustice. They also have local and national programs. www.churchworldservice.org
Crosses of Belize – These sterling silver and pewter crosses are made in the Belize Central Prison by inmates involved in the jewelry rehabilitation program run by the Kolbe Foundation, a program of Rotary International. All proceeds go to Holy Cross Anglican School.
Duke Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplant Family Support Program – The Annual Aflac/Macy’s Holiday Duck campaign is now in full swing. This year’s duck wears a festive Christmas Tree costume. Small ducks are $10 and large are $15. 100% of the proceeds go to the Duke PBMT Family Support Program.
Episcopal Relief and Development – ERD supports programs to alleviate poverty across the globe. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, help heal a hurting world by giving a thoughtful gift that will empower individuals, restore communities and transform lives. www.er-d.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Durham – Habitat transforms lives and communities by making home ownership possible in partnership with people who care. Habitat birdhouse kits are made by students at Southern High School to help raise funds for the annual Youth Build House. www.durhamhabitat.org.
HEIFER International – HEIFER’s unique community development model assisted more than 150,000 families last year with gifts of animals, training and passing on the gift. In addition, members of more than 250,000 additional families received special training in sustainable farming techniques. www.HEIFER.org
Holy Cross Anglican School – In Feb. 2009 St. Luke’s again sent two mission teams to Holy Cross School. They worked in the classrooms, cataloged the books in the now completed library and brought our first medical mission team to check the students and set up a computerized program to follow health progress. In February 2010 we will return with classroom workers, a second medical team and construction crews ready to work on the state of the art septic system. All proceeds from the HC table go directly to the school to support the feeding program. www.holycrossbelize.org or www.holycrossbelize.blogspot.com.
Housing For New Hope – Their mission is to encourage and assist homeless people and other persons in crisis to move toward lives marked by increased levels of stability, dignity, hope, and independence. They provide a unique continuum of care for the most needy of Durham's citizens through outreach and crisis assistance, transitional housing, and permanent housing. www.housingfornewhope.org
Interfaith Food Shuttle – Each Friday The BackPack Buddies Program provides children from food-insecure homes with a backpack, containing six nutritious and balanced meals to take home for the weekend throughout the school year. Local corporations, civic groups, and individuals help collect and pack bags with kid-friendly non-perishable food. The children are served in partnership with school principals, guidance counselors, and various after school programs. The organization also sponsors Operation Frontline programs to teach classes to youth and adults on how to prepare healthy meals. www.foodshuttle.org
Interfaith Hospitality Network - Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) works to end family homelessness in Durham. Recognizing that providing shelter alone was only a quick fix, IHN pioneered a new approach. Based on a cost effective, nationally recognized model that efficiently applies volunteers and resources, 30 local congregations and over 900 volunteers provide the shelter and meals for the guest families while IHN provides the intensive case management and support services. St. Luke’s is a support church with Westminster Presbyterian Church. www.dihn.org
Meals on Wheels Senior Santa Program - As joyous as the holiday season may be for some, for others it is the loneliest time of year. It is for this reason that each year, Meals on Wheels of Durham strives to provide each meal recipient with a holiday gift. Visit the Sr. Santa tree and see what small gift you can donate. Return to St. Luke’s by Wed. Dec. 16th. www.mowdurham.org
Poinsettias for Belize – Anyone who ordered poinsettias for Dec 6th delivery can pick them up in Johnson Hall following both services. All proceeds from the sale go toward the Bricks and Mortar expense of Belize Teams 2010. AGF table display poinsettias are for sale on Dec. 13th for $10.
Share Your Christmas – Please place your gifts under the Share Your Christmas tree in Johnson Hall.
Sister Communities of San Ramon - Through collaboration between San Ramón, Nicaragua and its partner communities in the United States, SCSRN promotes people-to-people connections and supports social and economic development projects that build friendship, understanding, justice and respect for the earth. Handmade gift items and honor cards will be available. www.san-ramon.org
Society of St. Andrew - Gleaning is the Biblical practice of hand-gathering crops left in the fields after harvest. SoSA coordinates volunteers, growers, and distribution agencies to provide food for hungry people through gleaning. The salvaged produce is taken to local food distribution centers. St. Luke’s participated in the annual Yam Jam in October. www.endhunger.org
Threshold – Threshold works to improve the quality of life for adults with serious mental illness in Durham. They are committed to facilitating personal well-being and community involvement through meaningful work and relationships. They put these commitments into practice by providing an environment of opportunities and supports that address the vocational, educational, social, recreational and residential needs of those they serve. www.thresholdclubhouse.org
Urban Ministries of Durham – UMD serves people suffering from homelessness, hunger and poverty. They operate the Community Shelter on behalf of Durham County, a food pantry, clothing closet and the Community Kitchen, which serves three meals daily seven days a week. Supportive services include substance abuse recovery programs and a janitorial service providing stable employment for people in recovery and quality cleaning services to the business community. www.umdurham.org
WISER – The Women’s Institute for Secondary Education and Research (WISER), with Duke University, is building the first boarding school for girls in Muhuru Bay, Kenya with the aim of reducing sexual abuse and guaranteeing their right to a safe and effective education. www.wisergirls.org
YO Durham – A program of Durham Congregations in Action, The Year of Opportunity for Durham Teens will redirect high-risk youth from current hazardous pathways and afford them an opportunity to shape their future in positive ways. Based on a successful Boston program, YO Durham serves youth who are at risk of criminal involvement and/or academic failure or suspension. Many hundreds of teens in our area are at risk and several community groups have identified helping teens turn their lives around as a pressing and immediate need. www.dcia.org/yody