Saint Nicholas will make his annual visit to St. Paul’s during the 9:00 and 11:15 AM services on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Our tradition has been to provide gifts to children served by the ministries and organizations listed below.
The tree is set up in the narthex (lobby) and was decorated with tags containing information about these children. (Tags have already been taken.) Please use the adhesive label and stick the child’s name tag on each gift. A request: please give only one wrapped gift per child. You may purchase many items but put all items in one box and wrap (if wrapping is indicated) that one box.
Again this year, we have in some cases, tied together tags for a single family. These bundled tags will be held by the St. Nicholas figure that is standing on the counter by the tree.
Sunday, December 10 is the day to bring your gifts and present them to St. Nicholas! If you are unable to attend services on this day, please deliver your gifts to the office BEFORE then so they will reach these wonderful children on time. Presents received after noon on December 10 will not get to the child.
We serve the following ministries:
- Children of the Migrant Farm Workers: CommWell Health serves families who come to NC as seasonal workers but remain throughout the winter each year. Please WRAP these gifts.
- The Healing Place: A rehab shelter for “homeless addicted” men with a success rate of nearly 70%. Gifts are distributed to these men who can then provide a taste of Christmas for their children from whom they are separated. Please leave these gifts UNWRAPPED so that the fathers can wrap their own gifts.
- West Haven (formerly Episcopal Housing Ministry): This ministry helps provide affordable housing through new construction or renovation of existing housing in our local area. Please WRAP these gifts.
- Families Together (PLM): An ecumenical organization helping homeless families to reach independence. It is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the state, housing an average of 90 parents and children each night in Wake County. Please WRAP these gifts.
Extra undesignated and monetary gifts are welcome and will be used this season or later in the year to purchase gifts at economical prices, when available. Checks should be made payable to St. Paul’s, with “St. Nicholas Fund” in the memo line.
We, in return, benefit from the joy that is felt by helping others.