Offering Hope and Nourishment: Mission Thanksgiving
Part of being thankful during the holidays is the desire to give back to those who might need encouragement or help during the season. A church in Cullman, Alabama was able to offer not only physical sustenance for Thanksgiving, but also the Word of God, a message of hope, to students in their local school district.
More than 15 years ago, Mission Thanksgiving began at Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama. What started as providing weekend meals for students in Huntsville--"Bags of Blessings"--turned into Mission Thanksgiving when the church wanted every child to also have something for their family during the holiday, as well as access to Scripture. In the last couple of years, after seeing such success in Huntsville, Cullman Church of Christ in Cullman, Alabama adopted the Mission Thanksgiving vision as well.
Supporting the Mission
Once a year, the church hosts a "Harvest Sunday." They ask congregants to support multiple ministries that week and each ministry gets a percentage of what's received in donations. One of those ministries is Mission Thanksgiving. Throughout the year, people can donate through the website too.
Over the years, the church has changed their process for how to put together the bags. Sometimes they asked for donations of non-perishable food items that were put together in a clear, plastic bag and then placed in a tote for the child to easily carry home. They've also purchased or accepted donations and then held packing parties for the bags. This year, with the quantity of bags they're providing, they will be sourcing everything directly from grocery stores. There are many ways to make these bags, so any church could adapt this idea to their community needs.
Helping Students and Community
With permission from the local principal, the congregants at Cullman Church of Christ used their resources to offer Thanksgiving Meal Bags to all kids, kindergarten through twelfth grade, at the school. Beyond providing a Thanksgiving meal, they also included age-appropriate Bibles for each student.
For kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade, they included The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories. For the rest of the students, the church included an NIV, Thinline Bible in the color red to match the school colors.
On November 17, Cullman Church of Christ plans to give away a total of 1,050 Thanksgiving Meal Bags to students, with 250 Beginner's Bible and 800 red, NIV Bibles included in the bundles.
Your Turn
This a great way to not only provide care for those in your community, but also spread the Word of Jesus Christ and the hope of the season. Take a look at these opportunities for your church.
- Consider your neighborhood. Are there organizations looking for help to fulfill needs during this season? Ask if you could help provide some supplies and Bibles for those they serve.
- Ask your congregants. Do they know people that need some assistance this year? This is a perfect idea for a smaller congregation. Include what people might need for a Thanksgiving meal, and the Word of God too!
- If you are able, follow in the footsteps of Cullman Church of Christ and make a big impact with students in your local community.
As Leign Ann Benson, Children's Minister at Cullman Church of Christ, said, "We pray and trust that God will provide the money and food needed for this. We have never not been able to do this."
There is no wrong way to spread hope and gratefulness this time of year. And if you need resources, we at ChurchSource would love to make it easy for you and your church to offer nourishment and the gift of Jesus during the holidays.