May you
have the gladness
of Christmas
Which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas
Which is peace;
The heart
of Christmas
Which is love.
Dear East Shore members and friends,
The above poem, by Ada V. Hendricks, pretty much sums up the essence of Christmas for me: hope, peace, and love. Hope in the return of light to a world that has felt ever-darkening. Peace in the pause Christmas brings—or can bring—from our everyday routines. Love in the opportunities to share deeply with those we care most about.
Helen Keller once observed, “The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.” For it is there—in one’s heart—where the spirit of Christmas ever resides, and where it always can be found. Beneath the hurry-up, hustle-bustle of shopping, the strain of seasonal cooking and decorating, and the worry of not meeting others’ expectations—beneath all that is the human heart, whenever we allow ourselves to remember.
It is in this spirit The Earth and Social Justice Council and I invite you to make an end-of-the-year contribution to East Shore Unitarian Church’s emergency support budget. In recent years, this appeal, plus the Christmas Eve offertory, has raised more than $7,000, which is then administered and distributed through the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Funds have gone to providing food for the hungry, auto repairs to people living in their cars, medical and dental care, rent, bus tickets, relocation expenses, diapers, clothing, and many other critical needs for people in distress. The generosity of East Shore members has provided a safety net to keep people from falling into homelessness or from becoming terribly crippled by unemployment, illness or hunger.
We are asking for your continued generosity to secure enough funds to maintain this vital ministry alive for the coming year. Please make your check out to East Shore Unitarian Church with Holiday Gift on the memo line and either mail or bring it in and drop it in the collection plate on Christmas Eve. You can also contribute online at esuc.org. All donations go to East Shore’s Operating Fund, which supports the Minister’s Discretionary fund and other programs.
Peace on earth. Goodwill to all,
Steve
Please note: All donations must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 24 to go towards donations for 2018. The East Shore offices will be closed December 25-January 1.