Alternative Gifts
Gift giving for the person who has everything!
- These “gifts” can be given throughout the year! Simply write a check to St. Paul’s UMC and in the memo line note the name of special project that you’d like to receive the donation. Thanks for thinking of ways to use the gifts that are never the wrong size and warm the heart!
During the weeks in December, the Mission Christmas display is in the Ministry Center in Wesley Hall. Please make your check out to St. Paul’s UMC and memo the gift of your choice. The Mission and Outreach Ministries Team has gift cards for you to personalize and present to your gift recipient. Gift cards are available at the Ministry Center.
If you’d like a gift card throughout the year. Please contact Barb Greway RipNFix@aol.com.
Blankets -The need for blankets is never ending. Your $5.00 donation will provide warmth to someone in our world who is a victim of war, catastrophic weather, or related losses. Your gift will be noted on our Church World Service blanket display.
Nyadire United Methodist Hospital (NUMH) & Orphanage, Zimbabwe – part of the larger Nyadire Mission complex, which also includes one primary and one secondary school, a teachers’ college, a United Methodist church, and a cooperative farm. NUMH strives to deliver quality health care services and improve the quality of life in the community while facing serious social and political presures, and severely limited resources. Gift acknowledgement cards for the Nyadire Mission are available at the display in the Ministry Center. Donations for this project may be made by writing a check to St. Paul’s UMC and writing the words ‘Nyadire Mission’ in the memo space. Donation Forms are included with the gift acknowledgement cards for the Nyadire Mission, both are available at the display in the Ministry Center.
Gifts for Bethlehem Haven – Bethlehem Haven is a women’s shelter located in downtown Pittsburgh – it provides a number of services including emergency shelter; transitional housing; medical, dental, obstetrics, and mental health services; as well as employment services to women in the Pittsburgh area. The Haven also provides some medical, mental health, and employment services to non-residents, including homeless men.
Monetary donations can be given throughout the year in honor or memory of your special person.
They expect to provide over 600 gifts at Christmas each year. Suggested gifts include: Women’s nightgowns, pajamas, sweaters, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, socks, body spray, and lotions. Items should be new. LARGE sizes are especially needed. Gift bags are also welcome. Donations are being accepted through the second Sunday in December. Please do not wrap your gifts. Look for the Bethlehem Haven gift box.
Postage For Prisoners – The Chaplain’s Office at the Allegheny County Jail seeks to impact those in prison with a generous dose of God’s love. They seek to do this when inmates are at their lowest point: Christmas. The Chaplains would like to provide postage for each inmate to send two Christmas cards. 2,500 inmates times two cards times the cost of a stamp is over $2200. If you can help, place your pocket change in the jar located in the Ministry Center.
Donations to H.O.P.E. Foundation are taken throughout the year. This project supports inmates as they prepare to return to their communities. A model program for the nation, the Allegheny county Jail has an outstanding record of helping inmates transition successfully back into their communities and not return to jail.
Senior High and Mid-Hi Work Camps – Each summer members of St. Paul’s youth group go off-site to reach out to others in “hands-on” Christian love. Your gift will help the group travel in the summer.
Share the Warmth – At Christmas time, gifts of fuel, food, and light can be given to our North Hills neighbors through donations to North Hills Community Outreach. Select an ornament from the tree and place the ornament on your family’s Christmas tree.
Throughout the year donations are needed to help support families in need. Please consider giving to NHCO!
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10