White Gifts – Minute for Mission December 18, 2022

 Here we are in this beautiful sanctuary and all seems right with the world. We are surrounded by the Peace of this place. But on the outside of these walls that peace is sometimes hard to find, especially for the homeless and poor. The reality is – in the Hamptons there are homeless people. There are poor people. Even though Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you.” It didn’t mean it was okay to look the other way. And we don’t look the other way. For more than ten years, FPC has been working with Maureen’s Haven to help the homeless. We have hosted overnight guests. We have prepared lunches. We have donated clothes and helped provide extra hours for the Riverhead center to be open longer hours during the cold months. If you look on the Maureen’s Haven website, you’ll see that FPC is one of the participating houses of worship. Makes you feel good to see our name.

 Maureen’s Haven assists homeless men and women by providing a safe place to stay during the winter months. Maureen’s Haven also helps provide supportive services, access to case management and programs to help alleviate homelessness. With the gracious help of dedicated volunteers and local houses of worship, the program successfully gives those in need a place to sleep, nutritious meals, and shows them the love all humans deserve. Maureen’s Haven provides this valuable support through embracing the true value of human dignity. During the 2021/22 Emergency Winter Shelter Program, they made more than 6,000 beds. They served 350 individuals. They helped at least 65 people secure stable housing. In 2021, they had more than 7,300 sign-ins at the Day Center in Riverhead.

 Every year this church collects White Gifts that are given to Maureen’s Haven to distribute. The philosophy of white gifts is being wrapped in simple white tissue paper, no gift, giver or recipient is more important or better than anyone else.  This year, we’ve been asked to give warm hats and waterproof gloves. Please don’t give knit gloves because when they get wet they don’t dry, especially when you’re living outside. While shopping, please pick up a hat and pair of waterproof gloves, wrap them in plain white paper, label them as to size and whether they are for a man or a woman. Bring your White Gifts to church on Sunday, December 18. They will be collected by the children and brought forward to be lain before the Christ Child’s manager to be covered in our love and prayers. The Mission team will deliver them to the center in Riverhead the following day. Then our hope for a better life will be shared.

Let’s give the joy of Christmas.