November 20 – December 15
Christmas Gift Faire ~ An Alternative to Material Gifting
In years past we gathered together in the social hall, visited with fellow shoppers, nibbled on food donated by members of our congregation, and selected gifts of joy for family and friends while listening to numerous non-profit groups explain what they do to help make the world a better place. But due to the pandemic, we will have a virtual gift faire this year.
You can still “gift” people on your Christmas list with a donation to a worthy cause.
A description of each organization and choice of several gift cards are provided below. Shares of donations are $10 each, but children under 12 may purchase up to five (5) $1 shares. START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BY REACHING OUT WITH GOD’S LOVE!
Shop three ways:
- Download and fill out an order form (see below) and bring it to the church office along with a check. Please include “Gift Faire” in the memo. Gift cards will be available at the office.
- Download and fill out an order form (see below) and mail it to the church office along with a check. Please include “Gift Faire” in the memo. You may either print out your gift card and program descriptions (see below) or come to the church office to pick them up.
- Some groups have provided an electronic link. If you wish to donate directly to them, please do so. They will email you a receipt. You may either come to the church office to pick up gift cards or print them from below.
Call the office to schedule an appointment to pick up cards and/or drop off info. (408) 354-4730. Address is 111 Church St., Los Gatos, Ca 95030. Questions? Email LGUMC@LGUMC.org.
PRINTABLE DONATION FORM
Can be printed out, filled out and either mailed or taken to church office with your check.
PRINTABLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
PRINTABLE CHRISTMAS CARDS
Each card is available for immediate download and printable to an 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper.
Printable Inserts
Each insert is available for immediate download and printable to an 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper. Four organizations on one file.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
#1 SEEDS Homeless Youth Outreach: Plant hope. Change lives.
The SEEDS outreach team provides direct and immediate care to kids living on the streets in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. In addition to delivering LifePacks, SEEDS also prepares and distributes food and hygiene kits, as well as cold weather supplies and gear.
With the combined efforts of our community and corporate partners, SEEDS is helping homeless and street youth gain access to job resources and social services they need to obtain job skills and employment along with stable, long-term housing to move off the streets and to move on with their lives.
For more information or to find out how to plant some SEEDS, visit www.myseeds.org
#2 CHILDREN’S TUMOR FOUNDATION
This donation makes a difference in the lives of those affected by NF. Vital research and patient support services would not be possible if it were not for generous donations to this program. The Foundation continues to seek effective treatments and a cure for NF, which is Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves and can also affect development of bone and skin tissues. It causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body, and is one of the most common genetic neurological disorders, affecting one in 3000 people–more than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s Disease, and Tay Sachs combined.
#3 VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION – VIM
The United Methodist VIM Coordinating Team organizes and dispatches our members on faith-oriented volunteer missions — locally, nationally, & internationally. Over the years, our church has sent mission teams on construction, human services, and disaster relief projects.
For many years our church has constructed homes and built strong interpersonal relationships in Colonet, Mexico. In springtime, a combination youth/adult mission team journeys to that small rural Mexican community to build a home or homes for a selected family or families … with solar lighting & power provided through our close partnership with Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club in the award-winning “Lighting for Literacy” program.
In 2021, a family in need in Colonet will certainly receive the gift of a new “casita” in spite of the pandemic. If our family mission team cannot go to Colonet, then our VIM leadership team will coordinate the casita construction through the use of local Mexican workers there, under the direction of Ivan Ortega Rubio.
We have also sent mission teams to Caconde, Brazil to help in the completion of a large facility for seniors.
Financial gifts are used for projects and to award participation scholarships to some selected mission participants.
Lighting for Literacy (LFL) is a humanitarian project for youth providing an educational pathway through math, science, and engineering. It is a joint venture between Los Gatos United Methodist Church and Los Gatos Morning Rotary. Lighting kits are assembled in local science classrooms and by volunteers at church, and installed in homes built by our LGUMC Volunteers in Mission in Colonet, Mexico each spring, enabling the children who move into those homes to study at night with lights provided by LFL. Through community partnerships, Lighting for Literacy has reached homes, schools, and orphanages in India and Africa as well.
For more information visit LIGHTING FOR LITERACY
#5 DORIS DILLON SCHOOL IN CAMBODIA
Located in a rural village nearly four hours from Phnom Penh, the Doris Dillon School in Cambodia was built in 2008 with funds donated by a student charity club at Bret Harte Middle School. Each year the club and the board of this nonprofit, support at-risk girls who attend the school. For $15 a month, a girl from an impoverished family is able to continue her education. We need help in supporting 36, seventh- through twelfth-grade scholarships. An on-site advisor monitors their attendance and grades, and reports to our in-country director. Thus, we are assured that our contributions are used properly. We also have four scholarship girls currently studying at university level. It is our vision that as these students finish their studies, they will help others follow in their steps.
For more information visit DORIS DILLON SCHOOL IN CAMBODIA
#6 LGUMC YOUTH SERVICE PROJECTS
LGUMC Youth Ministry is a safe place where young people can connect with God and with one another. Through study, service, and fellowship, we seek to build deep, life-giving relationships and strive to find how God is making Godself known in the world around us. Every month youth take a break from regular programs to give back to the community. Past projects include constructing a “sidewalk tiny home” for the homeless, purchasing/packaging disaster relief clean-up buckets for hurricane victims, and our annual summer service project. Thank you for supporting our service efforts with your generous donation.
#7 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Keg of Nails or Paint for a Room
Teams of volunteers work together to build Habitat homes for families that are in need. Habitat for Humanity began as an international Christian housing ministry in poor areas of the world, and eventually established affiliates in this country as well. A number of families in the Bay Area are currently living in well-built, comfortable Habitat homes, and more are planned by the East Bay/Silicon Valley chapter. Besides paying an interest-free, 30-year mortgage, Habitat families place a “sweat equity down payment” by working on the project along with volunteers.
A donation to this project can help pay for a keg of nails or paint for a room in a home built with blessings and love by people of many faiths. In October 2019, we held a Habitat work day in memory of Joan Nunn, building tiny houses for homeless people. We plan to hold another Joan Nunn work day in the future.
For more information visit HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
#8 UMCOR – UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
INTERNATIONAL OR DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE
A donation has been made for you to the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Disaster Response Program. When possible, it works with other religious and secular organizations to pool resources and avoid duplication while easing human suffering and restoring economic and emotional stability to individuals and communities.
UMCOR provides long-term recovery as well as immediate relief; as a result, UMCOR workers are among the first to arrive and the last to leave when disaster strikes anywhere in the world.
UMCOR maintains a corps of trained response specialists and warehouses stoked with relief supplies to be sent as soon as needed. All donations go to relief and rehabilitation in the targeted area. Administrative costs and staff salaries are paid separately out of the General Budget of the United Methodist Church.
For more information visit UMCOR – UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
#9 HEIFER PROJECT PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
Heifer International helps people in twenty-one countries to improve their lives by providing animals such as heifers, chicks, goats, honeybees, or pigs to families, along with mentoring and other support to help them succeed. This enables the recipients to not only improve their own lives, but to share their surplus animals and their knowledge with others, so that the entire community may prosper. Heifer also empowers women to become productive and self-supporting and encourages efforts to bring clean water to communities and to adapt to, or combat climate change. The work of Heifer International is supported by individual donors and by religious and secular organizations that value individual effort as well as community cooperation.
For more information visit HEIFER PROJECT PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
#10 RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK, MFSA, LGUMC SOCIAL JUSTICE
Support of National and Local Programs
Here at LGUMC we say, “All Welcome.” “Everyone counts with God.” “Diversity is a gift.” “The fabric of creation is more beautiful because it is woven with rainbow-colored threads.”
We continue to support the Reconciling Ministries Network, Methodist Fellowship for Social Action, and our own participation in the annual San Jose Pride Parade and Celebration.
Social Justice actively supports programs to advocate for a just society, and currently sponsors “Sticky Buns and Sticky Issues” with a continental breakfast, information, and conversations about current issues of concern to our community. We also work with League of Women Voters to learn about the pros and cons on the ballot propositions, and to host Great Decisions discussion programs.
A donation has been made in your name to widen the welcome offered by Jesus Christ so that social justice barriers can be further dissolved.
#11 SAN JOSE FAMILY SHELTER MEALS
Because of COVID-19 requirements for the residents of Family Housing Services, LGUMC volunteers have been delivering home-cooked dinners consisting of a main dish, optional side dishes, green salad, and dessert up to twice per month. When we are able to return and make use of the industrial kitchen at the property, LGUMC volunteers will again prepare and serve hot breakfast on the first Saturday of every month. Family Housing Services (aka. Family Shelter) is one of only two shelters in the area that provides shelter for entire families–parents and children–during difficult times.
Our program is funded by donations and through our Hunger Challenge and Fellowship Coffee collection.
#12 MESSY CHURCH – SUPPORT FOR A NEW KIND OF CHURCH
We strive to create a loving and fun environment in which everyone feels welcomed and encouraged to BELONG, GROW in faith, and SERVE the world with love. Messy Church is a monthly service for everyone, even during the pandemic. It is an outreach ministry designed to reach families. It involves one hour of fun, hands- on activities, and 15 minutes of interactive worship. Your donations help us continue this outreach ministry that seeks to create a new generation of followers, especially during the pandemic. Thank you.
For more information visit Messy Church.
#13 LIVE OAK ADULT DAY SERVICES
Live Oak Adult Day Services is a nonprofit, community-based agency which provides a specialized day program of adult services for elderly, dependent adults. We have locations in Los Gatos, Willow Glen, Cupertino, and Gilroy. Many of our participants suffer from dementia or physical conditions which affect their independence. We ensure that our participants have an opportunity to enjoy a variety of stimulating activities such as adaptive physical exercise, music programs, arts and crafts projects, discussion of current events, and times of reminiscing.
Our program helps to lessen our participants’ sense of isolation and keeps them active and engaged, while also providing their caregivers with some respite and support.
All donations are greatly valued and appreciated. Thank you for your support!
For more information visit Live Oak Adult Day Services
#14 LGUMC SHOWER MINISTRY
LGUMC, in coordination with St Luke’s Episcopal Church and The Town of Los Gatos, opens our showers and hearts every Thursday afternoon to unhoused people in Los Gatos. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to safely offer hot showers, bag lunches, and often new, warm socks and underwear. When funds are available, or cards are generously donated, we distribute $15 Subway gift cards. Your gift supports all of these efforts for the truly needy in our community
#15 LGUMC HEALTH AND VISITATION MINISTRIES
The Director of Visitation, assisted by the Health Ministry Team and volunteers, reaches out to persons of all ages who are homebound, hospitalized, or unable to participate fully in the fellowship here at church. The need for a coordinator to link visitation efforts has been felt for some time. Through visitations, those who are no longer able to attend church activities continue to feel our love and support. However, without coordination, the frequency of visits to our homebound or hospitalized members can be spotty and uneven–some may have many visitors at one time, with few at other times. We also help coordinate meal delivery as needed for members who have recently returned home from a hospital stay. We are seeking funds to continue this visitation coordination which began in 2009.
In addition, health, fitness, and other relevant presentations have helped active members to remain well and better prepared to deal with questions that might emerge in the future
For more information visit LGUMC Health & Visitation Ministry
#16 LIVE OAK SENIOR NUTRITION CENTER
Your gift will provide daily nutritious meals, health education, transportation, information, and referrals to over 200 seniors weekly. Since the pandemic, Live Oak has been giving out an average of 62 lunches per day. Our seniors need your help more than ever; funds are limited and the demand keeps growing. Live Oak will also accept donations of granola /meal bars, batteries, flashlights, peanut butter, socks, gloves, puzzles (used is fine), canned vegetables (string beans, peas, corn), canned soup, pocket size bottles of sanitizer, and gift cards to local restaurants, Safeway or Walgreens. On November 25 and December 23, Live Oak gives out grocery bags full of goodies. Last year they gave out 100 bags! Please drop off donations between 11AM and 2PM, Monday through Friday.
For more information visit Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center