Tis the season for giving and the Social Ministry Planning Group invites you to consider giving an alternative gift in honor or memory of a loved one. Alternative giving allows you to use your resources to give twice…a thoughtful gift to someone you care about and a gift to our neighbors in need.

This year we have chosen three local organizations for our Giving Tree: ECHO, GIFTS Men’s Shelter, and the YWCA-Rock County. See the display in the Narthex for details about how to make your choice.

Here’s how it works: Take an envelope from the tree in the narthex and replace it with an ornament. Choose one of the organizations and fill in the amount you want to go to that organization. Write your name on the line that says “Given by.” Dedicate your gift in honor or memory of someone and write their name on the envelope. Your gift will be recognized in the Christmas bulletin.

For our Global gift suggestions we are using the ELCA Good Gifts Program. The display near the glass wall in the Narthex will explain how to participate in this program as well. You are invited to choose an ornament and give it as your gift to someone. Please put your donation in the envelopes provided and indicate your name, the gift you are giving and the amount given on the envelope. The display on the glass wall in the Narthex has the details about this program!

For all donations, please make checks payable to “St. John Lutheran Church” so that they are eligible for matching fund grants. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.