Christmas at UMCH

by Kay Zibby

Vice President of Operations

We celebrated the birth of Jesus at our 5th Annual Live Nativity.

The Festival of Trees and Holiday Bazaar was a great event to purchase gifts, decor, and crafts.

One youth was very excited to get the CDs that she asked for.
Thank you to ABATE who rode in on their motorcycles with Santa to deliver gifts to youth at UMCH.

     Christmastime at UMCH is typically very busy; and this year was no different.  However, it is a welcoming kind of “busy” that I find myself looking forward to at the holidays.

     On December 11th, we continued our tradition of the Live Nativity and invited the public to come to the UMCH campus to experience the scene of the first Christmas.  We also hosted a new event, the Festival of Trees, in conjunction with the Nativity.  Area school classrooms were invited to donate decorated Christmas trees, which were prominently displayed in our Chapel Complex throughout the weekend.  We were quite impressed with the variety of decorated trees donated.  From peacock feathers to more traditional candy canes, the tress really showcased the time, creativity and thoughtfulness of area schoolchildren.  On December 12th our gymnasium was full of vendors offering a variety of crafts and gifts for those attending our Holiday Bazaar.  When all was said and done, we deemed the weekend a success and have already started making plans for next year!

     We were very grateful for the numerous calls and inquiries from churches, community organizations and individuals who were interested in helping us provide Christmas gifts for the children and families we serve.  Our young people who live on our campus were so appreciative of the outpouring of love and support that was shown to them by people they have never met. 

     At a Christmas Party hosted by ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education), a young man who is new to our Transitional Living Program stood up to share a word of thanks to the group.  He stated, “Thank you so much for my gifts.  I haven’t received Christmas gifts for the past three years and this really means a lot to me.”  His heartfelt sincerity was quite evident. 

     The Christmas season is a celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, a time to reflect on the past year, and an opportunity to prepare for a New Year.  At UMCH, we are very blessed to do God’s work and help those in need.  Our work is a direct result of your continued support of our mission and ministry – your prayers and your gifts are the foundation to which we are able to offer quality programs and services to children and families in Southern Illinois.  We look forward to your continued partnership with us in 2010 and wish you God’s blessings.