The Mission Committee supports a wide variety of local nonprofit organizations and provides the congregation with opportunities throughout the year to contribute to this support. 

These opportunities are often presented as Alternative Giving during holiday seasons.

During the Advent season preceding Christmas, the Committee offers the congregation mission-focused alternative gift options that can be purchased for family, friends, teachers, colleagues, etc! 

These Alternative Giving options include providing meals for school-age children through Backpack Blessings and providing emergency food through the Food Pantry services at Religious Community Services (RCS). 

Alternative Giving gifts are available in a wide range of monetary increments — all you do is purchase and mail the Alternative Giving card of your choice. Each card states that an alternative gift has been given in the recipient’s name and proceeds go to the mission chosen.

Also during in the Advent season, the Mission Committee sponsors the Giving Tree which features gift tags for underprivileged students attending three area elementary schools. 

There are always three tags per child: one for clothing, one for a toy, and one for art supplies. 

Congregation members take the tags, go shopping, and return the gifts with the tags attached. 

The Giving Tree is a wonderful way for members of Garber Church to introduce the youngest among us to the idea of missions and service. All children can empathize with the excitement and anticipation of the Christmas season. Of course, the Giving Tree is not limited to Garber children and youth — any congregation member is welcome to participate and experience the joy of making a child’s Christmas wish come true! 

Many of us lament the great divide between those who have and those who have not. 

Alternative Giving is designed to help close the gap! During the next holiday season, instead of giving a material gift, consider giving the gift of God’s love and compassion through an Alternative Giving donation.