The Magic of Shoebox Sunday
“The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” -William Temple
There is a buzz about the building, unlike any other day. Excitement is in the air as the holiday season is soon about to kick off with the arrival of Advent, and Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. Trailers line the front of the church parking lot. The church freezer is stuffed with turkeys for our meal ministries, and the altar is shimmering with a sea of colorfully wrapped shoeboxes.
Then, Pastor Tom dismisses the last service, and the magic begins. Suddenly the church is humming with people young and old. Some are carrying shoeboxes and others packing them into crates. Children are pushing carts full of boxes to the next person. For about an hour, it is like a scene right out of Santa’s workshop, and we are all his elves busily preparing to make Christmas for the children.
DJ Mahar has been coordinating Operation Christmas Child for the last 20 years. “People come up and tell me all the time they are more blessed by this project than if they were on the receiving end. Shoebox Sunday is the first leg of the journey a shoebox will take before arriving at its final destination. The energy is high the day of the packing, and you feel like you have made a difference by just showing up,” says DJ. “Shoeboxes are always needed because many children have to share their box with others, but anyone can make a difference. If you don’t have money to pack a box, come and help. If you are unable to walk, you can sit and count boxes as they go by. Everyone can participate in some way and experience the gift of giving.”
DJ would like to share more information and stories with you at his table that will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays from now until November 24.
Interview with DJ Mahar
Written by Lori Jagow
Join us on November 24 following the 11:15 AM service for Shoebox Sunday!
Volunteers are also needed to help collect these wonderful boxes that may come in during the week of November 18-23, when our church will be open extra hours to accept these gifts. If you can donate some time to act as an Operation Christmas Child representative and accept any boxes from people and congregations that may drop them off during the week, we would love to have you!
Visit pendletonchurch.org/occ to sign up to help.
