Christmas Store

We're first time planning for "A Christmas Store" this year. In the past, the Orchard Hill Church Congregation has previously given gifts for moms at House of Hope or Christmas boxes for every family at Longfellow Elementary, the school where we partnered in Waterloo before it was closed. Families from our congregation- a predominately upper-middle class demographic- often look for ways to give at Christmas, and providing gifts to those in need has been a part of our congregation's history at Christmas.

This year, we're trying something different. Bob Lupton's quotes from Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life have caused us to pause and consider how our giving might help build capacity and community rather than diminish people. Take a read:

“Something seems to go wrong when one with valued resources attempts to distribute them to others in need. The transactions, no matter how compassionate, seem to go sour in the gut of both giver and recipient. A subtle, unintentional message slips through: “You have nothing of worth that I desire in return.” The giver remains protected by his one-up status while the recipient is exposed and vulnerable.” P. 26

“Perhaps the deepest poverty of all is to have nothing of value to offer in exchange. Charity that fosters such poverty must be challenged. We know from 40 years of failed social policy that welfare depletes self-esteem while honorable work produces dignity. We know that reciprocity builds mutual respect while one-way giving brews contempt.” P. 27

“Betterment does for others; development enables others to do for themselves…betterment tends to erode dignity, while development strengthens capacity.”

“One-way mercy ministry, as kindhearted as the giver may be and as well intentioned, is an unmistakable form of put-down. On the other hand, everyone loves to engage in the process of exchange. Everyone loves to find a bargain. There is something life affirming when someone comes to the bargaining table with a resource to barter. The playing field is leveled. The eyeing of each other’s commodity takes place from both sides of the bargaining table. Both sides have a choice; both sides weigh the worth of the other’s commodity. A deal is struck and an exchange is made. And remarkably, both parties leave the encounter feeling like they have gained more value than they brought.” P.43

“The Kingdom reserves a special place for the poor and for those who show compassion toward the poor. But how we demonstrate our compassion has everything to do with whether or not the poor actually feel valued. This is very good news indeed to Kingdom-minded people who are also bargain hunters, entrepreneurs, wheeler-dealers and creative types who know the magic of exchange. Ours is the unique opportunity to use our know-how and our creative energies to design methods of exchange that enable those with little as well as those with much to come to the table, participate in the excitement of making a deal and leave satisfied. With dignity.” P.47

So, we are in the middle of planning a store in which new gift items given by the congregation will be priced at a big discount and allow parents the dignity and the choice of shopping for their own children this Christmas! The money generated will then go to the Boys n' Girls Club and the schools attended by the shoppers' children. The store will be hosted at the Boys n' Girls Club in the Walnut Neighborhood, and we're looking forward to this opportunity to connect with the community through this store.