OCA 2007 Christmas Stocking Project
In a letter dated September 10, 2007, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, called upon all the members of the Orthodox Church in America to support the Church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project, in support of needy children throughout the world.
The text of the letter reads as follow.
“Following upon the renewed zeal for serving the Lord through many ministries brought to light at the OCA Parish Ministries Conference held this past July, I once again ask for your support of one such ministry, the OCA Christmas Stocking Project.
“Now in its 14th year, this endeavor has been successful because of the continuing generosity of so many of you. Last year it provided 15,000 filled Christmas stockings or equivalent gifts to children in lands and areas where they were received with special delight. Moreover, their thank you letters expressed the important message that the children and their parents or caregivers were grateful to know that we in the Orthodox Church in America continue to think of them.
“Of similar value is the use of workers at the AHRC (Association for the Help of Retarded Children) Vocational Training Center. In assembling the stockings, the workers there know that they are serving a real need, receive a small compensation and the added pleasure of acting as “Santa’s Helpers.” “They work with smiles on their faces,” according to Mrs. Arlene Kallaur, Project Coordinator.
“I encourage parishes, and especially church schools, FOCA chapters and all youth groups to undertake a fund raising activity for this worthy cause. Individual gifts are also most supportive. As St. Paul urges in his letter to the Hebrews (10:24), ‘let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.’
“Plan your projects and collections early in the fall. Send your donations to the Chancery Office, OCA Christmas Stocking Project, as close as possible to October 31, though they will be gratefully received through the end of the year.”
An informational flyer about this year’s Christmas Stocking Project campaign can be found here in PDF format.