Congregational Church of Harvard Sunday School children make every holiday a gift-giving experience

There are countless great stories about local churches helping families in the community during the holiday season. There have been numbers of 'ornament trees' this past Christmas requesting gifts for needy families who might not otherwise have a happy holiday.

But what if that spirit of giving could be extended year-round?

That's the mission of the fourth and fifth grade Sunday School class of the Congregational Church of Harvard. This year the Sunday School students decided to help a family all year by providing birthday presents and food for Thanksgiving and any other incidentals throughout the year.

Marcia Conant (lead teacher for the 4th and 5th grades) contacted the Department of Social Services in order to coordinate the sponsorship of a local family in need. The DSS worker identified a family made up of two grandparents who are courageously raising their three young grandchildren: two boys ages 9, and 7 and their younger sister age 5. This family was struggling and needed help. The DSS worker explained that the grandfather is retired and the grandmother has had difficulty finding a job in the area. It has not been an easy early winter for this family; they did not have enough money to celebrate Thanksgiving and they recently needed help buying oil. Marcia was told that finances were so tight that they had to heat water on the stove to bathe the children.

According to Keith Conant, a deacon at Harvard (and husband to Marcia), the church has already provided birthday presents to the oldest child and lots of food, including a turkey and decorations for Thanksgiving. In the weeks leading up to Christmas the members gathered presents for the children, and donated food and gas gift cards for the whole family.

"Many of the members of the Congregational Church of Harvard are very fortunate," said Keith. "Our church is really enthusiastic about helping out this family in need and the members feel like we are doing a good thing."

"The kids are so proud of what they are doing," said Keith. One Sunday the leader of Harvard's Christian education department stood up in church and thanked everyone for donating so generously to this cause. "As she spoke, my wife leaned into me and whispered, 'one of our students, Hannah Wharton, just turned around and smiled at me.' They are learning great things with this project; and the adults are learning how good it feels as well."

Sunday School student TJ Noyes said, "I think that doing this was fun because you get that sort of feeling in you that you did good. Plus we all had fun sorting the presents and wrapping. It was a fun project."

The recipient grandparents have taken the time and made the effort to help their grandchildren write and send special thank you notes.

"We are doubly blessed," said Keith. "This means so much to the kids in the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School class. It shows they are really making a difference in this family's life."

Another student, Ruby Matson, said "It's the right thing to do. It's always good to help."

Heather Flokos agreed: "It feels good to help people."

"I want to invite all of the UCC churches in Massachusetts to take on the sponsorship of a DSS family like we have," said Keith. "Of most importance is the ability to help out a local family in need, but in so many other ways, it is a valuable experience for all the members of the church."

Resources:
Visit the Massachusetts Department of Social Services website for information about how you can get involved in helping DSS families.

Keith Conant can be reached through the church office at info@harvarducc.com or (978) 456-8788.

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