Christmas at Sea

Virginia Newcomb
August 2015

Welcoming the Stranger

Our American Baptist Women's Ministries wants to thank the Santa Clara First Baptist family and friends for your past support of Christmas at Sea and ask you again for your help.

Providing 'Ditty Bags' is a project of the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate, whose motto is "Welcoming and Serving the Seafarers of the World." They do that in Jesus' name, remembering His words, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me...As you have done it to one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me."

Seafarers bring from overseas markets the commodities we consume and travel for many months at a time, separated from their loved ones. It is easy to forget that we have many of our consumable products because they are working aboard these ships. This year the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate is celebrating their 70th anniversary of distributing Christmas gifts to the seafarers from Pier 40 in Oakland. The men are so grateful. One seafarer said, "I have been at sea during Christmas for the past 20 years and have never received a Christmas gift."

The ABW of Santa Clara First Baptist has prepared 120 cloth gift bags ready to fill with your generous donations.

Suggestions for donations (regular sized items only; hotel/sample sizes cannot be used, new items only please):

Toothpaste ~ Toothbrushes ~ Shaving cream ~ Nail clippers ~ Deodorant ~ Razors ~ Hand Lotion ~ Chapstick ~ Small first aid kits ~ Gloves ~ Knitted caps ~ Warm socks ~ Travel size games ~ Small flashlights with batteries ~ Wrapped hard candy ~ Aftershave ~ AA size batteries ~ Writing paper & envelopes

During the month of August a box will be located in the Sanctuary Lobby to collect any items you would like to donate to this special ministry. If you are unable to shop on your own, you can give a monetary donation to SCFBC, specifying that it be used for the Seafarers Ministry, and we will do the shopping for you.

Thank you for your continued generosity!!