ABW
August 2018

Christmas at Sea – "Welcoming the Stranger" – 2018

In Psalm 107:23-32, we read about merchants who made their living on the sea. In stormy times, they cried out to God and He delivered them to a safe harbor. He loved them!

In modern times, there are men (and sometimes women) who are crew members on the huge container ships that come into the San Francisco Bay to deliver merchandise at the Port of Oakland. They sign on with their ships for as long as nine months at a time, and chances are that they will be at sea, away from their country, family and friends on Christmas Day.

Our church partners with the Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate to greet these seamen and give each crew member a “ditty bag” filled with gifts. We have made over 150 ditty bags for this year's visit. In each bag, we will include a card with a message from our church blessing them. We do this to welcome them during the Christmas season, and to share God’s love.

Beginning Sunday, August 12, and for the next several weeks, we will be collecting items for the bags. Will you help? There will be a box in the lobby for your contributions. Items needed:

* Toothpaste
* Toothbrushes
* Shaving cream
* Nail clippers
* Deodorant
* Razors
* Aftershave
* Hand lotion
* Chap-stick
* Small first aid kits
Travel-size games
* Knitted caps
* Hard-wrapped candy
* Flashlights w/ batteries
* AA size batteries
* Warm socks

If you cannot shop, you can give by using an offering envelope, and writing a check made out to ABW (American Baptist Women) with "Christmas at Sea" on the memo line. We will then do the shopping for you.  

If you have any questions about this ministry, please contact Virginia Newcomb at virginia@scfbc.org or call the church office at 408-241-7635.

Many thanks,

AB Women