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Happy Holidays 2006

Hernando churches epitomize spirit of giving

By JEAN JOHNSON
Published December 23, 2006

"It is more blessed to give than to receive," Christ says in the Bible.

If that's the case, there are a lot of blessed souls in Hernando County churches this Christmas season as many congregations and parishes have worked to make sure every child has a toy under the Christmas tree and every family has a filling holiday dinner.

These are only a few examples.

In addition to sending food baskets to needy families in the area, First Baptist Church of Hernando Beach, gives a special offering to Lottie Moon, an international mission organization based in China. The goal of Southern Baptist churches in the United States for the organization is $150-million per year, said the Rev. Mark Walton - a goal that is usually met.

As an example of the success of the organization, Walton said that last year 400,000 people were baptized throughout the world.

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, west of Brooksville, has partnered with Pine Grove Elementary School for five years, bringing gifts to at least 13 needy families in Spring Hill and Brooksville.

Recipients are chosen by Pine Grove, and their names and ages are then given to the church. Gifts for 55 children - from infants to teens - were distributed earlier this week, including one family with 13 children.

The Rev. William McLoud, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Spring Hill, said his congregation delivered almost 600 toys for needy children this Christmas.

Among the presents: 130 stuffed animals, 57 cars and trucks, 71 dolls, 49 books, six tricycles, 48 games and much more.

The Rev. Dale Schneidmiller, pastor of Spring Hill First Church of the Nazarene, said members of his congregation gathered clothing and food baskets from church members and preschool parents to give to the needy. In addition, a family was adopted for Christmas that wouldn't have been able to celebrate without help.

In addition, another family was discovered that had recently fallen on hard times. A family member had been diagnosed with cancer and underwent radiation and chemotherapy.

"They had to liquidate lots of what they had to keep up with payments and got an offering (from the church) to help out," Schneidmiller said.

Earlier this week, members of the congregation sang Christmas carols and delivered Christmas baskets throughout the community to people who have lost a loved one this year, who are homebound or who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Asked why the congregation does all of this, Schneidmiller said, "because of all that Christ has done for us. We want to give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate because God has been very good to us."

[Last modified December 22, 2006, 20:57:26]