Join the movement & give back
December 1st, 2015
  
What is #GivingTuesday?
  
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
  
It's a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.
Gifts of Hope
  
Gifts that Really Matter.
Gifts of Hope is an alternative gift-giving program in the South Carolina Synod (ELCA). This Christmas give gifts to family and friends that really matter. Give hope.
  
For your shopping pleasure, this website contains 31 unique gifts priced from $5 to $150 that give hope to others. The gifts are presented by the institutions and social ministry organizations affiliated with the SC Synod of the ELCA, as well as the South Carolina Synod's companion synods.
  
For each gift you purchase, you will receive an insert describing your chosen gift - which you give to the person receiving the gift. The actual gift will be delivered by the designated organization or institution to the beneficiary, (for example, new shoes and backpacks for children or new vegetable plants for a community garden).
  
Whether you give Gifts of Hope to share your faith and blessings, to advocate for a simpler lifestyle or to make a difference in the lives of all those touched by your gift - we thank you for participating in this program to give hope to someone who really needs it.
  
If you have any questions about the program, contact us Julie Koon in the synod office at [email protected].
  
Below are a sample of the gifts available. Visit www.giftsofhopesc.com for more and to find purchase details.
Emergency Assistance for a Seminarian - Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary $25
Help for Unexpected Emergencies - Seminary students run into unforeseen emergency situations like the death of a loved one, uncovered health expenses, and unavoidable car repairs. Your gift will help pay for expenses like bereavement travel and other unexpected expenses for a seminary student with financial need.

Sewing Machine and Materials - Southwest Diocese of Tanzania $50
For Tanzania - The women of the diocese are helping to provide alternative education for the children in need. This gift will help provide a sewing machine and material to teach the trade of sewing and to set these young people up in a self-sustaining business in their home village.

Change a Child's Life - Lutheran Services Carolinas $25
Children in Foster Care - Sometimes because of abuse or neglect, or because their parents have become unable to care for them, children are left without the love and support they need to lead happy and productive lives. A gift of $25 will help LSC provide an hour of intensive training and/or professional support to help foster parents care for and guide children through unimaginable struggles and challenges.

Photo by Truth1974 via Wiki Commons
Helping Children - Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church $30
Youth raised in Kumamoto Lutheran social welfare institutions, some of which were established by pioneer Lutheran Missionary Maud Powlas from North Carolina, have no families or others to help financially to study at the college level or at vocational schools upon graduating from high school, which is so important to do in Japan. Almost 100 children of various ages are cared for at three Lutheran "homes," i.e., an orphanage, a facility called "The Light House" for the visually and hearing challenged, and a home which cares for children with other different handicaps. Most of these children when they leave their "home" will not be able to continue their education simply due to financial reasons. A gift of $30 will make your recipient a member of a support program started recently by a congregation in Kumamoto called the "Wakaeda" (meaning "new shoots sprouting forth").

Rocking Chairs - South Carolina Lutheran Rretreat Centers $150
Part of the mission of the SCLRC is to provide places where people can gather for times of transformation and relaxation. Sitting on the rocking chairs with others on retreats allows each guest to truly relax experience this same transformational feeling while being on retreat!

Housing and Meal - Assistance NovusWay $10
For Volunteers - Each year volunteers come to Lutheridge and Lutherock to help get camp ready for the summer. Volunteers are an integral part of opening camp. Weekends are customized for work at the sites. Your gift will assist with housing, materials, and meals for volunteers.

Malaria Prevention - Synod Malaria Task Force $10
With a Bed Net - In many countries of Africa, a mosquito bite can cause malaria and possible death. Your gift provides a bed net treated with long lasting insecticide. It also provides education on its use to ensure that families are protected as they sleep.

Developing Youth Ministry with Our Colombian Missionaries - Iglesia Evang�lica Luterana de Colombia $15
The South Carolina Synod is blessed with two missionaries from Colombia who are helping to develop ministry among Spanish speaking communities in the state. A gift provides activity money for youth in the youth ministries of these missions.

Gift of Grace - Lutheran Homes of South Carolina $25
For a Lutheran Hospice Patient - As Lutheran Hospice cares for patients and their families, staff members often learn about simple unfulfilled wishes that are still possible to achieve. Your gift will enable Lutheran Hospice to provide a gift of grace that fulfills one last wish that will make a difference in a patient's last days.

Growing in God's Mission Opportunity
A generous donor has pledged $20,000 for end of the year matching gifts to be used for South Carolina seminarian scholarship assistance. Our GGM Appeal goal was for $100,000 for endowment scholarships but we only received $60,000 for this need. Currently the average cost of one year of seminary is between $40,000 to $45,000. Most of our students graduate with significant debt. With your help and the help of this generous donor we can provide significant support for future leaders who seek to serve Jesus Christ and the church. Please make your check to Growing in God's Mission and indicate for Scholarship Assistance.
  
The South Carolina Synod now has online giving available. You may donate to this program through our giving program here. Our online giving has the ability to accept donation via credit card and by bank transfer. As always, donations may be sent directly to the Synod Office at 1003, Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Make sure the envelope is to the attention of Growing God's Mission.
Flood Recovery Continues
Please consider a gift to assist those in need from the record flooding during October. We have online giving set up for your convenience. Thank you.

South Carolina Synod | www.scsynod.com | [email protected]