Lutheran Congregational Services (LCS,) a member of the Liberty Lutheran Family of Services, is proud to participate in the annual Christmas Ingathering every December by providing support to congregations with coordinating, collecting and distributing products and gifts to those in need. This year, we’re asking for your help in that effort.
The Ingathering is a longstanding tradition of Lutheran congregations in Northeastern (NEPA) and Southeastern (SEPA) Synods. For the past few months, congregations have been gathering items for less fortunate individuals and families. The effort reaches its height in the beginning of December, when congregations meet to pool all of their collections.
Gifts collected include toys, quilts, hygiene supplies, socks and work gloves, personal care kits and school supply kits. The Ingathering benefits a variety of deserving individuals and families throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, including children in Lutheran and Family Services foster care programs, Lutheran World Relief, and individuals with physical and mental disabilities living in area residential care facilities.
Last year alone, 136 congregations and many chapters of Thrivent Financial participated in the Christmas Ingathering, collecting $110,000 in donations, with the help of 320 volunteers!
“It’s amazing to see how bringing gifts together multiples the impact and help that our volunteers have on people locally and around the world,” said The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ollikainen, Lutheran Congregational Services Executive Director.
In the SEPA Synod, more than 75 volunteers are needed at Gloria Dei Church in Huntington Valley on December 1st, to unpack, sort and repack trucks for delivery in time for Christmas. Volunteers are needed 2:30pm-4:30pm. If you or someone you know can lend a hand all or part of that time please contact The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ollikainen: 610-425-2981 (cell) or jollikainen@libertylutheran.org
In the NEPA Synod, there are three Ingathering efforts that need dozens of volunteers:
1. Bethlehem-Easton Mission District
Hope Lutheran Church, Tatamy
Wednesday, December 4, 9am
2. Lehigh Mission District
St. John Lutheran Church, Emmaus
Wednesday, December 4, 9am
3. Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District
Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville
Thursday, December 5, 1pm
If you or someone you know can help out with any of these efforts, please contact Kathy Reyher: (Office) 610-770-9205 or Kathy@lutherancongregationalservices.org
- The Ingathering is a longstanding tradition of Lutheran congregations in Northeastern (NEPA) and Southeastern (SEPA) Synods.
