A Different Way to Celebrate Christmas

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford (Massachusetts), has decided to do things a little bit differently this year, by halving what they normally spend on Christmas gifts, and donating the money saved to worthy causes. The impetus for the program comes both from the excessive debt that some church members have suffered in past years of Christmas shopping, and from the desire to contribute to good causes.

WickedLocal has the full story in, “UU Church tries to cut down on holiday consumption.” (Thanks to Unitarian Universalists in the Media for pointing out this article.)

Rob Barry at WickedLocal quotes UU Church of Medford minister Hank Peirce:

“We should be spending money on things that Jesus would have wanted us to,” said Peirce, “like feeding the poor, rather than Tickle Me Elmos.”

Barry also notes that “a similar program” at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester (New York) resulted in $68,000 being donated by the congregation!