"... to Represent Jesus Christ as we minister..."

Our congregation's Mission Statement calls us to Represent Jesus Christ as we minister to transform lives in family, community, and the world.

The Alternative Holiday Market was begun seven years ago as an effort to be faithful to that call by responding in gratitude for what we have received as children of God.

For those of us who feel gratitude for having so much, it is a way to transform our lives while transforming, in the name of Christ, the life of someone who has so little. 

Even those in whose honor a gift is acquired will be transformed, and in most cases, feel affirmed and loved just by the thought of someone they do not know being helped, fed, restored to health, clothed, sheltered, or touched in some way by the act of another human being.

The Alternative Holiday Market provides many ways of transforming lives: our own, and that of others.

	Bob Woodruff Family Fund The popular Anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, Bob Woodruff, was imbedded with the troops in Iraq in January 2006 when he sustained a serious brain injury as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED). In an effort to "give back" to the people who saved Bob's life, the family established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury.
	Community Re-Entry Provides prevention and intervention social services to youth in low-income public housing estates who are at high-risk for involvement in drug and/or gang activity and future incarceration. Also provides services to people previously involved in the justice system including: case management, referral, mental health counseling, job preparation and retention, community service opportunities, life skills and paid work experiences.
	Esteli, Nicaragua Mission A new church, with over 45 members and 24 children participating in Bible study and Worship. Community outreach includes personal contact at barrio level, High School and Universities, sports teams, and prison ministries. Most feature programs on Christian Education, computer basics, and English, as well as Presbyterian Worship services.
	Habitat for Humanity Building homes for those who could otherwise not afford them.
	Heifer Project International The Heifer Project helps hungry familiey become self-reliant for food and income. A farm animal or flock, is given to a family and they are trained in livestock managment and marketing.
	Love-A-Stray A local non-profit working to end pet overpopulation with public awareness and education as well as innovative and aggressive adoption and spay/neuter programs
	Malawi Crisis Nursery Life expectancy in Malawi is only 35.  Malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS take their toll. This nursery is the only service in northern regions where  vulnerable babies are cared for until they can be returned to their families or placed with foster or adoptive parents.
	Marion Medical Mission Its projects are ones that directy transform the lives of African people: shallow wells, school, agriculture, and hospitals stressing self-help and sustainability.
	Medical Benevolence Foundation In partnership with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the MBF provides mission education in congregations; solicits financial support, medical supplies and equipment; and recruits brief-term volunteers for overseas healthcare.
	Ministry of Hope Making a difference in the lives of orphaned children, widows, the disabled and the destitiute of Malawi by ministering to the physical needs; and, in the process, helping them ot find the true and everlasting HOPE that is only found in Jesus Christ.
	Moringa Tree Moringa Leaves are full of essential disease-preventing nutrients and the whole tree is edible, providing health and growth to third world people. Seeds for planting the trees are provided by the Medical Benevolence Foundation.
	NOROC New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children has several programs for helping orphaned children in Romania.
	Procop House Works with men in transition out of homelessness in the areas of targeted training, transitional jobs and low rent housing.  The ministry helps form relationships between the men and those with whom they have contact – such as employers, landlords, and other service organizations.
	Project C.U.R.E. Volunteers locate and pick up surplus material from the medical community that would otherwise be discarded because of damaged cartons, over-purchasing, or obsolete models. Then sorts and distributes supplies and services according to the imperative needs of the world. Most go to mission hospitals overseas.
	Student Conservation Association Offers conservation internships and summer trail crew opportunities to more than 3,000 high school and college students each year. Helping to restore and protect America’s public lands and preserve them for future generations, SCA is focused on developing conservation and community leaders while getting important work done on the land
	Ten Thousand Villages Begun by the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches of North America, it is a development and relief agency ministering to workers and artisans in Third World Countries whose products are available for purchase at the AHM.
	The Smile Train Dedicated to helping the millions of children in the world who suffer from cleft lip and palate through free surgery, free training for doctors, and research.
	Women's Rentry Network Provides parenting classes, job placement, educational assistance, creative writing workshops, referrals for drug abuse, and legal assistance to previously incarcerated women.
	Youth Challenge Facilitating interaction between children with physical disabilities and you volunteer who participate in a variety of adapted sports and recreational opportunities.

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