Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 23 Home Page
Last Christmas, Werner and Elsa, their children and grandchildren decided it was time to reconsider their traditional round of gift-giving. The idea to do something different originated with son and daughter-in-law David and Maggie, who had returned from a Mennonite Central Committee assignment in 1991. Feeling that the usual gift exchange was somehow lacking in significance, they began thinking about places where their money would have real value. They had become involved in some advocacy work for survivors of abuse through Voices for Non-Violence, an MCC-related education and advocacy ministry. When David and Maggie suggested VNV as a potential recipient for some of their Christmas money, the rest of the family had no trouble reaching consensus.
For sister Vicki Neufeld, VNV seemed like a good choice because it is a "cause which strikes a chord with all families".
Sister Debbie Neufeld saw the project as setting a good example for her children: "We explained our decision to our kids, and we might eventually decide to get them involved in a project of their choice as well. It's a good way to start them thinking about other people and about other meanings for Christmas."
For Werner and Elsa, the decision signalled "a beginning for our family to direct our Christmas giving away from ourselves".
David observes that extending the circle of gift-giving "releases Christ to work--and that's what Christmas is all about".
from a Voices for Non-Violence news release
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 23 Home Page