The Alternative Press

Christmas came early for the Chatham Church of Christ, or more accurately for over two dozen children in Honduras. The church’s annual Magi Project sent shoebox sized gifts filled with small toys and other gifts to be distributed as Christmas gifts. The boxes are shipped in October to arrive on time.

The church sponsors the project in conjunction with Healing Hands International, a Church of Christ relief agency which distributes thousands of these gifts every year. Many of the children have never received Christmas gifts. Janet Weber, who coordinated the effort for the church, said, “Seeing the smiles that the gifts bring to these children gives us great joy.” More smiles can be found at www.hhi.org/projects/magi.

Projects like this are a part of the church’s mission to demonstrate compassion, but the church is engaged in a mission to affect spiritual lives as well. The church’s Forty Days of Prayer campaign runs October 13 – November 21. A special period each year set aside by the church to entreat God, the forty days is a time of commitment, communion with God, and supplication. “During these times of personal and world-wide crises, we mustn’t forget the power of God to bring about change and affect peace,” said Minister Bob Weber.

The Chatham Church of Christ is located at 382 Fairmount Avenue, Chatham. Information about the church can be seen online, www.chathamchurchofchrist.org, and the church can be reached by phone 973-635-6810 or by email: chathamchurchofchrist@verizon.net.