
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 14, 1993                   TAG: 9312140059
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHURCH GROUP PUTS GIVING AT THE TOP OF ITS WISH LIST

The Missions Committee at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church is out to change Christmas.

Don't worry. It's not after Santa, but they are targeting the way people go about playing Santa.

For this holiday season, the committee is campaigning for alternative gift-giving. They are encouraging the congregation to give in honor of friends to efforts such as the Good Neighbors Fund and self-help agencies instead of purchasing more traditional gifts.

Susan Clark, a member of the committee, says the main idea is to make gifts "more of a reflection of your values system and what Christmas means."

Clark said many church members "have really tuned in to giving to Good Neighbors and other organizations. The response has been overwhelmingly positive."

Nancy Ayling gave to Good Neighbors in honor of four of her friends, and Sam and Jeanne Pritchard contributed in honor of the church's pastor and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. F. Tupper Garden.

"I got a real upper out of writing the check," said Jeanne Pritchard. "It's given me a real lift here at Christmas time."

by CNB