Fill a shoe box for a child at Christmas

Meeting critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease,
and natural disaster while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Since 1990, Operation Christmas Child has brought the joy of Christmas to more than 47 million boys and girls. Last year Samaritan’s Purse in the UK sent out over 1.18 million gifts to children across Eastern Europe and Africa. This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for hurting children around the world.
Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.
The gifts are given regardless of nationality, political background or religious beliefs to children requiring nothing of them, their families or communities in return. Wherever it is culturally appropriate and in partnership with our local partners, we make a booklet with Bible stories available to children in their own language.
With the help of thousands of volunteers, Samaritan’s Purse collects and processes these gift filled shoe boxes in its warehouses across the UK . Then, working with national churches and charities, Samaritan’s Purse delivers the gifts to children in hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters, and impoverished neighbourhoods.

Operation Christmas Child Video 2006

How to fill a box

What to pack in the box

Drop off Point: St Michael's Parish Church, Slateford Road.
Any time in October,at the service on Sundays 11am, or
to the Church Office: 9.30am-2pm Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays & Fridays.

If you live further afield, see below:
drop off points (available from 1st October)

Mission in the BibleLands

Water at Al-Shurooq

This year, during Lent, we raise money to help construct a water-cistern at the Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children. The school is based in the town of Beit-Jala near Bethlehem in Palestine. It is an independent school founded in 1981 and run by Helen Shahadeh, a Palestinian and member of the Church of Scotland in Jerusalem and who has, also, been blind since childhood. The school is now seeking to establish itself in a permanent location in Beit-Jala having previously operated out of rented premises. Having purchased a plot of land to do that it is now appealing for help in the construction of the new school building. The first stage of this work includes the construction of a water-cistern.

There are up to 20 blind or partially sighted children, aged 3 to 18, in this residential school. The school ensures the children's success continues, through the ongoing support of over 60 children who have been integrated successfully into local schools.

The school is Christian, although most of the pupils are Palestinian Muslims.

To learn more see their web site

BibleLands Story - The Light Bearers
Carrying Healing and Hope to the Middle East Battleground

From its very beginnings in 1854, BibleLands has been 'home' for a band of extrordinary Christian men and women inspired by God - each of them with a wonderful story of faith-driven service in the war-torn lands of the Bible.

Be among the first to read their fascinating stories, of courage and ingenuity against overwhelming odds, in this long-awaited 150th Anniversary history of BibleLands.

[note: front cover will differ from the one above]

Order now from BibleLands, or from their web site at www.biblelands.org.uk where you can now find the latest news about their work and the many projects they support.

For other excellent updates and videos of the situation in the Middle East see the web site of Christian Aid