In the midst of COVID-19, Davidson UMC spreads joy

By: Aimee Yeager, WNCC Communications Ministry Assistant

Each year during the Advent season, Davidson UMC hosts its annual Joy Store. In the gathering space outside the sanctuary, an Angel Tree is displayed where members can find angels listing the Christmas wishes of children in their community who may not experience a gift-filled Christmas due to their families' financial constraints.

In years past, those who selected an angel would purchase the gifts listed, as well as other toys and goodies, and drop them off at the church. Then, Davidson UMC elves would set up the Joy Store! Here, participants would be able to pick up the items they requested, or shop for gifts. This year, however, the annual event had to be re-imagined due to COVID-19; but that did not stop the members of Davidson UMC!

Using their creativity, they, like so many other churches, pivoted. The Joy Store was re-imagined and redesigned as a drive-thru. Participants were able to drive up to the church and pick up the gifts they requested. Additionally, each family received and extra burst of joy with a bag of cookies, hot chocolate mix, and wrapping paper for the gifts.
 
To make the magic happen, Davidson UMC partners with the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson for this program, who helps the church determine the local needs and participants for the program.

Even in the midst of restrictions, Davidson UMC helped to share the abundance of God this Christmas season!

         (Pictured: Families driving through to receive their gifts; A car full of hot chocolate and cookie joy!)