Click here to read the December 17 issue of The Weekly Liberal.

For the past two months, our congregation has been working to re-imagine the holidays by making a spiritual choice to redirect half of our holiday spending to values-based giving.

We have had discussions as a congregation, in our Religious Education program, and with our own families about how we can live into the true meaning of the season and live out our values. We have also encouraged our friends and loved ones to consider redirecting their gifts to us towards this goal.

Our recipient this year is Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, which is working to end homelessness in Minnesota. Through information, speakers and stories across the last several Sundays, you have had the opportunity to learn more about their services to help youth, formerly incarcerated men, and struggling families find stable housing that can make all the difference in their lives. Listen to this powerful testimony from a former resident at Nicollet Square (part of Beacon Housing) from last week’s service.

This Sunday, Dec. 20, we ask all who are able to bring their gift to the service (make checks payable to First Universalist with “Beacon” in the memo line). Our goal is to raise $70,000 as a congregation. If you prefer, you can make your gift online or through the Square Cash App (To: $firstuniv  For: Beacon).

As we collect these gifts, we’ll experience how we can create our own miracle of loaves and fishes through collective impact. No gift is too small. All of us, together, will make the miracle happen.

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Home.