Two Michigan United Methodist churches share the love of Jesus by hosting artificial Christmas tree giveaways for families with special needs in their communities.
GLENN M. WAGNER
Michigan Conference Communications
Christmas trees have long been important symbols of the Christian faith. Evergreens decorated for Christmas are often centerpieces of civic and family celebrations remembering the birth of Christ. The evergreen branches symbolize the promise of eternal life, even during the darkest days of winter. Ornamental tree toppers such as a star or an angel bring to mind the star that guided the magi to Bethlehem to honor Christ and the angel that heralded Jesus’ birth to the shepherds who tended their flocks near Jesus’ birthplace. A decorated Christmas tree can be a focal point for families during the distribution of gifts given on Christmas as expressions of love.
Two Michigan United Methodist congregations — Faith Community Church in Coopersville and Valley Church in Allendale — have found ways to use this seasonal symbol of Christ’s love in the world as a ministry of Christmas blessing in their communities. Coopersville and Allendale are 7.5 miles apart and each about a twenty-minute drive west of Grand Rapids.
Cori Conran, pastor of Faith Community Church, began her ministry in Coopersville 13 years ago. She notes the idea for a seasonal Christmas tree ministry was introduced in 2020 by Duane and Amy Young. They have a child who is allergic to pine needles. They recognized a need for their own family to celebrate the holiday with an artificial tree and decided to set up an artificial Christmas tree “farm” in the driveway of their Coopersville home to assist others with a similar need. They solicited donations of gently used artificial trees and gave away 80 trees that first year to families in the area. The event was a tremendous success, but the Youngs decided that if they ever thought about doing the event again, they would need to find additional partners to help and a new location with better parking.
The Young family posted an appeal for help on social media. Within minutes, Pastor Conran saw the post and immediately volunteered her congregation and church building.
In 2021, the Christmas tree farm moved from the Young family driveway to the parking lot of the United Methodist church.
The event was held on the first Saturday in December. Fifty artificial trees, lights, and ornaments were given away that day. Conran remembers that the weather was cold and windy. Church volunteers spent much of their time rescuing trees blown over in the wind.
In 2022, the congregation moved the event into the main worship space. Gently used and new artificial trees were again donated for the giveaway to families with special needs. Contributions arrived from parishioners, neighbors, businesses, and the local Rotary Club. Ornaments and tree lights were collected. Three storage rooms at the church were filled in advance of the event.
Conran shared, “Now, on the Wednesday after Black Friday, church and community volunteers gather to set up the Make-a-Wish Christmas Tree Giveaway event for special needs families scheduled for the first Saturday in December. The chairs in the church sanctuary are removed, and the space is filled with 70 to 80 trees set up for the Saturday selection.”
“Special needs families are encouraged to reserve a fifteen-minute morning time slot so they are able to shop unhindered by crowds,” continued Conran. “In the morning, only up to three families shop for their trees per time slot. We take a family photo when their tree is selected. They are assisted by volunteers who are sensitive to the family’s needs and help pack up the chosen tree while family members select ornaments and enjoy refreshments.”
From noon to 3 pm on December’s first Saturday, Faith Community Church (renamed from Coopersville UMC on Easter 2024) opens its doors wide to other special needs families who wish to shop for a free tree and decorations. Conran notes that in the years the event has been held, the trees are gone by closing, and in a little over an hour, an army of volunteers has cleaned the church’s sanctuary and restored it for worship.
News about this ministry has been shared on major West Michigan TV stations, by social media, through area sponsors, and by word of mouth.
Conran believes in the transformational power of the event. One of the participating families came to their time to select a tree with a younger daughter with special needs. She received most of the attention and was privileged to choose her family tree. Conran noted the surly expression of an older sister who felt left out of the process. Conran invited the sister to select a tree for her room at home, and she still remembers how that act of unexpected generosity and inclusion transformed the older sister’s expression from disappointment to joy.
Pastor Matt Bistayi and Missions Coordinator Elaine Ebeling at Valley Church in Allendale heard about the 2021 Coopersville Christmas tree giveaway. They arranged to meet with the Coopersville team to learn from their experience.
Bistayi and Ebeling also embraced the concept and believed a similar ministry could be held inside their worship space. A core value of this United Methodist church’s ministry is caring for all, as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me” (NSRVUE).
Helping to provide a meaningful Christmas observance for families with special needs has also become a blessed part of Valley Church’s sharing of love and generosity with their community. The congregation’s wheelchair-accessible facility has blessed many who come to their event. Valley Church also gives away their trees, ornaments, lighting, and refreshments.
Like the Coopersville Christmas tree giveaway event, Valley Church requests that families sign up ahead to reserve a 15-minute time slot on the first Saturday of December from 10 am to 2 pm so their selection of a tree can be personalized and without worry from crowds that might prove difficult for their children.
This is the third year that Valley Church has hosted its artificial Christmas tree “farm” event.
Valley Church’s website offers helpful information and ways to participate as a shopper, volunteer, and donor at this link.
A family blessed by Valley Church’s Christmas Tree ministry sent this note to the church in gratitude:
Dear Valley Church,
We wanted to write to you and express how thankful we were for the Christmas tree event you held. We have two beautiful daughters with special needs, and this time of year can be discouraging to see all the fun and memorable activities other families experience together that we just can’t do. It was such a blessing for our whole family to do a fun Christmas event, make memories, and not have to worry about how the girls are behaving or what others are thinking. We also weren’t sure what we were going to do about a tree; a real tree wasn’t safe, but artificial ones were too expensive. So, we were doubly blessed by this event. We love our tree and will enjoy it for years to come, each year thinking about this generosity. We are Christians, but even in the church, it is hard sometimes to feel included as a special needs family. It was a privilege to see God using you to bless us and the other families we saw there. We certainly felt the love of God pouring out of your hearts; every single person was so kind. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing our girls what it means to live out the love of Jesus to everyone.
Merry Christmas
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Last Updated on December 17, 2024