How it all Started
White Gift Sunday began in 1903 in Painesville, Ohio when a minister’s wife, upset over her two daughter’s arguing over gifts they had received in a Sunday School Gift exchange, came up with the idea. She remembered a story about the wise king Kubla Khan who received gifts from his people that were wrapped in white so that all the gifts looked the same. By doing this, the love and devotion of the giver became more important than the gift.
The following year, it was suggested that the Sunday School bring gifts, wrapped in white, that would be given to people in need in the community.
And so began a beautiful tradition.
And at Central
We began collecting white gifts many years ago. Every year, White Gift Sunday represents a chance for us to show God’s love and make a difference.
This year we are supporting the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, specifically “seniors in need” in our community. This is a group that is often overlooked – many are alone, living on very little for food, rent, clothing, medical and other needs.
Some suggestions for gifts are toiletries such as hand lotion and shaving cream, gloves, hats, scarves, slippers, socks and other clothing items, chocolates/candy. Gifts may be unwrapped or if wrapped, please indicate male (M) or female (F). If you would like us to do the shopping, we will provide labelled envelopes for “White Gift Sunday”.
For many seniors this will be the only gift they receive, and it is a wonderful way to show God’s love in our community.