St. Paul United Methodist Church, which sits at the corner of Highway 64 and Davies Plantation in Lakeland, is reaching out to our community in some big ways this holiday season.
First, this weekend marks the third year of their Live Nativity which has become a well-loved tradition in the community. If you’re out and about this weekend looking at Christmas lights, make sure to stop by (2949 Davies Plantation) to view this free event that is open to the public.
From the safety and warmth of your car, you and your family will drive through scenes re-enacting events leading up to the birth of Jesus. There will be live actors and animals! You have 2 nights to experience this holiday fun: Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12 from 6-8:30 both nights.
Also this year, the church chose Lakeland Schools Angel Tree project as their church-wide Advent mission project. According to Frances Lawson, member of the United Methodist Women of St. Paul, “St Paul United Methodist Church chose the Angel Tree program at Lakeland Middle and Elementary Schools as their Advent and Christmas Mission Outreach Project and the check was from the entire congregation and the United Methodist Women of St Paul. Our church hopes to partner with Lakeland Schools on other outreach projects. The vision of our church is to be a welcoming family of faith, serving others while growing in Christ and we believe that one way to do this is by helping our neighbors.”
Each year, the PTO and PTA collects donations to help Lakeland families who could use a little help around the holidays. April McDaniel, Angel Tree Chairman for the PTO, said, “With the help of school counselors Misty Manthe and Nikole Hamlett, students were (confidentially) identified and the PTO/Angel Tree committee was able to serve 16 students with the help of generous donations from Lakeland families and the community.”
Mrs. McDaniel went on to say, “I’m thankful for our Lakeland community and school district that supports our Angel Tree Program. Thank you to all the families that have donated and to St. Paul Methodist church in Lakeland for their gracious donation to help our students in need at Lakeland Preparatory School during this holiday season. This is a great way to make Christmas a little brighter for Lakeland students.”
The generosity doesn’t stop there. Ms. Lawson also said “We are collecting funds through this Sunday and will have another check for the elementary school next week.”
