This is our 9^th year of providing Christmas-at-Sea gift sacks for ships’ crews that come into East Coast ports during the Advent and Christmas seasons.  The synod invites congregations and individuals to join together in collecting “Christmas-at-Sea” Gift Bags for seafarers this Christmas through the Seafarers and International House (SIH) in New York City (http://www.sihnyc.org/).  Plastic gift sacks, with instructions, are available at the Synod Office.  PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH BAG!  Please make sure you follow the instructions exactly.  Substitute items should not be included.  Please bring completed bags into the office ASAP but definitely before December 2.