Concept of a Card Ministry

Why don’t we send cards and letters more often as a means of outreach? It’s not expensive and doesn’t require special skills. Here are the barriers and solutions we came up with and an idea any group or individual can make up a Shoebox Card Factory to support and encourage this lovely service activity.

Barriers and solutions

• Barrier - No time to do this
  • Small group opening activity
  • Bible class student activity
  • Pick a card-buddy and get together for Sunday lunch once a month
  • Keep an “on-the-go” set in your purse, car or briefcase—fill out while waiting
• Barrier - No supplies
  • Make up a Shoebox Card Factory suggested below, or ask someone to make it for you! See list of supplies.
• Barrier – I don’t know who to send cards to or how to find addresses
  • See list of suggested recipients below
  • Use Highland View directory, bulletin, and announcement sheets
  • Now being added to the online church directory (this website) are many local organization addresses such as hospitals, nursing homes, jails, etc.

Make a Shoebox Card Factory

• Shoe box or other appropriate container for supplies
• Cards, envelopes – available at dollar stores, Christian Book Stores or make your own
• Pens for writing
• List of recipient names, addresses (add Highland View pocket directory, weekly bulletin)
• Addresses - local hospitals, nursing homes, prisons (print out the list on this page)
• Postage (Buy supply of stamps and keep in box...Click stamp picture to order online)
• Optional – embellishments such as stickers, ribbons, new balloon, confetti
• Optional – glue stick, scissors, colored markers to decorate card, envelop
• Optional – enclosures (see suggestions below)
• Optional - Return address labels

Enclosure ideas

• Poems, Bible verses
• Bookmark, recipe, handmade coupons with phone number “good for errands, other assistance”
• Picture of your group holding up signs
• Write out the prayer the group will be praying for the recipient all week
• A stamped postcard for the recipient to use
• Pressed flower(s) from your garden or a store

Suggested Recipients & Occasions

• Check bulletins, daily Newsline, Sunday program/announcements
• Thanks for your service
  • Ministers, church staff
  • Elders, deacons
  • Song and ministry leaders
  • Small group leaders, hosts
  • Those in the military
  • Missionaries
  • Bible class teachers
  • Church volunteers
  • Spouses of the above
  • Donations of note
• Hurray, happiness and welcome
  • New baby
  • Baptism
  • New church members
  • Church visitors
  • Weddings, anniversaries
  • New job, promotion
  • New neighbor
  • Birthdays, Graduations
• Sympathy for illness, loss
  • Hospitalized, ill, in recovery
  • Shut-ins, disabled
  • Hospice workers and caregivers
  • Death of loved one
  • Cancer patients
  • Job loss
• Encouragement
  • Single parents
  • Victims of domestic abuse
  • Prisoners (no labels, stickers allowed on card or envelop)
  • College students
  • Singles
  • Recently separated, divorced
  • Children or teens
  • Lonely (holidays or any day)
  • Anyone needing encouragement