White Gift Sunday, which will be celebrated at First Congregational Church, UCC Wiscasset, on Jan. 5, has been celebrated for over 115 years. The tradition has its roots in a small Methodist church in Ohio in 1904. Instead of focusing on receiving gifts, the focus shifted to bringing gifts to Jesus that could in turn be shared with people around the world who did not have much. All the gifts would come wrapped in plain white paper, so that no one would know which was an expensive gift and which was a more modest one.

In a special offering during the regular 10 a.m. service on Sunday, Jan. 5, the congregation may bring a gift wrapped in white paper or money in a white envelope. Proceeds will be distributed to Midcoast Humane (formerly known as Lincoln County Animal Shelter), St. Philip’s Food Pantry or the Special Needs funds, either by specific designation or undesignated. Undesignated funds will be evenly distributed to the three charitable groups. 

The church, at 28 High St., on the Wiscasset Common, is an open and affirming church where everyone is welcome. For more information, call 882-7544, email  fccw@myfairpoint.net, or visit uccwiscasset.org or the Facebook page “First Congregational Church of Wiscasset UCC.”