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Christmas is coming.
Churches, schools, businesses, help agencies and individuals are working together to make Christmas a bit merrier for needy children, their families and the elderly. Through our cooperative efforts, the needy come to know we care. Boxes and donation jars labeled St. Nicholas Ministry are placed in various locations for persons to donate—Lowe’s Supermarket, Wal-Mart, Brookshire Brothers, Boys & Girls Club, Kountry Bakery in Weimar and Schulenburg, Subway in Weimar, Fayette Savings Bank, Prosperity Bank, Hill Bank and Trust, Dollar General and Dollar Tree, and various churches in the tri-county area. 2025 marks the 38th year for reaching out to and helping needy persons in the tri-county area through the St. Nicholas Ministry. The ecumenical ministry provides food, new toys and gifts of blankets or quilts, and other items to needy children, their families, and the elderly at Christmas. Financial gifts from individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations, along with volunteers donating their time and energy are necessary to carry out this ministry.
Monetary donations may be sent to Faith—St. Nicholas Fund, P.O. Bo 216, Weimar, Texas 78962 with checks made payable to Faith—St. Nichols Fund.
The church is collecting nonperishable food items, new toys, blankets and quilts designated for the St. Nicholas Ministry. Churches, schools, and businesses place large boxes or donation jars decorated with Christmas wrapping paper labeled St. Nicholas Ministry – Colorado & Fayette Counties at entrances or prominent locations so that needed items can be donated.
The St. Nicolas Ministry nurtures compassion creates connections and community and meets people in their time of need by distributing food, blankets and toys to needy children and their families. Government shut downs and higher prices for food have put a strain on many families and food pantries that serve them.
For persons to receive assistance, they must have a valid referral for the current year 2025 by staff from churches, public and parochial schools, and helping agencies such as local food pantries, Parents as Teachers, Hospice of South Texas, Texas Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services, Parents as Teachers, Senior Citizens, Probation Department, and Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Referrals are due by Dec. 6. Persons cannot self-refer. The process of referrals ensures that people who are truly in need get assistance. Distribution of gifts to families with legitimate referrals will take place later in December at the central location of Faith Lutheran Church, 615 South Eagle, Weimar.
St. Nicholas Ministry began in a single church, when Pastor Herb Beyer noticed people were struggling day to day because of food, health, or job insecurities. Pastor Beyer assumed the same role of the historic St. Nicholas and gave gifts of food to those in need. Now 38 years later, because many others joined in living into their call to love our neighbor, the ministry expanded to include Colorado, Fayette and Lavaca Counties. Pastor Beyer commented, “We have been able to help thousands of persons over these past 38 years because of the generosity of persons in terms of their financial donations, their volunteer time and skills. A lot of people are involved in helping each year. In fact, through the years we’ve seen those who first helped as youth, later married and now their children, sometimes even grandchildren have become involved.”
This past year, we received a greater number of referrals for assistance in the tri-county area as well as increased response by such groups as men and women’s groups associated with Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Methodist churches in the area, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, the KJZT society, LCRA and others.
As more families needed assistance, others became involved by donating food, blankets, or toys from their wealth or businesses. Those were joined by still others who organized and coordinated the everexpanding ministry by uniting area churches, businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals together.
This ministry works because Christ’s love is visible in tangible ways. Those outside the church see what people of faith are doing and want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. When the larger story is Christ, needs are met, and healing and hope can be found. One area businessman commented: “We need to see more of this kind of thing. So many are focused only on themselves.” The St. Nicholas Ministry for Colorado and Fayette Counties assisted twice as many referred children and their families in 2024 as the previous year--70 families with 134 children.
It is inspiring to see individuals, organizations, businesses, schools, and churches work together and respond to the need, discerning where we can become a community of support, celebration and affirmation of God’s love, bringing hope to all. Persons or groups wanting to become involved or help with the St. Nicholas Ministry for Colorado and Fayette Counties may contact Pastor Herb Beyer at 361-798-0155 or [email protected] or Sandy Pesak at 979-249-7121 or [email protected].
