By Mary Beth Marino

In 1973 an organization was formed called “Alternatives.” This program started as a protest effort to fight against the commercialization of Christmas.

Rev. Milo Shannon-Thornberry, a United Methodist minister, spearheads the program under special assignment through the New York Annual Conference for Alternatives.

The ecumenical-based program consists of twelve different denominations and Catholic agencies who have implemented a program designed to create an environment of responsible living and celebrating holidays throughout the year.

Rev. Shannon-Thornberry said several factors contribute to the necessity of proposing alternatives.

They include:

-abuse of holy days by commercialization.

-expenditure of significant amounts of money.

-significant contribution to waste in society.

-deterioration of relationships by excessive wants and needs.

“Americans spend $22 billion a year which does not include wholesale or advertising monies on Christmas,” Rev. Shannon-Thornberry said.

“This represents the single largest diversion of funds that could go to support church ministries,” he added.

“Christmas provides a religion-sanctioned occasion for frivolous things which are not needed,” he stated.

Thus, Alternatives hopes to change this grim fact.

There are 7,000 congregations and schools in the United States and Canada who participate in this program. Approximately one third of these are Catholic.

But let’s take a look at exactly what resources the Alternatives Program provides.

There are two Christmas kits: one for church organizations and one for general use.

The kit for the congregation contains:

-non-denominational worship aids.

-guidelines for alternative giving.

-posters and pictures to be displayed.

-activity guides for four sessions for young children, older children, youth groups, adult groups and intergenerational groups.

-the best and worst Christmas Gift Contest information.

-a bulletin insert.

The complete kit, entitled “Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?” is $29 initially. Prices are reduced for quantity purchases.

The kit containing resources for general use contains:

-a pamphlet which reflects hope by people whose work is hopeless.

-an article on choosing life in the midst of world crisis.

Advent activities for the family.

-St. Nicholas; A puppet play.

-planning an Alternative Christmas Workshop.

-guidelines for Alternative giving II.

-posters.

-bulletin insert.

These two packets refer to Christmas only. However, Alternatives offers year-round resources to ward off commercialism. For example, the Easter packet will focus on the famine in Africa. The theme will be “Africa: The Mandate of Resurrection.” It will contain activities for Lent, tell of the crisis in Africa and offer alternative help suggestions.

All holidays have a theme and resources available.

Alternatives also publishes a monthly newsletter and book service.

They also offer an alternative celebrations catalogue and have published a cookbook for nutritious cooking and eating.

They also have Third World crafts for sale at their office, giving the consumer an opportunity spend his or her money where it is needed; the proceeds from the sale go back to the Third World countries.

On Valentine’s Day, Alternatives reflects on the life of St. Valentine who wrote a love letter to his loved one while in prison. Alternatives encourages the visiting or remembrance of prisoners at this time.

Alternatives also offers workshops and seminars. They always have resources available for anyone choosing an alternative lifestyle that redistributes money in a more effective and economical way.

“We provide a light way to deal with heavy issues,” Rev. Shannon-Thornberry said.

The message is clear. There are ways to celebrate Christmas and other holidays without frivolous spending. There are “alternatives” created for responsible living.