Mite boxes, begun years ago by the Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church, are a tradition that grew out of the story of the widow’s mite. This year our children will again use recyclable plastic eggs instead of purchased cardboard boxes to collect their Lenten offering. We will return them to the foot of the flowered cross on Easter morning, trading them in for an Easter surprise.

This year chosen to earmark our children’s “mite-y eggs” contributions for Episcopal Relief and Development! Our children’s contributions will go to this organization which, last year alone, reached 2 million people in 40 countries.

Children have always been exceedingly caring about raising money for people in need once their consciousness is raised. Here are some guidelines for using the “Mite-y Eggs” thoughtfully:

• Put the Mite-y Egg in a visible place
• Let your child choose where
• Add a little something in every day or so—not all
• Suggest something be put in the egg each time your child receives a special treat (one for me, one for someone in need)
• Add something each time your child has a thought for someone else and say a prayer for them.

For the children: Through setting aside money each day or week, your young ones can have the opportunity to learn sacrificial and thankful giving during this special time. What is sacrificial giving? It is giving that hurts just a little. When we give of our time to help someone it means we have given up that time for ourselves—we may not have time to play because we are helping someone. If we give money to help someone, it means we don’t have that money to buy what we might want because we’ve spent it on someone else’s need. It’s like giving up a toy so that someone can eat. Sometimes it’s giving up a toy so someone else can have a toy. When we give like this we are passing on the love that Jesus gave to us to others who need it. Thank you for loving others as yourself—it’s what Jesus has asked us to do.