Article submitted by Helen Vogt, North Highland UMC

ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA -- Did you wear your pajamas to worship on Sunday?  Why not?  The confirmation class at Aberdeen North Highland United Methodist Church (UMC) did. They held a pajama party at worship.  Everyone was invited to wear pajamas and also bring a pair of new pajamas to donate to a local domestic violence shelter.

Photo: Confirmation students at North Highland UMC in Aberdeen planned a pajama party for worhship and collected pajamas.  They gave over 60 pairs of new children's pajamas to Safe Harbor, a domestic violence shelter.  Photo courtesy of North Highland UMC. 

The confirmation class was learning Wesley's imperatives of —“Do No Harm and Do Good”. October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. The students chose to respond in a significant way.  They organized a congregation-wide drive for pajamas to be given to Safe Harbor, a domestic violence shelter, in Aberdeen.

Sunday, October 26th was designated as a Pajama Party.  Everyone including children and others were invited to wear pajamas.  In turn, each family would need to provide a new pair of children’s pajamas.

The pajamas were placed in the pews.  Worshipers were invited to hold them during the blessing and pray for the children who would find themselves at Safe Habor, in need of the pajamas.

The Pajama Party theme extended to the treats the class served during fellowship time. A representative from Safe Harbor attended the worship and fellowship time. Everyone learned how families come to the shelter with absolutely nothing.

Safe Harbor was overwhelmed with the gift of 62 pairs of children’s pajamas.