By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

New Life Community Church will go casual this Easter to raise funds for local missions.

On Easter Sunday, many members of the congregation at New Life will be wearing their Hands and Feet tee shirts instead of new formal outfits.

The church is selling T-shirts as part of its Hands and Feet campaign. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go towards local missions efforts.

“We’re just trying to encourage people: instead of spending money on expensive clothes for Easter, spend it for a purpose,” mission team leader Tonya Gothard said.

One of the mission team’s goals this year is to integrate with the community near the church. New Life plans to throw block parties, help with needs and form relationships with residents of the Clanton Housing Authority behind the church.

The mission team also works to provide items such as diapers, food, clothing and Christmas gifts for foster children throughout the year.

According to Gothard, the idea for the T-shirt fundraiser came from the church’s previous partnership with Forget the Frock, an organization that sells shirts from a variety of charities and also encourages churchgoers to wear a shirt in support of a charity on Easter.

The church started a mission team for local outreaches and decided to adapt the idea to meet the needs of its own community.

Shirts can be purchased at New Life Community Church on March 19, by calling Gothard at 205-389-6457 or by emailing info@clantonnewlife.com. Normal and baseball style shirts are available.