AUBURN — Jan West Schrock of Westbrook, humanitarian, teacher and author of the children’s book “Give a Goat,” will speak as part of the West Auburn Congregational Church’s weekly service at 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. All are welcome.

Schrock, of Heifer International, will be delivering both the weekly family message for the children and the sermon for the entire congregation.

Each holiday season during the past several years, members of the West Auburn Congregational Church have given fish, sheep, llamas and a vast assortment of other beasts through Heifer International to help communities in other parts of the world.

This tradition, instilled by Pastor John and Karen Ellis since coming to the church 15 years ago, likely captured Schrock’s attention when she wrote earlier this year to thank the church for its years of support. That letter began a friendship; one thing led to another and Shrock has agreed to speak with the congregation.

Schrock, a longtime teacher who has spent some time in China teaching English, also directed Brethren Volunteer Service for the Church of the Brethren for seven years, directed the AmeriCorps program for the National Council of Churches for five years and served as the director of community relations for Heifer International, leading study tours to China, Peru, Ecuador and Poland. Currently she serves as Heifer Maine’s Volunteer Coordinator.

Her father, Dan West, founder of Heifer International, was a midwestern farmer who served as a relief worker during the Spanish civil war. As he was handing out milk to needy children one day, he realized, “These children don’t need a cup. They need a cow.” When he returned home, he started Heifers for Relief, and its first shipment of heifers was sent to Puerto Rico in 1944. For more information visit www.heifer.org.

“In all the years we have done Heifer, it’s amazing, but we’ve never done goats,” said Karen Ellis, “so it was a natural fit this year.” So for this reason and for Schrock’s appearance the church has chosen to give goats for its 2012 Heifer campaign. Heifer goat cards will be available after the service for $5 each.

For more information contact Matthew Kovacevich at 207-400-4699 or Karen Ellis at 207-743-3921.

The West Auburn Congregational Church is one of the area’s oldest religious establishments, founded in 1793. Services are held each Sunday at 9 a.m. from September through June, at 811 West Auburn Road. Follow the church on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheLittleChurchThatCould.