The Annual Bazaar was held on December 6th and 7th for the general public and after each of the services on Sunday, December 8, 2019.

On December 5th, the Great Hall was filled with parishioners setting up displays and bringing in craft items, specialties for the Bake Table and the food for lunches to be served on Friday and Saturday.

However, the real work was done in monthly planning meetings beginning in early May. In September at Rally Day, we showcased some of the items that would be for sale and had the congregation vote on the tiles of the Pilgrimage Windows that we would ask Christina School District Networks to produce for sale at the Bazaar.

A core group consisting of Katherine Doggett, Debbie Kearns, Joy Lynam, Connie Malin, Carol Palermo, Lisa Goodwin, and Barb Graham solicited everything from craft items, baked goods, and gently used items for the white elephant room to quarts of soup to sell (always a big favorite). As in the past, the parishioners went over the top in their response. In addition to items donated by our congregation we had returning and new vendors.

The event was advertised on Facebook, Instagram, and our web page. Over 650 people viewed the article on Facebook and we had more vendors apply than we could handle. We produced flyers announcing the Bazaar as in years past. In addition, thanks to Teresa Coons, we had very attractive post cards with the dates and times of the Bazaar and some of the offerings on the back. All were encouraged to take and distribute the flyers and post cards.

Parishioners also supported the Bazaar during the sale. This year, as in the past, all proceeds from the sale go to St. Thomas’s Outreach Ministries.

The Committee is a great group to work with. Our first organization meeting will be held in early May. You may want to consider joining this fun and valuable group.

Barbara Graham, Annual Bazaar Chairperson

Looking for an opportunity to give back this Christmas?

“Christmas For All” is for the homeless, hungry, and the lonely in our community.  This is an annual event held over Christmas Eve night, into Christmas day, run by Code Purple.  Again this year, it will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Delaware Ave., Newark.

Please share your time or gifts as you can.  Volunteers can come for 1 hour, or stay the whole 12 hours.  Gift cards, as well as warm clothing are needed to help make Christmas special.

They need your help to make this happen.  If you are able, please contact Tom Perkins with Code Purple by email at nec_codepurple@aol.com or by phone at 302.465.2070.

Please pass along this information to others who may be looking for a way to add meaning to their holiday.  “For it is in giving that we receive.” – St Francis

—
Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Visit St. Thomas’s Annual Bazaar to be held on
Friday, December 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

You will find unique holiday crafts (many under $10), fresh baked goods, cookie walk (build your own cookie tray!), quarts of homemade soups, St. Thomas’s t-shirts and hoodies, second-hand Christmas decorations, resale shop / white elephant sale, and exclusive new items.

On Saturday there will be a Breakfast Buffet available for purchase from 9 – 10:00 a.m.  On Friday and Saturday, join us for lunch, which may be purchased between 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please share our Annual Bazaar flyer!

All proceeds from the Annual Bazaar go to St. Thomas’s Outreach Ministries. Open to the public.

This Sunday, Mark Burchess will be sharing his mission trip experience at the border in Brownsville, Texas with us.  He will be sharing at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services with a slide show.  What questions do you have?  Come hear about how we can continue to support humanitarian efforts and live Matthew 25:35.

Visit St. Thomas’s Annual Bazaar to be held on
Friday, December 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

You will find unique holiday crafts (many under $10), fresh baked goods, cookie walk (build your own cookie tray!), quarts of homemade soups, St. Thomas’s t-shirts and hoodies, second-hand Christmas decorations, resale shop / white elephant sale, and exclusive new items.

On Saturday there will be a Breakfast Buffet available for purchase from 9 – 10:00 a.m.  On Friday and Saturday, join us for lunch, which may be purchased between 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please share our Annual Bazaar flyer!

All proceeds from the Annual Bazaar go to St. Thomas’s Outreach Ministries. Open to the public.

        “Christmas For All”  is going to be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Calvary is opening its  doors at 4 PM Christmas Eve and plans to serve a Christmas Eve Feast to all homeless or displaced persons who accept the invitation.   They will stay overnight there and be served a hot breakfast on Christmas Day and Santa will visit with gifts at 9 AM.  In order for this to happen, all the participating churches in Newark, will need to step up.   

Here are some things you could provide:   FOOD:   ham, turkey, beef, sides, desserts and canned sodas.   Egg casseroles or pastries (in disposable pans).  Lunch meat, rolls, individual chip bags.   GIFTS:  $10 gift cards to Wawa or McD, insulated gloves, warm socks, hand warmers, new underwear – all types and sizes, LED flashlights.  WORKERS:   They are very grateful for 1 hour, 4 hours… of your help.   

IF you can help out, give Tom Parkins a call to volunteer:  302-731-8193 (home) or 302-465-2070 (cell).   There will be a box in the great hall, on the window side, labeled  “Christmas For All”.   I will take it over to Calvary on the 23rd of Dec at noon.   Please have any donations in it by that time.   If you would like to donate something that needs refrigeration, put it in the church frig and mark it:    “Christmas For All”, and  I will take that as well.   If you have questions, please call me.

             MANY Blessings for being the hands and feet of Jesus,  in Newark,

                      Madeline Johnson  

                      Amy Keach 

                      Kelly Tompkins

This year, St. Thomas’s will once again provide Christmas gifts for local families through the Angel Tree. The tree will be available beginning November 29. Take a tag-or two or three. Purchase the gift and wrap it, putting the tag on the package. Return the gifts to the church by Monday, December 17. Then feel the glow of knowing that you have shared the love of Christ by helping our neighbors in need. Any questions, contact Connie Cooper at 302-731-7595 or cjcooper15@verizon.net. Thank you!