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