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Women’s
Fellowship Holiday Bazaar: A Church Community Event
After three years of crocheting, stitching, sewing,
stamping, glazing, painting, quilting, and crafting, the women of St. John’s
United Church of Christ were almost ready for their holiday bazaar to be held
November 3, 2007. First, however, they had some baking to do. On October 11,
some of our master bakers got together to lead the ladies in making dozens of
sugar rolled kolache, which later sold, you’ll pardon the expression, “Like
hotcakes.” Donations of delicious homemade pies, cookies, cakes, breads, jams,
and jellies poured in from many church members, and the bake sale area in the
fellowship hall was well stocked with tempting treats.
T’was the night before the bazaar and while the lounge and
hallway were being decorated, arranged, and hung with displays of the ladies’
craftiness, members of the Men’s fellowship, along with Dorothy Friess in the
tradition of her husband Bill, and the kitchen crew were busy cooking up
homemade soups, chili, sauerkraut, German potato salad, sloppy joes, etc. The
beautiful quilt to be raffled off was on display, the cash boxes were ready to
receive their offerings, the gift wrap station was in place, and visions of deep
fried hot dogs danced in our heads.
By noon on the day of the sale, all operations were in full
swing. It was truly a pleasure to stop by each area of the bazaar and stock up
on homemade gifts and baked goods while visiting with so many church members as
well as visitors. After all their hectic volunteer time, the workers enjoyed
sitting down together with family and friends for an exceptional lunch provided
by the kitchen crew. The workers’ lunches were a token of appreciation for all
the hours and effort spent over the last three years--not to mention all the
supplies and goods donated to make our various projects. Since St. John’s bazaar
is not an annual event, everyone expects quality as well as quantity, and no one
was disappointed.
Even though the 750 raffle ticket stubs were all mixed in a
large bowl and held above Cheryl Downing’s head by Judy Steiner, Cheryl still
managed to pull three lucky winners who were well known to our members, and we
were delighted. (Okay, not as delighted as we would have been to win, but we
still cheered!) The exquisite red, black, and gold quilt was won by Eleanor
Stewart’s niece, Colleen Powell in Frisco, Texas; the afghan was won by Paul
Schluckbier from A. G. Edwards (Ruth Edward’s had sold him his tickets); and the
snowman light went to Sally Wallace’s daughter, Debbie Brooks.
The $3,000 earned will go to the Women’s Fellowship fund to
be distributed over the next few years to those in need through various
charities. (If you would like a specific accounting of the distribution, please
see the church’s annual report.) Looking at everyone enjoying the food and the
company in the fellowship hall made us realize what an outstanding event this is
for everyone in our church community. Thank you all so much for your
participation. As co-chairs, we certainly appreciated all your efforts--we know
it would not have been a success without you.
Gratefully yours, Bev Vargo, Judy Steiner, and Cheryl
Downing |
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