GAINESVILLE - Gainesville First United Methodist Church is transforming its Reception Hall into an international bazaar with hand-made artisan wares from across the world and home-cooked meals – all on display and for sale on Sunday, Oct. 18.
It’s the second annual Missions Market – which raises money for foreign missions supported by the church in Bolivia, Honduras, Romania, Serbia and Uganda.
“Last year’s Missions Market was lovingly embraced by people throughout our church and the community who discovered a large variety of unique items and delicious comfort foods,” said Sally Darden, co-chair and the event’s original organizer. “Best of all, their purchases make a big impact in areas of the world where our church supports mission work.”
Missions Market will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 18. The church is located at 2780 Thompson Bridge Road.
The sale items feature goods made by indigenous crafts people living in villages within the church’s mission countries. A few examples are:
Jewelry from the Akola women’s project in Uganda;
Hand-woven African baskets;
Holiday candles and hand-painted eggs from Romania;
Hand-stitched holiday cards from Serbia;
Intricate grass baskets from the Tolupan mountain tribe of Honduras;
Handmade checker boards and chess sets as well as toy stuffed animals made from recycled materials;
Olive-wood carvings from a recent Holy Land trip to Bethlehem.
“While the sales proceeds directly fund our foreign missions, you can also purchase Missions Market gift cards to support a specific need there,” Darden said. “These gift cards can be given in honor of a special loved one or friend.”
The culinary section of Missions Market sold out quickly last year. This year, volunteers are doubling their recipes to make sure plenty more is available.
Homemade foods for carry-out purchase will include:
Casseroles;
Smoked wild-caught salmon;
Smoked turkey breasts and pork loins;
Cheese straws;
Baklava;
Soups;
Mac and cheese;
Fresh sourdough bread;
Peppermint patties;
Granola cereal.
In addition, the Market will feature a commemorative bell tower Christmas ornament and a silver cross pendant, both representing familiar and meaningful symbols of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.
All proceeds will help:
Women in Romania rescued from human trafficking receive critical medical and dental care;
Tribes in the Tolupan region of Honduras receive tools to cultivate and tend their crops;
Children in Uganda receive at least one healthy hot meal a week at the Village of Eden;
Honduran teenage orphans are taught a marketable trade;
Believers in Serbia are able to share meals together;
Children at Orphanage Emmanuel in Honduras are clothed and fed;
Children in Honduras also have opportunities to read and learn in the Jim Thompson Library.
For more information about Missions Market, please visit www.gfumc.com/missionsmarket.
