Kern Church will host its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, in conjunction with the UMW Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar. Thelma Douglass, center, will bake her famous apple stack cake. Beautiful Fair Trade items such as the scarves worn by Debbie Shope, left, and Ashley Lockridge, right, will be offered for sale, and Santa, back, will be available for free pictures. (Submitted photo)
Submitted
Kern United Methodist Church will hold its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 5, in the church’s Family Life Center from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“Shop the World Gifts†of Englewood, Tennessee, a Fair Trade ministry, will have booths full of beautiful, useful gifts for everyone on your list. Fair Trade is a global ministry that has been fighting world poverty and hunger successfully for more than 60 years. They help some of the poorest people in the world…third world artisans who certainly are among “the least of these.†These artisans have been blessed with tremendous artistic ability but have no market for their products. Every purchase makes a difference. By bringing these handmade creations (e.g., jewelry, purses, pottery, woven goods, baskets, table linens, musical instruments, shawls, scarves, skirts, etc.) to their customers, “Shop the World Gifts†helps these artisans feed and educate their children and build better lives. Their customers benefit by receiving a unique quality product at a reasonable price, knowing there was no forced or child labor involved and that the product was made in an environmentally sustainable manner.
At the Heifer International booth, shoppers may choose to donate farm animals to help families around the world become self-reliant. In honor of Heifer, a live llama will visit Kern Church during the Alternative Gift Fair. Your favorite Fair Trade Equal Exchange coffees and chocolates will be available for purchase. Local programs that serve people in our community and beyond will also have items for sale. All proceeds go to support ministries and programs for people in need.
In conjunction with the Alternative Gift Fair, the United Methodist Women of Kern will hold a Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar. The UMW will offer “ham and biscuits†for sale starting at 9 a.m., soup and cornbread starting at 11 a.m., and desserts by the slice throughout the event. All types of homemade baked goods and jellies will be available, such as Thelma Douglass’s apple stack cake, as well as “gently used†jewelry and books. Proceeds go to support UMW missions, both local and world-wide.
And…as Kern’s special gift to the community, Santa will be available for free pictures!
Kern Church is located at 451 East Tennessee Avenue. For additional information, please contact the church office at (865) 483-5273.
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