Shop with a mission
Sisters Jane Green and Peggy Patterson grew up witnessing their mother’s dedication to holiday bazaars.
It’s a tradition they wanted to carry on at their church on Columbiana Road.
“We decided we would start a big fundraiser here for all our ministries, and every year it’s just gotten bigger,” Green said.
The Saint Mark United Methodist Church Holiday Market, which began in 2007, is the church’s largest fundraiser. Last year the market had more than 150 participants and raised approximately $14,000 for various ministries. The market will take place Saturday, November 15 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the church.
Funds raised by the market will be distributed by United Methodist Women to ministries that include the Russian Orphanage Mission Team, Christmas for the Homeless, Imagine No More Malaria, United Methodist Children’s Home, Marine Corps League, Camp Smile-A-Mile, First Light Women’s Shelter and Mexico Mission Team.
The day before, Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church will host their Magical Marketplace from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of proceeds from all sales will go to the missions and ministries of the church’s youth group.
Preparation for the Saint Mark event is a year-round job. Leading up to the market, items are created in summer workshops as well as a Smith Lake craft retreat. The sisters say it allows participants to bond with one another.
“We really enjoy the fellowship of getting together to make the crafts,” Patterson said. “Because there are so many of us, it makes for a variety of designs.”
Handmade items that will be sold include coasters, towels, aprons, crosses, chimes, jewelry, nativities and cookbooks. In addition to the craft items, the market will also feature homemade cakes, pies, candy, brownies, jams, jellies and pickles. There will be coffee and homemade soup available for those looking for refreshments.
“Some of my favorite items to make were the wine bottles, that we cut into rings to make chimes. I also enjoyed making the different nativity scenes,” said Patterson.
The sisters’ advice for eager holiday shoppers is to get there early.
“There’s usually a line waiting to get in,” Patterson said, “Word has gotten out. When we started, we had about 175 people come. Now we’ve grown to around 300.”
This Veterans Day, the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church youth group will be handing out 600 brown bag lunches in downtown Birmingham. The group also travels across Alabama and into Tennessee participating in construction mission projects in rural areas.
It’s why shoppers can feel good when they purchase items at the church’s 16th annual Magical Marketplace. A portion of proceeds from all sales will go to the youth group’s missions.
“There is so much energy and excitement among our youth about these ministries,” said Director of Middle School and Student Ministries Robert Hubbard. “This is truly a service-orientated community we live in.”
The market’s co-chairs Anne Long and Kim Lyon light up when talking about the holiday bazaar.
“It’s such a good time to get Christmas gifts and at the same time know that the money is going to a good cause,” Long said.
This year’s market will include a variety of items such as paintings, photographs, handmade scarves, children’s items, wooden toys and large reindeer. The market will also include a bake sale and the option of purchasing a $6 boxed lunch.
“You’re aren’t going to leave without finding something you want,” said Lyon.
Each year, the marketplace showcases the work of vendors ranging from independent artists to well-known brands such as Stella & Dot and the Pampered Chef. Lyon said one important aspect is the central check out, which takes the hassle out of multiple transactions.
“You can leisurely shop and mark items off your shopping list, and when you check out, you just have to write one check,” Lyon said.
For more information about Saint Mark’s market, visit saintmarkumc.org. For more information about Vestavia Hills United Methodist’s market, visit facebook.com/magicalmarketplace.
Saint Mark United Methodist Church Holiday Market
Saturday, Nov. 15
9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
16th annual Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Magical Marketplace
Friday, Nov. 14
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tyson Hall and Fellowship Hall
Admission is free