For details about this year’s Marketplace, please refer to the “Event Announcements” in the right hand sidebar.
We’re using our crafting talents to help people in our neighborhood and around the globe. Who would have thought that painting, crocheting, or knitting could be used to provide people with clean drinking water or to give a pregnant woman a ride to her doctor’s office? God gives us all sorts of talents (“gifts”) so that we can use them to get help to people who are in need.
Do all the good you can…
Christ calls us to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners…”
Using whatever means you can…
John Wesley (our denomination’s founder) put some practical advice to Jesus’ command when he famously said that we should use any means we can to help people. This means that we should use our imagination. To think “outside the box” and use whatever talents are at our disposal….
And so, our “Scrappy Quilters” are making quilts to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners…” Enter the Christmas Marketplace!
Christmas Marketplace
On November 16, we’ll hold our “Second Annual(?)” Christmas Marketplace. This marketplace will feature the arts and crafts from members of our church and community. Proceeds from the sales of these items will go to “do good.”
Part of the proceeds will fund the mission work of our United Methodist Women, and part will be sent to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to help provide clean drinking water to people around the world.
2019 Christmas Marketplace
- WHEN: Saturday November 16
- TIMES: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- WHERE: Pitman UMC Fellowship Hall
If you would like to exhibit your crafts, click the below button to access the registration form:
Last year’s Marketplace featured an amazing variety of arts and crafts that were for sale. The Marketplace shouldn’t be confused with a “yard sale.” Our Scrappy Quilters sold blankets, Hooks and Needles sold prayer shawls, blankets, and hats. Our Master’s Carpenters group offered their creations of, signs, advent wreaths, and inspirational sayings lasered on recycled wood. Throughout the marketplace there were Christmas ornaments, candles, plants, and of course… food!
Whether you’re just browsing or taking a serious stab at your Christmas shopping, the Marketplace is a beautiful experience…. and you’ll be helping others.
To view the article reporting last year’s Marketplace, click this button: 2018 Marketplace
Here are a few glimpses of last year’s Marketplace…
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Proceeds from the Christmas Marketplace will be divided between the missions of our United Methodist Women and the disaster response efforts of the United Methodist’s response team, UMCOR. Here’s a taste of the work being done by these two organizations…
United Methodist Women
Methodist churches have always been formed on “societies” or “small groups.” One of the first and most important societies formed was the Women’s Society. Today, the United Methodist Women is world-wide ; most local United Methodist churches include a United Methodist Women’s group.
The groups organize Bible studies, but they are also very active in mission. In fact, the tagline slogan for the Pitman United Methodist Women is: United Methodist Women ~ we make a difference!
We make a difference in the world around us. We make a difference to people suffering with addictions. We make a difference for students struggling to pay tuition. We make a difference to people struggling to put food on the table. The goal of our United Methodist Women- and indeed our whole church- is to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people.
So part of the proceeds from the Christmas Marketplace will go to support the missions that Our United Methodist Women have been supporting all year. Here are a few examples of how the women have been helping people this year (click on the links to learn more about each ministry):
- $400 to Pitman Food Pantry
- $250 to Urban Promise Summer Camp
- $200 to PUMC Student Loan Fund
- $600 to Camden Neighborhood Center Summer Camp
- $400 to PUMC Pastor’s Welfare Fund (helps immediate needs of local residents)
- $100 to PUMC VBS
Here are some more updates from our UMW President, Staci Scheetz…
In addition, we collected $1125 in gift cards for the domestic violence/human trafficking shelter!!!! Our first attempt to support this amazing organization was a great success!!! For more information this organization Center for Family Services, check their website at www.centerffs.org.
Also, and just as amazing, we supported the Presbyterian Church’s Summer Lunch Program through our “Love Our Neighbors Toiletry Collection.” This program provided 2410 lunches to 62 Ptiman children. Our collection provided cereal for all of the children and toiletries for all of the families. Several of our members and friends helped with packing and distribution. I am so inspired by the Presbyterian Church’s program and the collaboration of our congregations. UMW at its best!
United Methodist Women ~ we make a difference!
UMCOR Water Project
In addition to the work of our church’s United Methodist Women, part of the Christmas Marketplace proceeds will be sent to UMCOR (our church’s disaster relief organization). Believe it or not, the simple availability of clean drinking water is a basic need that’s not filled throughout the world.
Check out this video describing the global crisis regarding water…
Christmas Marketplace
So, when you participate in our Christmas Marketplace, you’ll be able to buy some great stuff. You’ll be able to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. But, in many many ways both within our local community and beyond our shores, you’ll also be helping people who are dealing with real-life needs. You’ll join in our church’s efforts to “Make a Difference.”
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To learn more about our United Methodist Women, click this button: UMW
To learn more about UMCOR, try clicking this button: UMCOR
