{"id":19650,"date":"2018-12-01T00:25:30","date_gmt":"2018-12-01T04:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=19650"},"modified":"2018-12-28T11:20:08","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T15:20:08","slug":"christmas-marketplace-to-usher-in-the-season-11-10-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=19650","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Marketplace Provides Drinking Water (11\/10\/18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday November 10 2018, our Fellowship Hall turned into a Christmas Marketplace. It was a special atmosphere of neighbors \"\"enjoying eachother’s company as they wandered through our “village” of food and handmade items. Eight outside vendors joined with our small groups to create 11 “Markets.” Tables and lampposts were arranged in our Fellowship Hall to transform our “gym” into a “village square.” The “markets” consisted of attic treasures, the bakery, the caf\u00e9 (where you could sit and eat lunch), crafts, deli, gift baskets, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, plants, quilting, and the woodshop.<\/p>\n

Over 370 people dropped by to experience the Christmas Marketplace. They started their Christmas shopping, sat down for a bite to eat, or simply wandered around and enjoyed the atmosphere. More importantly than the items on sale, was the fact that we raised almost $4000 to provide clean drinking water to the needy across the world.<\/p>\n

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Proceeds from the Marketplace were sent to a project sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our town, we take our Water and Sewer Department and infrastructure for granted. Just turn a knob and clean drinking water comes out. Turn a different knob and clean warm water flows into our bathtubs. If something doesn’t work, call a plumber. <\/span><\/p>\n

But over 600 million people across the globe don’t have access to clean drinking water. Over 1.6 billion don’t even have access to adequate toilets! Each day, over 1000 children die from diseases, many of which are directly attributable to the lack of clean water.<\/span><\/p>\n

So the United Methodist Church established a project called WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Health). Experts go into villages and towns throughout the world to provide solutions to each community’s water needs. Whether it’s locating new water sources, digging wells, or providing education, the goal is to work alongside the community to provide long term solutions. <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

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More than a Market<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yes, this was a “fundraiser.” But it was also a chance to celebrate the talents and skills that God has blessed so many of us with. Many of our \"\"small groups have been preparing for the marketplace for months, using their talents to create items that could be sold so that wells could be dug. The Scrappy Quilters sold blankets, Hooks and Needles sold prayer shawls, blankets, and hats. Our Master\u2019s Carpenters offered their creations of, signs, advent wreaths, and inspirational sayings lasered on recycled wood.<\/p>\n

Even deeper than the “stuff” that was on sale, those involved in the Marketplace were able to see God’s Hand throughout the planning and execution of this special event. We saw God\u2019s hand in the preparations in SO MANY ways. He put people in our lives at opportune times. He made all things possible. When problems arose, solutions came from \u201cout of the blue.\u201d It was an honor to be a part of this. The event itself was beyond belief. The atmosphere was so uplifting and exciting.<\/p>\n

Here are a few glimpses of the Marketplace…<\/p>\n

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