Saturday was our annual Christmas Marketplace. We have been holding this for a few years now and every year it gets bigger and better. Every available space in the building is put to good use. The auditorium holds the bake table and the craft table and the lunch room. The Conference Room has the Book Sale while the Seminar Room has the Silent Auction. Upstairs in the Sanctuary is the Jewelry section and the Art Display. The Lobby has the kids’ Loonie Draw and the CD and DVD sales as well as the preserve table and this year the addition of Mrs. Claus decorating cookies and Santa Claus offering a space to sit so you could take a selfie with the jolly old elf himself. If you aren’t too exhausted yet you can go upstairs to the Upper hall to see all the ‘treasures’ that others are done with but you can’t live without and then make your way into the Christmas Room where decorations and Christmas paraphernalia abounds. But before you go don’t forget to pick up your Christmas swag to hand on your door or light post. Yes, indeed, there is something for everyone and all the while you shop church musicians bring you toe-tapping music. It is a day of fun.
While fund raising is part of the goal and we are always proud of how well we did. The main purpose of the day is to build community both within and outside of the church community. We love welcoming people from the community, both Bracebridge folk and those from farther afield, through our doors. Last Saturday there was such a positive vibe, a good old fashioned greeting and sharing and connecting. Sure, we made money but the best part of the day was the feeling of people being together and enjoying one another’s companionship. Sure people went home happy with bargains and treasures but mostly we were thrilled they went home happy!
For the past few years I have taken the lead at the Bake Table. When the morning began we were overflowing with cookies and muffins, pies and cakes, breads and treats like granola and nuts and bolts were there too. There was a mountain of treats and by the end of the day most everything was gone. This year, like every year, the date squares and the shortbread were the first things to get snapped up!
The Christmas Marketplace requires a huge amount of planning and work. It takes many hours of volunteer time to make it happen. How thrilling that it is such a success in building the spirit of community and cooperation. It was a great day! And yes, we made money – about $20,000. Awesome!
