FUMC Bazaar set for Wednesday

For some 60 years – no one can remember exactly when — the women of the First United Methodist Church of Demopolis have kicked off the Christmas season in Demopolis with their annual bazaar.

This year the United Methodist Women’s Bazaar will be Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Back are the popular homemade baked goods, including casseroles, Thanksgiving dressing, pies, cakes, cookies, brownies, jams and jellies.

Also returning are Attic Treasures featuring gently used articles; a Silent Auction that offers not only decorative pieces for the home but special services such as a dessert of the month, babysitting and catered dinners.

The luncheon prepared by a small army of women feeds up to 1,000 diners. A drawing will be held for a stunning crocheted quilt created by Joyce Barnes.

But the focus this year is on the Gift Shop where Christmas gifts and decorations take center stage. Each year those chairing the Gift Shop come up with a unique item to offer shoppers. In the past there have been skirts, flags, sweatshirts and Christmas tree skirts. Featured this year are pillows.

Crafters have created some 150 pillows. Popular, of course, will be those with favorite school teams, but each will have a bright, colorful design.

Everyone is the church is asked to help prepare for the bazaar in some way. The result is hundreds of church members donating thousands of hours to cook, sew, serve, and sell.

Proceeds from the bazaar are used specifically for UMW missions, both locally and around the world, which is part of the UMW purpose. The organizations that benefit put an emphasis on women, children and families.

Among the groups benefiting are the Demopolis Food Pantry, Harriet’s House, the Shoe Box ministry, Kairos, Wesley Foundation and mission trips.

In the past several years the bazaar has realized some $20,000 after expenses.

UMW also stresses that its members develop fellowship and build community, which happens when the women prepare for and conduct the bazaar.

Chairman of the 2013 bazaar is Jennifer Hewitt. Barbara Hill and Carolyn Bell are chairing the Gift Shop; Jennifer Jordan and Beth Wideman, kitchen; Joyce Hitt, Marie Burdette and Joyce Kerby, the Bake Sale; Eleanor Park, Attic Treasures; Catherine Ferguson, dining room; Will and Rebecca Baker, Rotary Room; Kim and Barbara Mayton, take-out lunches.