---


Christchurch Ladies Christmas Market
15-11-2008 | Christchurch Blog | Evangelism | Events »


One of the things I love about Christchurch is the way folk with creative gifts and ideas help to take us forward and be all the more 'In it 2 win it'! The Ladies Christmas Market was an example of this at work, and so sit back and enjoy the journey...

It all started as a vague idea, which turned into a conversation with some of the ladies at Mums-to-Mums, which got emailed to Dave Taylor... and before I knew it I was in the throes of organising Christchurch’s first ever Christmas Market. It’s been a hectic couple of months, but I hope you all agree that it was worth the effort! For those who couldn’t make it (all men in the church except Mike Parker, who had lots of important jobs to do during the evening, and Gav, who, um, turned up) here’s a taste of what happened:

On Wednesday night, Christmas came early to Christchurch as those coming into the building were greeted by fairy lights, decorations, Christmas music and the wonderful aroma of mulled wine coming from the kitchen. The hall was packed with 39 stalls selling crafts, Christmas decorations and cards, smellies, books, toys, chocolates, jewellery, jams and chutneys, wine and cider, scarves and pashminas, clothes, and Christmas nibbles. Sharon Gregory did a fantastic job of organising the refreshments: mulled wine, mince pies, teas and coffees and biscuits (I bullied her into it – she’s my sister-in-law! Thanks a million, Sharon!)



Apart from 50 or so people manning the stalls (only 4 of which were run by Christchurch members), over 300 people came in to shop. Before we even opened the doors at 7.30pm, the front foyer was packed out with eager bargain-hunters, sending official greeter Janet Strachen into a frenzy making sure they all got their free raffle tickets! We had coffee tables set up and these were filled all night as ladies took the chance to chill out and socialise. Some of the stalls got pretty hectic too – I heard that the scarves were going like hot cakes, and that stall took the most at over £400. 10% of all takings were donated to “Operation Christmas Child,” and we made a total of £600+ for this charity.



As I stood on the stage to draw the raffle I looked out over the hall, filled with people, many of whom had never visited Christchurch before. Many of the stallholders had commented on how wonderful the facilities were and how there must be lots going on at Christchurch. Jennifer, a student from Cardiff, invited her six housemates, and to her delight they all came, giving her opportunities to talk about the church and her faith, and to invite them to “Outpost Cardiff.” As they left, everyone who came was given a candy cane with an invitation to the Christmas Carol Service tied to it with lovely gold ribbon (thanks Sarah Pasalich and her posse of girls for making those.)



Thank you so much to all ladies who supported this evening, especially as it seemed everybody brought friends and family along, which was such a thrill to me. I hope this was an “ice-breaker” and that having now been to the building, many of these ladies may consider coming to other events where they may hear the gospel; also that church members will now have further opportunities to talk about the church and their faith.

Finally, massive thank-yous must also go to all those who helped towards this evening, serving up-front or behind the scenes. I am so grateful to God for how smoothly it all went and how quickly everything was cleared away at the end. I continue to be amazed at the generous servant-heartedness and humble attitudes of the members of Christchurch. And since many stallholders have asked to come back and do it all again next year, as a reward for being so efficient you can all help again!

One stallholder even asked if we’d consider doing a summer fayre too… Any volunteers to organise that one?!

Thanks again,
Julia Davage.

Praise God folks... as Julia has said thank you so much to everyone who got involved with this, and Julia...thank you!
Dave Taylor