~ Submitted by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is preparing for its annual Advent Fair, to be held this year on Saturday, December 4, from 9 am to 2 pm. The Fair features gifts, crafts, food, and holiday cheer for all ages, with all proceeds benefitting the work and ministries of the church.
This year the Fair is back in person at the church, with modifications made to respect the health and safety of all. All Fairgoers and volunteers must wear masks indoors, per local and Diocesan guidelines. Merchandise tables in the parish hall will be spread out to avoid crowding. The biggest change this year will be the traffic pattern: visitors will enter the Fair from the courtyard garden into the parish hall and exit through the front doors in the narthex. This way, those waiting to check out at the cashiers’ table can line up down the long main hallway, rather than cluster by the parish hall doors.
A highlight of the Advent Fair is always the gorgeous gift baskets, prepared by parish volunteers and suitable for every occasion, budget, and recipient, from family members to office pals to your favorite bus driver. This year’s basket themes include Italian favorites, the Boston Red Sox, spa day, and more.
The Fair also features multiple tables of handmade crafts, lovingly constructed, sewed, painted, or assembled by volunteers throughout the year. St. Paul’s resident glassblower, Matthew McDonald, has created special ornaments and keepsakes for purchase.
Food is always a popular item at the Advent Fair. The Country Kitchen features homemade marinara sauce, breads, cakes, and cookies. The Cheese Table will include manchego, nutty Swiss, and several varieties of Vermont cheddar. Jan Blake’s famous baked beans will also be for sale.
The Silent Auction features one-of-a-kind artwork, restaurant gift certificates, sports tickets, and more, including a family portrait session with Creative Images Boston.
This year’s Raffle items are two portable outdoor patio heaters, perfect to promote outdoor social events this winter, and an extra-special hostess gift basket with all the bells and whistles.
The Outreach committee table will feature hammered metal art from artisans in Haiti, to benefit the parish’s mission partners in Leogane; cards from Heifer International; and embroidered items from The Women’s Desk, supporting women in Pakistan who have been exploited or are at risk.
The Fair also features gently-used white elephants, including holiday décor and children’s items. Weather permitting, the ever-popular spinner art will be available outside for kids (and grownups!) to make their masterpieces.
St. Paul’s is a fully-accessible church located at 100 Pine Hill Road in Bedford, MA. For more information, please call the church office Tuesday through Friday, from 9 am to 1 pm, at 781-275-8262, or visit www.stpaulsbedford.org.
Loading ...
