There is excitement and much bustling about as United Methodist Women (UMW) and members of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC), 522 White Ave., prepare for the church’s annual Holiday House Bazaar. The bazaar will be held Friday, November 3, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., and Saturday, November 4, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

What’s for lunch?

Visitors will be met with the wonderful aroma of traditional, homemade beef vegetable soup simmering for lunch, which will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday only. The hearty soup is a historical tradition, served at all FUMC bazaars over the years. Visitors will also enjoy homemade sandwiches, salads and delicious pies and cakes.

A winter wonderland

FUMC’s Holiday House Bazaar takes shoppers through a veritable village of seasonal fun.

Enter The Christmas Boutique with its twinkling Christmas trees adorned with beautiful ornaments—a room filled with Christmas wreaths, floral arrangements and gifts. The Country Store features many wonderful gift ideas, fall decorations and unique notecards designed by the church’s artist in residence. Don’t miss The Pantry, where there are freshly baked peach pies, and jams and jellies made with local fruit.

On the lower level, take time to peruse gently used books in The Book Nook. After all the excitement, take a break in the Victorian Tea Room, where tea, coffee and hot spiced cider are served in real china cups, and tea sandwiches, scones and mini desserts are served in a beautifully decorated holiday setting. This is the place to relax and remember the reason for the season.

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A community affair

The bazaar is hosted by the UMW organization, and many members of the congregation pitch in to make it an event that the whole community can enjoy. UMW owes a lot to the men who set up tables, chairs, Christmas trees and tote boxes. One gentleman donates his time year-round cutting out all the wood projects that the women paint and decorate. A group called The Crafting Angels works throughout the year making the craft items available at the bazaar. Many church members donate books, fruit, sugar and jars for the jelly; bake pies; and sew and knit. Some of the senior members even embroider and knit gift items when they go south for the winter.

Congregants work together and friendships are formed while putting on this complex event. Laughter and tears are shared, and seniors who might otherwise be sitting home alone, bored, are instead active, social and learning new skills.

UMW considers it an honor to answer God’s call to care for one another—therefore all the net proceeds go to missions supporting FUMC, the local community and beyond.