Saturday, October 30, 2010

Dolls for the Christmas Bazaar


Every year, High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana, has a Christmas bazaar in November.  This year, the bazaar is November 6 from 8:00am to Noon.  The church is located at 219 South High Street.

For the last few years I've donated several dolls that were made during the year to this bazaar.  Above are a few of the dolls donated this year.  There are lots of other neat items, and some delicious baked goods...I know this because my Mother donates her marvelous goodies to this bazaar.  Her brownies are impossible to beat :-)

I sang in the choir during my teenage years in this church.  When I was in college, I learned to my horror that during a brutal blizzard, a gas main exploded and nearly destroyed the church.  The entire inside was gutted, all the stained glass blown out, the doors blown off, and it took three hours to get the fire under control.  Amazingly, no one was injured, in spite of the fact that a young man lived at the church as a caretaker.

A year later Christmas midnight services were held in the barren, unheated shell of the church.  Work was under way to rebuild, but this midnight service was conducted by candlelight, the only illumination.  We sang all the beautiful Christmas hymns in the cold, still structure, and truly the magic of Christmas touched us all.

The following year, Larry and I were married in this church; the second marriage service conducted in the newly restored building.  We've been together ever since.

Many very good memories remain to me of this structure and congregation.  Many extended family members belong to this congregation; the picture below was painted by my Great Uncle Orla and is a lovely and loving representation of High Street United Methodist Church.

High Street United Methodist Church, painted by Orla Harris

11 comments:

  1. What a lovely church...it looks like a church should. I'm not crazy about modern buildings for churches. I was raised Methodist and married in a Methodist church too.

    Love your dolls.

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  2. What a beautiful church. Your dolls are beautiful, too, and a very generous donation.

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  3. I wish I could be at that bazaar to by a doll! I have just made one from your pattern, she turned out to be a "waterspirit". I didn´t understand how to make the eyes, and the hands was a bit difficult to understand how to do. But she is cute, not as beatiful as your dolls but I like her! I just have to dress her now. Thankyou again for the pattern!

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  4. Sandy and Lois, it is indeed a lovely church; thank-you for your good words :-)

    Sara, I'm glad you are happy with your doll :-)

    Beth

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  5. My Methodist Church has their Bazaar in December, and I had decided to make a few of your dolls for ours! How delightful this is something you do - very thoughtful! I have tried potholders, hats, and afghans and they never seem to sell well, so this will be a new delight for our area. Thank you ever so much for your wonderful patterns.

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  6. Cat, that is so cool, that you are making dolls for your church bazaar :-)

    Joyce, dear friend, thank you always for your good words.

    Beth

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  7. I can't believe I didn't leave a comment here! I remember reading this post and being amazed at all the dolls you were donating to the church (all those hours of hard work - for such a great cause) and also by the history of this church, and what it means to you and your family.

    I hope some lucky "kids" enjoy those dolls :). You are very thoughtful.

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  8. Beth, how generous of you to donate your time and energy to make these. They are all so wonderful, it's hard to pick a favorite, but I love the Raggedys.

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  9. Bybido and Lisa, thank you always for your good words :-)

    Lisa, the Annie patterns are by De Powell of Oh Sew Dollin. Very easy and satisfying to make.

    Beth

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  10. I love your dolls! They are a precious gift!!!

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  11. Thank-you, melafragola :-)

    Beth

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