Two months out Annual rummage sale supports seminarians
T
he rummage sale at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, provides more than an opportunity to buy a 25-cent vase.
It supports those in need, makes neighbors aware of the church, and has resulted in more than $37,000 for church renovation and tuition for seminarians from the congregation. The three-day event, which is held every October in
the church gymnasium, takes a year to plan (stmark@
stmarkcares.org). Throughout the year, donations are stored as they arrive: sporting goods and electron- ics; clothing and shoes; tools, garden and household items; antiques and collectibles; linens, including handmade quilts and crocheted items; books, DVDs and CDs; baby items; and toys. This year the sale, which raises more than $5,000 each year, is set for Oct. 15-17. Erica Cunningham and Emily Martin have been benefi-
ciaries of the sale’s efforts. They are the 16th and 17th semi- narians from the congregation. “The church needs to sponsor our seminary students,
but our church doesn’t have money in a general fund to pull out tuition,” said Pat Thode, one of the sale’s coordinators. “Some churches might, but not ours.”
Good one!
Last summer, videos and photos of friends challenging one another in the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” filled Facebook. Salem Lutheran Church, Sycamore, Ill., adapted that challenge to support its food pantry. At each of three weekend worship services, one family challenged another to fill a bushel basket with nonperishable food and return it the next week. Then they challenged another family or individual to do the same. This 12-week “food-raiser” from November to Feb- ruary involved more than 36 families (salem@
salemlutheransycamore.org). In 15 years, Salem’s pantry has
grown from one-bag meals offered to a few families to 5,000 family visits monthly. It also gives students backpacks with food for weekends and provides holiday meals.
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www.thelutheran.org
The gym of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, is transformed into a huge garage sale every October, in part to benefi t seminarians.
Coordinator Sue Nelson added, “Our customers tell us
they look forward to coming each year. It’s a ton of work, but we have great fun and fellowship.” A cadre of volunteers works behind the scenes. In a
recent year when Nelson paused on the first day of the sale, she counted 30, not all of them members. A steady parade of food keeps the volunteers strong, and baked goods and candy are sold. Where there is candy, there are also young people. “The
teenagers—they’re our muscle,” Thode said. The sale is planned around days off from school so young people can help. Not only is the sale good fellowship for all ages, it serves
those who may not be able to afford to buy elsewhere. Addi- tionally, Grace United Methodist Church members, who also donate to the St. Mark sale, get what they need for their Clothing Closet for those in need. After the sale a shelter that assists women who are home-
less or victims of violence receives dishware. Stuffed ani- mals are saved for Christmas and given to those who visit St. Mark’s pantry or are distributed by the church’s quilters. After that, the Salvation Army picks up the remaining items. Volunteer Rich Ricketts, who coordinates the pantry, gets
most of the credit for the annual effort. “Without him, this would not fly,” Thode said. “He has
designated areas in the old church basement, so he sorts as it comes in. Without him, there’s no way this would work. … He’s just a lifesaver.”
Send congregational stories—those for a specifi c month/holiday or your best timeless idea—to
julie.sevig@
thelutheran.org.
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