 The prime event on Saturday offered handcrafted items that were
available by straight-out purchase, silent auction and open auction.
It also featured signature homemade foods to be eaten on-site or
carry-home. Inside, the aroma of cinnamon and caramel pecan rolls
wafted through the halls. Outside, the sweet wood smoke filled the
fall air as giant kettles simmered beef vegetable soup.
Inside and outside, there was plenty of serving, eating, visiting
at many different stations, tents, rooms and in the main auditorium.
Hungry shoppers could grab a bowl of soup and a brisket sandwich,
which was particularly appealing to those coming in from the 5K
run/walk that began outside the church at 8:30 a.m. A new tea room,
Hospitali-tea, served four pre-ticketed sittings offering tasty
homemade foods and a special Harvest blend of tea.
The crowds increased all day with throngs of people unhurriedly,
but intensely browsing merchandise, looking for just the right bird
feeder, kitchen apron, hair doodad, jewelry piece, knitted scarf,
bakery, yard or household ornament, with a thousand to choose from
and numerous quick, easy checkout counters throughout the building.
The day concluded with an auction beginning at 2 p.m. of unique,
high-quality items such as handmade quilts, leaded glass designs,
paintings, furniture, large floral pieces and more.
On Sunday, the church celebrated the end of this year's Harvest
of Talents with a special worship service and the presentation of a
check to Rick Jett, the executive director of International Disaster
Emergency Service.
Prior to the check presentation, Carolyn Neal offered a few words.
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"Over a billion people go hungry, but tomorrow, that number will
be less because of all the faithful Harvest hearts and hands who
honored I Peter 4:10 and shared a measure of their time, talents and
resources to partner with International Disaster Emergency Service
and the 30th Harvest of Talents for World Hunger, raising
$101,068.15 for hunger relief this year," Neal said. "You gathered
your thoughts to pray, your family and friends, your coins, your
talents, and your time to volunteer, and helped to make a difference
that will stretch around the world in Jesus' name. On behalf of
those who will receive Harvest food (physically and spiritually),
thank YOU, bless you!!!"
The check was presented to Jett by Patricia Snyder. Jett in return
presented "Servant's Towels" embroidered with the IDES logo and
bearing the words "Your faithful service has made a world of
difference" to Neal and Snyder.
The 2013 Harvest of Talents brought in $101,068.15, bringing the
30-year total to $1,819,213.38. This was a record year, after the
previous high total of $92,499.88 back in 2008.
Other Harvest of Talents activities, including musical
presentations and teas, are conducted during the year as well.
Working with International Disaster Emergency Service, all
proceeds are used to aid those affected by disaster and to relieve
world hunger.
Visit IDES at http://www.ides.org/
to see what projects the agency has been working on this past year.
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST with additional information provided by
Patricia Snyder, Lincoln Christian Church] |
