I hope most of you were able to participate in the hugely successful Alternative Gift EXPO on November 23rd!
I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the EXPO committee: to Paula Peeling for publicity and Emily Velez-Confer for graphics (posters and printing); to Doug Clark for organizing the cashiers (a big job due to using credit cards and centralizing check-out); Suzanne Papp for the soup café (and Paula Peeling who stepped right up to fill in for Suzanne’s ill husband); Elaine Graybill for setting up the hall and décor; Sandy Lawrensen for handling the Ten Thousand Villages crafts; Christie Batten for the coffee and chocolate sales with an enhanced inventory for the EXPO; John Stender-Custer for working with the high school youth on the Episcopal Relief & Development booth. Of course this meant a lot of background support from their families!
accounting tasks! The sexton staff assisted, worked around us and with
us.
Thanks also to other Cathedral parishioners who staffed tables: Robin Taylor (ECS); Bart Smoot (Haiti health); Dorcas House team, Richard Lee and others; Julia Nunez (Peruvian dolls); Colin Mathewson (Salvadoran crafts); Rob Donaldson (St. John’s Eye Hospital); Dale Hoppenrath (Uptown Interfaith); Phil Petrie (Simpler Living); High school youth (ERD); Marilyn Slater (Nonviolent Peace Force; Melinda Oslie’s great jams; members of St. Paul’s Foundation support team.
A real treat was the Karen dancers from the Episcopal Refugee Network program! The ERN leader reported that after the young people performed to people came to her to offer volunteer services. Several vendors commented that they enjoyed getting to know some of the outside organizations they worked beside during the event. As always we appreciated background piano music by Chris Schneider.
What a great gift we offered God’s world. Lots for which to be thankful!
Carolyn Lief
Great job, Carolyn. Wouldn't have happened without your guidance!