All Aboard: Annual Bazaar will feature Winter Wonderland-Polar Express Display
The public is invited to a one-stop holiday extravaganza at Tipp City Global Methodist Church to benefit Angel House Children’s Home and Secondary School in Tanzania. The eighth-annual Angel House Christmas Bazaar will provide shopping opportunities among 30+ talented artisans, the annual Cookie Walk, a Winter Wonderland exhibit complete with trains, the soothing sounds of Christmas by talented area musicians/vocalists, and a time for fellowship over a hearty ala carte lunch. Vendors will include Christmas décor, wood crafting, jewelry, blown glass, gourd art, wreaths, local authors, visual art, quilts, candies, and so much more.
“Our planning team chose Winter Wonderland to be the featured theme for this year’s sanctuary display,” said Diana Begley. “We have asked the congregation to loan Department 56 Villages, Snow Babies, gingerbread houses, and assorted tabletop winter scenery.” Larry Riesser offered to enhance the display by adding his Polar Express, Thomas the Tank, and Harry Potter trains. “We are also asking the public to donate discarded/unwanted train sets to sell,” said co-chairman, Judy Riesser.
The congregation has partnered with Angel House since 2011. About 70 children call Angel House home, and the school provides education for kindergarten through college for as many as 400 students.
The church’s initial fundraising efforts provided two fresh-water wells for the school, and mission teams have journeyed to Tanzania on two occasions. The Bazaar was established in 2016 and has generated more than $31,000. Funds have provided classroom and living space furnishings, science lab equipment, new bunkbeds, and subsidized the completion of the kitchen/dining area and the kindergarten classroom. This year’s proceeds will help pay the balance owed on the school bus the school purchased in 2021.
The bus provides the transportation necessary for the Angel House staff to realize their goal as stated on their website, “to provide our children with a quality education and a family environment where they can develop the skills and faith necessary to be productive and successful citizens when they return to their villages and communities.” For more information, please visit www.grassrootspeople.org/angel-house.
The Cookie Walk, featuring homemade cookies sold by the pound, will take place from 9 a.m. until all cookies are sold. Last year, according to Family Ministry Director Jessi Busboom, the Cookie Walk sold more than 300 pounds of cookies and generated $1,800. The sale will be orchestrated by the Family Ministry Kids of Faith, middle/high school students, and the Confirmation Class. Proceeds will support the Angel House school bus fund and the Family Ministry Confirmation Class.
The entertainment lineup will include a flute ensemble, handbell quartet, Wayne High School Choraliers, David Johnson playing Native American flutes, Tyler Cochran on guitar, organist Stephanie Ours, and more.
The Bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 2, at Tipp City Global Methodist Church,
8 W. Main Street, Tipp City. Admission is free and open to the public.
Interested in being a vendor? Loaning Winter Wonderland décor? Baking cookies? Donating trains for the sale? Or volunteering at the event? Contact us at: TCGMCBazaar@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/AngelHouseChristmasBazaar.