Thrift Shop
The Christ Church thrift shop began operation in 1971. It was started by
using leftovers from an Altar Guild “rummage sale” (as it was known
then), and was run by a group of volunteers. The purpose of the fledging
shop was simple. Money raised in this way was to be given to mission
needs, special programs, and projects that helped maintain the physical
property of the parish. It has since evolved into the community outreach
program that it is today, and is now run as a cooperative by about a
dozen dedicated volunteers.
Two of the windows in the parish house were funded by the thrift shop and the dedications state our mission: Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of outreach; Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of caring and sharing. We planned to donate a third window which would have read “Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of Stewardship". However, the windows were oversubscribed and we moved on to another project.
The following is a partial list of what we have done to keep the church and the grounds in tip top shape over the years. Projects that cost several thousand dollars were spread over a period of years.
We have also paid for stands for TV’s used by the Sunday School and in adult education as well as a copier for the office. And memorial bricks.
We supported the bazaars and other church events by purchasing the sign at the corner of routes 122 and 123.
Our most recent purchases were the badly needed refrigerator/freezer in the kitchen and a frame and door on the John Street entrance to the parish house.
For several years the thrift shop paid the salary of the bell choir director as there was insufficient money in the operating budget.
Speaking of the bell choir, it was founded more than a decade ago with a memorial gift of two octaves of bells. Since then, numerous other memorial bells have been received and Christ Church now owns almost four octaves of bells, two octaves of hand chimes, wind chimes, beautiful table coverings, a banner and tables with cushions.
Just like automobiles, bells have moving parts and just like automobiles they start to show wear after a number of years and must go to specialists for overhauling. The middle two octaves generally carry the melody. They are rung constantly and break down first. In order to maintain the bells in good condition, all of them should be sent out for re-conditioning every 10-12 years. Our bells were not reconditioned for many, many years, because there were always more urgent priorities at Christ Church. They were sent out only for emergency repairs, and many a repaired bell arrived on Christmas Eve via Federal Express. The cost of total reconditioning the bells was $2000 and it had to be planned well in advance because a reservation was needed. Finally, when it could no longer be put off, the thrift shop agreed to pick up $l,000 of the cost as soon as they had finished paying for the handicapped ramp. A Friend of the Bell Choir paid the other half.
It’s about more than money. Over the years the thrift shop staff has met the needs of the people who come in. Some are “just” lonely. Some are shopping for a new church. Some are thrifty. Some are helping their neighbors or shopping for people in nursing homes or the elderly. Some have the promise of a new job and want to look presentable. One woman recently was delighted to find a cushion that she could afford which would allow her to sleep in an upright position. She was waiting for a heart transplant.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of the parishioners of Christ Church and their friends and families. Contributions are always welcome. Clothing should be clean and in wearable condition. We also accept small appliances, Christmas decorations and books. We regret that due to limitations of space we are unable to accept toys or furniture.
Contributions may be brought to the thrift shop during their regular hours of operations, which are Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00-noon. They may also be left outside the door to the thrift shop INSIDE the building. Donations may also be left at the office during regular office hours.
The thrift shop is closed during July and August, but the volunteers work most Monday mornings all year round, including the summer months. During that time they clean the shop and unpack seasonable merchandise. The thrift shop is also closed between Christmas and New Years. Volunteers are always welcome. Name your own hours and select your own area of interest to work in.
We are especially in need of someone who can take away bags of clothing
every couple of weeks on a regular basis and deliver them to the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul’s. Please contact Marge Boyce or Barbara Papineau if this is something you can do.
Please volunteer your time if you can. Please continue to provide us with the merchandise we sell. Your support is appreciated.
Two of the windows in the parish house were funded by the thrift shop and the dedications state our mission: Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of outreach; Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of caring and sharing. We planned to donate a third window which would have read “Given by the Christ Church thrift shop, a ministry of Stewardship". However, the windows were oversubscribed and we moved on to another project.
The following is a partial list of what we have done to keep the church and the grounds in tip top shape over the years. Projects that cost several thousand dollars were spread over a period of years.
- In 1996 a five year capital campaign was begun and the thrift shop pledged $15,000 to include a new sound system in the church as part of that campaign.
- In 1998 a parishioner made a contribution of labor and drawings to install a handicapped ramp for the parish house. The thrift shop purchased the materials which cost approximately $12,000.
- The organ needed to be updated. Over the course of restoration, the thrift shop contributed $20,000 to meet these expenses.
- In 2002 alone the thrift shop raised more than $11,000. In addition to items already listed, the money was used to purchase new tables and chairs for the parish hall, a heavy duty lawn mower and a snow blower, and to replace the windows in the gym.
We have also paid for stands for TV’s used by the Sunday School and in adult education as well as a copier for the office. And memorial bricks.
We supported the bazaars and other church events by purchasing the sign at the corner of routes 122 and 123.
Our most recent purchases were the badly needed refrigerator/freezer in the kitchen and a frame and door on the John Street entrance to the parish house.
For several years the thrift shop paid the salary of the bell choir director as there was insufficient money in the operating budget.
Speaking of the bell choir, it was founded more than a decade ago with a memorial gift of two octaves of bells. Since then, numerous other memorial bells have been received and Christ Church now owns almost four octaves of bells, two octaves of hand chimes, wind chimes, beautiful table coverings, a banner and tables with cushions.
Just like automobiles, bells have moving parts and just like automobiles they start to show wear after a number of years and must go to specialists for overhauling. The middle two octaves generally carry the melody. They are rung constantly and break down first. In order to maintain the bells in good condition, all of them should be sent out for re-conditioning every 10-12 years. Our bells were not reconditioned for many, many years, because there were always more urgent priorities at Christ Church. They were sent out only for emergency repairs, and many a repaired bell arrived on Christmas Eve via Federal Express. The cost of total reconditioning the bells was $2000 and it had to be planned well in advance because a reservation was needed. Finally, when it could no longer be put off, the thrift shop agreed to pick up $l,000 of the cost as soon as they had finished paying for the handicapped ramp. A Friend of the Bell Choir paid the other half.
It’s about more than money. Over the years the thrift shop staff has met the needs of the people who come in. Some are “just” lonely. Some are shopping for a new church. Some are thrifty. Some are helping their neighbors or shopping for people in nursing homes or the elderly. Some have the promise of a new job and want to look presentable. One woman recently was delighted to find a cushion that she could afford which would allow her to sleep in an upright position. She was waiting for a heart transplant.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of the parishioners of Christ Church and their friends and families. Contributions are always welcome. Clothing should be clean and in wearable condition. We also accept small appliances, Christmas decorations and books. We regret that due to limitations of space we are unable to accept toys or furniture.
Contributions may be brought to the thrift shop during their regular hours of operations, which are Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00-noon. They may also be left outside the door to the thrift shop INSIDE the building. Donations may also be left at the office during regular office hours.
The thrift shop is closed during July and August, but the volunteers work most Monday mornings all year round, including the summer months. During that time they clean the shop and unpack seasonable merchandise. The thrift shop is also closed between Christmas and New Years. Volunteers are always welcome. Name your own hours and select your own area of interest to work in.
We are especially in need of someone who can take away bags of clothing
every couple of weeks on a regular basis and deliver them to the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul’s. Please contact Marge Boyce or Barbara Papineau if this is something you can do.
Please volunteer your time if you can. Please continue to provide us with the merchandise we sell. Your support is appreciated.