A Unique Take on “Season of Giving”

While Christmas seems a long way off, the holidays are quickly sneaking up on us. The long-standing tradition of holiday fairs will be in full swing within a month, and fairs can be found in every town and at nearly every church.

Saint Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Acton is no exception, with their Festival of Sharing scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 6. But what is exceptional about this fair is its emphasis on giving. “The Festival of Sharing is unlike any other church fair,” explains Betsy Comstock, leader of the Steering Committee for the event and organizer for the past 9 years. “We embrace the ‘Season of Giving’ differently. All our proceeds go directly to charities.”

The Festival of Sharing is set up like no other fair. This year, twenty-five certified 501(c)(3) local, national, and international charities will have tables highlighting their cause, with many offering goods for sale. Each organization receives all proceeds and donations collected at their table or eventually receives all proceeds through specific programs sponsored by St. Matthew’s.

“We have quite a procedure set up,” says Comstock. “Attendees are given a clipboard and form listing each individual table. They visit tables in the sanctuary, hallways, and our fellowship hall, recording purchases and donations on the form. When they’re ready to leave the Festival, they check out, making payments with cash, check, credit card or Venmo. Within a few days, our accounting team sends organizations their share of the Festival proceeds.”

No money collected at the Festival is kept by Saint Matthew’s. A small budget has been set aside by the church to cover any expenses, allowing 100% of proceeds to go directly to each charitable organization.

Comstock reports that one of the most popular offerings is the Cookie Walk. Church members bake dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies and donate them to the Festival. Several tables are set up, buffet style, and attendees are given a container (or several) to fill with cookies of their choice. Containers are weighed and cost is calculated by the pound.

Other popular features include a home-baked bread table (benefiting Bread for the World), handmade holiday centerpieces (benefiting Habitat for Humanity), a wide assortment of unique hand-crafted gifts from around the world (benefiting SERVV International and Under the Same Moon), and crafts created by church members (with proceeds divided between all 25 charities).

Artist and church member Jim Kay will again offer his acrylic landscape paintings at the Festival of Sharing. “I paint throughout the year in anticipation of the Festival. My paintings are donated for purchase to benefit the three area food pantries we support. Over the last 3 years, I’ve collected over $4,700 at this great event. It’s a blessing to be able to use my talent to support a cause I believe in.”

A complimentary light lunch of soup or chili will be offered in the fellowship hall. Marcia Rasmussen, a member of the Steering Committee, will coordinate lunch, with food donated by church members and local businesses. “We will have an excellent menu that will include vegan/vegetarian options,” states Rasmussen. While the lunch is free, people are encouraged to add a donation to their favorite organization represented at the Festival if they wish to give something.

Visitors will also be entertained by the Handbell Choir, roaming carolers, and other musical presentations.

Almost since its founding in 1962, Saint Matthew’s had held Christmas Fairs. After a break in the early 2000s, the event was reinstated by the Mission, Outreach & Advocacy Committee to raise funds for charities. At first, it was only open to church attendees, but Betsy Comstock’s vision to open the event to the public was realized in 2016. Since then, the funds collected have grown to nearly $30,000 for the single event.

Saint Matthew’s Church is located at 435 Central Street in Acton. On-site parking is available, and the building is fully handicap accessible. For more information, visit www.saint-matthews.org/fos.