Church Honors Social Justice Month with Fair Trade Marketplace
In collaboration with Ten Thousand Villages, Congregational United Church of Christ (1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005) will host a Fair Trade Marketplace featuring handmade items on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29. All proceeds will benefit Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit organization that helps artisans throughout the world secure a living wage for goods produced in earth-friendly ways.
Ten Thousand Villages works closely with artisans throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. This year's Fair Trade Marketplace will feature a variety of handmade products and one-of-a-kind gifts, including jewelry, home decor, toys, and more. Proceeds from the sale of these items will provide food, education, healthcare, and housing for the artisans and their families.
This event offers local shoppers a unique opportunity to promote a world economy that empowers artisans, marginalized workers, and struggling families. The Fair Trade Marketplace is part of CUCC's month-long observation of Social Justice and Witness Month, which includes:
• a food drive;
• a letter-writing campaign to support children's nutritional programs (November 1 -8);
• and a special musical performance by the Still a Dream Band (10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 22).
It is no coincidence that these events are planned for November, a month associated with gratitude. As CUCC event coordinator JoAnn Rapp explains, "Having [the Fair Trade Marketplace] on the traditional Thanksgiving weekend speaks to 'thanks living' for those of us who live in safety, [and] aren't faced with the daily challenge as to how to secure sufficient food for the family's meals."
Shop the Fair Trade Marketplace at Congregational United Church of Christ (CUCC) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, and noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 29. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted.
Congregational United Church of Christ is an open and affirming institution that welcomes everyone. To learn more about these events, please contact CUCC at 847-392-6650.