First-Centenary United Methodist Church is hosting a sale titled Accessories are Necessities Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise money for local and global church mission trips.
"We asked church members to clean out their jewelry boxes and clothing to find gently used items that they no longer wear that others might enjoy," said Jeanne Brice, a member of the church's women's organization. "We still need items to sell, monetary donations and shoppers."
First-Centenary United Methodist Church member Jeanne Brice, of Hixson, showcases items for sale at the church's first Accessories are Necessities sale for missions. Items include her personally made jewelry holders, jewelry, purses and more.The public is invited to donate as well as shop at the fundraising event to be held at First-Centenary's Oak Street Center at the corner of Oak and Houston streets. Items for sale will include new and gently used accessories, such as women's and men's jewelry like cuff links, necklaces, earrings, pins, rings and bracelets, as well as scarves, purses, gloves, hats, glasses and hair ornaments. Lemonade and baked goods will be available for purchase as well.
"Everything will be reasonably priced from 50 cents and up," said Brice, who will sell some of her original sculptures made of dishes and specifically designed to be jewelry holders. "It's our first ever Accessories are Necessities sale. We hope it will be popular enough to do it again."
Fundraisers like this are integral to the church's many mission trips, she said.
"The United Methodist Women through dues and fundraisers supports hundreds of different Methodist missions," said Brice. "There are after-school programs and new mothers programs and we send people on mission trips."
In 2011, mission teams from the church went to the Sudan, Guatemala, Virginia and Alaska. Brice said she personally served on a First-Centenary mission team in Mississippi rebuilding homes and painting after Hurricane Katrina hit. The congregation has also focused on helping local tornado victims rebuild, she said.
Brice said the church will send teams to Haiti and Costa Rica in 2012.
"I went to Haiti the first week of March," said First-Centenary UMC member Jill Vickers. "It was very emotional because it had been one year since the earthquake and there had been very little rebuilding. We stayed with a missionary that does physical therapy and prosthetics braces for those who had lost limbs and need rehabilitation."
Vickers said the mission team built the missionary a workshop and helped teach English at a school in Haiti.