Fair Trade Market

CORNERSTONE
UMC TO HOST FAIR TRADE MARKET

Making a difference in the lives of those less
fortunate

O’FALLON, MO – On Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm,
Cornerstone United Methodist Church will be host a Fair Trade Market.  Fair Trade provides under and unemployed
artisans with an opportunity to earn vital income and improve their quality of
life by establishing a sustainable market for their handcrafted products. By
purchasing their products, this allows the artisans and their families to
pursue better homes, education and healthy lives of dignity.

At the Fair Trade Market, unique products that are
skillfully made from artisans around the world will be available for purchase.
These items include: jewelry, purses, scarves, pottery, woven baskets, soap,
tea, coffee, chocolate and more. Every item purchased provides vital, fair
income to artisans and their families; this, in turn, provides economic
vitality to their communities. Each purchase has far reaching impact around the
world. There will also be lunch
available for $7 on this day so you can grab a bite to eat before or after you
shop.

Fair trade is a
concept that lessens the number of links in the supply chain and engages the
artisan in the trade process. It results in higher pay, dignity, respect and
sustainability of the artisan community. It also results in higher employment
rates around the world, jobs for some who would otherwise not have them and
access for all of us to unique, skillfully handmade and beautiful products from
around the world. These products boast uncommon colors, shapes and textures not
available from mass-produced product lines.

“The Fair Trade
Movement is an international network of producers, importers, retailers and
consumers, which enables people in the developing world to sell their products
at a price that allows them to live in dignity and to support themselves and
their families,” says Mabel Dighton, Missions Coordinator for the church. “Your
tax-deductible donation will not only go to help the artisans but will also go
to help the programs in Kenya and Zambia that provide much needed support to
children orphaned by AIDS.”

The mission of
Cornerstone is clear, to Lead People to Jesus. And they follow that, along with
their vision, to be the “eyes and ears, hands and feet, heart and voice of
Jesus to our community and the world;” in their various activities, groups, and
mission projects.

Cornerstone UMC is one
of the oldest Methodist churches in the O’Fallon area. And for over 200 years
they have offered a wide variety of opportunities for spiritual and emotional
growth; whether it is in a small group or in worship and Sunday school, there
is some way for everyone to get connected. For more information about
Cornerstone UMC, visit www.umcornerstone.org.