Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Market set for Nov 21-22

Westminster Presbyterian Church
Contact: Sharon Templeman
Phone: 936-560-9198 E-mail: recols@suddenlink.net
WestPresChurch.com

Photo Editor: Please find the attached photos; captions are listed on page 2; all photos are Courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages.

Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Market

More than 60 years after Edna Ruth Byler began the fight to eradicate poverty with money raised from a make-shift shop in the trunk of her car, Ten Thousand Villages is thriving. Today the global network empowers artisans in 38 developing countries by marketing hand-crafted products. Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.

Westminster Presbyterian Church brings Ten Thousand Villages’ mission to Nacogdoches with a two-day sale featuring a diverse collection of handmade holiday decorations, jewelry, art, baskets textiles, serve ware and other products representing the diverse cultures of the Caribbean, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The sale is in Westminster Hall, 903 North Street; shopping hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22.

Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world’s largest fair trade organizations. Founded in 1946, the company encourages artisan partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product offered has been crafted responsibly. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), all sales revenue generated by Ten Thousand Villages and any surplus earned by operations are retained within the organization. Surpluses are used to increase purchases from artisans and to finance the growth of Ten Thousand Villages retail network.

Westminster Presbyterian Church members are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time. The 2014 Ten Thousand Villages event will include items made by members of the church, and the sales of these items will benefit the mission work of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches and abroad.

The Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Market is one of many holiday shopping events planned for the Nine Flags Christmas Festival. 2014 marks the 18th year of this festival that pays homage to the rich and spirited history of the oldest town in Texas. As the festival showcases the cultural influences injected by the leadership that has shaped Nacogdoches, the Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Market contributes to the celebration by bringing the art and culture of many countries to town.

Westminster Presbyterian Church is a designated Texas Historic Landmark that traces its roots to the first Protestant minister to preach on Texas soil. In 1836, Rev. Sumner Bacon organized a Presbyterian Sunday School in the Old Stone Fort. Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomes all to celebrate in a climate of worship which is best described as spiritual, but also classical and traditional. The congregation meets each Sunday to worship at 11 a.m. Guests of all ages are also welcome to attend Sunday School classes at 9:30 a.m. More information about Westminster Presbyterian Church is available at WestPresChurch.com

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