The pressure to get out shopping and spend money on gifts isn’t only felt by parents every Christmas, but children, too.
That’s one of the reasons why Rev. Travis O’Brian, rector at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Fernwood, and his wife, Jasmin, turned the church’s annual holiday craft fair into something much different nearly two decades ago.
Star Sunday is still a festive Christmas crafting event, but a “reverse” market in the sense that children and teens do the crafting with free materials provided generously to the church by local businesses.
There’s no selling, only creating.
“The purpose of Star Sunday is to provide a way for children of all ages to make presents for family and friends, without having to worry about malls and money,” said O’Brian.
He said the gifts are more heartfelt when crafted with their own hands and the event brings a sense of community as more than 70 volunteers, from teens to seniors, help guide the kids, making everything from wreaths and birdhouses to beeswax candles, cards and even tied fishing lures.
The 17th annual Star Sunday market is scheduled for this Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at St. Barnabas, 1525 Begbie St.; 23 crafting stations will be set up in the church, the hall and outdoor areas.
There will be free Belgian waffles on the griddle and hot apple cider, a cheerful yule fire outside and carols and a live animal nativity with sheep, ducks and chickens compliments of the 4H and local backyard farmers.
St. Barnabas also provides 60 Christmas hampers during this time of year using money it receives from the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund. Those hampers are given to families in need and contain turkeys and hams, clothing, gifts for young children and vouchers to buy food and other items at local grocers and retailers.
Some of the $5,000 in funding also goes toward vouchers and food for a weekly communion held every Friday through the year, where St. Barnabas welcomes people for a morning of fellowship.
O’Brian said they come from all walks of life. “Some are living in tents, others are refugees, immigrants or from First Nations; some who come have a history of addictions, some have been in trouble with the law; some come just because they enjoy coming,” he said.
O’Brian said the Friday communions are humble gatherings. “The important thing is the relationships that form,” he said. “The food vouchers are not a solution to poverty, but are simply a means to invite new possible friendships in unlikely places, trust-building and opportunities not to be stuck always on the receiving end of things, but to find opportunity to share and give back.”
The reverend uses an example of a man he calls Brock, who has a history of addictions. He started attending the Friday Communion a few years ago. Last year, he got involved in Star Sunday, working along side two other volunteers at one of the busy Star Sunday crafting stations.
Later, Brock told O’Brian how wonderful it was to help families create something beautiful for their home. “He felt he was giving back to the church community that had showed him friendship and support when he needed it, a community and safe place to return to,” said O’Brian.
Brock will be helping out at Star Sunday again this year.
St. Barnabas estimates between 300 and 400 will attend this year’s craft fair and encourages everyone to attend.
The church has never had a major sponsor for the event and relies on several businesses to make it a success. Among the businesses giving supplies this year are Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Timeless Toys, Gonzales Coffee, Home Hardware, For Good Measure, Forbes Pharmacy, Buttons & Bows, Knotty By Nature, Island Savings, Hillside and Fairfield Thrifty Foods, Save On Foods, Country Grocer, Lazy Susan’s, Slegg Lumber, Fairway Market, Red Barn Market, Special Teas and The Market Garden.
The City of Victoria supplies tents for the event at a reduced rate.
“It’s become such an important part of many people’s Christmas season,” said O’Brian.
“The gifts have become so creative and wonderful; everything is so natural … there’s no glitter. And the important thing is an event like this really brings people together.”
HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS FUND
• Go online to . That page is linked to sa国际传媒Helps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Cheques should be made out to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund. Drop them at the sa国际传媒 office in Vic West, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria.
• Or, for the duration of the postal strike, contact Maximum Express for free pickup and delivery of your cheque. Call dispatch at 250-721-3278 or email [email protected].
