The theme of this year’s fair is “Rejoice!†which was inspired by John 15:12 which directs followers to, “love one another as I have loved you.†The annual Faire is truly an occasion to show our love for one another by socializing with friends old and new while helping those less fortunate than ourselves; all proceeds from the event are donated to the church’s outreach partners, a list of the religious and non-religious organizations are below. The last three Faires have raised in excess of $110,000 each for these organizations.
Four Pacific Palisades residents are heading up the 2012 Christmas Faire effort: Kristin Waters and Monica de Haan are serving as auction co-chairs while Sujie Min and Courtney Sheldon are event co-chairs.
“We look forward to implementing some new ideas while respecting the traditions that make the evening a community favorite,†said Waters of her second year as co-chair.
“It’s a truly joyous way to start off the holiday season; catching up with friends and shopping for something special all while doing good,†said Min who is also in her position for a second year.
deHaan and Sheldon who are co-chairing for the first time and, “are delighted to be a part of an event that enables our outreach partners to carry Christ’s work in to the world.â€
As part of the Parish’s efforts to be a good neighbor, the 2012 Christmas Faire will extend formal invitations — and two complimentary drink tickets — to our neighbors along Bienveneda Avenue in the hope that they will rejoice in the holiday season with us.
For more information on the 21st annual St. Matthew’s Christmas Faire see: “http://www.stmatthews.com/church/christmasfaire.php” http://www.stmatthews.com/church/christmasfaire.php
THE ORGANIZATIONS listed below will benefit from the Christmas Faire:
Angel Interfaith Network (Project Angel) – Provide housing assistance, relocation, transportation and supplies for needy families with babies born at LA County/USC Medical Center.
Belize Service Projects – Provide support for two service projects in Belize.
Chrysalis – Fund job training and placement for homeless and low-income individuals.
CLARE – Support teens at risk for substance abuse through Clarity for Youth program.
Common Ground – Provide funding for HIV/Aids related services including education, prevention, testing and counseling for homeless youth.
Dorcas House – Fund staffing for this foster home for fifty children in Tijuana.
Episcopal Chaplaincy at USC and UCLA – Support youth worship at USC and UCLA.
Episcopal Relief and Development – Provide support to the Emergency Relief Fund.
Episcopal Urban Intern Program – Subsidize repairs to housing for the interns
GAIA (Global Aid Interfaith Alliance) – Provide funds for the Village-to-Village Intervention Program in impoverished African villages of rural Malawi.
Habitat for Humanity – Fund two Parish Work Days at Habitat building projects.
Hollygrove – Support the Family Finding Program for abused and neglected children.
Jubilee Consortium – Support expansion of the Health Justice Project to low-income neighborhoods in downtown Los Angeles and Hawthorne.
NYA (Neighborhood Youth Association) – Provide funding for the Personal Best Program to help at- risk children in West LA.
OPCC (formerly Ocean Park Community Center) and Samoshel (Santa Monica Shelter) – Provide funds for food and shelter for the homeless in West Los Angeles.
PRISM /Restorative Justice – Supports pastoral care for prison inmates at Twin Towers and Juvenile Hall
St. Joseph Center – Pay the stipend for the Episcopal Urban Intern who helps locate housing for the homeless.
St. Joseph’s Center’s Bread & Roses Café – Funds staffing for the Program Manager that coordinates meals for low-income and homeless individuals every weekday.
Westside Food Bank – Provide funds for purchase and distribution of essential nutrition for ultra low-income individuals and families.
The Parish of St. Matthew welcomes Palisidians of all faiths to join us at The 21st Annual Christmas Faire and at Sunday services.
For more information on The Parish of St. Matthew, The Episcopal Parish of Pacific Palisades: http://www.stmatthews.com/
