In the early 1980’s, several United Church of Chapel Hill members began having conversations about combating the ever-increasing consumerism accompanying each Christmas season. One member in particular, Elizabeth Greenlee, had a vision to create an alternative Advent season, and soon the idea spread rapidly throughout the congregation.  Obvious questions began to surface: what would it mean to offer an alternative? What would it look like? As Jill Edens, co-pastor of United Church, puts it, “we were looking for ways for people to avoid the mall altogether” during the Christmas season—a formidable task!

At this same time, United Church began holding classes based on Alternatives for Simple Living’s “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” a yearly publication designed to offer ideas and products that can keep Christmas “Christ-centered.”  Young parents in the church, including the pastors, Rick and Jill Edens, also began having conversations about combating consumerism in their own families. From these classes and conversations, the idea arose to begin a yearly offering (called a “gift of life”) to Church World Service during the Advent season.

After several years, these “gift of life” offerings expanded to include donations to Interfaith Council, Habitat for Humanity, and One-World Market, among others. As United Church began to realize how much money was being raised for these missions, they began inviting recipients of their offerings to the church during the Advent season.  Tables were set up for these organizations, providing space for them to educate congregants on their mission activities through handouts and videos.

According to Church World Service, United Church’s Alternative Christmas Market has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the country. The Market has expanded to include, along with the original “gifts of life” to Church World Service, arts and crafts from around the world; gifts of time and service from church members that are sold or auctioned to benefit the market; and craft and food items made by church groups.

The proceeds of Market are divided between Church World Service and a designated mission outreach program of United Church. Last year, the Market raised over $30,000, with close to $20,000 going to Church World Service and
$2,500 going to the North Carolina Council of Churches.

Jill Edens feels that the Alternative Christmas Market is “a creative and fun way to find resources for missions. It is a festive way to give ‘gifts that give twice:’ once to the recipient, and also to the service project that receives the money.  The Market has become an alternative celebration.”

For more information, go to www.unitedchurch.org or contact the United Church of Chapel Hill office, 919-942-3540.